BPH

[Yepanotherone]

Hi,

About a year and a half ago I had what at first looked like a urinary tract infection The GP tested me for all of the STD's which came back negative. After a couple of different antibiotics (which did nothing, he kept muttering about STD's) I was sent to a Urologist.

The Urologist ran a PSA test (slightly elevated - 47 yrs old PSA 2.2) and felt the Prostate and stated he could feel a slight enlargement. He also tested in his office for infection and found no indication in urine sample of infection. He then prescribed a different antibiotic (which worked, he stated Prostate infections were harder to cure than UTI's) and also conducted a cystoscopy to check everything out (everything was OK).

Over the last year I have experienced occasional symptoms of slight irritation at the tip of the penis and the feeling of a need to urinate more frequently. The Urologist had previously suggested alkaline drinks, dont smoke, drink caffeine etc etc which seemed to work.

Recently the symptoms have come back again, that is mild irritation/pain(does not hurt) at the tip of the penis and a feeling of the need to urinate more frequently. There is NO redness, swelling, discharge or anything associated with a "normal" UTI or STD and before you ask the inevitable/required question no there have been no new sexual partners since this started. Before I go back and get more antibiotics (I would rather not be forever taking antibiotics or should I?) I just wanted to confirm that it is (sounds like) a mild case of BHP or Prostatitis and also ask if there is anything I could or should be doing re diet etc to alleviate symptoms or indeed anything else I can do at home.

Please note I am NOT in pain it is just a perpeptual irritant and something that is always at the back of my mind!

Thank you. :)

[SAF]

Morning

I happen to be the same age as you and suffering from BPH. As for diet the best bet is to eat low fat meals with lots of fruit and vegetables. I have found that spicy foods are a no no..also watch your intake of caffeine and alcohol.

Exercise does help as well. Stess seems to locate in our groin area and if you are under any stress the prostate will be affected. I have found that walking and doing the elliptical can help to relax the muscles and make you feel better..

I am not a medical doctor but one who is afflicted with this like you.

Good luck.

[Yepanotherone]

Hi,

Thank you for your response! :)

As a matter of interest if or should I say when you get the occasional flare up do you find any specific antibiotic is best?? I keep getting given Bactrim which is OK but seems to only get rid of about 80% of the problem, and after taking the Bactrim I seem to suffer from very acidic urine for a while? Something a little more effective would be nice.

Thanks again.

[SAF]

I have always had Cipro. When the flareups occur these days I just watch my diet, avoid caffeine alcohol and exercise. I also found that sitting in warm bath helps.

When I was originally diagnosed with this years ago I underwent the antibiotic route but it was until Dr. performed prostate massage that things started improving. For some reason the prostate does not always heal well under antibiotics without some help ie massage. This helps to get some of the bacteria out of the prostate.

You can do this yourself if you are brave enough or if you have partner to help you.

Unfortunately I have found and it may sound cynical that with this you have to take charge of your treatment and not rely on doctors so much.

hope that helps.

[Llove]

Three years ago I was prescribed Bactrim for an outbreak of prostatitis and when
it did not clear up in thirty days I was then prescribed Cipro. That didn't seem to
alter my symptoms but in another few weeks the symptoms ceased. Since then I
have researched prostatitis and learned that bacterial prostatitis accounts for less
than 10 percent of the cases. There are viral forms that do not respond to antibiotics
and other non-bacterial forms like prostadynia that produce pain without inflammation
and the classic ideopathic form as well (ideopathic being a favorite word for unknown
cause that sounds meaningful). But I have read that starting with antibiotics is very
common practice among urologists. In my latest bout my urologist told me that the
latest understanding is that antibiotics that affect gram negative bacteria work
better so he put me on Biaxin for thirty days. Flip a coin.