TURP. Recovery time and misc

[JamesC186282]

I'm not keen on any medical costs right now.  I'm on a payment plan for surgery (Twice) on my feet.  My BPH is getting worse and I'm pondering asking about TURP surgery.   I took Flomax for 3+ years and other then a dose increase it all went ok until a little while ago.   I'm trying a different Alpha reduction drug but its no better (Maybe worse)  I spoke to my doctor about the prostate reduction drugs but my GP is not keen on fiddling with my already goofed up hormones and I really don't want to deal with sex drive problems.

I have two questions.   #1 Is TURP still the standard?  Has one of the other schemes caught up?   #2 I'm in my 50s and in pretty good shape.   How long until the Doctor says "Ok to return to work without limitations" ?   I'm standing up for 6 to 8 hours but its not serious physical work.  Please error on the short side...   Not that much time off at this job and income is so tight.   Oh.  #3.   I talked to my GP about self Cathing.  When things get really plugged up I don't like the Idea of going to the ER to have it done and while I'm not freaked out about my GP I am kinda embarrassed with Doctors I don't know.   So cathing because it happens too often.  I'm getting to the point where I'm seriously considering self cath before bed so I don't have to stumble back and forth to the bathroom all night.     So...   Is self Cathing a suitable stopgap?   It would be great to not get back on the operating table for a while.

[JamesC186282]

Sorry about the duplicate response.  Total "Operator Error" on my part.

[JamesC186282]

Thanks for the message on cathing.  I have a hell of a time threading a straight cath past my prostate.  I talked to the nurse that taught me how to do this and she said for men with BPH a coude' tip catheter might be a good solution.   Which brand type etc do you use?  Any tips?

[JamesC186282]

I'm having some serious difficulty in getting a straight cath past my prostate.   I've tried deep breathing, bearing down, wiggling my toes.  I've tried 14f and 16f.   Any thoughts?   Is a coude' catheter worth exploring?  Do you have any favorite brands or places to get them?  My doc asked me where to send the order and I could sure use some advice.   Thanks !

[JamesC186282]

Thanks for the suggestion.   I spoke to my Doctor about self cath and she spoke about discomfort.   She also switched the Alpha Blocker I was on.   I think the new alpha blocker is about as good (or even worse) then the old one.   Symptom wise its really getting serious.   I've tried the Cath and Doc was right about the discomfort but it seems like it gets better.    How many times a day do you do this and do you have any suggestions on what to do about it at work?

I'm thinking more about Turp and have set up an appointment to talk to an NP who specializes in BPH.  Other then quality of life stuff I'm worried about screwing up my Bladder or Kidneys if I don't do something.  

[Millard]

My advice would be to check out the self cathing...I have been doing it for the last 11 years and is much cheaper than a TURP.  Also, a TURP is not reversible and may/may not promote incontinence and sexual dysfunction.

Good luck.