Is an Enlarged Prostate Potentially Life Threatening While Backpacking?

[@elxakiltse8773]

Bro, you have huge balls - much bigger than your prostate - for posting a video like this. Huge respect. It's uncomfortable to talk about, but is a really big help for anyone suffering or thinking they may end up down that road.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks man, just hoping it helps some poor slob like me!

[@birddogfarms6981]

I'm 62 Dan, and I feel your pain. I have issues and when they show up, it's with very little warning and it can really suck. I would like to add, though, that I have eliminated 80-90% of my problems with some very specific changes in my diet. I have found that most people don't want to hear it or they want to argue about it so I just keep it to myself. Folks don't like finding out they've been wrong or mislead most of their lives. They tend to lash out and shoot the messenger. However, look at two things and then think about their effects on the prostate. One is inflammation. And one of the primary causes of inflammation in the body is excessive insulin. Especially in the all too common condition of hyperinsulinemia. Secondly is Glyphosate. It's in a lot of foods and it mimics estrogen in the body. A man with screwed up testosterone to estrogen ratios develops what symptoms? Man boobs, loss of body hair, enlarged prostate, erectile issues, low sperm count.....need I go on? And what do the doctors tell you? That you are suffering from low T. But that's not the problem. You might have plenty of T but you have way too much estrogen (even though it's a chemical, the body thinks it's estrogen). Eat organic as much as possible and keep the blood sugar LOW LOW LOW! Carbs are not your friend, Dan.....and just say no to GMO. Good luck and I wish you nothing but the best. Tom P.S. another pro tip, look up the effects of Boron on elder male bodies. I take a 3mg supplement for two weeks, off for two weeks and then on again, etc. Free testosterone and total testosterone huge improvement. Among many other great benefits.

[@blackoakpropertymaintenanc6981]

Dan.....this guy is speaking the gospel. Carnivore diet with only two meals per day (intermittent fasting) all but eliminated my prostrate issues. You have to ask yourself, why such a high percentage of the male population with prostrate issues? NOT NORMAL! There has to be environmental factors at play here. One word: Glyphosate. It's everywhere in the food supply and landscape. Also, the food pyramid is a total lie. Unhealthy standard american diet.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks so much for these suggestions! Definitely worth investistigating!

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks for adding this. Some scary stuff out there, for sure.

[@chrisj8764]

Ha ha - I will keep eating my carbs especially on hard hikes and drinking soy coffee, thanks very much!

[@careyolson3446]

I was about to discuss options for BPH/better urination with my Dr about the same time I started hiking/rucking. My symptoms noticeably improved about 3 months in, and GREATLY improved after about a year. No meds. 59 and feeling easily 10yrs younger in that respect. Humble and grateful.

[@ShastaBubba]

Happy to hear it! Keep on hiking!!

[@mikeandjenniferrothmeyer4234]

Thanks for sharing your story. Just speaking openly about this is a huge service to your audience.

[@ShastaBubba]

I appreciate that! Hope it's helpful.

[@michaeldangelo4155]

I know others have said it, but I feel the need to take a moment and say thank you. I am 54, my wife and I recently moved from Miami, Florida to Richmond, Virginia and have taken up light hiking (moderate trails 3-5 miles), with an interest in getting more into it. I stumbled across your channel and have learned a lot from you. I have also recently learned I too have an enlarged prostate. So far it is tolerable and medication keeps it in check, but it’s good to know there is a back up/emergency plan I can easily carry in my pack. Thank you!

[@ShastaBubba]

It touches my heart to have been helpful to you; thanks so much for sharing this!! And happy hiking!

[@fukthusetstockholmab7471]

Strong of you to share this information! I wish you a healthy recovery. Not to run it in your face, but i am gonna make the most of the fact that i am healthy and just get out there, enought with the excuses. Looking forward for more great videos.

[@ShastaBubba]

Encouraging others to make the most of being present in the woods is a positive outcome for me. Many happy trails!

[@daveleach8302]

I’m 66 and have BHP, never entered my mind that something like this could happen. Thanks for sharing and helping others. God Bless

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks! If it helps one guy avoid what I experienced, I'll be happy. ;-)

[@DrJohn493]

A very important message, especially for those us that have gotten older and want to remain active on the trail and in the outdoors Especially for one with a similar diagnosis of an enlarged prostate. It's disappointing that your backpacking season has been cut short but I'm sure all of your subscribers and viewers appreciate your breaking the squeamish barrier to share your experience. Best of luck with your procedure and prognosis!

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks so much, appreciate the encouragement and well wishes!

[@wiltonlewis5369]

A very brave video. I am 61 and also suffer from this. My medication is controlling it, and I have not had the awful experience you have had. But your experience really does make me think about what could happen when I am out hiking, especially on my own. Well done for bringing this into the open: as you say, this is a very common condition.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks so much; hope it's helpful for folks in a similar state.

[@RuralMontanaLiving]

I can only imagine the discomfort (pain, actually), of making that slog out of the Belly River valley with an over-full bladder. You definitely made the right call getting out. While the circumstances may not have made the trip enjoyable, the Belly River is certainly a great last place to visit for the season. I'm fortunate to not have this issue (I am 54), but my dad passed of prostrate cancer at the age of 71, so it is probably a matter of time before I have prostate issues. Regular checks are a an absolute must. Wishing you the best with the surgery in September. I'll miss your trip videos for the balance of the season. Heal well!

[@ShastaBubba]

My dad had the same surgery at about the same age! Be well and I appreciate the well wishes.

[@Lebowski619]

Courageous video and all of us older hikers appreciate this very much

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks so much! Hope it's useful.

[@nangaleema]

Good to know this information for the men in my life. Thanks for sharing! Hope your procedure went well!

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks, it did! All back to normal and out backpacking again.

[@underdgk9]

Cudos for making this video. An 8oz glass of low sodium tomato juice daily is very beneficial for BPH !

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks for the tip!

[@twhis9843]

Had BHP once in my late 40s and I’ve never been so sick. Even though a bacterial infection was never able to be cultured, the urologist had a hunch and prescribed me CiPro. I began to improve in a matter of hours. I guess he was right. The condition has never returned. But I was sure I would not recover. Not being able to urinate for several days is painful beyond belief.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks for sharing this. It's certainly an issue to be aware of (which I clearly was not!)

[@never2farr]

Dying from post obstructive renal failure due to BPH in 1893 on the Lochsa River, Idaho: Snowbound by Ladd Hamilton

[@ShastaBubba]

Ooh, great reference! Thanks for that!

[@mattvittal]

Thanks for sharing. Sorry your backpacking season is being cut short. Wishing you a speedy recovery and hopefully some relief after your procedure.

[@ShastaBubba]

Really appreciate the well wishes!

[@Derrenf66]

Thanks Dan, sorry to hear of the cancellation of your hiking season but very much appreciate you raising awareness of this condition, it’s not something I had considered before.

[@ShastaBubba]

Hope it's helpful and thanks so much!

[@paddor]

Good and informative video! I’ll keep that in the back of my head.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks, glad it was useful!

[@skidaddledude1997]

Such an important topic, thanks for sharing.

[@ShastaBubba]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SkiCounseler]

Glad to hear you have a plan to solve the issue once and for all. I had an aquablation procedure last month and it was probably one of the best decisions I ever made. Hopefully I will never have to worry about peeing again. The recovery time before a person could return to backpacking is only a few weeks.

[@ShastaBubba]

Wow, thanks so much for mentioning this; I hadn't heard of aquablation and it sounds promising! I'll be jumping back into research mode stat!

[@SkiCounseler]

@@ShastaBubba Yes, definitely research the procedure. It's got a lot going for it compared to being cut on.

[@mikefranck829]

We did that hike through the Belly River three years ago. Fabulous. My dad had this surgery recently and I know he was VERY uncomfortable with those same symptoms you had. Thanks for the information. Hoping to see the Chinese Wall at the end of August. Great video.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks and good luck on your trip! Might be a hot one, so take good sun protection. ;-)

[@mountainwanderer]

I didn't realize how helpful this would be when I clicked on it. Thank you for making this. I am really bummed to hear that your backpacking season is over. This is some great information and I feel like I might have a clue if I start feeling that pain out in the back country.

[@ShastaBubba]

Hey thanks my friend. Thinking I might have to do a few short day trips in the Cabinets just cause I can't stand not being in the woods! You've been putting out some awesome trip vids lately, nice job!

[@hikingwithsticks6256]

Wonderful video Dan. I am glad you got out of the woods safely. Thank you for sharing.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks my friend, I'm glad too!!

[@BlueBoyBackpacking]

Thanks Shastabubba. Very enlightening and helpful. Sharing is caring. Thank you. Blueboy.

[@ShastaBubba]

Wow, BlueBoy . . . You're alive! Thanks for reaching out to comment and hope you are doing well. Miss your content!

[@GarryCollins-ec8yo]

I can’t believe I made it through the video without my sympathetic pains forcing me to close. I’m 64 and using super prostate hopping I improve a little. That was enough to finish the video.

[@ShastaBubba]

LOL; thanks for toughing it out!

[@cnadasi6549]

Glad you’re doing better man, and think it’s cool you made this video. Making plans for our next trip (to an even better lake). 😊

[@ShastaBubba]

Sign me up!

[@flythenride]

Thank you for sharing your experience Dan. Much appreciated.

[@ShastaBubba]

You're welcome; hope it's useful!

[@dayhikingforoldies9792]

Very interesting, thank you!

[@ShastaBubba]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnmarch1315]

Thanks for posting, highly educational. Two comments: First, your unwillingness to seek help is a typical guy thing. Why not to to the ER as soon as you came out--its what I would've done as a physician backpacker. Facts are friendly--its never good to pretend away serious medical problems. Second, you'll need some sort of procedure to address BPH. The classic surgery is a transurethral prostatectomy (TURP), which is probably what you're having. Wishing you so very well. I had a TURP 10 years ago at age 65, and am still going strong. Enjoy your posts, thanks...

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks for this; you're partly correct that it's a typical guy thing not to seek help. However, to be completely honest, it's even more about money -- fearing the cost of a trip to the ER (even with good insurance), only for them to do nothing and send me home. Since I thought the situation was improving, that's why I delayed to the next day. As it was, the ER set me up with an indwelling Foley catheter, which I wore for a week until my Urologist appointment. That was not a fun experience and I figured out later that all I really needed was to be taught how to use a self catherter. Would have saved a lot of discomfort if they had taken the time to do that instead. You are correct about the TURP, I had that surgery in September, 2023, and it took care of everything with minor side effects. There's a lot of bad and scary information out there about the TURP being too aggressive, but the results have been great for me. Glad to hear it's still working for you 10 years later too. Thanks!!

[@toghikes]

Thank you for sharing this important information. I am now 66 years old. Believe me when I say that at my age, prostate issues are always on my mine. I again appreciate you sharing this with us. I pray all goes well for you and you have a quick and total recovery.

[@ShastaBubba]

Good to be mindful and get checked regularly. Appreciate the well wishes!

[@cricketsnail]

Hi Dan I’ve really enjoyed your videos. Thanks for sharing. My father in law had this issue on Mt Whitney and had to hike out 7 miles at 3am to an ambulance. It happens! On a different note- any chance you could give me some advice on a last minute change of plans due to wildfires? Planned packraft trip on south fork Flathead now looking unlikely. Thank you!

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks so much! If it's any consolation, river levels are unusually low this year, so you would likely have had a very boney float on the SF! It looks like the east side of the Bob is remarkably fire free at the moment -- might consider a trip either to the Chinese Wall or the North Wall loop (video of the latter here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4G3mZKHjct_ptk). Happy trails!

[@DrDennis]

It is potentially life threatening. I’ve been there and had to have a TURP due to obstruction from years of BPH! Had that in 2013 and it’s starting to slow down a little and then you do it again. ❤

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks! I was hoping to ring the alarm without sounding overdramatic. Hope things improve for you soon too!

[@randyclark5287]

Hi Dan, New to your channel just watched your prostate video. I totally understand, I have dealt with the same problem. My Doc put me on flow max and seems to help a bunch. No going issues, and like you can go up to 6-7 times when hiking. But the pills do work. Couple of weeks ago forgot to put my pills in my pill box. Man I suffered! When I realized what I had done it was "like oh Shxx ". But was better in less than a day. Try to eat a vegan diet and just ice water. Coffee in the morning. So far my health is ok. Hope yours is too. Great videos and I envy where you hike and live. Take care Randy

[@ShastaBubba]

Hey Randy, thanks for the ideas and well wishes. I ended up geting the TURP surgery and things are really great now, no issues at all! Happy hiking and hope you stay well too!

[@kimpriessloft371]

Thanks for sharing! 🤗

[@ShastaBubba]

You're very welcome!

[@ralfhedin]

Thank you for sharing!

[@ShastaBubba]

Hope it's useful, thanks!

[@preacherman9018]

Hello Dan, It looks like you have a challenge, but don't give up on the detective work. There are ways that a lot of men correct their challenges without surgery. I'm a health coach and so I don't do the medical doctor's job of surgery or drugs. Nothing is guaranteed, but natural ways and dietary changes don't have risks like that of infection.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks! Appreciate the input.

[@MtHockey]

Gotta love getting old!

[@ShastaBubba]

Not for the faint of heart, right?!!

[@MtHockey]

@@ShastaBubba You are correct! I haven't had a full night of sleep on the trail or at home for 10 years.

[@ShastaBubba]

@@MtHockey Ouch! Sorry for that 😴

[@NotASheep100]

Man...what a vid...touches on a personal subject... Me...kidney probs....enlarge liver with growth....cant pee proper ever...hate using public loos...take me an age to piss. To add to it....cant bluddy orgasm either😮 Oh well...we keep goin....we keep hiking and camping..watching the wildlife...reminding ourselvrs how lucky we are every single day... I can hear the birds. I can see them I can just about hike ( arthitic knees ) So im lucky...😊 Gratefull...of every day.

[@ShastaBubba]

I'm so sorry for your losses, brutal things to live with. You are absolutely correct on the importance of practicing gratitude for the little things and staying mindfully present to appreciate them. Perhaps this video will help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaSnanShjdFonsk Cheers!

[@NotASheep100]

Thanks for the link...totally get where your coming from... Me and the wife practise and talk about self growth and reflection all the time...weve faced some reall hard times...but our love for eachother and for life and all things Spiritual ...and various forms of philosophy are what helps us thru every day. We are truly grateful of everyday together... Very good vids you have here...thankyou .. And a blessing to you....😊