Moses's Story

Before RF Therapy

Moses, enlarged prostate patient

Moses first noticed the symptoms of BPH when he was in his mid-60s. He spends a lot of time on the road as a pastor in Jacksonville, Florida. "As I drove from place to place, I'd have to stop every 10 or 15 minutes to use the restroom," he says.

In rural areas, restrooms can be few and far between, Moses had to find creative solutions. "I'd jump out of the car to get into the woods or bushes to relieve myself," he recalls. "For years, I carried a cup in the car so I could urinate."

The bothersome BPH symptoms also affected his sleep. "I was getting up 4 to 5 times a night," he says. "I knew something was wrong with my prostate, but I didn't know whether it was enlargement or cancer. I think a lot of people have that fear. But when you get diagnosed and go on to have treatment, a lot of the fear goes away."

Moses's primary care doctor referred him to a urologist who prescribed Flomax^® for his BPH symptoms. While the medication gave some relief, it also caused side effects that affected his sex life.

When Moses's doctor first suggested RF therapy as an alternative, he had some fear about the procedure. "But my wife is a nurse, and with her confidence, and the confidence I had in my doctor, I said, 'OK, let's go.' I knew something was wrong with my prostate and I was ready to go get it taken care of. Since RF therapy, I’ve had tremendous relief. That’s quality of life."

RF Therapy Experience

"I'm always afraid of procedures and operations – anything, even a shot – but the doctor walked me through the procedure so calmly," Moses says. "When someone's talking to you, you talk back. It made the time go and made me more comfortable."

"During the procedure, I felt a little discomfort. I could feel some pressure and maybe a little clipping, but no pain. I've been through worse getting hit by a golf ball!"

After RF Therapy

"About a week or so later, I could tell the results, and it has lasted," Moses says. "Since the procedure, I've had tremendous relief. I feel like I can live 70 more years and still have good plumbing."

"What better can you do than sleep at night since you don't have to get up to urinate all the time? You rest during the night, and you're ready for the next day," he says.

RF therapy has also made his work as a pastor easier. "I often lecture for 2 or 3 hours at a time," he says. "Can you imagine having to stand and lecture for two hours having to go to the restroom? So having the procedure helped a lot. That makes it worth it all."

While Moses didn't have side effects with RF therapy, the possible side effects include obstruction (blockage), urinary retention, bleeding, blood in urine, pain/discomfort, urgency to urinate, increased urinary frequency and urinary tract infection. Patients may also experience a minor burning sensation when urinating for 1 to 2 weeks following the treatment.

RF therapy is available by prescription only. This therapy is not for everyone. Talk to your doctor to see if RF therapy is right for you.

Flomax is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim.

Next: Paul's Story

This story reflects one person's experience. Not every person will receive the same results. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

Last updated: 16 Mar 2009