I had PVP surgery on Tuesday, Dec 16, and am experiencing a strange side
effect – every time I pee, I laugh.  It first happened on my trip home
after the procedure.  I was on the ferry, about 15 min from docking, and
although I didn’t feel I had to go (most everyone reading this posting
will realize that with BPH you never pass up an opportunity) I went to
the head for my first post PVP wiz.  So much came out, and so fast that
I just starting laughing and was grinning and laughing all the way back
to my seat.

I am 59, have had BPH for at least 10 years, probably more.  In my case
it progressed quite slowly.  My highest PSA in the past 10 years was
only 1.1 and all DRE exams by General Practitioners always indicated no
problem.  I began Hytrin, 5mg, about 3 years ago as a dual therapy for
mild blood pressure and to help me pee better.  It worked, but is not
the ideal BP solution and of course I had the lighted headedness and
other side effects.  Uro #1 recommended TURP three years ago, and
although I didn’t know much about BPH at the time, I apparently knew
enough that I would not sign up for that.  Uro #1 didn’t care to discuss
much with me, but I did learn that I was retaining.  Soon after that I
began lurking on this list and reading and learning (I survived both shy
miami guy and haditdone).  I came to understand that if I was retaining,
I could be doing permanent damage to myself.  I went to uro#2 based on a
story and picture of him in the local paper for being on the forefront
of nerve sparing prostate surgery.  A young looking progressive uro,
just what I wanted.   He confirmed BPH and recommended TURP.  I said I
wanted PVP Laser.  He said he had Lasers and Microwave but recommended
traditional TURP.  I had to press him on that, asking point blank if he
had Laserscope Green Light.  The response: “that’s a marketing ploy,
lasers are lasers and I have them” and “you are one of those guys that
will probably do real good with a TURP, I can get you on the schedule in
3 months”.  At that time, and until about a month ago, there were no PVP
doctors listed for my state, NJ.   The closest two were Malloy in Phila
(never saw him mentioned on this list) and Te in NY.  So it became a
no-brainer, first appointment with Dr Te on Sep 29, two more
appointments in Oct, (uro-dynamic testing and scope) PVP on Dec 16.

A continuing discussion on this list seems to be if someone should have
TURP or PVP.  I will not be the first one to state it is the same thing,
with a different tool.  The paperwork from Dr Te stated I was having a
Laser TURP, there is no mention of PVP.  In fact when I saw that I
called the office to make sure I was getting PVP.  I can see that if you
ask a clerk at the insurance company if they will pay for PVP they will
say “no”.  The PVP doctors know how to deal with the insurance companies.

In summary, before I run upstairs to laugh, I mean pee, again, I fully
recommend PVP.  I am grateful for this list, and thank all of you,
especially Patrick for the wealth of information you have provided.  The
entire procedure, for me, involved minimal discomfort, and the results
were dramatic and immediate.  I don't think the side effect has a cure.

Al