I'm nearly 72, with BPH symptoms for at least 15 years which went
untreated until about 4 years ago when I started both Proscar and
Flomax which I tolerate well although there is sex drive reduction and
sometimes retro ejaculation.  These two medications have provided some
symptom relief, but most remain: daytime urgency of 1 to 3 hours, up
once or twice a night; weak stream; post urination dribble.

A recent visit to a urologist revealed very little residual urine in
my bladder (assessed with ultrasound).  He offers conventional TURP
and Indigo Laser (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.) treatments.  He said
that he has never had a case of incontinence after either treatment
(I'm skeptical); that TURP provides lasting relief for about 80% of
patients while Indigo only about 50%.  The laser treatment is done in
his office.

I hope some of you can help with the following questions:

How effective are either TURP or Indigo Laser for eventual, long-term
relief of frequent urgency since  I suspect some bladder damage is
present?  I would want to be quite sure that treatment would provide
significant improvement in urgency.

What are chances of incontinence, impotence and retrograde ejaculation
with either treatment?

What are the differences between the Indigo Laser and PVP treatments?

Are Indigo and PVP covered by Medicare?  The urologist says that my
HMO will not cover the Indigo treatment.

Thanks for your help,

Ray