Thread: Prostate Surgery or Drug Therapy?

My urologist has recommended TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate). I am balking with good reason. There are a lot of risks with this surgery. I am going to ask him to put me on Avodart to alleviate the symtoms of frequent urination and reduce the size of the prostate. Does anyone have any experience with this or words of advice.

My urologist has told me I need two operations.
Two other doctors have said this is bullshit.
Get a second opinion.

Going to see a doctor in Thailand is often like asking a car dealer if you need a new car

^Good advice. In the US they seldom recommend surgery for this anymore.

yea a second opinion and a third if necessary.

That’s not good news at all!

Good luck with whatever decision you make

Hope a second/third opinion is better than the first

The doctor said that without surgery, I may eventually lose muscle function of the bladder. I think he is too anxious to use the knife on me. The prostate is very enlarged, that is why he is pushing me but I am going to get another opinion and probably insist on taking Avodart for 6 months and see if the gland shrinks significantly. Many people live with this condition if the symtoms are not too severe.

Surgery is always the last resort. I would talk to a whole bunch of doctors before I eliminated all other options - especially for something that is not immediately life threatening.

I just got back a message from someone I know in the Philippines who has bacterial prostatitis. Though this is different from what you have, what he says about Finesteride, Avodart and Saw Palmetto is interesting. I'm sure he won't mind my posting his message here :


" I went through the intense antibiotics program 2 grams IV a day for a week and thought it had done it's job, once a year like clock work around this time of year it flares up usually just maintains a low simmer in the bladder and urethra. I have done exhaustive research and there is no true Dx of what it is, the cause; some folks having the prostate removed still exhibit symptoms. Mine appeared out of nowhere in 2004, woke up urinated, painless but urine was the color of coffee, went to the Dr. was given antibiotics, ended up twice in the hospital for sepsis. They did a culture and found the antibiotics prescribed were ineffective. I went to the US to a Urologist, he said they knew what I didn't have but do not know for sure what I do have. My prostate was enlarged I was given Finesteride that was ineffective so I was told to take Saw Palmetto within 10 days my prostate was back to normal size, but they had me on antibiotics orally for three to six months every time it flared up the first 4 years, about 4 years ago I found a doctor, an Internist here, who put me on the IV program, then on Avodart and Algesia, now it's down to acceptable level of discomfort. Spicy foods, soft drinks, alcohol, caffeine will aggravate. No cure that I have heard of but some men have had it just go away.

I am ruling out surgery for now after getting two other opinions from urologists in the states that I consulted with. They both said that unless there is infection or blood in the urine, surgery should not be considered yet.
My daughter is sending me samples of Jalyn, a combo of Avodart and Flomax. If my social insurance urologist here does not give me Avodart or it's generic, I will buy it myself because Proscar and other meds are not as effective.
Thanks to everyone for their input.

Originally Posted by Humbert

The doctor said that without surgery, I may eventually lose muscle function of the bladder. I think he is too anxious to use the knife on me. The prostate is very enlarged, that is why he is pushing me but I am going to get another opinion and probably insist on taking Avodart for 6 months and see if the gland shrinks significantly. Many people live with this condition if the symtoms are not too severe.

too anxious to get his hands on your money dude.