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It must be around five years ago that I started to notice the need to go to the toilet more often. Not only was the need at night but also during the day with little notice.Ìý It progressively got worse and felt that I had to do something to get my life back on track again.Ìý

Off to the GP I went, took command of the situation. My GP is a female and it was not an easy subject to discuss I thought but in fact the need to sort out the problem exceeded that of my embarrassment.

The GP was sympathetic; we talked about the issue and she produced a form to be completed before I took the prescribed medication and again one week following the commencement.Ìý I returned fully satisfied of the outcome. One tablet a day, taken at the same time had certainly helped.

My life was nearly back to normal once more and I was delighted.Ìý I did notice that if I was late taking the tablet, only by a few hours, that I experienced difficulty in passing urine, it being slow with little velocity.

Serious nuisance

I managed to continue my life for around a further three years taking tablets, never forgetting to take them on holiday. After a couple of years I felt that the benefit received was becoming less and the symptoms of an enlarged prostrate becoming a serious nuisance once more.

This continued to cause me some concerns. I was going to the toilet four, five or even six times a night never really getting a good nights sleep. As soon as I had been once, I would immediately upon my return to bed have to go again.

In addition to this I soon began to realise that daytime activities were being controlled.ÌýI had to watch journeys; mid morning cups of coffee were out the question if there was no toilet to visit.Ìý Evenings were also restricted on the activities I could undertake.

On nearly three occasions it was really painful to get home just in time, desperate to go to the toilet.Ìý The last thing I ever wanted to do was to embarrass myself. This would be difficult for me to copy with.

One day reading a morning paper I looked at the men’s health page. There was an article written about a guy on his way to work one morning where he suddenly found he was in serious pain and could not pass urine. He had fluid retention.Ìý He was rushed in agony to hospital where a catheter was inserted to ease the agony.Ìý It was discovered that he had an enlarged prostate restricting the flow. He had gone into fluid retention.

Green Light Treatment

The article was about the new Green Light Treatment as it is called whereby the prostrate gland is reduced by laser and as a result saves considerable aftercare and weeks of pain.Ìý Following this I thought it was about time that I found out more about this new form of treatment and searched the web for a local clinic and foundÌý The Prostate Laser Centre, Staffordshire which operated from the Nuffield Hospital at Clayton, Newcastle-under-Lyme.Ìý I read this very carefully as well as the testimonials which seemed almost too good to be true.

I probably left the problem another month during which I continued to struggle with the issue. Some days were better than others, but some days were bad.Ìý I decided to visit my GP to discuss the problem.Ìý It was treated most sympathetically and my Doctor was fully aware to the inconvenience it brings to the quality of life.Ìý

As a result the first thing was not an internal examination but a blood test to record the level of my PSA. This gives an indication, and that is only, of any possibility of prostate cancer, always at the back of the mind.Ìý I returned to the GP a week after to learn that my PSA was 4.2. I was informed that to have the possibility of cancer it would have to be above 17. I felt good about that.Ìý

The next process was an internal examination.Ìý Sounds far worse than it sounds and was all over in less than thirty seconds. Really, no big deal. This confirmed that my prostate was enlarged but the good thing was that it was smooth, which again was an indication of the absence of cancer. I was then referred to a specialist.

Because I am in an insurance scheme I decided to go private but I also know that the NHS also does the same green light treatment at the local hospital. I made an appointment to see Mr. Sam Liu at the Nuffield. The interview went well.Ìý Just questions about general health, family history and no internal examination.Ìý

Kidney scan

I then had to attend a clinic for a scan on my kidneys and a urine test.Ìý This was easy, but had to drink 1 pint of water one hour before the test.Ìý The test confirmed that the flow was seriously restricted and there was a significant part of the bladder that did not empty.Ìý I know that this alone can cause serious problems especially if you get a urinary infection.

Following this I then saw Mr. Liu again to confirm the diagnosis. Yes, I had a problem and it needed sorting. A date was arranged in around two week’s time for the operation.Ìý It would be one nights stay in hospital.

So what were my thoughts on the subject now I realised that at last my problem was to be resolved. Firstly it has to be recognised that prostrate problems will not go away. It is not like a cold or flu when you will get better.

It is no use burying your head in the sand like many men do, perhaps embarrassed to see their GP, or submit themselves for an examination. There are loads of men I know who boast that there have not seen their Doctor for ten or even twenty years, and then if suddenly they drop dead with a stroke or heart problems in their 50’s or 60’s their family wonder why.

Frankly, who in their right mind would want their lives controlled, intimidated, structured or whatever for twenty years and run the risk of serious problems such as fluid retention, urinary infections or even incontinence. Who really wants to embarrass themselves by urinating in the wrong place or getting stuck in a traffic jam? Who really wants to check on where the public toilets are situated before planning a day out. That’s not for me!

I repeat again, some men can be intimidated by wives, teenage children, the boss at work, financial problems and I place the symptoms of an enlarged prostrate into that category. So why not sort it.

I attended the Nuffield as planned at 7.30a.m. Nothing by mouth since midnight. Settled into my room. Met Mr.Liu, went through the operation. The anaesthetist then came and checked me over. Not long now I thought.Ìý Went down to theatre, counted to ten and that was it.Ìý However long it was does not matter.

No pain but lots to gain

I awoke with no bad head, no after effects whatsoever. Within an hour I was reading and having a light meal. I was given an injection I understand that would control any pain that I experienced.Ìý At no time during the following week was there any need to take even a simple pain killer.Ìý

I had a thin catheter fitted and told that I should drink as much fluid as possible. I did this without question. I had an evening meal and all was well.Ìý In the evening the catheter was removed, this made turning in bed easier. This was a simple process.

Yes I was bleeding but not alarmed as I was told this would happen. At least now I could wash myself down which made be feel better and was then able to move about more easily. Should I really feel this good I thought? No pain, little discomfort.

I continued to drink a great deal of water so there would be no blood clots and it would assist in clearing out the bladder. Again I was told that blood would be mixed with my urine but it was no big deal.

The first time I passed water, well, it was painful, quite painful but within a few seconds that pain had gone and upon reflection it would have been no worse that my experience when having a bladder infection in the past.Ìý I had to retain my urine for measurement and examination the next morning.

No I had little sleep that night. Why, because I was drinking such a great deal, I had to keep going to the toilet.Ìý By the middle of the night the urine was normal in colour and the pain considerably less.

A different experience

But oh, and I remember the first time after the operation, it was something I had not experienced for many years, the volume and the velocity of it was tremendous. I really could not believe the difference it had made.

Early the next morning Mr. Liu can to see how I was.Ìý Discussed issues that I may experience, gave meet a weeks supply of antibiotics to be sure. I was allowed to go home in less than 24 hours after my operation.

My discharge nurse commented that the new Green Light Treatment was remarkable. No, I think she referred to it as being unbelievable as before it was nearly a week in hospital, catheter, pain, unable to sit, weeks off work etc.Ìý

Now I felt I could easily have gone directly back to work on that morning as I was completely, apart from the uncomfortable feeling when passing water pain free. Yes there were also those few drops of blood now and again but nothing to speak of.

It was arranged to see Mr. Liu again after around ten days.

Training the brain

I arrived home at around 10.00a.m. after discharge. My wife and I went out for lunch – strange feeling, very strange. My brain was saying that I should be going to the toilet and yet my body was saying ‘no you don’t have to go’.

There was an almost battle going on within me and I was told it could take a few weeks before the brain realised that there was need to keep going like I used to. The largest test came the following Saturday evening when I had tickets for a concert in Longton.

I parked my car at the rear of The Crown Hotel.Ìý Normally, I would have been tempted to go in before my journey to use the facilities there. I told myself, no, I do not need to go.Ìý I arrived at Central Hall a few minutes later, again thinking should I go. No, I must really test myself but sat at the end of a row, so if need be, I could get out easily.Ìý

It came to the interval. I thought I would go. There was a queue, so I thought I won’t wait and sat down.Ìý At the end of the performance all the group I was with retired to The Crown for a buffet and a drink.Ìý It was turned 11.00p.m. before I arrived back home. Never once did I have to go during all that time from 6.30pm. earlier that evening. I could not believe the difference.

The night time has changed. Many nights I don’t have to get up, other nights just once.Ìý Now at long last getting a much better period of sleep.

Feeling fantastic

It now just one month since the operation.Ìý My brain is at last working in conjunction with the messages from my body. I feel fantastic in myself. I am looking forward to my holidays, with no restrictions upon my movements as in previous years.Ìý

To me there is simply no reason today with this new form of treatment, the Green Light Treatment, why men should not be lining up at their G.P’s to get the problem sorted. Believe me, there is no need whatsoever to be off work for more than two days, yes, two days out of the rest of ones life can and will give you as it did me back the freedom we have lost and stop for once and for all the intimidation I felt that my life has been under for a number of years.

I would base my experience almost as a Damascus experience, the change was so dramatic and if that is being an evangelist for Green Light Treatment, well that is all the better.

Finally to anyone who has this problem and is concerned to move forward. Ask yourself if you are happy with your quality of life, if the answer is no, then do something today, take that first step.

Richard Talbot