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Only the strong survive |
I read that some time ago. I have to wonder how many doctors know of this condition. 41 | |||
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You are in my prayers Ripley. Glad to hear CT Scan looked good and best of luck to you. | |||
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I am 65 and my PSA went to 4 a few years back. My MD referred me to an Urologist who gave me a biopsy in the office. It was uncomfortable but bearable. My results were negative for cancer but they found I had a bad prostate infection that I was not aware about and after antibiotics for a few weeks that was dome with and pains that I had on occasion in abdomen area went away so some good came out of it but I wonder if there was an easier way to check for the infection LOL. PSA has consistently been in low 2s since. | |||
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I can't tell you how much I appreciate that, grumpy1, thank you.  Set the controls for the heart of the Sun. | |||
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Yes there is. Vigorous massaging of the prostate during digital rectal exam. Secretions are then put under the microscope. I am not sure how accurate that is compared to needle biopsy. | |||
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Member |
Wow... how timely this thread. At 72 just had a biopsy done Friday a week ago due to enlarged prostrate (2 1/2 times normal) and PSA at 7.5. Doc said cancer was probability. Doc is top rated surgeon and researcher. Biopsy was done with numbing solutions and not difficult at all. 20 samples taken. No cancer. Doc said he was surprised. Ran tests twice. Now on 6 months monitoring with a drug to reduce enlarged prostate in addition to the normal prostate muscle relaxant. My son aged 50 last year was diagnosed with prostate cancel with PSA 7 and treated with radiation. Successful cure. PSA now below 1. Wishing you very good outcomes. EasyFire [AT] zianet.com ---------------------------------- NRA Certified Pistol Instructor Colorado Concealed Handgun Permit Instructor Nationwide Agent for > US LawShield > https://www.texaslawshield.com...p.php?promo=ondemand CCW Safe > www.ccwsafe.com/CCHPI | |||
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My regular Dr. suggested I see a Urologist several years ago, I was 65 at the time. My prostate was and still is enlarged. S o I had regular exams and my PSA #s climbed over the course or two or three years. Urologist recommended a biopsy (my brother had prostate cancer and is a long term survivor) first biopsy was clear. PSA continues to climb, Urologist strongly suggests second and more intensive biopsy, also clear. PSA continues to climb, it peaked about 9.0, Urologist suggests third biopsy, he was convinced I had cancer and convinced me as well. On the third biopsy he turned my prostate into a sieve, and I ended up with a Foley Catheter (four days of it) pathologists report was clear for the third one as well. The three biopsies took place over a period of about 7 years. PSA peaked and since then has slowly declined into 6.0 area. I am now 83 and if I do have hidden cancer it certainly is very slow. The Urologist cut me loose at 80. I wish all of you facing this problem good luck, I know several people who have been diagnosed with prostrate cancer. All have come through treatment and are doing well. | |||
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member |
In an earlier thread here, the biopsy was referred to as "meeting Vlad the Impaler". It is not quite that bad. I didn't have any sedation, and it was mildly unpleasant, and I was glad it was over, but all in all not that big of a deal. If I had to do it again, I'd ask for some lorazepam first. My biopsy found cancer, and I opted for the prostatectomy over the seed implants. Once you have the seed implants, you can no longer (in the future) have the prostatectomy as a backup/followup, because the seeds do a lot of tissue damage making surgery impossible. Now I am 14 years post-surgery, and with a zero PSA. Best wishes with whatever course you end up taking. | |||
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My thoughts with you for positive outcome!! I can certainly relate to the stress. I had my first colonoscopy done this past July. I expected it to be absolutely fine as my physical a couple weeks before and blood work all showed normal, except for cholestoral which was marginally high. I digress, what I expected to be a short exam turned into 4 hrs after the found 18 polyps. Largest was 2cm. Had 17 removed that day and week ago went back for #2 have to big one removed and they found 2 more for total of 20. Thankfully all lab results came back normal from #1 and 2. Boy was I scared Hang in there!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Live today as if it may be your last and learn today as if you will live forever | |||
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I've been having my PSA tested yearly since 40. Always around 1 +- a bit. Given the number of things that can cause a high reading, I've decided that my first move if it ever tests high will be to take a deep breath, wait a couple months and test again. I don't think I'd go any further with it until I get confirmation. Not sure a DRE is even considered that useful anymore. Unless the tumor is fairly large and on the side of the prostate that can be felt, it's still going to end up requiring advanced imaging or a biopsy. | |||
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Me too...started with a PSA near 5 just last year at 64. Did some other test then the biopsy, which is no fun, but I've had dental work that was worse. Cancer was found in each of 12 sections, so went the DaVinci robot route and had it removed. Almost a year since surgery and PSA has been a consistent 0.01, which is so far so good. Worst thing is to do nothing about it. I have a friend who also had a 7 Gleason score a few years ago, did nothing. Now, the cancer has spread and he is going thru some nasty stuff. So keep up with it, and best of luck. | |||
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| Too soon old, Too late smart |
Just a couple things to mention. First, psa scores can be both false positive and negative. If your score is significantly higher than previously, insist on having it done again. Also when a doc does a digital he's not just checking its size. He is (or should) be checking for texture. He's looking to see if it's smooth or if there are nodules. The latter indicate the need to rule out cancer. So having a large prostate will cause lots of bathroom breaks but unless it's causing significant urine bladder retention it's not the end of the world. TURP is no fun, check out Urolift as a superior alternative. If you're over 70 ask about watchful waiting. Even if there's cancer the odds it will go beyond the capsule are relatively small. In such cases the surgery, radiation, etc may be unnecessary but will seriously mess up your quality of life. _______________________________________ NRA Life Member Member Isaac Walton League I wouldn't let anyone do to me what I've done to myself | |||
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rush chairman |
I'm a urologist. See this scenario almost every day. Most of the time it's a temporary flare and on repeat a month or so later the PSA is back to normal. It's definitely worth following up on but don't stress too much at this point!! As someone else pointed out the rectal exam is to see if there is firmness/nodules on the prostate. Good luck and keep us updated! | |||
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I found out an infrequent use of the DRE, after I had my prostatectomy. Went for the first follow-up, and the urologist says "bend over". "But wait", says I, "I thought we were done with these". He said in the first couple of years post surgery, he can feel a lesion forming on the prostate bed before it shows up in PSA. I had the DRE every visit the first two years, and then every other visit the next two or three years. | |||
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My father and both of his brothers have had prostate cancer. A relapse killed the oldest, the middle's seems not to be in a hurry to kill him, while my father's was aggressive and he wisely went for a prostatectomy and has been clean for 7 or so years now. 34 now. Wondering when I need to start paying attention to PSA and the like, myself. | |||
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Wbw - I have been in the same boat. Also live in Hanover, some 20 minutes west of you. Biopsy was no big deal. Numbers move some, sometimes it is significant, sometimes not. Many options, treatments available. While awkward to discuss these things, find a Urologist you can talk to, then simply be open and honest. I have a chronic enlarged prostate, no cancer. I am 60. One pill daily, life is good. | |||
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Not to pile on, but another "me too" thread and a vote of support to the OP... My father had his prostate removed due to cancer. He eventually died, but due to unrelated causes. A couple of years ago, I began to have problems urinating (I am now 56). It was due to BPH - enlarged prostate. I am now on medication for this which makes urination about 80-90% normal. I also have trace amounts of blood in my urine (and have had it for years). I had boatloads of tests done, including a Systoscopy, and the Urologist can find no cause. He told me that some people can leak blood into urine for no known reason. I am also on Testosterone Replacement Therapy. Due to father's history, and the fact that I am on Testosterone Replacement Therapy, I get a PSA done every 6 months. The doctor told me that Testosterone supplements do not cause cancer, but can make it faster growing once it appears. He tells me I will probably eventually get prostate cancer. Then, in November 2016, I began having symptoms of a UTI. I went home from work that evening and began to have a high fever. I ended up in the hospital for 6 days with sepsis. They told me if I had waited another 24 hours to come in, I could have died. The Urologist said the likely cause was prostatitis. I was on high doses of Cipro for several weeks and fully recovered. The doctor told me that having a PSA test was pointless, because it would be way elevated for quite some time due to the prostatitis. The following May (2017), I finally had another PSA test. It was elevated. The doctor said it could still be due to the Prostatis 6 months prior. He also said recent ejaculation can cause elevated PSA, too. So, we repeated the PSA test, and it came in much lower. The doctor said if it was not lowered, I would have had to have the biopsy. So, now, I am back to normal. Urination is OK with the medication. I have another visit scheduled in December for my 6-month checkup, at which time we will check PSA again. | |||
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| Too soon old, Too late smart |
Hi- do you mind me asking what med you're taking? _______________________________________ NRA Life Member Member Isaac Walton League I wouldn't let anyone do to me what I've done to myself | |||
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Yes - Alfuzosin. I can't remember the dosage, but it is one pill every day. At first, the doctor had me on Flomax, but it had sexual side effects that I did not like. The Alfuzosin works at least as well as the Flomax, but without the side effects. I am very pleased with this medication and would recommend it if you do not like Flomax. I will say one thing - If I miss the dose by more than a few hours, urination becomes much more difficult very rapidly. As long as I take it at a consistent time every day, urination is 80-90% normal. | |||
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Member |
Slow increases in psa are not too bad. A big increase in a short period of time is not good. Biopsy is like have a baseball bat stuck in your rear. Once the tube is inserted its not so bad. Had two done without any anesthetic. If doc says you need it grit your teeth and get it done. | |||
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