Richard's Story

Before RF Therapy

Richard first noticed his BPH symptoms in an unusual way. In the late-1990s when he was in his mid-60s, Richard began taking a blood pressure medication that unknowingly kept his BPH symptoms in check. It was only when his doctor advised him to gradually go off the medication that his BPH symptoms began to emerge.

"I would have the urge to go to the bathroom, I would go in, and not be able to go. And very shortly after, I would have the urge to go again," Richard says. "There was no relief."

The symptoms began to take a toll on his quality of life. "Shopping is a little more complicated because the first item you've got to locate is the restroom. That changes your life," he says.

Richard's sleep was also affected. "I was on a strict two-hour schedule – every two hours I would wake up to go to the bathroom," he says. "I wasn't getting any rest."

Richard and his wife, Anne, love to travel, but found that Richard's BPH symptoms made travel much more difficult. "You stop at a rest area and go into the restroom, but you can't relieve yourself. So you get back in the car and drive. You may be many miles from the next rest area, but you haven't done a thing to relieve the need to go," he says.

"You end up carrying containers in the car that you can go in," explains Richard. "It adds a dimension to travel that is not pleasant or enjoyable."

Richard's primary care doctor referred him to a urologist who prescribed Flomax^® for his BPH symptoms. After almost two years, he asked his doctor about alternatives to daily prostate medication. "He recommended RF therapy, and it turned out to be very good for me," he says.

RF Therapy Experience

"The only unpleasant part of it was the area he was working in," Richard says. "There are so many procedures that are much more uncomfortable."

Richard's procedure went smoothly, and he did not need a catheter. "The first week, there was some discomfort, but no pain," he recalls. "My recovery was just exactly to the schedule that the doctor had told me to expect.”

Richard noticed a difference after one week. "I was walking on air because I no longer had that intense need to go, and when I went, it was just like I was 19 years old again," he says. "The relief was complete."

"Looking back, I would go through the discomfort of that first week anytime to get the relief I have had ever since."

After RF Therapy

Now, Richard finds travel much easier and more convenient. "I can travel and drive for 3 to 4 hours and not need to stop, and that's a tremendous relief," he says.

"The same is true for when we're out in the boat fishing or we're in the yard working," Richard continues. "It's really made our lives so much more enjoyable."

While Richard 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 one to two 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.

For more information, call Medtronic Patient Services at (800) 510-6735.

Flomax is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim.

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: 3 Aug 2008