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New to this - going for ultrasound and biopsy

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Posted 4/30/2009 9:05 PM (GMT 0)

My psa seems to be on the rise.  It was 1.7 a year ago, 3.8 when I had my recent physical, then at 6 less than a month later (just found out today).  So my urologist is scheduling the biopsy.  I'm 49 and in great health otherwise so this is a surprise as I'm sure it is to most.  I found this forum today and I can see there is a lot of great information here which I will be spending lots of time reading. 

Posted 4/30/2009 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Jon.
As you can see by my signature, my story was not dissimilar to yours. Your head is reeling right now. that's normal. Take your time, do your research and make your decision. Ask any questions you like.
Also, would you make a signature for yourself, so that we can all so your stats and PCa progress? It is all a bit scary right now, and there will be some rough paddling ahead for you, but it is just fine on the other side. You will be fine and life is richer than ever. PCa changed my life...and not necessarily for the worse!
Paul
Posted 4/30/2009 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Jon. At this point, you don't have PC. Your doctor is wise to schedule the biopsy at this point. It took me 3 biopsies spread over 18 months before the PC showed up for sure. In your case, I hope it doesn't show positive. Your PSA velocity is of concern, and thus the action your doctor has scheduled. But there can be non-cancerous reasons for this rise. I hope you end up not needing us, but if you do, this is a great place to be, and a great place for support. Please keep us posted.

David in SC
Posted 4/30/2009 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks very much Paul and David. I guess I'm in that freak out stage right now having a full range of emotions. I know I have a lot to learn and need to do so quickly.
Posted 4/30/2009 9:48 PM (GMT 0)

Dear Jon:

Hopefully, you do not have prostate cancer and your biopsy will be negative.  Given the "PSA Velocity" though, it's probably a good idea to go ahead with the biopsy.  Coincidentally, I started a thread today called PSA Velocity which provides some info from Johns Hopkins on that subject.

Also, FYI, men have different pain experiences during their biopsy.  For some it is no big deal with no pain meds and for others it can be excruciating.  My biopsy was done under IV anesthesia and was totally painless.  I would recommend that you discuss this with your doctor ahead of time and, personally, I would recommend some meds.

Good luck and I hope you come up negative for PCa.

Tudpock

Posted 4/30/2009 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jon,
First things first. Get that biopsy done. But let me say that if it comes back positive, you need to take measured steps. Don't panic. When you see the doctor to get the biopsy results, don't leave his office without a copy of the biopsy report. You will need that in the decision making process.

Welcome to HealingWell. This is truly a fantastic site. Support and new friends await you should you need us.

Peace,

Tony
Posted 4/30/2009 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jon,
Did your doctor give you a free psa or a pca3 urine test? These would be helpful in any dianostic of PC.
A vicodine before and after the biopsy really helps. Have your doctor take as many cores as you can stand, 12 minimum and 16 is better.
JohnT
Posted 4/30/2009 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Tudpock and Tony. I'm not one to usually reach out to anyone for help but I am so glad to have found this forum. Maybe that's one of the lessons I am to learn from all this...
Posted 4/30/2009 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks John. My urologist gave me a prescription for valium to take prior to the biopsy. I think he took the free psa but didn't tell me what that was. They have taken urine tests but I don't know the results of those either. Good questions, I will have to ask.
Posted 4/30/2009 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
I had local anesthesia for my 12 core biopsy and didn't feel much. My urologist was a little taken aback when he said I might feel some pain and I replied "It must be time to man the harpoons" tongue

The only thing that bothered me was the blood that came out of my penis afterward smhair

Best to you and here's hoping no Pca.
Posted 5/1/2009 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
Play with your uros head a little. I told mine I was having feelings for him after he did the biopsy on me. (But I do have a sick sense of humor)
Posted 5/1/2009 12:57 AM (GMT 0)

Hello, Jon

This is a great site for information and compassion.  Having a biopsy with your increasing numbers is a good idea at this point.  If nothing else, than to quell any fears you might have.  You can expect to have some blood in your urine, stool, and semen for a period of time after the procedure.  My Uro gave me a local before doing it and then I counted the firings while he did the procedure.  He took 12 samples.  I was in no pain at any time, but some have complained of it.  Each guy is different.  He should call you soon after with the results and then...you do what you think you need to do.  Hopefully, nothing.

Oh, and bring a little humor with you.  I had a nurse who kept patting me on the butt during the whole thing, and that probably would have been OK if she hadn't been in her late 60's and looked like 5 miles of bad road.  I know she was trying to comfort me but, it was creeping me out.

Afterwards, I asked the Doc to tell my wife that he didn't find my head up there.

Good luck and let us know,

Bob

Posted 5/1/2009 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Jon,
We have all been exactly where you are. Men usually do not "share" and go things alone. If you are married, your spouse will be your best asset in this challenge. I tried to rationalize NOT doing a biopsy but knew I had to do it. I parked mosesty at the door, took my wife who waited for me and provided support, and just did it. On a humourous note (after the fact) I was sitting in the room in my tutu waiting for the Doc and he walks in with a small entourage of med students. The first thing he says to me is "Do you mind if a few med students observe the procedure?" What can a naked guy in a tutu say to the Chief of Urology at a major med school? I said "Well I am just going to roll over on my side and pretend that I am not here," which I did. It was over in 5 minutes.
Best wishes for a good result, and know that the stats are generally on your side.
TeddyG
Posted 5/1/2009 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Jon,
The biopsy is the right thing to do right now. Some people have pain from it others don't. I personally found it to be painless. I hope that it will show that you don't have PCa.
Posted 5/1/2009 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
Jon, When my PSA jumped my GP advised me to see an urologist. I mad an appointment he examined suggested a biopsy due to my family history. I told him if he had not suggested the biopsy I would have found a different Dr. My PSA did the gradual rise over a 5 year period. Biopsy was relatively painless. Local anesthesia. The rest is history. Best of luck. I was not surprised with my results. I do hope you test is negative but if you fall into our group know that we are all here to help each other through the times that we just need some support or advise. Feel free to ask any questions..

BEST OF LUCK

Jeff
Posted 5/1/2009 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
Jon:

I just had my surgery a week ago after 3 months of researching, worrying and waiting. A few early suggestions for you. First, start a file and ask for copies of everything. Next, visit here often - you have thousands of guys who have already walked down this path and are willing to share the results of their collective experiences and research. Next, take a breath - we're not gonna die from this. It's a royal pain in the a** (excuse the pun), though.

Here's hoping that we're all wasting our time writing to you and that you come up clean.

Tony
Posted 5/1/2009 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Jon

Everyone is different. I had very high PSA readings for years and went through several biopies. All but the last one in December 2008 was negative. I asked my urologist why the high PSA and no cancer and he said only the biopsy can affirm cancer. The PSA is only a indicator. Sometimes the PSA will be high if you have an infection. Antibiotics can bring it down in that case.

I found the biopsy to be uncomfortable, not intolerable. After a biopsy, there will be blood in your urine and semen for a while which is sort of scary.

John
Posted 5/2/2009 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
My sincere thanks to each of you who have responded. I'm a single guy and although I'm active socially, I do not have anyone special in my life right now so I'm dealing with this mostly on my own. You guys are great and I appreciate your support very much.

Jon
Posted 5/2/2009 12:32 PM (GMT 0)
John,
If you are going through this sort of solo, you may think about contacting someone on here via their email address on their profile. Several of us have a nice circle of guys we have talked to on the phone and the real life chat is really nice to have. You're right. Reaching out as a guy is not always our first response, but consider this one of the better side effects of PCa!
Otherwise, there are PCa support groups all over the country. Ustoo.org and American Cancer Society list groups on their sites. I joined one, and even though I am fine as far as the disease goes, I still attend since it reminds me of how lucky I am. I have made several great new friends and have a great time with them...and I was NEVER the kind of guy to join things.
Paul
Posted 5/2/2009 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
Jon:

Paul's suggestion is excellent. My email link is active and I would be more than happy to bore you with my PCa research and experiences.

Good luck,

Tony
Posted 5/2/2009 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Joh, Paul in exactly right. My e-mail line is active as well. Do not hesitate to contact me is you need to.

Most of us on the borad are here to help each other.

Jeff
Posted 5/2/2009 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Jon, one thing to keep in mind as you wait for your biopsy.

You list the following data,
PSA 4/08: 1.7
PSA 3/09: 3.6
PSA 4/09: 6.0

Going from 1.7 to 3.6 in 11 months would be quite a rapid jump.

Going from 3.6 to 6.0 in less than a month would be highly unusual to be caused by a growing cancer.
(a annualized rate of almost 30ng/ml per year)

Here is what Dr. Catalona, a very well known urologist, says about such.

"In general, the more rapidly the PSA rises, the more likely there is cancer, except for very dramatic rises of more than 2ng/ml per year that are more likely to be caused by inflammation in the prostate gland (prostatitis)."

http://www.drcatalona.com/qa/faq_psa.asp

You don't mention either of your doctors treating you for any possible prostatitis, which BTW can be happening without any noticeable symptoms. It is not that the PSA test is inaccurate, but rather that the huge jump in PSA is more likely caused by something other than prostate cancer.
Now, your 11 month jump in PSA from 1.7 to 3.6 could have been caused by the start of the very same thing.
Waiting less than one month between tests could allow the same causation to remain in place or even to have gotten more intensive.

So, don't assume you have a PSA score that is going through the roof. It is more probable that it is caused by something else. The PSA jump from 3.6 to 6.0 in less than a month should be a strong clue.
Posted 5/4/2009 2:59 PM (GMT 0)

Franklen, thanks very much.  You have given me some much needed hope.  I keep hoping for that outcome.  I'm just waiting for the biopsy to get scheduled, I should hear from them today or tomorrow.  I hope its soon so I can get it over with. 

Jeff, Tony, and Paul, thank you.  I will be reaching out to you guys.  I'm really not good at that but I'm going to need it so please bear with me.  If by chance things turn out ok for me, I want to find out how I can help others.  I'm amazed there are such good people out there. 

Jon

Posted 5/4/2009 4:58 PM (GMT 0)

Jon,
Us Too International is a great organized group for prostate cancer.  You can go to www.ustoo.org to see if there is a chapter near you.   I am a member of several such groups and they do have a good use.  And as the other guys have said, if you would like, many of us are in contact with each other over the phone or have personally met.  I have met about a dozen guys/gals from this site, more from other sites.  These are great friendships that have helped me immensely.  My Email is open and if you'd like to chat, please don't hesitate to contact me. 

Together we are here, and I know from personal experience that the brotherhood is great. 

Peace,

Tony

Posted 5/7/2009 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
Today my biopsy got scheduled, it will be on 5/29.  In some ways I feel better having it scheduled because at least I am certain of the date. 
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