Living with BPH/Enlarged Prostate

When I first began to research BPH the Urology Channel served as an important resource. I was dismayed by the many discouraging posts. My symptoms mirrored those of many of the posters, and I had been living with this problem for about 5 years. My symptoms were severe, with occasional flare-ups that made life miserable for both me and my wife. I was up three or four times a night, and tired all the time. It had become a major focus of my life. I was convinced that my only option was some form of surgical intervention, which I dreaded.

I sought out a Urologist who would work with me on what I had discovered in my research. I had become convinced that, underlying my problem was some form of chronic bacterial infection, an infection that had been addressd frequently in the past and temporarily resolved, but not adequately treated in terms of totally eliminating the infection from my prostate.
It took a long time, and three long term courses with three different antibiotics, but finally my recurrent UTI’s stopped, and this odd sore spot in the bottom of my gut disappeard.

At the same time I began the antibiotics, I started taking Avodart 0.5 mg, Uroxatral (Xatral outside of the US) 10 mg, and sildenafil citrate 25 mg daily. The sildenafil is not available in the US as a generic and my insurer balked at buying Viagra for me daily, so this was sourced inexpensively in Canada. I also take an Advil PM when I go to bed, and a daily multivitamin.

Today, as I write this, I am completely symptom free. At 64, I feel like I’m 40 again, sleeping through the night, urinating (and completely voiding my bladder) as I used to prior to the onset of the BPH symptoms. When I do get the urge to urinate, I have all the time in the world to accomplish the task. That soreness around my bladder is gone. My blood pressure is right on the money (the sildenafil helps with that too). My wife will vouch for the improvement in our sex, and indeed, in our entire relationship. My orgasm is smooth and long, with copius ejaculate.

I have energy (see sleeping through the night above), and a new outlook on life. I smile a lot. The ongoing stress of constantly having to urinate, and worry about the how and where of it, is gone. The bald spot on the back of my head is filling in.
It took effort, committment and about a year, although I enjoyed significant symptom relief within a couple of months. I lost a few pounds, began to exercise moderately, made some minor changes in diet. Nothing major, but it was certainly worth the time and money spent. I still have BPH I know, it’s just I don’t suffer from the symptoms anymore. At all. Nada.

So, my advice to fellow BPH’ers who yearn to pee freely:
First, find a urologist who wants to work with you, it’s a very complex business, and you need someone who really wants to see you get well;
Second, do your own research so you can converse with authority and a sense of direction with your doctor. Provide him with detailed, specific and accurate information about your symptoms;
Third, look at some possible lifestyle changes that might provide sympomatic relif. Nothing drastic: I still enjoy a good steak and drink moderately, but I increased my fresh fruit and vegetable intake. I avoid fast food outlets. I bought a bike and look for opportunities to ride it. I lost 20 pounds without really thinking about it. If I could do it, you can do it.

Good Luck!!