Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
What's Your Ailment?
- Thread starter Huntn
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Just turned 49 last week; since around February I've had pain in both of my legs at night when laying in bed. No pain at all when I'm up and walking around, or sitting. Went to my doctor thinking maybe there was some issues with my heart - that turned out to not be the case, thankfully. Turns out all it took was a trip to the podiatrist, some custom inserts for my shoes, and I've been pain free for about a month.
I'm 76 and started getting leg cramps around 10 years ago, mostly early in the morning before getting out of bed, seems like some kind of muscle spasm (or something). Nothing all that serious, but unpleasant when it happens. Took me quite a few years, but I found a simple solution that works for me. I think it's related to how often I go out for a walk.
I've found that a walk in the morning, another around noon and one more after dinner pretty much eliminates the problem. Doesn't seem to be related to how far I walk, but how often - taking one long walk does not have the same effect as three short walks, for example.
No idea if that would work for others, but it does for me. No drugs, no special shoes, no doctor visits required.
I've found that a walk in the morning, another around noon and one more after dinner pretty much eliminates the problem. Doesn't seem to be related to how far I walk, but how often - taking one long walk does not have the same effect as three short walks, for example.
No idea if that would work for others, but it does for me. No drugs, no special shoes, no doctor visits required.
I’ve been taking Tamsulosin for an enlarged prostate for several years now, but my frequent and/or urgent urination symptoms are returning. Saw my urologist yesterday, he scheduled me for a scope (fun) and suggested I try doubling up on my medication. Tamsulosin is designed to relax the prostate to allow more normal urine flow.I may have gotten rid of the wart. 🕺Since then…
Lately I’ve been bothered with frequent urination.
The epitome of inconvenience is if this happening during a road trip. I do drink, coffee, and as a diuretic* can make you have to urinate frequently, but in the past it has not effected me in that way, However, with aging, things change usually for the worst, :unsure:
*Articles online claim coffee both is and is not a diuretic.
When other than on a road trip, I tend to drink a lot (not alcohol) at certain times of the day (but not on road trips) and it seems that when the urge to go happens, I’m running to the bathroom every 20 min and I don’t think it used to be like this. i have read that as you age, you bladder become less flexible, and I have noticed some tenderness in the vicinity of my urinary tract. What is really irritating is the urge to go, but when I go, not much urine is being vacated.
So, I went to my family doctor as I loath the urologist for reasons having to do with a flexible rod being inserted into my reproductive organ.
Anyway, he said the frequent urination could have to do with my prostate and tenderness in the vicinity. I mentioned drinking a couple of teaspoons of Apple Cider Vineagar, mixed in water a day, and he dismissed that, but suggested that it could be a prostate infection or just an aging prostate issue and he put me on an antibiotic, ciprofloxacin. for 10 days.
I looked it up and besides all the possible side effects, I am more hesitant to do antibiotics these days due to trashing my gut bacteria, the good ones. But he said there was no test available to verify a prostate infection so I agreed to eliminate this possibility.
Now I’m trying to counter the adverse impact on my gut bacteria, by waiting 2 hours after taking the antibiotic and eating some Greek yogurt, or continuing to take the Apple cider vinegar and starting a regiment (100 days) of probiotics.
Several articles say to wait 2 hrs after taking the antibiotic, to allow it to clear your stomach, then eat some Greek yogurt, or ACV, and/or, a probiotic tablet. I just wonder, if you are taking an antibiotic, every 12 hrs which maybe killing the majority of you gut bacteria, how much good it does to introduce good bacteria into your stomach every 12 hrs?
Of interest, this probiotic I’m taking claims 1 tablet equals 10 billion bacteria of 12 “good“ strains. I just never really visualized how small bacteria is until I looked at this small capsule…
At the end of this antibiotic regimen, if my bladder is acting the same way, the doc is going to hook me up with Flowmax, a drug to relax the prostate and hopefully improve bladder function. If that does not work, it’s off to see the dreaded urologist…
He also suggested 2 possible procedures after the scope, “Urolift” a permanent implant that spreads the prostate without surgery, and “Rezum Water Vapor Therapy” the actually shrinks the Prostste.
Anyone have personal experience with these or below? They are newer treatments as compared to more established procedures such as TUMT, TURP, TUIT, Laser. How have your results been?
Thanks!
- Transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT)
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
- Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP)
- Laser Surgery
Rezum vs Urolift: Two Top Treatments for BPH Treatment | Austin Urology Institute
Urolift vs Rezum - how do they compare? These are two new, well-studied treatment options for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
Do I Need Surgery for BPH?
As men age, it’s common for the prostate to enlarge. The condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. Medications can often treat it, but for some men, surgery may be the answer if symptoms become severe.
www.webmd.com
I have this frequency/urgency issue too, but for now more of an annoyance. Especially interruptions requiring a break in the middle of my lap swimming sessions. I'd check Reddit for discussions and experiences from users trying those prostate therapies.
I'm on Xifaxan for IBS, and Reddit discussions have provided valuable user information and experiences about side effects and benefits with that antibiotic.
I'm on Xifaxan for IBS, and Reddit discussions have provided valuable user information and experiences about side effects and benefits with that antibiotic.
Just had an annual checkup and mentioned my frequency/urgency issue (similar to yours). He prescribed Tamsulosin (Flomax) as did your provider. Has that medication worked for you?I’ve been taking Tamsulosin for an enlarged prostate for several years now, but my frequent and/or urgent urination symptoms are returning. Saw my urologist yesterday, he scheduled me for a scope (fun) and suggested I try doubling up on my medication. Tamsulosin is designed to relax the prostate to allow more normal urine flow.
He also suggested 2 possible procedures after the scope, “Urolift” a permanent implant that spreads the prostate without surgery, and “Rezum Water Vapor Therapy” the actually shrinks the Prostste.
Anyone have personal experience with these or below? They are newer treatments as compared to more established procedures such as TUMT, TURP, TUIT, Laser. How have your results been?
Thanks!
- Transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT)
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
- Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP)
- Laser Surgery
Rezum vs Urolift: Two Top Treatments for BPH Treatment | Austin Urology Institute
Urolift vs Rezum - how do they compare? These are two new, well-studied treatment options for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).austinurologyinstitute.com
Do I Need Surgery for BPH?
As men age, it’s common for the prostate to enlarge. The condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. Medications can often treat it, but for some men, surgery may be the answer if symptoms become severe.
Yes, I recently doubled the dose, and it helps but the urgent urination remains, in other words, it’s almost one minute I don’t have to go and in 5-10 min I’ll wet my pants if I don’t find a toilet or a corner I won’t be noticed. 😉
That sounds a bit more severe than me. I hope those transurethral therapies might be more helpful. I'd be interested for future reference.
I'm getting scoped in July and will see what the doc says and suggests. The tamsulosin definitely helps with urine flow though.
Interesting experience, saw the Dr yesterday to get a referral for a Nose Ear Throat specialist because my sinuses seem to be semi-clogged all the time. They don’t drip, just constrict. I had no clue that these doctors were called “otolaryngologists”.
Anyway when they took my blood pressure it was low 95/55, I take it on my own frequently and it had been in that range for a couple of days. I did feel the slight onset of dizziness at times, but I don’t know, did not associate it with blood pressure. My impression was over pretty good numbers compared to what they used to be.When I was young, and a runner, my blood pressure was low so I did not think this was an issue. Dr told me that for someone my age my blood pressure should be at a minimum 110/60. Then she brought me in a bag of chips and said eat these, my blood pressure got up to 98. So she said STOP taking your blood pressure medicine, go home and don’t do anything today can’t we come back in a week. I said OK.
I’m thinking that because I lost 30 pounds relatively quicklythat it took my body a few weeks, but it finally got around to adjusting my blood pressure. Today blood pressure is 108/66, feeling good and I’m gonna go work out. If you don’t hear from me again, it’s been fun. 😇
*survived my workout. 🙃
Anyway when they took my blood pressure it was low 95/55, I take it on my own frequently and it had been in that range for a couple of days. I did feel the slight onset of dizziness at times, but I don’t know, did not associate it with blood pressure. My impression was over pretty good numbers compared to what they used to be.When I was young, and a runner, my blood pressure was low so I did not think this was an issue. Dr told me that for someone my age my blood pressure should be at a minimum 110/60. Then she brought me in a bag of chips and said eat these, my blood pressure got up to 98. So she said STOP taking your blood pressure medicine, go home and don’t do anything today can’t we come back in a week. I said OK.
I’m thinking that because I lost 30 pounds relatively quicklythat it took my body a few weeks, but it finally got around to adjusting my blood pressure. Today blood pressure is 108/66, feeling good and I’m gonna go work out. If you don’t hear from me again, it’s been fun. 😇
*survived my workout. 🙃
Last edited:
Your doctor prescribed chips? Living the dream! Glad it’s better.
The joys of getting old. Here I’m still pretty healthy. I don’t get through the night without 1-2 trips to the bathroom but I think that’s standard for my age.
There’s a procedure called “Urolift” for the prostate that I’m going to try. It’s non non-surgical, implant, that can be removed (for whatever reason), used to physically widen the channel though the prostate to assist with urgent urination. More to be said, afterwards. 🙂
Echocardiogram results today show all is normal. Thank goodness. Dr. says good to have this test done every few years as we get older.
Mine came back too, Dr said "everything looks good".
As part of pre-op I had to do an ECG (my PCP) and it showed signs of a previous "infarct" though I have no recollection of any kind of cardio event. 2nd ECG with the cardiologist showed same result as the previous one so he ordered an Echo. When I asked him whether or not the echo shows results of a previous event, his answer was no.
As I have no cost pain nor breath shortness, nor experienced any of those in like 10+ years, I take this as "all is normal". Cardiologist wants to see me again in 6 months ...
Got my Urolift yesterday, a procedure to increase urination function in males due to an enlarged prostate that squeezes the urethra making peeing more of a chore.
- 30 min procedure with gas. These are glorified staples that pull the prostate opening apart, 6-8 of them. “Non surgical, but there is still a lot of blood in the urine after, and blood for the rest of day into morning. Permanent, can be removed if needed in the future.
- It’s good because it leaves other avenues open in the furture for surgery. Ideally it lasts 5 years.
- Started me on antibiotics the day before and an RX for a powerful (?) once a day anti-inflammatory pain killer (Meloxicam). I can tell I’m drugged…
- Doc said probably no catheter, but I left with a catheter. It’s miserable. Was in for 24 hours, and I removed it. You might ask what holds a catheter in? A small balloon is inflated on the end of it which holds it in your bladder. For the next day, they gave me a syringe to connect to a port on the catheter, to suck out the air deflating the ballon. Then it slides right out.
- Today, mild ache-like pain when urinating, urgent urination, these are normal. Passed on the gym today, with frequent, urgent urination, it was a no go. And you are supposed to take it easy physically. Depending on how it goes, maybe a mild swim in the pool on Friday. Recovery is supposed to be fairly quick.
Last edited:
Thanks for sharing your experience, I have an appt with a Urologist in 2 months for similar issues you described plus elevated PSA, and my prostate is "moderately enlarged".
Their website advertised Urolift so I will see where this goes for me.
And either things going on with greater urgency, will post
As I understand it when they open up that passageway, your bladder doesn’t have to work as hard and it adjusts, supposedly the walls becoming more flexible and giving it the ability to hold more urine, so better flow and can go longer between having to relieve yourself.
(one of) my other "ailments" is called Dupuytren's disease or contracture.
Dupuytren's disease, also known as Dupuytren's contracture, is a condition where the tissue under the skin of the palm thickens and shortens, causing one or more fingers to bend towards the palm. This condition most commonly affects the ring and little fingers, often affecting both hands.
I was first diagnosed in 2022 (at that point it was already going on for a couple years), both hands, left hand ring finger, right hand little finger. The proposed solution was surgery, and for a variety of reasons it didn't happen.
Fast forward to ~ Mar 2025, different orthopedic and the proposed solution was either surgery of less invasive collagenase (a very expensive injection of a drug called Xiaflex).
I opted for the latter, starting with my left hand as the symptoms were much worse. Luckily my insurance covered 90% of the drug cost (a 1mg solution that the pharmacy billed my insurance at $13k+).
So just a little over 6 weeks ago I went in for the injection (it basically weakens the collagen), and then 2 days later for the "manipulation" where they straighten out your finger and basically rupture the cord ... it was an interesting procedure
Hand (ring and little finger) in a cast for 5 days and then to PT. They made a splint for me that I was expected top wear for 6-12/16 weeks at night.
8 or so PT sessions later my finger is almost straight again, almost as in 95-98%, I'm gonna have another PT session where they will repeat the measurements.
It was painful for a while but it feels good to have a functioning hand again. And overall recovery was faster than average ...
Next step will be my little finger of my right hand and my Dr said he'll probably do a "needle approach", will need to discuss that further at my next appt mid Aug.
for some background: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dupuytren's_contracture
Dupuytren's disease, also known as Dupuytren's contracture, is a condition where the tissue under the skin of the palm thickens and shortens, causing one or more fingers to bend towards the palm. This condition most commonly affects the ring and little fingers, often affecting both hands.
I was first diagnosed in 2022 (at that point it was already going on for a couple years), both hands, left hand ring finger, right hand little finger. The proposed solution was surgery, and for a variety of reasons it didn't happen.
Fast forward to ~ Mar 2025, different orthopedic and the proposed solution was either surgery of less invasive collagenase (a very expensive injection of a drug called Xiaflex).
I opted for the latter, starting with my left hand as the symptoms were much worse. Luckily my insurance covered 90% of the drug cost (a 1mg solution that the pharmacy billed my insurance at $13k+).
So just a little over 6 weeks ago I went in for the injection (it basically weakens the collagen), and then 2 days later for the "manipulation" where they straighten out your finger and basically rupture the cord ... it was an interesting procedure
Hand (ring and little finger) in a cast for 5 days and then to PT. They made a splint for me that I was expected top wear for 6-12/16 weeks at night.
8 or so PT sessions later my finger is almost straight again, almost as in 95-98%, I'm gonna have another PT session where they will repeat the measurements.
It was painful for a while but it feels good to have a functioning hand again. And overall recovery was faster than average ...
Next step will be my little finger of my right hand and my Dr said he'll probably do a "needle approach", will need to discuss that further at my next appt mid Aug.
for some background: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dupuytren's_contracture
And I thought $10k month was a holy crap amount.. 😳 But glad it seems to be working.(one of) my other "ailments" is called Dupuytren's disease or contracture.
Dupuytren's disease, also known as Dupuytren's contracture, is a condition where the tissue under the skin of the palm thickens and shortens, causing one or more fingers to bend towards the palm. This condition most commonly affects the ring and little fingers, often affecting both hands.
I was first diagnosed in 2022 (at that point it was already going on for a couple years), both hands, left hand ring finger, right hand little finger. The proposed solution was surgery, and for a variety of reasons it didn't happen.
Fast forward to ~ Mar 2025, different orthopedic and the proposed solution was either surgery of less invasive collagenase (a very expensive injection of a drug called Xiaflex).
I opted for the latter, starting with my left hand as the symptoms were much worse. Luckily my insurance covered 90% of the drug cost (a 1mg solution that the pharmacy billed my insurance at $13k+).
So just a little over 6 weeks ago I went in for the injection (it basically weakens the collagen), and then 2 days later for the "manipulation" where they straighten out your finger and basically rupture the cord ... it was an interesting procedure
Hand (ring and little finger) in a cast for 5 days and then to PT. They made a splint for me that I was expected top wear for 6-12/16 weeks at night.
8 or so PT sessions later my finger is almost straight again, almost as in 95-98%, I'm gonna have another PT session where they will repeat the measurements.
It was painful for a while but it feels good to have a functioning hand again. And overall recovery was faster than average ...
Next step will be my little finger of my right hand and my Dr said he'll probably do a "needle approach", will need to discuss that further at my next appt mid Aug.
for some background: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dupuytren's_contracture
Regarding my recent experience with Urolift. The last 2 days have been uncomfortable but maneageable except for one thing, a spasming bladder, which gives about at most a 20 sec warning and I am peeing. What I noticed is that as my bladder gets not very much urine in it, it will spasm and I better be close to the bathroom. Yeah, I once ended up peeing on the kitchen floor. I’m supposed to travel to visit relatives on Saturday in the car and at one point this seemed to be highly doubtful without wearing adult diapers. OK the spasming has seemed to pass, but I’m writing this post because I’m irritated with my urologist. Here’s the sequence:
How I long for the good old days when I competent doctors had the time to advise you before and after. You get an operation and they come by right after and tell you how it went and I would expect if they were postoperative procedures these would be presented in writing, including a description of what to expect as possible side effects. Is this unreasonable? I tend to view this procedure, although a minor procedure to be the same.
Am I being unreasonable? Go ahead, tell me I can handle it.🙃
… any typos will be corrected as I spot them.
- I have an appointment with my urologist for “urgency of urination”. Now my definition of this is from the time I start feeling you have to relieve yourself, I’ve got about about 10-15 minutes to find a a toilet. Does that seem urgent? Anyway…
- The doctor tells me “sure we can look into this here are some pamphlets to read about different procedures.” I’ll take them home and read them one’s a laser, ones a steam therapy, something else, and Urolift. It’s the less invasive and I go for the latter.
- I go in for the procedure, I sign an authorization saying I consent and acknowledgeable I know enough to enough to give consent. I’m simply told there’ll be some pain, burning, and urgency that can last several days to a week, there’s no sitdown consultation. It’s just something mentioned in passing.
- At the end of the procedure, I’m still loopy with gas, the Dr pats me on the shoulder on the way out of the room and says see you in two days. He may have said to remove the catheter, but anyhow, I assumed in two days there would be a post procedure consult but after I dressed the assistant ushered me out of the room and said good day.
- The assistant says “hey if you wanna take the catheter out yourself, you can, this is how you do it do it tomorrow morning. On the way out of the office at the checkout desk, I’m set up with an appointment in two days which I assume is to remove the catheter (in case I decide not to do it mysel) and a post procedure “how goes it” and then for another, four weeks follow up.
- On the way driving home, I noticed a pretty intense sensation, an ache pain as I urinate. And I who had a catheter before for a previous condition then hardly even noticed when I was peeing. This was different. I was encouraged to drink liquids to get my plumbing working again properly and so the spasm were this concerning cause I had no idea what they were.
- So I looked it up bladder spasms are common with prostate procedures. The only reason I knew they were bladder spasms because my son suffers from them from being an air crew and holding his urine for too long, which can apparently lead to that condition.No one said anything about it as a distinct possibility
- This morning I go in for my 2 day check up, I’m ushered to a room. The assistant walks in and announces he’s ready to remove my catheter. I tell him “I took it out just like you said I could.” He said “so why are you here”? I said “for my two day check up.” “Oh we don’t do those, so you can leave and come back in four weeks”
- I said I want to “talk to the doctor” After driving 20 miles to get there, I was aggravated, asked him “did I miss one part of this procedures consultation. I been having bladder spasms that I didn’t even know what they were until I looked it up online and nothing was mentioned about this.”
- His reply, “I gave you all the info and plenty of opportunity to be informed.” I said “you never mentioned bladder spasms, and how acute they could be which I didn’t even know about”.
- His reply, “There’s the Internet and as an adult, you have thr responsibility to research. I said “you’re the professional, and I’m coming to you for guidance. All I got were some pamphlets that mentioned options did not really go into post procedure conditions. I came to you complaining about urination urgency so being told I’d have urination urgency after the procedure left me with a certain impression that was not accurate, and it did not give the an accurate impression regarding how acute post conditions might be.”
How I long for the good old days when I competent doctors had the time to advise you before and after. You get an operation and they come by right after and tell you how it went and I would expect if they were postoperative procedures these would be presented in writing, including a description of what to expect as possible side effects. Is this unreasonable? I tend to view this procedure, although a minor procedure to be the same.
Am I being unreasonable? Go ahead, tell me I can handle it.🙃
… any typos will be corrected as I spot them.
Last edited:
wow, sorry you have to go through that ...
That is quite irresponsible of that doctor, I would file a grievance with your insurance and also with the government (can't remember whether its the department of Health or whichever, it's on some of my paperwork and will have to look it up). I would also call the insurance, tell them what happened and ask for a referral to a different urologist.
You are not unreasonable at all, any type of procedure should be explained in detail and if they can't take the time to answer questions - they should not be in biz.
I've seen several different doctors this year (I have had some issues that I have not disclosed in this thread), not once have I heard "read on the internet ..." (I do have some negative experience with one provider whom I considered negligent and I did contact my insurance re grievance).
They certainly are busy, and some spend more time than others but none of them have not given me the opportunity to ask questions. My main complaint at this point is that the results/findings of one doctor are not shared with the others, and I do know that the insurance does have all the data ...
I sure hope you'll do better soon
No not unreasonable. Just no one has time these days
Some manager/accountant type has probably given them a target of how many procedures to squeeze into the day.
Hope the spasms are getting better. Sounds grim.
I've seen this repeatedly, they over schedule, corporate pressures...
I second others' comments and observations on this. Your expectations are not unreasonable at all. With the high cost of health care in the U.S., providers need to drop their condescending attitudes and work with their patients as equal team partners. After all, we're paying their high-end salaries and it's our health on the line. I've had such experiences with providers, and promised myself to change them as soon as practical.
Hope you get through this procedure ok and results work out well.
Last edited: