Ike Akpuaka, RN
My experience with chronic prostatitis has really been a journey with many turns.
I felt that something was wrong in the summer of 1993 when all of a sudden I went to the bathroom and passed blood along with my urine. I went to the hospital emergency department (ED) and was treated for UTI and discharged. At that time, I do not have a clue about prostate concerns.
In 2000, I had vasectomy done. In 2002 I was diagnosed with prostatitis and BPH. At that time my PSA level was 2.0 and consequently my prostate biopsy was negative for cancer.
Throughout this period I was being treated with all kinds of antibiotics which included direct antibiotics injection into my prostate. This particular treatment which took me all the way to New York City provided me with only less than 2 weeks relief from my prostatitis symptoms. In addition to all the antibiotics I was taking, I was also undergoing prostate massages twice a week as advised to help relieve my pains.
In 2006 I reversed my vasectomy because I thought that the vasectomy procedure was probably contributing to my pain and discomfort. In 2007 I had cystoscopy done and I underwent TUMT procedure as treatment to the urinary retention symptom. The TUMT really did help me to start emptying my bladder better than I was doing before the procedure but I was still having perineal discomfort which I was taking 50mg of tramadol daily for pain relief.
For all of these treatments I was going from one urologist to another. I actually was treated by five to six different urologists and each one of them prescribed new antibiotics disregarding my complaint of having been taking antibiotics regularly for over 5 years. Throughout my ordeal with Prostatitis, I experienced daily pain, generalized weakness and sometimes urinary symptoms that included weak flow, retention which continued after some weeks following TUMT and discomfort after ejaculation, but I never had any erectile dysfunction or concern with my sexual performances.
My freedom from chronic prostatitis came as I was searching internet web looking for availability of cure. I noted at Prostatitis Foundation’s web site that Dr. Arnon Krongrad is conducting Laparoscopic Prostatectomy for Chronic Prostatitis Phase II Non-Randomized clinical Trial. To me, it was like God sent because no surgeon agreed to perform LRP on me based on prostatitis instead they offered to do PVP, TUNA, TURP and TUMT (which I eventually did without any cure).
I called Dr. krongrad office in Aventura, Florida and expressed my interest to participate in the on going clinical trial. Ruth and Hope at Krongrad Institute were very nice and helpful. They advised me on what to do and I immediately enrolled to have LRP done January 29, 2009 at Aventura Medical Center in Florida.
My surgery went well and I was discharged the next day January 30, 2009. I took two regular Tylenol (650mg) for minimal discomfort I was feeling post operatively. That was an unbelievable turnaround from pain for a guy who literally live on Tramadol 50mg once or twice a day for more than three years.
I had my first erection in the morning after surgery when my wife was bathing me. Today Feb 6, 2009 I continued to have non-stimulant erection, but being a healthcare provider (Registered Nurse), I know the consequences of having early ejaculation after LRP. I believe that patience is a virtue.
Also I believe that having good or expected results after LRP depends on the experienced hands of surgeons like Dr. Krongrad and the clients’ previous health histories. I will recommend Dr. Krongrad to anyone who is seeking positive outcome. In 1999 Dr. Krongrad pioneered LRP in the United States. He’s well experienced, companionate, and has disciplined hands. From a health care provider’s perspective, I will add that his bedside manner is the best I have seen.
Lest I forget, I was shocked by my LRP pathology result which indicated that I had prostate cancer. The microscopic examination of the prostate specimen read positive for moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma involving right and left lobes, gleason grade 6 (3+3=6). The cancer was ecapsulated within my prostate glands. Unbelievable, isn’t it?
My discomfort and debilitating pain is gone.
I am FREE AT LAST!
