New member - had biopsy today (6/14)
james_wv06-14-2005, 07:26 PMI've tried to quickly read as much as I could but I'd like to post my particulars and get some help/comments/feedback/encouragement. I very much admire the courage and openess and support I've seen in the posts here and I look forward to participating in that soon.
I'm 48 with no family history of PC. There is a lot of cancer in my family (father liver; paternal grandmother stomach, 6 smoking maternal aunts & uncles lung & throat). I've never smoked or drank. Father had some PG enlargement at his death at age 68.
I took the PSA test 2 weeks ago because it was on the list my employer (Uncle Sam civilian agency) would pay for in my physical exam. The result came back 4.77. Family doctor referred me to Urologist. He repeated PSA (4.3) and did free PSA (17%). All DRE's were negative. He said he needed to biopsy me.
I found out after the fact that an ejacuation soon before a PSA can inflate the results. I never knew that and had ejaculated about 24 hours before each PSA test. When I told my Urologist last week he said he'd postpone the biopsy and redo the PSA's if I wanted, but the 17% free PSA was likely not skewed and he thought I should go ahead.
I had the exam (transrectal ultrasound) this morning, about 9 hours before I type this. The first thing he said was I have a 'very large' prostate for my age - 69.9 cc. He said that could probably explain the > 2.5 PSA levels.
I tolerated the biopsy well - little pain on needle insertion, but a burning and pressure feeling that built with each sample. There was also the pain around the anal sphincter as he manipuated the probe. after withdrawl I felt the burning and pressure feelings diminish. I was able to void a little before I left the office with no blood present.
Through the afternoon I had diminishing discomfort and can't feel any pain/ache/discomfort now, although I'll expect a little to come back at my next urination. There has been no blood in my urine or out of my rectum at all. From what I've read around the 'Net in the last week I consider myself very lucky. I post this to give some hope for others facing biopsy as it wasn't as bad as I feared (so far).
If anyone would like to comment I'd like to know if anyone has a similar history to mine and what the outcome/progress has been. My pathology results will be coming next Tuesday 6/21. I know my mind will wander into the 'what if they find some cancer' area and from what I've read if it's contained to the PG and given my age I'm looking at some form of PG removal.
If they don't find anything am I looking at annual biopsies or only if the PSA goes up?
Also how long before I can take a PSA again after the effects of the biopsy will be gone and an accurate (and non-post-ejaculatory) result can be obtained?
I thank whoever's responsible for creating and maintaining these health boards. This helps us in WV not feel so isolated.John in CA06-15-2005, 01:20 AMJames,
I went through the biopsy procedure and did not have any blood in the stool or urine until the next day. It was very alarming at first, but I gradually got used to it after my urologist explained that it would indeed happen, and not to worry. But I did worry! It lasted about two weeks and it also came out in the semen for the first few times, but it's no big deal. No pain, zip. Just a startling new color to the usual routine and it keeps your mind on what's at hand.
I was very tentative and mindful of my new physical condition during the week between the biopsy and geting the results and I knew there was going to be something there. It was just in my gut. Hard to say why, as there was no history in my family, but I had a few symptoms, like minor urgency to urinate and not being able to completely void my bladder the past year or so. I was also dribbling and starting and stopping when I first urinated in the morning, yet I always slept through the night without ever getting up to go to the bathroom. So that was another new signal to something being up.
There's many of us here that know exactly what you're experiencing right now and we are behind you all the way. Post all the questions and concerns you like, as this board is the best when it comes to discussing whatever pops into your mind regarding this very beatable disease. The fact that you're young and got in early is huge. You're on the right track. Hang in there, and keep us posted on the biopsy results. If they are positive, take a few deep breaths, let out the pressure, vent to somebody who you love and trust, and press on with the research before you make any decisions or commit to any procedures. It's a slow growing cancer and you will have lots of time to make an intelligent and well-informed decision.
Good luck!james_wv06-15-2005, 06:05 AMJohn - thank you so much for your reply.
I just got up (now 20 hours after biopsy) and still no blood in urine or stool. Obviously I haven't seen any semen yet - how soon after biopsy should I try sex? I read one place where arousal/orgasm/ejaculation can cause enough activity to my PG to cause it to bleed some.
Am I putting too much false hope in that my PSA's were done < 24 hours post-ejaculation and may be skewed? In addition to no family history I have no symptoms at all - no urgency, no dribbling to start, no getting up at night and just a little post-urination drops. With the doctor's offhand comment that my PG size of just under 70 cc might alone be the reason for my > 'normal for my age' PSA levels. BTW I'm 5'11" 225 - an average size guy with a big PG.
I left the office thinking that I'll almost certainly have a negative biopsy and my only worry is when I'll have to have another. Heck, the 3 doses of antibiotic (Levaquel - which caused a sour stomach feel) and the pre-biopsy enema were as bad as anything in the whole experience. I was also thinking long term about just living with an enlarged prostate and what it might mean (medication, future resection, etc.)
In reading here I can now see that the fact that every DRE has been negative means nothing.
I've read practically every post now and I'm really touched by what you've gone through yourselves or have gone through supporting loved ones. I know you'll be there for me and I'll share my results as soon as I can next Tuesday. Any other comments will be much appreaciated.Bryan D. Waters06-15-2005, 06:24 AMI had a biopsy last week. Because I use Coumadin it was a little different. Lots of blood from rectum. A little blood in urine. I only seen blood in seman once and it looked loike all blood. I realy would like to know how long blood in seman will last.james_wv06-15-2005, 03:42 PMJames,
I went through the biopsy procedure and did not have any blood in the stool or urine until the next day. It was very alarming at first, but I gradually got used to it after my urologist explained that it would indeed happen, and not to worry. But I did worry! It lasted about two weeks and it also came out in the semen for the first few times, but it's no big deal. No pain, zip. Just a startling new color to the usual routine and it keeps your mind on what's at hand.
John - for the sake of full disclosure, you're right. I had my first bloody urine a little while ago, about 28 hours post-biopsy. The orange hue is startling....
Nothing in stool or rectally and I'll hold off on semen for a few days - does anyone know what period they recommend? My urologist didn't mention intand I forgot to ask.
There's many of us here that know exactly what you're experiencing right now and we are behind you all the way. Post all the questions and concerns you like, as this board is the best when it comes to discussing whatever pops into your mind regarding this very beatable disease. The fact that you're young and got in early is huge. You're on the right track. Hang in there, and keep us posted on the biopsy results. If they are positive, take a few deep breaths, let out the pressure, vent to somebody who you love and trust, and press on with the research before you make any decisions or commit to any procedures. It's a slow growing cancer and you will have lots of time to make an intelligent and well-informed decision.
Good luck!
I just left an appointment with my therapist who's diagnosed me with ADD at age 48 - I've probably had it my whole life. Most of the session today though dealt with my anxiety over my prostate and its health since it's weighing heavily on my mind - and it's only Wednesday. I did realize in venting to her that just because some men have had PSA's near mine and ended up having PC I need to keep the overall odds in mind and that they're in my favor, right? There are probably lots of guys who had 4-ish PSA's who had negative biopsies and never posted about them anywhere and lived happily ever after, right?
Or is denial just a river in Egypt?All_Sevens06-15-2005, 05:48 PMBryan: I remember that I had bright red blood in the semen for about a week to 10 days, and then the semen was just tinged with brown color (dried blood) for about six more weeks. Because you are on a blood thinner, you should let your doctor know if you continue to see a lot of red blood, especially rectally or in the urine stream.
James: I think my doctor recommended abstinence for three days following the biopsy. I don't know if this was for physiological or psychological reasons. Perhaps the latter, because as Bryan implied, it is a little shocking to see red semen.james_wv06-15-2005, 05:55 PMJames: I think my doctor recommended abstinence for three days following the biopsy. I don't know if this was for physiological or psychological reasons. Perhaps the latter, because as Bryan implied, it is a little shocking to see red semen.
Thanks 7's. Not that I make a habit of looking at my semen but in this case I'll have to take a look since I'm expecting it. The shock would be if it happened sans biopsy. :eek:
I'm 48 with no family history of PC. There is a lot of cancer in my family (father liver; paternal grandmother stomach, 6 smoking maternal aunts & uncles lung & throat). I've never smoked or drank. Father had some PG enlargement at his death at age 68.
I took the PSA test 2 weeks ago because it was on the list my employer (Uncle Sam civilian agency) would pay for in my physical exam. The result came back 4.77. Family doctor referred me to Urologist. He repeated PSA (4.3) and did free PSA (17%). All DRE's were negative. He said he needed to biopsy me.
I found out after the fact that an ejacuation soon before a PSA can inflate the results. I never knew that and had ejaculated about 24 hours before each PSA test. When I told my Urologist last week he said he'd postpone the biopsy and redo the PSA's if I wanted, but the 17% free PSA was likely not skewed and he thought I should go ahead.
I had the exam (transrectal ultrasound) this morning, about 9 hours before I type this. The first thing he said was I have a 'very large' prostate for my age - 69.9 cc. He said that could probably explain the > 2.5 PSA levels.
I tolerated the biopsy well - little pain on needle insertion, but a burning and pressure feeling that built with each sample. There was also the pain around the anal sphincter as he manipuated the probe. after withdrawl I felt the burning and pressure feelings diminish. I was able to void a little before I left the office with no blood present.
Through the afternoon I had diminishing discomfort and can't feel any pain/ache/discomfort now, although I'll expect a little to come back at my next urination. There has been no blood in my urine or out of my rectum at all. From what I've read around the 'Net in the last week I consider myself very lucky. I post this to give some hope for others facing biopsy as it wasn't as bad as I feared (so far).
If anyone would like to comment I'd like to know if anyone has a similar history to mine and what the outcome/progress has been. My pathology results will be coming next Tuesday 6/21. I know my mind will wander into the 'what if they find some cancer' area and from what I've read if it's contained to the PG and given my age I'm looking at some form of PG removal.
If they don't find anything am I looking at annual biopsies or only if the PSA goes up?
Also how long before I can take a PSA again after the effects of the biopsy will be gone and an accurate (and non-post-ejaculatory) result can be obtained?
I thank whoever's responsible for creating and maintaining these health boards. This helps us in WV not feel so isolated.John in CA06-15-2005, 01:20 AMJames,
I went through the biopsy procedure and did not have any blood in the stool or urine until the next day. It was very alarming at first, but I gradually got used to it after my urologist explained that it would indeed happen, and not to worry. But I did worry! It lasted about two weeks and it also came out in the semen for the first few times, but it's no big deal. No pain, zip. Just a startling new color to the usual routine and it keeps your mind on what's at hand.
I was very tentative and mindful of my new physical condition during the week between the biopsy and geting the results and I knew there was going to be something there. It was just in my gut. Hard to say why, as there was no history in my family, but I had a few symptoms, like minor urgency to urinate and not being able to completely void my bladder the past year or so. I was also dribbling and starting and stopping when I first urinated in the morning, yet I always slept through the night without ever getting up to go to the bathroom. So that was another new signal to something being up.
There's many of us here that know exactly what you're experiencing right now and we are behind you all the way. Post all the questions and concerns you like, as this board is the best when it comes to discussing whatever pops into your mind regarding this very beatable disease. The fact that you're young and got in early is huge. You're on the right track. Hang in there, and keep us posted on the biopsy results. If they are positive, take a few deep breaths, let out the pressure, vent to somebody who you love and trust, and press on with the research before you make any decisions or commit to any procedures. It's a slow growing cancer and you will have lots of time to make an intelligent and well-informed decision.
Good luck!james_wv06-15-2005, 06:05 AMJohn - thank you so much for your reply.
I just got up (now 20 hours after biopsy) and still no blood in urine or stool. Obviously I haven't seen any semen yet - how soon after biopsy should I try sex? I read one place where arousal/orgasm/ejaculation can cause enough activity to my PG to cause it to bleed some.
Am I putting too much false hope in that my PSA's were done < 24 hours post-ejaculation and may be skewed? In addition to no family history I have no symptoms at all - no urgency, no dribbling to start, no getting up at night and just a little post-urination drops. With the doctor's offhand comment that my PG size of just under 70 cc might alone be the reason for my > 'normal for my age' PSA levels. BTW I'm 5'11" 225 - an average size guy with a big PG.
I left the office thinking that I'll almost certainly have a negative biopsy and my only worry is when I'll have to have another. Heck, the 3 doses of antibiotic (Levaquel - which caused a sour stomach feel) and the pre-biopsy enema were as bad as anything in the whole experience. I was also thinking long term about just living with an enlarged prostate and what it might mean (medication, future resection, etc.)
In reading here I can now see that the fact that every DRE has been negative means nothing.
I've read practically every post now and I'm really touched by what you've gone through yourselves or have gone through supporting loved ones. I know you'll be there for me and I'll share my results as soon as I can next Tuesday. Any other comments will be much appreaciated.Bryan D. Waters06-15-2005, 06:24 AMI had a biopsy last week. Because I use Coumadin it was a little different. Lots of blood from rectum. A little blood in urine. I only seen blood in seman once and it looked loike all blood. I realy would like to know how long blood in seman will last.james_wv06-15-2005, 03:42 PMJames,
I went through the biopsy procedure and did not have any blood in the stool or urine until the next day. It was very alarming at first, but I gradually got used to it after my urologist explained that it would indeed happen, and not to worry. But I did worry! It lasted about two weeks and it also came out in the semen for the first few times, but it's no big deal. No pain, zip. Just a startling new color to the usual routine and it keeps your mind on what's at hand.
John - for the sake of full disclosure, you're right. I had my first bloody urine a little while ago, about 28 hours post-biopsy. The orange hue is startling....
Nothing in stool or rectally and I'll hold off on semen for a few days - does anyone know what period they recommend? My urologist didn't mention intand I forgot to ask.
There's many of us here that know exactly what you're experiencing right now and we are behind you all the way. Post all the questions and concerns you like, as this board is the best when it comes to discussing whatever pops into your mind regarding this very beatable disease. The fact that you're young and got in early is huge. You're on the right track. Hang in there, and keep us posted on the biopsy results. If they are positive, take a few deep breaths, let out the pressure, vent to somebody who you love and trust, and press on with the research before you make any decisions or commit to any procedures. It's a slow growing cancer and you will have lots of time to make an intelligent and well-informed decision.
Good luck!
I just left an appointment with my therapist who's diagnosed me with ADD at age 48 - I've probably had it my whole life. Most of the session today though dealt with my anxiety over my prostate and its health since it's weighing heavily on my mind - and it's only Wednesday. I did realize in venting to her that just because some men have had PSA's near mine and ended up having PC I need to keep the overall odds in mind and that they're in my favor, right? There are probably lots of guys who had 4-ish PSA's who had negative biopsies and never posted about them anywhere and lived happily ever after, right?
Or is denial just a river in Egypt?All_Sevens06-15-2005, 05:48 PMBryan: I remember that I had bright red blood in the semen for about a week to 10 days, and then the semen was just tinged with brown color (dried blood) for about six more weeks. Because you are on a blood thinner, you should let your doctor know if you continue to see a lot of red blood, especially rectally or in the urine stream.
James: I think my doctor recommended abstinence for three days following the biopsy. I don't know if this was for physiological or psychological reasons. Perhaps the latter, because as Bryan implied, it is a little shocking to see red semen.james_wv06-15-2005, 05:55 PMJames: I think my doctor recommended abstinence for three days following the biopsy. I don't know if this was for physiological or psychological reasons. Perhaps the latter, because as Bryan implied, it is a little shocking to see red semen.
Thanks 7's. Not that I make a habit of looking at my semen but in this case I'll have to take a look since I'm expecting it. The shock would be if it happened sans biopsy. :eek: