Patient Stories: Prostate Artery Embolization helped Paul R.

What problems were you having before you came to RIA Endovascular?

For years, I had suffered from multiple lower-urinary-tract symptoms due to an enlarged prostate. I knew the enlargement was benign, and I did not want to suffer the side effects of medication or surgery. My concern about potential incontinence or sexual dysfunction kept me from seeking help. So I just lived with it. Eventually I ended up in the emergency department with acute urinary retention.

That experience, and the pain and inconvenience of the subsequent catheterization, pushed me to seek help. I especially didn’t want to go back to the ER in the middle of the COVID-19 virus lockdown. I learned that my prostate was too large for several treatments (e.g., Urolift). I was concerned that unwanted side effects of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) occurred too frequently and that the size of my prostate would require a repeat of the procedure within a few years. So I was looking to find alternative treatments.

How did you discover RIA Endovascular?

RIA Endovascular, and specifically Dr. Tyler Green, was recommended to me by my urologist, Dr. Ali Sarram.

What specific result/outcome did you like most about this procedure?

After many years of enduring pain, urgency, weak stream, frequent urination and other side effects of enlarged prostate, the prostatic artery embolization performed by Dr. Green and his team quickly relieved my symptoms.

As soon as the side effects of the Foley catheterization that accompanied the procedure subsided (two weeks), my symptoms rapidly improved. Within three weeks of the procedure, my pain and urgency disappeared. The strength of my urinary stream markedly improved. My bladder could hold more, and my frequency of voiding declined. I quickly felt like I did before all of these symptoms started a couple of decades ago.

How was your patient experience with the doctor and clinic staff?

I enjoyed my interactions with Dr. Green and his staff. They were professional and concerned about my needs and questions. They clearly are enthusiastic about what they do. All of my questions were quickly answered. In light of the difficulties imposed by our collective responses to the COVID-19 virus, the staff was innovative and helpful. We used teleconferencing when possible for our meetings. I very much appreciated that.

What would you like to share with others?

The artery embolization procedure is minimally invasive. I experienced some bruising near the groin entry point. All of the discomfort I experienced was not from the embolization procedure itself but from irritation caused by the Foley catheterization. Once that pain and irritation subsided, my long-term symptoms were quickly relieved.

I went from an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of 30 to 4 in less than a month. I feel very fortunate that this procedure was available to me and that RIA and Dr. Green and his team have the experience to make things go so smoothly.