Prostate removal...Update post 60.

[bobsguns]

I had mine removed in 2018. It wasn't cancer, per se, but benign hyperplasia. The doc took 85% of it though, and did a transurethral procedure, no incision. I was back to normal in about 3-4 weeks, the postoperative catheter was the worst part.

I've seen the prostate seeding procedures for cancer and they brought tears to my eyes. Of course the patient is under anesthesia so it doesn't hurt, but boy howdy did it look like it would.

My Dad had the seeding thing done. He passed in 2010, so I don't get to ask him how well it worked now that I'm 66 & may be faced with this down the road.

I read a statistic that something like 60% of men have some sort of prostate cancer in their lifetime. Ouch!!!!

 

[bobsguns]

"Was almost normal after 6 weeks and was active sexually with His Wife and Cialis."

I had to read this sentence a couple times before I realized his wife did not have a friend named Cialis.

I bet it was mis-spelled. It might've been "See Alice" across town............

 

[soFlaNative]

Hoping for good news.

 

[wrkerr]

I read a statistic that something like 60% of men have some sort of prostate cancer in their lifetime. Ouch!!!!

My father was a surgeon for 50 years and told me that 90% of men will die WITH prostate problems, or FROM prostate problems. If you are over 40 years old, GET CHECKED!!!

 

[Onomea]

Well, re 90% of men dying with prostate problems I am sure is true, but that is not to say they die of prostate cancer.

Most of us die from other causes prior to prostate cancer becoming deadly. Hence, the typical advice to monitor when first detected.

Big +1 on getting checked. As unpleasant as an annual DRE is, it is worth doing. PSA monitoring as well.

 

[oink]

Any updates on this?

 

[jeffrefrig]

Oink, I just got home today (Sunday). I hurt like all heck. Doc sent in a script for me for 600 mg Ibuprofen. Worthless for this but it works a little on my back issues. So now I'm home with percosets that I will end up running out of too early. It's been about 4-5 hrs. since I got home and I've only taken one, so not bad. Mr. doctor gets ticked off when other doctors rely on the pills I get from her. I'll have to give her a call or something. It's only been a couple days so I'll give this a chance to run its course. I'll probably go back to the surgeon next week to get this catheter removed. Oh, joy!

 

[swsig]

Oink, I just got home today (Sunday). I hurt like all heck. Doc sent in a script for me for 600 mg Ibuprofen. Worthless for this but it works a little on my back issues. So now I'm home with percosets that I will end up running out of too early. It's been about 4-5 hrs. since I got home and I've only taken one, so not bad. Mr. doctor gets ticked off when other doctors rely on the pills I get from her. I'll have to give her a call or something. It's only been a couple days so I'll give this a chance to run its course. I'll probably go back to the surgeon next week to get this catheter removed. Oh, joy!

Here's my comment from the other thread:

https://smith-wessonforum.com/142153107-post7.html

 

[jem102]

I went with the pin point (Stereo Tactic) radiation of 45 treatments 8 years ago at age 65. My PSA was 276 which he felt would be better treated with the radiation at that age. Was also put on long term med's. Brought my PSA to undetectable level for six years. Doctor ask if I wanted to take a break and I went a year and a half before a slow rise in PSA. Back on the med's and back to undetectable. I don't recall the biopsy or the implanted seeds or the radiation as being painful but everyone is different. The last two weeks of the radiation were kind of tuff and do have a few side affects from it but nothing I can't live with...

As others have offered I would be more than willing to correspond with you in detail if desired, just message me.
Best to you sir!

 

[oink]

I'm glad you're doing well but I'm sorry you're in pain. My doctor didn't even give me enough pain pills to make it home. My pain level wasn't too bad by the 3rd day. I believe I had the catheter for close to 2 weeks. They pressure tested my plumbing before removing it. The first week was pretty miserable in general but it doesn't last forever even if it seems so. I'll pray for a quick recovery.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

"Was almost normal after 6 weeks and was active sexually with His Wife and Cialis."

I had to read this sentence a couple times before I realized his wife did not have a friend named Cialis.

Still a threesome ... no?

Regular exercise and loosing weight will have the same effect as Cialis....hard part is getting your wife to do it.

 

[Igiveup]

DaVinci got me five years ago this month. So far 0.001 PSA tests. I think catheter about two weeks. Never did regain complete competency, use a pad daily now. Inconvenient, yes, and no sex life, but after 75 years I have memories, am cancer free and alive. A minor life inconvenience. Always open to questions, email or calls.

 

[swsig]

Regular exercise and loosing weight will have the same effect as Cialis....hard part is getting your wife to do it.

Ba-Dum Tish!

 

[jeffrefrig]

A few years ago my doctor asked if I wanted something in the line of blue pills. I said "some LSD would help"! Then I looked in the mirror at some old guy and told her "throw in some for her, too."

 

[Kinman]

Jeff, I think you made the wise choice as well. I had mine removed over twenty years ago, it would have killed me inside a year if I had not had it detected and removed. The new systems for removal like the DaVinci machine produce amazing results, my brother just had his done and they didn't remove his prostate but basically cored it out, hopefully removing all the bad stuff. At the time I had mine done I was basically gutted like a fish, cut from taint to sack. My brother was in overnight, I was in for nearly a week, he still can produce an erection, not so for me. I have at least dozen friends that have been diagnosed with a serious form of Prostate Cancer. The only survivors are the ones that have it removed, everyone else with exception to one who is playing the watch and wait game while his PSA keeps rising are dead. Chemo, freezing, seeding whatever has its results but in my limited experience without removal you are playing a loosing game. So, good for you in your choice. The modern techniques are super in recovery, one friend went on a three mile hike with his grandkids a couple days after surgery.

 

[oger]

Before they found mine it was beyond the surgery state so they put me on Lupron. The PSA went from 44 to .05 but the side effects are horrible.

 

[old bear]

I thought a prostate removed left you DRN.; Hope I am wrong. Wishing you and yours the Very Best.

 

[oink]

I thought a prostate removed left you DRN.

What is DRN? I don't know that one.

A prostate removal will change your life. But to what degree is a pretty wide variety of outcomes. You will for sure have dry climaxes, (sans climaturia if that should be an ongoing issue) but all other outcomes are possible. There are in most cases potential solutions for all side effects of the surgery.

I'll answer any questions by IM or text or even by phone if you're currently scheduled for or recovering from the surgery.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

I underwent the radiation treatment (five days/week, total of 44) about ten years ago and within about four years my PSA was undetectable. The downside was dry climaxes but everything else, sexual and urinary, pretty much works as normal.

My father-in-law had his removed about in '90 and later died from complications from the surgery. My understanding is that surgical procedures are far better now and that such complications are now vanishingly rare.

 

[jeffrefrig]

In case anyone is keeping score: Well, today is one week and two day from the surgery, and so far most of the pain has subsided. My stomach looks like I was tied up to some old rusty beam in an unused warehouse and beat with a baseball bat by some idiot with a New York accent. (Idiot because he's beating me; not his NY home!) Tomorrow AM I get this bag & tubes removed from my body. I'm not sure about stitches, but getting this bag the heck off me is my 2nd favorite part so far, right next to coming home to my Angel Dog!!
Then I see my Personal Doctor next week for whatever, then I guess I wait to see if my cancer meter goes down.
So far, from what I've heard from chemical/radio therapy, I believe for ME I chose the correct attack plan, in case anyone else is contemplating this issue.
BUT DEMAND BETTER DRUGS! This **** hurt like all heck for a few days.