Re: comments re: Tom Lauterback's problems

[Guest guest]

Sy:

The most encouraging email I've received in some time. Thank you. I haven't made the decision to go with the laser treatment yet, so I will check into the Naprosyn and Actiflo. I've actually gotten used to having to change pads/underwear a few times a day, plus waking up in a wet bed. It's surely preferable to having more damage done by an aggressive urologist. Although I do trust my current one, unlike his three predecessors.

And speaking of predecessors, you gentlemen may wish to know that Illinois, and I'm sure most states, maintain a procedure for filing complaints against a doctor. It does not involve court action or a lawyer. I fled a complaint against the physician who apparently damaged me. I may or may not sue for damages, but I doubt if I will. I simply went on the state website and registered my complaint. A few weeks later, an investigator showed up at my door and we spent an hour together covering all the details. Not suggesting that such a procedure should be taken lightly, but if this bright blue state has such a mechanism, I'm sure most if not all do. And I've read of a lot of frustration re: overly aggressive urologists on this site.

A good weekend and great health to all of you.

Tom

comments re: Tom Lauterback's problems

Tom,

I had a similar sounding situation.

I had a Brachytherapy procedure back in January and about 3 weeks later developed an apparent "radiation burn" from the radioactive seeds. Very rare.

Anyway I was retaining enormous amounts of urine and had to be catheterized numerous times which was actually a relief.

My Prostatic urethra was very inflamed making it hard or near impossible to urinate any volume and causing 650 cc or so retention in my bladder.

It was the most awful thing I've ever been through. I was put on a short regimen of cortisone tabs and Naprosyn.

My Urologist who is great kept stressing that the main variable was "time" for the swelling to diminish.

He originally thought I'd need a TURP but decided against it, much to my relief. He put me on a robust regimen of "Rapiflo" which I found to be much more effective than Flomax. After about 2 months of sheer misery my symptoms have diminished dramatically. He gave me a Foley Catheter twice but then told me that it's not a good idea to use it for too long.

He showed me how to do self-catheterization which terrified me at first but is actually no big deal. I would advise you to ask your doctor to get the swelling resolved with meds and time and would definitely not have any further procedures at least until the swelling subsides.

I was supposed to have 30 EBRT treatments after the Brachytherapy but my Doc said "no more radiation for you" and I agreed.

I feel for you, but I would say that the aforementioned advice though from a layman, should be seriously considered.

When I was in the middle of my ordeal I was pretty convinced that my situation would not resolve and that I would be a "urological cripple" for the rest of my life, but it definitely did improved greatly over time. Hang in there. Things WILL improve.

Sy

[Guest guest]

I'm about to start my radiation treatments. SURE hope I don't experience Tom's BURNS! I've been to told to NOT MOVE...which i plan to pay CLOSE ATTENTION TO! I've not heard of the two methods mentioned...will check them out!

To: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Fri, April 30, 2010 8:45:29 AMSubject: Re: comments re: Tom Lauterback's problems

Sy:

The most encouraging email I've received in some time. Thank you. I haven't made the decision to go with the laser treatment yet, so I will check into the Naprosyn and Actiflo. I've actually gotten used to having to change pads/underwear a few times a day, plus waking up in a wet bed. It's surely preferable to having more damage done by an aggressive urologist. Although I do trust my current one, unlike his three predecessors.

And speaking of predecessors, you gentlemen may wish to know that Illinois, and I'm sure most states, maintain a procedure for filing complaints against a doctor. It does not involve court action or a lawyer. I fled a complaint against the physician who apparently damaged me. I may or may not sue for damages, but I doubt if I will. I simply went on the state website and registered my complaint. A few weeks later, an investigator showed up at my door and we spent an hour together covering all the details. Not suggesting that such a procedure should be taken lightly, but if this bright blue state has such a mechanism, I'm sure most if not all do. And I've read of a lot of frustration re: overly aggressive urologists on this site.

A good weekend and great health to all of you.

Tom

[ProstateCancerSupp ort] comments re: Tom Lauterback's problems

Tom,

I had a similar sounding situation.

I had a Brachytherapy procedure back in January and about 3 weeks later developed an apparent "radiation burn" from the radioactive seeds. Very rare.

Anyway I was retaining enormous amounts of urine and had to be catheterized numerous times which was actually a relief.

My Prostatic urethra was very inflamed making it hard or near impossible to urinate any volume and causing 650 cc or so retention in my bladder.

It was the most awful thing I've ever been through. I was put on a short regimen of cortisone tabs and Naprosyn.

My Urologist who is great kept stressing that the main variable was "time" for the swelling to diminish.

He originally thought I'd need a TURP but decided against it, much to my relief. He put me on a robust regimen of "Rapiflo" which I found to be much more effective than Flomax. After about 2 months of sheer misery my symptoms have diminished dramatically. He gave me a Foley Catheter twice but then told me that it's not a good idea to use it for too long.

He showed me how to do self-catheterizatio n which terrified me at first but is actually no big deal. I would advise you to ask your doctor to get the swelling resolved with meds and time and would definitely not have any further procedures at least until the swelling subsides.

I was supposed to have 30 EBRT treatments after the Brachytherapy but my Doc said "no more radiation for you" and I agreed.

I feel for you, but I would say that the aforementioned advice though from a layman, should be seriously considered.

When I was in the middle of my ordeal I was pretty convinced that my situation would not resolve and that I would be a "urological cripple" for the rest of my life, but it definitely did improved greatly over time. Hang in there. Things WILL improve.

Sy