Prostate :: My Results After A PAE Procedure


Jan 12, 2016

I had a Prostatic Arterial Embolization (PAE) procedure done at the University of Miami on June 2, 2015 by Dr. Shivank Bhatia. Prior to the procedure I had completely lost my urinary function and was wearing an in dwelling Foley Catheter. I had been told by a prominent Urologist at UM that I would never urinate on my own again, I needed to learn how to self catheterize and that if I chose to have the PAE procedure I should expect it would not be successful. My prostate was over 100 grams, I was not a candidate for the TURP and I should go home and have a nice weekend.

My attitude was I had nothing to lose. If the PAE did not work I was no worse off than if I did not try. Dr. Bhatia was an expert in this procedure so I took a shot. My results have been nothing short of miraculous. The procedure was done on 6/2/15. I never had one ounce of pain, either during or after the PAE. I continued to wear the Foley, but it was horrible. I went for my first follow-up 10 days after the PAE. I still could not pee on my own. Dr. Bhatia wanted me to continue wearing the Foley for another week, but I just could not. He was understanding of my discomfort and I was shown how to self catheterize and went home without the Foley, thank God!

I used the catheters approx. every 6 hours or 4 times per day. Each time I used them, I would try to urinate on my own. On June 25th at around midnight I attempted to pee on my own and 6 drops came out. It was a revelation. I then used the catheter and went to bed, arising at 6 am. This time when I went to use the catheter 12 drops came out. Each time I went to use the catheter things would improve. From a weak stream to ultimately a regular pee. I reduced using the catheter from 4 times per day to 3, then 2, then I was comfortable knowing I did not need them at all. On July 1, 2015 I stopped using catheters. I never have looked back. 

Three months post procedure I had an MRI. My prostate had shrunk from 0ver 100 grams to 72 grams. My PSA had gone from 8.7 to 2.5. I no longer had any symptoms that would indicate prostate or urinary issues. I sleep through the night. I pee when I have to go, but can go 6-8 hours in between bathroom breaks. I have no discomfort, no pain, my sex life is outstanding and I am 66 years old! Dr. Bhatia has given me my life back.

My suggestion to anyone who is having symptoms: Explore ALL OF YOUR OPTIONS!! I am certain the PAE will become Standard of Care in the future. Try and understand what the potential side effects are of the "traditional" surgical procedures. They may be acceptable for some, but they were not acceptable for me. I take no drugs or medications. The PAE had no side effects. There was no possibility of becoming incontinent or impotent or having an orgasm without an external  ejaculation. Find a facility that is doing clinical trials with the PAE and a Dr. who is experienced. Peeing through a straw for the rest of my life was a real possibility. Now I function like I was 40 years old, not 66 years old. I highly recommend Dr. Shivank Bhatia of the University of Miami. He learned this procedure from the man who invented it and he trained with him in South America to perfect it. You have very little, if anything to lose, and you have getting the rest of your life back to normal to gain. Happy to answer any questions or inquiries. Good Luck to all.

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For approx. 10 years I've been dealing with internal and external haemorrhoids (rhoids) and the occasional prolapse - too embarrassed to seek medical attention I've just tried my hardest, despite the discomfort, to carry on regardless.  After a recent defining moment in the bathroom I decided enough was enough and booked a visit to see my GP, which to my surprise was not as embarrassing as I thought it would be.  Following a digital examination the GP confirmed that the usual solutions would not suffice and a referral to a Consultant was needed - fortunately I have private medical insurance and my appointment came through quickly.

At my first appointment the Consultant completed a digital examination for himself and deduced that my rhoids were “quite large”.  At this stage he suggested a Sigmoidoscopy (lower bowel camera) and ligation (banding) to see if that would help - whilst I was told the procedure is uncomfortable and not painful I opted for sedation on the basis that why would anyone choose to be in any discomfort when they really don’t need to be!?![/color]

Having researched the procedure online I returned to the hospital some 3 weeks later.  I have to say the enema was a surprise in more ways than one – I now understand it’s a necessary requirement, but given the reason it’s being administered is it unreasonable to assume they would be a little more gentle? #Wowzers!  Anyway, I waited around all morning and I was eventually taken to the Operating Room (OR). At this point I have to say Sedation is wonderful - I remember nothing between the fluid being injected in the cannula and subsequently being in the recovery room. Given I had been tinkered with all I can remember at this point is feeling as though I needed to go to the toilet.  I was subsequently transferred back to my room where I remained for a couple of hours in a little discomfort, but I recall being in pain – the Consultant came to say he would see me at my follow-up appointment and I was eventually released by a nurse that said “it looks like you’re coming back to see us” and I spotted THD on her paperwork.

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I returned to the hospital for my THD last Friday and, given the procedural information I had read on line, I was feeling quite good about it.  Having had another fairly uncomfortable enema (by the hands of the person that delivered the previous one! #Ouch) I was told that I was 2nd on the list and would be seen quite quickly – it was roughly mid-morning when I walked to the OR.  At this point I was given the cannula etc. before the GA was administered.  Quick question:  Is it just me that likes that dizzy lightheaded feeling you get with a GA?  I’ve had a few in my time and I really enjoy it!

]The next thing I remember is waking up in the Recovery Room with an overwhelming feeling that I needed a bowel movement (BM) – I’m talking that real desperate need somebody has when they have a stomach upset.  I recall one nurse saying it’s probably the packing and the other said the consultant did not use any – I was then told somebody was on their way to transfer me to my room but I could have a bed pan if I needed it.  I was quickly returned to my room and I asked if I was able to go to the toilet – I was told I could, but needless to say I actually couldn’t do either of the things one usually does when they visit the lavatory!

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I woke up several times in the night with the feeling that I needed to go to the toilet, so I eventually got up to watch TV at around 04:30. Feeling the need to go to toilet lasted all day – other than briefly after passing wind or a short while longer after taking a Tramadol.  I eventually went for a very small BM however, it was quite painful to be honest and I wondered if my body was telling me I needed to but my head was telling me not to – I was literally having spasms, such a weird feeling that happened several times throughout the day. The good news was that whilst I still felt rough, I was more mobile and thought THD may just be the best thing since sliced bread.

Pretty much mirrors Day two having woken up at 04:00.  I went downstairs and eventually managed to go to the toilet for a small BM however, it was soooo painful I felt exhausted afterward.  I returned to bed mid-morning for a couple of hours and then remained in the confines of my house for the rest of the day. 

Woke up at a reasonable time and managed to potter around the house all day.  Took a 40 minute drive to take my child to school and back and noticed that the desperate urge to go to the toilet has been replaced with a fullness/weight feeling and there is now an aching on the left side of my rectum.  I managed to do the smallest of BM’s, which, in the main, was probably my body dispelling some of the Fybogel!  In cleaning myself I noticed a small lump on my rectum, which I can only liken to an external rhoid – brilliant, just brilliant! By the afternoon I actually felt like I was in pain until I read about and decided to take a sitz bath – temporarily relieving the pain, until I took more Tramadol

Today. I’m feeling somewhat down about my post THD experience.  It doesn’t seem to be consistent with the majority of literature that says you’ll be running marathons within 48 hours (slight exaggeration, but you know what I mean)!  I’ve got what I think is an external rhoid, the left side of my rectum is uncomfortable, and when I sit down or stand up I can feel pressure - like you do when the rhoids are playing up…not to mention that after I drove my child to school today I felt like I’d received a swift kick up the arse when I got back to the house.  I had a BM this afternoon and it was painful…AGAIN…I ended up elevating my feet on a footstool to making the passing of the BM more comfortable!

Having got all that of my chest, I’m hoping somebody can offer an opinion on the following…[/color]

Could the lump on my rectum be linked to the procedure and shrink over time?  I’m wondering if I’ve not noticed before as I previously had a prolapse?

Could the lump be a new rhoid or hematoma given the constant feeling of requiring the loo and then my associated attempts to go?

Given I’m now at Day 5, should I really have an aching feeling where I think the procedure was completed?

Given I’m still uncomfortable, would you contact the GP or carry on taking the tramadol for now?

I’m off work at the moment, but I will need a sick note in 2 days – is it likely that I’ll be ready to go back at this point?

Many thanks for reading and, where you can, replying with your comment(s).

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Day 2-4 no pain when lying down, just when getting up. Then sharp pains in groin near upper thigh, really nasty pain. Right side, retained feeling everywhere. Left size all numb below scar, to and slightly onto thigh, and to base of penis. Balls not sore nor swollen. Advice, get a bed pee thingy if you drink a lot of water, it's a lifesaver.

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Week 5, still numb, but the heaviness in the groin feeling is getting slightly better. I went through a sort of depressive time after reading online about people who didn't recover well after a year or more. I'm feeling better these days, emotionally. After sitting/walking around for a couple hours, especially if I go out and walk, visit a store or anything like that, I get completely wiped out sort of all of a sudden. It feels like my entire energy is gone. Other people I ask say this is normal with surgery and it takes a long time to get the energy back. Saw doc and he said it seems everything is healing per normal. That was good, at least.

So I wanted to post this, because it seems some people are up and running marathons the day after whereas for some of us, the healing seems to take a lot longer than expected. Here's wishing everyone good recovery and mental strength. It is taxing to lie around and wonder if and when things will begin to improve.

My recommendations: Tons of water. Daily vitamins. Colace for first few days, then bran etc. Get a cheap bedside hospital table from walmart or somewhere, it's great for sliding over your stomach and putting a book or computer on. I also put it over my abdomen at night to keep the cat from jumping up onto me.

Bottom line, don't get depressed. Only after nearly five weeks did I begin to notice a real sort of improvement at all.

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