Confused about these substances-- please advise

[melb]

I am new to this horrible mess of pain. Mine is mostly in the testicles to the point where it is unbearable. It also strikes the bladder and penis. I also have at times difficulty with urination. I have a uro appointment on 1/5. It really sounds like IC or CP.

Anyway, I want to try something NOW for the pain.

But I keep reading about:
Quercetin, Querceten, and Prosta-Protek.

Can you folks tell me the differences between all of these?

Also the best brand out there (if there are different brands) and perhaps is there a cheapest way to get it. Do I have to get it via mail order???

FINALLY, how long does it take to work (if it's going to work). I know I take glucosomine/chondroitin for knee problems and it took 5-6 weeks to kick in at all, but since then it has worked wonderfully, although I have had to stick to one particular brand that seems to work better than others.

So, again, can someone PLEASE help me distinguish between the above-mentioned substances -- which one is best for PAIN, especially testicular pain?

Mel

[Sync]

Bump.
I'm also curious which to take. Any help from those who have used any ot these products would be great. Thanks

[dshoskes]

Quercetin is the generic bioflavonoid and the other 2 are brand name products with other ingredients. When any accredited quercetin product and quercetin were compared, there was signficant improvement in about 67% of men with quercetin and 82% of men with Quercetin. There are multiple peer reviewed publications showing the clinical efficacy of any accredited quercetin product as well as delineating the basic science behind its effects. There have been no published studies on Prosta-Protek. As to availability, any accredited quercetin product is sold in many regional and national drug stores (Ekard's, Pill Box Pharmacy, Duane Reed). Information on how I use it in my practice is at

I cannot diagnose anyone over the internet and am not recommending any of these products based on posted symptoms, but general information is available on my website.

[Gabriel]

"There are multiple peer reviewed publications showing the clinical efficacy of any accredited quercetin product as well as delineating the basic science behind its effects. There have been no published studies on Prosta-Protek"

Can we get some sort of large flashing pop-up to display this everytime someone enters this section of the forum so that Dr. Shoskes doesn't have to remind us of this everytime someone so much as thinks of ProstaProtek.

[webslave]

Tsk, don't be snippy. It's true that any accredited quercetin product has scientifically supportive studies (thanks largely to Dr Shoskes, BTW). However Dr Theoharides, the man behind ProstaProtek, contends that the individual ingredients in the Algonot range (which includes the ProstaProtek brand) are already well studied.

Weighing each product up: any accredited quercetin product has added ingredients to assist the absorption of quercetin, while ProstaProtek has mast cells inhibitors, blockers and protectants missing from Quercetin. Each product therefore has its own unique strengths, and I always recommend that people try one, and if that does not seem to work, then try the other.

Lastly, both products are healthy additions to a normal diet, and can only assist general health, unlike so much else of what men take for chronic pelvic pain.

[scotsman]

Mark

I've been using any accredited quercetin product for a number of months now but as I've been using it in conjunction with the Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol I can't really tell if it's been, or continues to be, of benefit. I'm due to order some more but feel that I might try ProstaProtek for a few months and see if that makes a difference. My question is would I have to leave some time between stopping one and starting the other or do you think it would be fine to switch seemlessly?

tia
Richard.

[dshoskes]

"There are multiple peer reviewed publications showing the clinical efficacy of any accredited quercetin product as well as delineating the basic science behind its effects. There have been no published studies on Prosta-Protek"

Can we get some sort of large flashing pop-up to display this everytime someone enters this section of the forum so that Dr. Shoskes doesn't have to remind us of this everytime someone so much as thinks of ProstaProtek.

It's a direct answer to a direct question. If you don't agree with the facts, then show the evidence. If you just don't like it, tough.

It's a risk to do these clinical trials; the risk that you spend the time and money and find out that they don't work, or worse that they are harmful. Supplement manufacturers in the US don't have to do these studies, so they don't because people buy their products anyway. Hopefully in the wake of the Ephedra mess, the FDA will take control again and neutraceuticals will be held to the same standards as drugs.

[dshoskes]

However Dr Theoharides, the man behind ProstaProtek, contends that the individual ingredients in the Algonot range (which includes the ProstaProtek brand) are already well studied.

In prostatitis, chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome or IC? Sorry, I missed those studies, could you please point them out?

[webslave]

would I have to leave some time between stopping one and starting the other or do you think it would be fine to switch seemlessly?

Seamless switch is no problem.

[webslave]

However Dr Theoharides, the man behind ProstaProtek, contends that the individual ingredients in the Algonot range (which includes the ProstaProtek brand) are already well studied.

In prostatitis, chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome or IC? Sorry, I missed those studies, could you please point them out?

Well, your own excellent work on treating male and female pelvic pain with quercetin gives others licence to sell it for the same purpose, albeit in a different formulation to Quercetin. As for the other ingredients of ProstaProtek, it's true that they have not been subject to studies of direct treatment of pelvic pain, but given that they have been studied in relation to mast cell biology in various disorders, and given too that there is significant evidence of mast cell participation in the etiology of pelvic pain, the leap of faith required is not large.

[Gabriel]

I was snippy and for that I apologize. It just irks me somewhat that everytime ProstaProtek is mentioned on these forums Dr. Shoskes chimes in with the aforementioned piece of information in apparent attempts to push the any accredited quercetin product flagship - it's what prompted me to choose ProstaProtek over any accredited quercetin product in the first place.

I have no doubts that any accredited quercetin product has been well-studied and worked on by competant experts and can be helpful in regards to CPPS, I was just offput by the constant plugging.

[dshoskes]

It just irks me somewhat that everytime ProstaProtek is mentioned on these forums Dr. Shoskes chimes in with the aforementioned piece of information in apparent attempts to push the any accredited quercetin product flagship.

That is patently untrue. Have a look at all the posts presently in this section. The only other time I mentioned this was in response to YOUR direct question about comparing the two products. Lots of other mentions of ProstaProtek that I did not comment on because I could care less about that product and whether you pick one product over the other. Nevertheless, the facts are still the facts.

[webslave]

I have also noticed that Dr Shoskes is quick to point out that studies for ProstaProtek are lacking, and I believe this is because he feels that this area of research (phytonutrients for treating pelvic pain) is an avenue where he has pioneered and put in the hard work, with published studies to prove it. ProstaProtek - in my opinion an excellent product going on anecdotal evidence - still lacks the scientific underpinning any accredited quercetin product enjoys. This is a deficit Dr Theoharides should remedy. Last I heard, he's busy doing just that.

[anajnasn]

I am 38 years old and have had about 8 ocurrences of Prostatitis in the last 5 years. Typically lasting between 4-10 weeks. the first two times went on to give me epididymitis - probably because nobody diagnosed the problem until it got worse.... Then I knew enough to suggest that I had a potential prostate issue and I believe Cipro was the major reason for my recovery each time. (Worked like magic on my epididymitis for sure).

This is the first time I am researching so much - because my problems go on unabated for 14 weeks now -took Cipro for 6 and the doxycycline for 4 - in the past my problem always went away - but this time there is no relief in sight.

I found this site today and was hopeful the any accredited quercetin product would help me - since there seem to be so many positive stories - but the last post on Dr Shoskes and his apparent bias / potentially inappropraite motivations are discouraging - I will try it anyway - I also will try the Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol next. I am left wondering if an encuraging site like this is purely setup to take advantage of chronic sufferers like I what I now consider myself to be....

However there are seem to be quite a few people here who are genuine and have personal painful experiences to share - it means a lot to me to know I am not alone.... This seems like a long hard road ahead. I have many questions and experiences to share - especially in the last 14 weeks - I will wait until I am done with my cystoscopy next week - I have seen some terribly primarily ignorant / and also unsympathetic urologists in the past - but let me see what I find out - I think I finally found a good doctor...

[scotsman]

.....I am left wondering if an encuraging site like this is purely setup to take advantage of chronic sufferers like I what I now consider myself to be....

I've been on this site for a number of months now and it is anything but what you suggest/concerned about above (as you'll find out when you look through the posts here). It's a fantastic source of information and genuine support (all non-exploitative).

I would try the Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol ASAP (along with Quercetin, etc) - it's working for me (viewtopic.php?t=1101) and the sooner you start.....

Richard.