Seeking Some words of encouragement and info re biopsy

Hi:

45 yo with a PSA of 3.9 three months ago.  As i noted in my prior postings, had history of a 2.7 and a 2.6 over last few years.  Dr. had recommended a 6 month follow-up once i hit 3.9.  Based upon everything i exchanged here with you fella's i decided to compromise with a 3 month retake PSA.  Was very nervous at time of initial elevated level (I appreciate under current standards the 2.7 and 2.6 are not ideal in and of themselves for my age group....in any event it went from 2.6 to 3.9 over a 1.5 year period)...and had before that gone from 2.7 actually down a hair to 2.6 over a one year period.

Went back Friday for a blood draw which complete battery of tests, including PSA, free PSA, etc....avoided all of the issues you guys said to avoid, no sex, biking, and any other fun activities and admittedly nervous again...had put it out of my mind for at least last two months pretty good.  I am not the most optimistic on medical issues.....and am assuming the worst....ie, some number above 3.9.....I did not take Cipro or any ABX....could use a bit of guidance, even though premature, so i dont go crazy when i get my numbers i assume later this week.....with todays modern medicine....i will likely get them by email at the same time my PCP gets them which is good and bad!!!!

I am assuming a urology consult, a retest with Cipro or anbother abx....and then probably a biopsy??  Are there any goood first hand accounts as to what to expect from a biopsy....perhaps if someone knows a good posting they could cut and paste it to me....my only invasive procedure was a colonoscopy....which was ok....do they use conscious sedation....like versed which was used so you are a bit out of it....or are you completely conscious....needle (ouch) inserted rectally, i assume.   Sorry to bother everyone with information that i could likely find on Wikipedia....but i really think i would benefit from someone who has actually gone through the biopsy giving a first hand account....rather than a stale Wikipedia step by step....thanks as always....wish me well....i am goind to be on pins and needles for the next few days!!!!!

Best

Bob

Bob, Good luck on the PSA.
I was wide awake for my biopsy. it was uncomfortable, but not really what I'd call painful. I had 12 cores done. The first "stick" surprised me and you can hear them, so the ones after that I sort of cringed and maybe some of it was in my mind. It was all done pretty quickley and a few hurt more than others, but I've had dental work that was 10X worse. I did recieve a "numbing shot" before he started somewhere near my rectum. Glad when it was over, but it was far from the worse thing I've ever had done.
Some blood in the urine and stool for about 12 hours afterward. Blood in the semen (which was very weird) for about a week. Like greetingz said, maybe more embarrasing than painful. It's how they find out if you have cancer, so there's no way around it. Takes a few days to get the results, so like all the rest of the tests, the waiting is the worst part.

Good Luck and let us know how you make out or if you have any other questions. We'll be here for you!
Mike

My biopsy was absolutely uneventful.  I expected some pain and had none.  No pain either during or after.  Every time I heard the click of the needle taking one of the 12 samples, I expected it to hurt, but it never did.

My brother had a couple of bad experiences.  I told my uro that my brother had said his biopsies were extremely painful, and my uro's answer was that there is absolutely no reason for pain if it is done properly with current anesthetic techniques. 

On a scale of 1-10, I would rate my biopsy a .5, not even a one.

Good luck with your numbers.  Hope they come back favorable.  But, in any case, try to relax about the biopsy, should  you happen to need one.  By the way, you can use the "search" function in the blue bar to find prior discussions regarding the biopsy procedure.  Here's a link to one from a few years ago, shortly after I had my procedure:  https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1947715

I hate waiting. The uncertainty is difficult to deal with. I hate do to the what ifs - far too many possibilities. Clinical the next step is to get a biopsy IF the PSA has risen again.

The biopsy is annoying, embarrassing, and undignified but not that big a deal. The aftereffects are a bit alarming but mostly harmless.

It's the pathology report that comes out later that is the problem.

Hang in there, you'll do fine. Even if the worst is eventually found, with your PSA, it's likely a treatable case and while normal will change, you'll live for a very long time. Although at times you won't like what's happening to you.

Andrew

Bob, I'm a bit surprised that you didn't receive a course of antibiotics the last time around as that would be a pretty standard procedure to rule out an infection. In any case, depending on your PSA this time around, that might be a recommended approach before the biopsy.

If you search this site using the terms prostate biopsy you will find some previous threads with men's comments re their experiences. My uro used the same approach as Yooper's, i.e. I had IV sedation and didn't feel a thing.

Good luck and let us know what you hear.

Jim

Bob,

I had my biopsy a couple of weeks ago. I was given a 10mg valium to take when I pull into the parking area. After waiting for the doctor about 20 minutes, I was called back to the procedure room, the nurse told me to strip down leaving my shirt on and then giving the infamous gown. I got up on the table in a partial curled up position. She squirted some lidocaine jelly up the rectum. After about 5 minutes the doctor came into the procedure room with two residents observing the procedure. The doctor using the ultrasound probe gave me an injection of lidocaine into the prostate. That hurt a little, almost like a little cramping and what feel like a tendency of wanting to pee. The discomfort lasted only a couple of seconds and wasn't too bad. Next he took 13 cores, out of the 13 about 3 stung like a sharp rubber band snap, the others weren't that bad. The entire procedure took about 15 minutes and a lot of that time was the doctor explaining to the residents different aspects of the procedure. After everything was done, I got up, clean up making myself respectable. The procedure is a little bloody but nothing to be concerned about. I never did have any blood in my urine or stool, but be warned about disgusting looking semen.

BTW, the valium wasn't very effective, a glass of wine would have done a better job at sedation.

Nick

Nick,

If you have another biopsy (and I hope you don't need one, but if you do) try it without the Valium and see if you still think the Valium doesn't do anything. It doesn't make it fun but it keeps me from jumping every time the biopsy gun goes off.

Hi Bob, welcome to HW.... a great source of support and information !

I've had two biopsy's. Much like the other comments... for me it was not very painful.. more annoying. My doctor used a little numbing agent first... that tingled a little... the other 12 cores I could barely feel

for me it was a matter of trying to stay relaxed... ignore the snapping sound.. and kinda get past the embarrassing part of it ! It really wasn't so bad.

Best of luck Bob !

I can give you some very current feedback as I just finished my biopsy at the same time you posted here. The procedure itself was nothing to be worried about. It was painless, just a little uncomfortable as you are having a probe run up someplace that you don't normally get probed unless you have a local alien problem. (My attempt at a little light levity.) Got two shots of lidocaine, one in each side and there was no pain from those injections, just a little pressure. My doctor had carefully explained just what to expect so was ready for the rather loud click of the biopsy needle gun firing and he warned me each time before pulling the trigger. It was over fairly quickly, I got dressed, made my appointment for the follow-up once the results are in and drove myself home. There was some discomfort a few hours later when the lidocaine wore off but that faded fairly quickly.

While I would not recommend this procedure as a fun way to spend a Monday morning it really wasn't bad at all.

I would like to say hi to everyone here, I've been lurking for a while as I start my journey towards finding out just what is wrong and have found some wonderful advise and information here.

This is my first post on this Forum.
I had my biopsy in June/13 - I didn't ask about sedation, and they didn't offer. Next time I'll know better. Although the procedure isn't pleasant - felt like they were sticking a baseball bat up the poopdeck- it's not all that terrible. The doc said he'd heard that each snip gets more painful, but I didn't feel any great difference. The doc was a baseball fan, and so am I, so we "talked baseball" while he snipped. Took only 8 snips - (Medicare in British Columbia is always looking for ways to save money).
Not much post-biopsy discomfort or bleeding. But even though I'd taken a 1000mg Cipro beforehand, I developed an e-coli infection within a day or two of the procedure, and had to be hospitalized for 4 days. That was no fun at all. If you feel really lousy a day or two after your biopsy, monitor your temperature and get to a hospital if it goes up too high.
Good luck with your results.

Hi, I started a new thread so folks wouldn't miss the fact that you are here with us. Here is the link: www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=2861002

Post Edited By Moderator (Tudpock18) : 9/24/2013 12:48:29 PM (GMT-6)