BPH

[MTG]

I had the TUNA Procedure done two weeks ago. No complications from the procedure however so far there is very little relief of the symptoms. Saw the Dr yesterday and he said be patient that it could take up to two months to see results. Anyone else had the TUNA (now called Prostiva) and can anyone comment, please?

[urologist]

TUNA procedure takes anywhere from 1 to 3 months before the prostate channel enlarges enough to feel a difference. This is normal.

[MTG]

It is now 5 weeks post-procedure. I see some slight improvement in the ease of flow---but very slight. Will this improve? I had no bleeding until last week. Now I have slight bleeding when I start the stream. Is this normal especially after having no bleeding for the inital month post procedure? What does it mean?

[jrac]

I underwent the TUNA procedure over a week ago. (I am 60 and have been in excellent health, being very active with running (ran marathons in last couple years). As forewarned, I do have blood in the urine this past week. I notice it most often as I begin the stream and as I try to further empty the bladder (when it is even more evident). And at night, I apparently 'leak' urine with blood as evidence on my blood stained-underwear several mornings last week. What concerns me now is the shock I received when I had an ejaculation (8 days after the procedure) that resulted in a very, very robust jettison of blood. There was little evidence of sperm. The ejaculation was in no way the consitency of sperm but dark, undiluted blood. It rattled me. I was advised that blood would be seen in both the urine and semen for 4 to 12 weeks, but I plan to consult with my urologist this week to determine: (1) if the intensity of the blood loss is a serious concern or whether it is just 'normal' in the healing process; (2) how long can I expect the intensity of the bleeding to continue and abate; (3) and whether there are further risks with continuous bleeding not only with the urine but the semen; and (4) what kinds of remedial treatments/actions can or should be taken to mitigate further loss of excessive blood. I was desperately hoping I could get off the flomax and uroxatrol byt this procedure. I'm hoping my decision was not foolhardy. If anyone shows any interest, I will post further progress of my hopeful recovery.

[daddy]

can you please post more info

[daddy]

please tell us more

[jrac]

See my first post from 3 weeks ago. It's now been one month since I received the TUNA procedure. No visible evidence of blood in the urine and just a bit in the sperm. My urologist advised that I keep taking Uroxatrol for a month or two as the prostate/tissue heals. For me anyway, Uroxatrol seems to be a little more effective than Flomax (which I tried for a couple months). I have not experienced the irritating side effects of Flomax (dry mouth, headaches, and severe libido impact (including spermless orgasm). During the last couple weeks, post procedure, I do notice some improvement regarding both the frequency and urgency of emptying the bladder. But, of course, the Uroxatrol may be the primary reason for the improvement. I'm really anxious to discover significant results from the TUNA; my hope is that I can get uninterrupted sleep or at least minimize my trips to the bathroom to once a night. I appreciate the 'posts' from TUNA patients and Urologist/Physican regarding their experiences, advice and insight.

[daddy]

Would you recommend this procedure? My father has the procedure scheduled next week. It sounds like it is not a good idea If you can, can you contact me. I would like to talk over the phone with you. My dad has an enlarged prostate and also cancer. Mininal cancer there, and they will be inserting the seeds with him I feel this tuna procedure is too risky for him

[jrac]

I would think it is important that all procedure options are considered and thoroughly discussed. Ask a lot of questions about success rates, healing expectations (including use of catheter, excess blood etc). I don't think I was given enough information as to the healing process. Though it was made clear that there was no 'guarantee,' I wish I had even more objective information on the procedure/treatment options from the medical community. So much that is on the internet and available from urology medical offices are influenced by commercial vendors pushing for, and extolling, their 'most effective' treatments. Everyone's condition is different, so I would not recommend the TUNA or any other procedure to anyone else (even if after a couple months, the TUNA proves effective for me). Confidence in your urologist is very important. I hope a Urologist or other bona fide specialist in this medical field will respond to your questions and concern with helpful guidance and advice. I'm just a guy who made the decision based on limited information to correct my problem. I'm not sure at this point if I will elect to go to 'plan B' (as my Urologist put it) if the TUNA proves ineffective; plan B is a laser (green light?) procedure. I sure hope you and your dad get the help you need to maintain and improve the prostate and attending bladder condition. Medication may be the best treatment: But I certainly would not have a clue since I'm not a physician or have any special knowlege on the subject; I have only my experience to relate.

[jdrsuper]

To All,
I have been on BPH medicines since the early nineties. I am 67 years old and decided that the symptoms were just getting to cumbersome "annoying" to put up with so I scheduled a visit with my urologist and went over all the options. Since I have no signs of cancer and the information he provided about the TURP made me uncomfortable, I choose the Prostiva procedure. Fortunately my doctor told me based on the size of my prostate that it could take 3 to 4 months to completely heal. I had the procedure on January 10th and had a catheter inserted, in the ensuing weeks I had it removed twice only to have it inserted again because I was still swollen and blocked. It came out after two months. I am still healing and still have urgency issues at times, no more bleeding and I am sleeping through the night but it's a race to the bathroom when I wake up. My advice to all for what it's worth is to find out how large your prostate really is talk to your urologist and weigh all the options. Do your own research and make the best informed decision possible. One more thing "if it aint broke don't fix it". My meds allowed me to sleep through the night but with unpleasant side effects. If I had to do it again I would wait until my sleep was disturbed, I could handle the side effects but these months have been hell.