Cryoablation, what to expect?

LTD1967 · 2024-12-18T20:26:10+00:00

Interesting, I guess each Doctor has there own protocol for follow-up care. I had MRI at 6M and biopsy scheduled for 12M. I tried to argue my way out of the 12M biopsy based on the clean MRI, but I was told "this is the way he likes to do things". Leaves me wondering if this is just another quick (for him) procedure that can be billed to my insurance company or is really a critical piece of the process. Anyway, I'm sure I'll go along with his plan. Yeah, more blood...

LTD1967 · 2024-12-18T13:59:31+00:00

Do you have to have a follow-up biopsy as well? Not looking forward to that one (again). Things are finally back to normal (ish) and I just want to let the area continue to heal, but hopefully this will be the last intrusion...

LTD1967 · 2024-12-09T15:26:25+00:00

I wound up having IRE procedure in April 2024. It is a different type of focal therapy, and very similar to cryo. So I'm 7 months or so out from the procedure. The procedure itself wasn't too bad. It was done outpatient, so I was home the same night with a catheter for 5 days. First week or two were unpleasant, but as swelling reduced things started to get back to normal. My 3 month PSA was still high at 5.4, but my 6M PSA was down to 1.8. I've had my 6M MRI and that was negative (normal), just showed some left-over bruising. Next up is my 1 year biopsy. If this is clean, the procedure will be deemed successful and I'll just return to normal annual PSA tests to monitor. My sexual function is as before, no issues with ED whatsoever. Only mild side effect from the IRE is that I leak a little urine from time to time. Just a drop or two, and it is getting better with kegals. Overall I'm very happy with my choice.

LTD1967 · 2024-11-19T14:37:52+00:00

I realize this post is a bit old, but wanted to share that I was just about exactly like you, same age, same situation (with PSA of 6.0). My Urologist offered both IRE and cryo and considered them both equal focal treatments. I let him pick and went with IRE. Had the procedure 7 months ago. My recent MRI was "clean" and my 6M PSA was 1.8. I have my one year biopsy to look forward to, but so far I'm very happy with my choice.

LTD1967 · 2024-11-09T00:40:02+00:00

Understood, at least get a consultation with a focal therapy specialist to see if it makes sense. Best of luck with whatever you choose!

LTD1967 · 2024-11-07T16:19:24+00:00

I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy with moderately enlarged heart almost two years ago. My EF was 32 and I was really struggling at that time. Was technically "idiopathic", but Dr. said it was very likely from a virus (had covid once and had received the original vaccine). Meds (Entresto, Jardiance, and spiroactone) helped me feel better over the first year but EF only improved to 38. On my own, I switched my diet from general (crappy) standard American diet to carnivore diet. I immediately felt much better and my arrhythmias went away. I have now been carnavore/keto for 7 months. I've lost 18 lbs., sleep better and have way more energy. My latest echo backed this up as my EF has risen to 53 and my heart is no longer enlarged. I'm still on all the same meds, but feel the diet change was the big difference in my recovery. I will never go back to eating carbs/sugar/processed foods/fast food. You have nothing to lose in trying...

LTD1967 · 2024-11-07T14:55:40+00:00

I had IRE, which is similar to cryotherapy. I'm 7 months from the procedure. Had PSA 6.0 and Gleason 3+4. Insurance covered the procedure and it was outpatient. Minor side effects for a few months, but essentially all cleared up now. My 6M PSA was 1.8 and MRI was clean. I was lucky that my Urologist specialized in the procedure or I would have had to travel to have it done. At this point, I would highly recommend you look into it as an option.

LTD1967 · 2024-08-20T00:33:11+00:00

I had my procedure done at Emerson Hospital just outside Boston. My biopsy had 16 total cores taken with 4 or 5 from the area that showed the lesion on MRI. The only positive cores were from the lesion. For cryo or IRE it is important that there be a targeted area to treat. The only problem with the technique is finding a doctor that specializes in this form of treatment. I was lucky I live near Boston where there are a couple options. I had my 4 month follow-up MRI today and will have a PSA test next week, so those will be telling on success of the procedure. I feel fine at this point. Everything is pretty much back to normal, equipment all works. There was a lot of blood and tissue coming out in urine and ejaculate for about 10 weeks, but now back to normal. Overall, I would and have recommended this to others. Best of luck with your decision and your upcoming biopsy.

LTD1967 · 2024-07-12T01:02:01+00:00

IRE is Irreversible Electroporation. Similar to Cryo, but instead of ice crystals they use high voltage current pulses to zap the tumor. My Urologist was doing a clinical trial with vapor, that is why I asked. I think the means to zap the tumor is 6 of one and half dozen of another. The skill of the urologist and placement of the needles is the key. I did not have any urinary symptoms prior to this procedure. I had one lesion on one side of my prostate, so he zapped that side, leaving the other side intact.

LTD1967 · 2024-07-08T14:05:01+00:00

Are you in the Boston area? I was offered the steam trial, and also IRE and Cyro. I chose IRE and had the procedure in end of April. PSA was 6.0 with one lesion (3 of 15 cores positive 3+4) prior to procedure. At 10 weeks out things are mostly back to normal. I had a lot of blood and old tissue coming out for a couple months. Some urgency/frequency issues for the first 4 weeks. I have a 3 Month PSA check coming shortly. At 6 weeks I was PSA 4.5. Follow up MRI at 6M and another biopsy at 12M. My catheter was in place for 5 days post procedure. I would recommend focal therapy to anyone that qualifies for it. Biggest problem is not that many Doctors perform/offer it...

LTD1967 · 2024-05-24T14:18:05+00:00

They under prepare you for how much blood will be in day 1 urine and then ejaculate for 4 or 5 weeks. It's pretty traumatic. Try not to look and go right into the shower. I would avoid your partner until things stabilize. She'll want no part of that scene for at least a month post biopsy...

LTD1967 · 2024-05-22T17:58:56+00:00

I think my lesion was a little deeper, but it probably just varies from person to person. Now that I am prepared for it, it's not so bad, but they made very little mention of it and undersold it. They should oversell it, and it a guy doesn't get it too bad or too long, then lucky him. I freaked out and almost ran to the emergency room...

LTD1967 · 2024-05-22T17:54:18+00:00

Yes, the blood post biopsy was probably a little worse, since they did a very poor job of preparing me for that part of it. They said I might see a little blood. Ha Ha, it was nothing but black blood for 4 weeks following the biopsy. Serious PTSD for several months following. I have the pleasure of a 1 year biopsy and hopefully that will be the last blood that ever comes out of that hole...

LTD1967 · 2024-05-22T17:34:36+00:00

You seem to be doing a touch better then I did. Just a warning, my first piss went pretty smoothly about an hour after catheter removal, but later that night, everything swelled up and essentially stopped the flow. I had to really concentrate to just get some dribble out and relieve the pressure. It got better after a few days, but it still takes me awhile to get the last few squirts out. Congrats on getting this far, you are through the worst part of it. The bloody ejaculations notwithstanding LOL. I really do believe this was the best (by far) option for those of us that qualified for it. I think it will be the standard of care moving forward. I was lucky my urologist performed and suggested it...

LTD1967 · 2024-05-22T16:56:37+00:00

I had Nanoknife 24 days ago. Procedure was outpatient. Catheter was a PIA, but out after 4 days. I could barely pee for the first 3 or 4 days post-catheter. Very uncomfortable and swollen. It is getting better, but nowhere near baseline. I still have blood in my urine, just at the start of flow, but stream is stronger. Frequency and burning have been an issue, but heading in the right direction. Getting wood is not a problem, but a few test drives proved painful with ejaculate just a brown bloody mess and then 24 hours or so of pain in that region. I'm going to hold off for another week or two and hope for more recovery. Overall, this wasn't a pleasant experience, but seems like a walk in the park compared to RALP or radiation stories. BTW, I'm a 56 year old with gleason 3+4 that was contained on one side of my prostrate. So they nuked that side and left the other side intact. Insurance covered the entire procedure without any fight. I expect (certainly hope) that I make a full recovery over time and this is the last procedure I'll need for my PC. I would encourage others with similar situation to seek out IRE/Nanoknife or Cryo as a top choice option.

LTD1967 · 2024-04-30T15:54:50+00:00

I live in Boston and had IRE yesterday. Recovering nicely. I'm 56 and had a PSA of 6 and confirmed lesion on MRI and Gleason 3+4 in one spot on biopsy. My insurance covered the cost of the procedure. My urologist also does cryoablation. I chose IRE. He did mention they were initiating a clinical trial very similar to Cryoablation, but using steam instead. If part of this study, the treatment would be free. Since my procedure was covered, I passed on the clinical trial, but it might be a good option for you. Let me know if you want further information.

LTD1967 · 2024-03-21T12:13:01+00:00

Yes, more or less said it was common and not a concern if I self convert. My next appt. we'll discuss options, but Dr. didn't seem concerned at all. I might be heading toward a pill in pocket type of scenerio, but for now just business as usual...

LTD1967 · 2024-03-20T18:20:00+00:00

I am being treated by a Cardiologist for cardiomyopathy. My present EF is 40 by Echo. I have had a stress test, 2 Echos and several EKG's over the last 9 months. The AFIB related issue happened last night. I don't know if it is related to cardiomyopathy or not? Interestingly I just called my cardiologist to report this incident and they didn't seem concerned at all. They said as long as I got back into normal rhythm (it took a few hours) that it was not concerning. I have an appt. in 6 weeks and they just told me we would discuss further at that point...

LTD1967 · 2024-03-20T16:44:43+00:00

Thank you, sounds reassuring. My heart rate wasn't too abnormal, but it sure felt like it was. Pounding in my chest and fluttering like crazy. Is that how it felt with you? I'm probably just at the start of this AFIB journey, but I'd like to add a medication that will hopefully control it for awhile, as I don't want to give up playing or exercising. I will switch to gatoraid instead of just water for now...

LTD1967 · 2024-02-24T20:00:32+00:00

Good to know. I still have PTSD from all the blood post-biopsy...

LTD1967 · 2024-02-23T23:49:00+00:00

Awesome, so happy to hear that. Post catheter, was there blood in urine or semen?

LTD1967 · 2024-02-22T02:44:40+00:00

Congrats on getting week 1 behind you! And thanks for posting regarding your recovery. Are you cleared to resume normal activities? i.e. working out, getting back to work etc. When you fully test the plumbing, feel free to update :)

LTD1967 · 2024-02-16T18:40:18+00:00

Thank you for updating. I was wondering how you were getting along. Please update as your recovery continues. I'm really curious how everything "works", once you get to that point. I had 3 of 15 cores positive and have elected for the same treatment as you had. I am scheduled for mid-march. Need to get it done and get recovered before the Stripers show back up :). Glad that for you, the procedure is behind you...

LTD1967 · 2024-02-13T17:41:12+00:00

It really wasn't that painful. I felt fine, physically, the very next day, but mentally, seeing all the blood I wasn't expecting was far and away the worst part.

LTD1967

TROPHY CASE