Mike Peckham
I had chronic prostatitis for several years. In those years I traveled around the world and spent nearly $75,000 on treatments that by and large were ineffective in solving my problem.
During that time I met and interacted with hundreds of men with similar problems, many of them with conditions much worse than my own. What has been common in all of these interactions is the sense of frustration and dissatisfaction with the current medical attitudes, capabilities and treatment protocols available to chronic prostatitis patients.
Also desperate men will try almost anything and travel almost anywhere taking great risks to regain some semblance of pre prostatitis normality. These risks include damage due to trauma, overdose of antibiotics and anti-anxiety drugs, Hepatitis C Virus exposure, and questionable surgical practices and procedures (TURP, partial removals, surgical calcification removal etc).
My own experience places available protocols into 3 main categories: mainstream medicine, alternative treatments, and natural remedies.
Mainstream medicine
In the early stages of my disease I saw 7 different urologists and doctors. In each case they did very cursory testing and cultures and found no bacterial or fungal infections, yet in every case they prescribed antibiotics. I was exposed to Cipro, Doxycycline, Flagyl, Levaquin, Zithromax and several others. None of these treatments was helpful. None of the doctors thought it would be useful to test or treat my spouse even though they were treating me for infections.
Alternative MethodologiesI first traveled to the Philippines to try the Manila Protocol. I had heard of this in Larry Clapp’s book “Prostatitis Cure in 60 Days” (or something like that) This treatment consisted of vigorous prostate massage (so vigorous that I had blood in my semen for weeks after the treatment) and oral antibiotics. Extensive sampling was performed on urine, prostate fluid and semen. Some bacteria was isolated and sensivity tests performed to determine the proper antibiotic. I traveled to the Philippines twice as the first treatment was ineffective. So was the second. I developed a “golf ball in the rectum” feeling that persisted for months. Cost was $10,000 plus including travel expenses.
Next I found a doctor on the internet who treated prostatitis patients as a part of his fertility practice. Apparently he had found that prostate infections were contributors to infertility. Part of the hypothesis was that couples constantly re infected each other causing long standing and chronic conditions. The protocol included a 10 day Clindymycin IV and several transrectal injections into the prostate and vaginal lavages. The injections and lavages contained a broad spectrum of antibiotics including Zithromax, Flagyl, and Clindymycin. I improved slightly over time but my cp index never improved lower than 25. I returned several times for booster injections. These were also helpful but in the end ineffective for me. Total cost of this series of treatments including travel and expenses was about $16,000.
Next I went to Changsha, China. I had heard great things about a doctor there who was claiming complete cures for prostatitis sufferers. I talked to one of his patients who claimed he had been cured. This doctor was different in that he believed that calcification of the prostate caused mechanical agitation as well as provided a barrier to harbor pathogens. His protocol included daily injections of antibiotics, a proprietary mix of Chinese herbs and calcium unblocking agents. He did extensive testing on me and my spouse. The results were all negative and he declared my problem was calcification. I began a series of daily prostate injections. I collected my urine and several days through that month large amounts of sediment were apparent in the urine. Pre and post ultra sounds seemed to indicate that decalcification was taking place. In the meantime I had 62 direct injections into the prostate and my symptoms only marinally improved. Cost including travel and fees was $22,000.
While in China I met several patients who were there for their second, third and fourth time. All swore by the treatment, but the treatment never seemed to end.
I next worked with a naturopath and MD to do chelation therapy, supplements and the Shoskes protocol (low dose tetracycline and chelation suppositories.) These treatments made me feel good, my blood pressure and circulation improved and my cholesterol levels lowered. Unfortunately my prostatitis problem remained.
Natural Remedies
I have tried acupuncture, massage, colon cleansing, the lemonade diet, and had my mercury fillings removed. In some cases my symptoms were diminished temporarily. I also felt better so some good was being done.
The Decision
Towards the end of all this I began to hear of a few cases where patients were reporting dramatic improvements or elimination of prostatitis symptoms by laparoscopic prostatectomy. My initial response was negative but nothing else was working. I read case histories and spoke with several laparoscopic prostatectomy alumni who spoke glowingly of the results received.
After much soul searching and a few bouts of fear and anxiety (I scheduled and cancelled the procedure twice) Dr Krongrad successfully removed my prostate on August 4. I received almost immediate prostatitis symptom relief.
On the second morning after removal I reflected that for the first time in years I awoke without my body reminding me that I had chronic prostatitis.
It’s been about 6 weeks since the surgery and I am progressing well.
I was almost instantly continent after catheter removal and no longer wear pads during the day. I have a little leakage at night once in a while especially if I am very tired before retiring.
No signs of sexual function returning yet but its very early and time will tell.
I still have some perineal discomfort and occasional mild burning in the urethra during urination. At times my stream sometimes feels restricted and thin and other times its strong and full like it was in my 20’s. My bladder is still not normal and I sometimes feel urgency when the bladder is not full.
My prostatitis symptoms are gone and what I am experiencing now is different and appears to be the after effects of the surgery.
I take much comfort in having a skilled and experienced surgeon and doctor who has demonstrated significant success over 25 years. I continue to count on the high probability that I will completely recover in the next several months.
Whatever misgivings I might have had about prostate removal evaporated with the pathology report. I had early stage prostate cancer. So in pursuing treatment for prostatitis I was rewarded by complete cancer removal long before it could become a problem.
Beyond oral antibiotics, getting treatment for prostatitis is difficult. Most insurance companies do not cover the majority of available options. Most urologists do not support LRP as an option. In my case I solicited advice from several of the doctors I have seen over the years. To a man they each strongly advised me to not have the procedure.
Based on my experiences it seems to me that our overall approach to treatment of chronic prostatitis requires significant re-engineering. Most methods don’t work and a surgical option should be reserved for severe and persistent cases. That said, changes in attitudes in the medical and patient community might get someone else to the right place in less time than it has taken me.
