TURP versus TUNA

[drz]

I need one more operation to try fix things and this one is to reduce my risk of recurrent bladder infections. I have had many UTIs ever since the CTX IV treatment and oral meds and needed a catheter for several weeks. I have had no infections now for over a year but still have increased risk of bladder infections due to trouble emptying bladder quickly and easily. I am now considered safe enough to purse some operation to try fix this problem. One urologist recommended a TUNA operation, less invasive and simple out patient procedure, but not as effective. It takes a longer time for any benefits, may need to be repeated, and often makes things worse for a few weeks before you see any benefits. Another urologist recommended a TURP since benefits are more immediate and likely to last longer. Downside is that it is more invasive and has somewhat more risk of complications. He is at the hospital I would prefer to use for family and personal reasons and where I got my care for Wegs so I feel they have better resources so I will most like do it there.

Just wondering if anyone else has needed this surgery and what experience or knowledge any readers have on this issue?

[pberggren1]

I have never heard of either one. Sorry I cannot help you.

[Sangye]

I haven't heard of either one, drz. Can you go to a major research institution for their opinion? If it were me, I'd want the input of people involved in research.

The TUNA name did make me giggle though.

[Al]

I haven't heard of either one, drz. Can you go to a major research institution for their opinion? If it were me, I'd want the input of people involved in research.

The TUNA name did make me giggle though.

Yeah--I haven't heard of it either. But it sounds fishy....

[pberggren1]

This thread sounds like we are talking about food.....lol.

[Sangye]

I bet someone's gonna come along and ask if they use a real tuna.

[Lightwarrior]

Another urologist recommended a TURP since benefits are more immediate and likely to last longer. Downside is that it is more invasive and has somewhat more risk of complications. He is at the hospital I would prefer to use for family and personal reasons and where I got my care for Wegs so I feel they have better resources so I will most like do it there.

Just wondering if anyone else has needed this surgery and what experience or knowledge any readers have on this issue?

I have no idea what tuna stands for but turp stands for transurethral resection of the prostrate (TURP) it is generally done to unblock the flow of urine for men who have benign prostatic hyperlasia. Go with the guy you trust since you are usually home in a couple of days after a turp.

[drz]

I asked my treating doctor for GPA and he leans toward the bipolar TURP where they use an electric arc to slowly slice out blockage areas. The cut parts are then flushed out so nothing is left behind to stimulate the immune system. The Green light Laser method leaves some sloughage behind which might not be a good thing when you have GPA. Most of the tissue is vaporized and there is less bleeding with this procedure. i will get Dr. Specks advice next month on the issue.

On the upside my last labs indicated that after being anemic for some years from the Wegs stuff I have finally recovered to the point where I am no longer in anemic range. All labs were pretty good. The lymphocytes were low from taking azathioprine but I think that is whole point of taking it to control the GPA stuff. Two years and three months after diagnosis things are looking relatively good but don't tell anyone and wake up the sleeping dog.

[Sangye]

Yay, I'm glad to hear you're doing well from a Wegs point of view! It took me several years to get out of the anemic range, too. (In my case I feel certain that it was because I had smoldering Wegs all that time) Keep tiptoeing around the Wegs dog, drz.

[drz]

I had the TURP surgery today. The experts agreed on the electric loop procedure since it leaves the smallest amount of dead tissue behind so it should have lowest risk of Waking the Wegs dog. They had me stop azathioprine two days before the surgery to reduce risk of infection and to resume day after. Day of surgery to hold vitamins, fish oil, and lisinopril blood pressure meds. I can now get off the Flomax generic med I took to help me empty my bladder. If things go well for next few months they might want me to try tapering Azathioprine and see what happens. If that all goes well then I will taper the prednisone.

I had spinal block instead of general anesthesia this time and it seem much easier but it takes longer in recovery room to get your legs back so you can go home. The original plan was to keep me over night but surgeon said the surgery went so well and bleeding from electric loop procedure was much less than expected so he wanted me to go home to reduce risk on getting another infection. I have had MSRA and vancomycin resistant infections there previously so they take extra precautions in dealing with me. Everyone wears those disposable gowns, slippers, gloves etc anytime they enter area or contact me so I got to leave the hospital a few hours after surgery and am staying with sibling nearer the hospital. I get the catheter removed tomorrow and it is a real pain carrying the storage bag around so I will be glad to get rid of it. I had one in for several weeks after my first and only CTX IV treatment when first diagnosed but had forgotten what a hassle the bags are to empty and clean. The pain and recovery of several weeks to several months will begin after catheter is remove.

The good news is it is the last of four operations in past year since remission almost 14 months ago so I hope to take a long break from OR rooms. The hearing implant and cataract surgeries made this surgery much easier since I could hear with hearing aids and see without glasses. The hearing aids whistled and shrieked anytime it touched the bed or pillow but at least I could hear most of what staff said to me. No one wanted to touch the aids so they ignored the noise and left them in whole time. The noise didn't bother me till I woke up.