First Biopsy

Since some visiting this forum may be new to prostate problems, I thought it would be useful to describe my experience at my first biopsy. My My PSA reached 5.4 in July and I was advised to visit a urologist. I had that exam several weeks later. Negative DE. I was advised to have a repeat PSA with a free PSA as well. This was done 6 weeks later. 2 weeks ago the results came back. PSA 5.5 and free PSA 2% (not a good result). The doctors office called and I scheduled the biopsy immediately.

If you take aspirin and vitamins you may be asked to stop taking them about 5 days prior to you visit. You must have a fleets enema prior to the the exam. Yesterday I went for the biopsy. Needless to say I was anxious. You must sign a consent form. The procedure was explained by a nurse and also to some extent by the ultra-sound technician. The procedure is done while you lay on your side (some times kneeling I understand). The ultra sound probe is placed in your rectum. It is about the size of a large finger (I am being kind) and is really not too uncomfortable. The doctor freezes the area opposite the prostate and with the aid of the ultra sound machine knows exactly when to take the samples. This is done with the aid of a spring loaded device that take a small core sample. It seems the usual number of samples is about 12. They look like very small worms swimming in a container of preservative. Each sample container is then labeled to identify the region of the prostate where is was taken from. The entire procedure took about 30 - 40 minutes from start to finish. You may be given several antibiotics (pills) to help ward off infection.  Remember the biopsy is taken through the wall of the rectum so be sure to take the antibiotics and also the fleets enema (I did 2 enemas). You will receive instructions regarding what to do and not to do after the procedure. Also what precautions to take if you have an adverse reaction. I am not going into detail as this will be explained at the time of your appointment.

The purpose of this brief post is to describe my experience and also to set you mind at ease if you are scheduled for a biopsy. It is a very easy procedure and I think if suggested you should probably have it. The results will help lay the ground work for other decisions you will make along the way. Thanks to my wife who held my hand. Sometimes you need all the support you can find.

Best wishes,   

I've had 4 biopsies . Three regular and one saturation. You are told to get off aspirin and any other blood thinning drugs for obvious reasons. The same will be held true for surgery. I never heard of getting off vitamins but maybe the poster was on one or more that were also blood thinners. For most here the biopsy while being uncomfortable is bearable. For a minority some demand sedation. Those tend to be the ones who work themselves into a prebiopsy hysteria. It happens .. But for the most the original post holds true.

I followed all the prep instructions and took the antibiotic that was provided the day of the biopsy.  Unfortunately, I too developed an anti-biotic resistant e-coli infection a couple days later that required a week of IV anti-biotics.  I guess it is a matter of luck as to whether or not you will get an infection from a biopsy.  Apparently not too many men do. My luck sucks. Squid.