I'm in a bit of a quandry regarding having either a TURP or a laser
operation. I'd much prefer the latter, of course, but things are not so
straightforward. Advice/suggestions welcomed.

Following a routine blood test a year ago, at age 58, I was found to have a
PSA level of 10. Biopsies followed, benign. Regular blood tests showed
roughly same levels. Prior to this, my only symptoms had been occasional
difficulty getting a urine flow started, and a feeling of not fully emptying.
The occasions then got a little more regular, so was put on Flomax. No
problem of getting up during the night.

Then, last November I had a sudden and complete stoppage. At the end of the
day, I was in the A&E, in great pain, having a catheter fitted. Up on the
ward for a couple of days. Catheter removed, but conditional on drinking a
lot of water and passing a significant amount of it. Couldn't manage to do
it, so catheter put back in. Next day left hospital with the tube in place
and an awful leg bag. Consultant made an appointment for me to have a TURP
first week in December -- no discussion of any alternatives, despite my
voicing my fears about possible resulting side effects. Said his record on
these was v good.

After looking around on the Internet (including this ng), I decided instead
to ask for a referal for laser treatment here in the UK. After a long delay
(long story, involving unsatisfactory communications) was finally refered on
-- but with a note accompanying my records saying that my consultant was
concerned about my PSA levels and that had he carried out the TURP, he would
have retrieved some of the 'shavings' from the core of the prostate for
further analysis.

Finally, over 3 months after leaving hospital, and still with a catheter in,
met with the laser consultant. He said that he would accept me BUT given my
consultant's note, he wanted me to go back and have some samples taken from
the core to check for cancer. He added that 'of course, doing that, he'd be
halfway to doing a TURP...'. The implication being that perhaps I might as
well go down that route. I made plain that I wanted the laser treatment, and
he agreed, subject to an all-clear, to put me on his waiting list (3-4
months). Incidentally, he expressed surprise that nobody (GP or consultant)
had suggested another try at my getting on without the catheter. Something I
had wanted to do -- and had asked my GP about.

So now, I have to choose. I'm seeing my consultant in a few days time. He
will possibly make an appointment for me to have the biopsies in, say, 4
weeks time and may even try to persuade me to have the TURP. If I elect not
to, and the results are benign, I have yet another 2-3 months wait for the
laser treatment. If they are not, I guess even the TURP option will be closed
to me and a complete removal of the prostate may be the only option
'offered'. All this uncertainty since December is taking its toll on me,
especially regarding the continued wearing of this damned catheter and leg
bag-- with regard to relations with my girlfriend, but also it has limited my
work output.

I can't help thinking that if I'd have known that I would have to wait all this
time, I might have chosen to have the TURP done.

TIA, Henry Paul
(nom de plume)