This is a reprint of my experiences over the years with the same problem:
My problem started as painful urination along with frequency and urgency; only mild leakage and had to go about every 30-60 minutes. So sleeping was difficult.
I have had many other procedures including
urodynamics testing,
4 cystoscopy with dilations, medications, Interstim implant, and finally "REZUM". They helped with urgency, but not with frequency.
Then I had an implanted Medtronic interstim device. This really has worked well for me. It works like a pacemaker for the bladder. The device is about the size of a silver dollar. I requested that it be implanted in my back a few inches above my belt line. Wires run under the skin to the bladder. The device has 4 channels loaded that I can tinker with to find what works best for me. Actually, there are 99 channels available that the doctor or Medtronic sales rep can change. I have an external transmitter that I use to select one of the 4 channels and change the amplitude. So you can change it as your body changes. It works like a Bluetooth device.
(Some people are not aware that there is an external trial before actually committing to the implant.)
Now, I can sometimes wait as long as 3 hours to urinate. That is a great improvement for me!
I had the REZUM procedure this past Thursday (7/25/2019). This is a relatively new way to treat BPH (enlarged prostate). They insert a small cystoscope into the urethra to inspect the bladder. Then another device is inserted that is hollow. A special needle is inserted through that, and punctures the wall into the inner core of the prostate. Radio frequency turns water into steam and kills cells in that area. Each treatment is about 9 seconds long, and can be inserted in as many places as the surgeon thinks necessary. (In my case, only 2 locations were treated.) Over time the body removes the dead cells and that reduces the size of the prostate, thus relieving excess pressure. It is said that it has about 95% success rate with very little risk compared to previous techniques.
UPDATE: I had my 1 month follow-up this week. I am pleased to report that I am doing better than normal! The pain is much less and frequency less. The doc says it will continue to improve over the next year.
Here is how the REZUM procedure went:
* I checked in to the doctor's office at 10:00; the procedure began at 11:00. This was an area in the office that I had never seen before. The I/V was insert and other preparations were carried out on one side of the hall. The procedure itself was directly across the hall. It looked like a regular hospital setting, but smaller.
* A nurse carefully demonstrated how I was going to use the two different catheter bags I was going to use for the next 3 days; a smaller one for daytime and a larger one for bedtime. I was allowed to play with all the gear until I felt I could understand what I was going to do with it.
* They administered antibiotic, Fentanyl, and Propofol/Lidocaine. I had asked that they go very slow with the Propofol because my veins burn like fire if it is given too quickly. They did well.
* Less than 5 minutes later I was waking up as they lifted me from one gerny to another and moved to a recovery room. That was FAST!
* The procedure was painless, but by the time I arrived home I was
was suffering. It hurt so much that I feared I would not be able to sleep. However, by 10:00 P.M. I was better, and by morning pain was not an issue. They had told me to buy an over-the-counter med called "AZO" (at Walgreens). I took 2 pills, 3 times per day for only 2 days. It turns the urine to a dark yellow/orange. Yukky!
* The biggest hassle was draining and changing the bags, and also finding ways to keep the bags below the bladder for proper drainage.
* Sunday (this morning) was my biggest concern: taking out the catheter myself and peeing within 6 hours else go to the emergency room. I was advised to do this while taking a shower. Praise Jesus, it worked well, and I peed within 3 hours!
* The doctor explained that healing and full benefits could be as much as 3 months; some do better.
I am blessed to live near this doctor since he is one of only a few in the country that specializes in complex male and female surgeries. Here is his name and address:
Dr. Samuel J. KUYKENDALL (pronounced: Ker-kin-doll)
Kansas City Urology Care
4321 Washington
Suite 5300
Kansas City, Missouri 64111
816-531-1234
He also has an Overland Park, Kansas office:
10701 Nall
Suite 100
Overland Park, Kansas 66211
913-338-5585
www.kcurology.com/our-physicians/sam-kuykendall-md.html
(He is older than he looks in the site's picture.)
This is a big group of doctors with many locations around the metropolitan area. My first doctor was
Dr. David BOCK. He referred me to his colleague, Dr. Kuykendall. They are both very nice and friendly and easy to talk to.
God bless you all!
❤
