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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 9/28/2014 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, New here and looking for some sage advice/info. I too am very worried aboutPC. I'm 53. In April I developed no-urge constipation seemingly out of the blue. I did have some flank discomfort along with it. All that led to major health anxiety. Doc put me on antianxiety med Sertraline. I also am on medication for GERD (Prilosec) and cholesterol (lipitor). Doc said constipation was from stress/anxiety. Exercise, fluids, metemucil was advised. I have also had pain in my ribs and back but mostly when I'm driving or laying in bed. Which ever side I'm laying on my ribs hurt. Generally in an isolated spot. Now I have just found out that I have blood in my urine. It was analyzed and showed no infection. I'm going to a urologist next week. I'm very worried that this is advanced PC. No family history. Non smoker. Haven't drank for 10 years. Poor diet though. I'm 5'8" 190lbs. I do currently have lower back pain and some pelvic pain but im 99 percent sure it's from my Spondylolisthesis, which is a lower back disc problem which I've had for years. The back/pelvic pain just started less than a week ago and I've had it many times before. It comes and goes But I do have some slight pain in my urethra. ButPart of my recent exercise routine has been daily bike riding and wondering if that could be causing it. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you. 
Joe
Posted 9/28/2014 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
A couple more things. I did have a CT with contrast of the abdomen. The doc said everything came back clear except for my bowels were full. He also ran several blood tests which all came back good. Also, in March I was rear ended on the freeway but it was seemingly minor at the time. Probably only about 15 to 20mph. Just wondering if that could've played a part. Didn't even think to tell the doctor. Thanks again. 
Joe
Posted 9/28/2014 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Have you asked your general physician or urologist to do a digital rectal exam (feeling your prostate by inserting their finger in your backside) and a PSA blood test? That would be the first step towards diagnosing any prostate problems.

Less than 10% of guys diagnosed with Prostate Cancer as as young as you are. So, there's a 90% chance that whatever is ailing you has nothing to do with Prostate Cancer. seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/prost.html.

-Gedman
Posted 9/28/2014 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Gedman. I'm totally new to this. Very worried. I read everyone's stats and have no idea what they mean. Thanks again.
Joe
Posted 9/28/2014 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Nothing you mentioned is a symptom of prostate cancer. PC-related pain never comes and goes the way you describe. Blood in urine can happen for many reasons, most typically kidney or bladder stones or a UTI. The last thing I would do if I were you is to have a bunch of PC tests to drive you into more anxiety.

It sounds like your anxiety is your biggest problem. In addition to the meds you can learn techniques like mindfulness-based stress reduction or cognitive-behavioral therapy that will help you get that under control.

- Allen
Posted 9/28/2014 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Allen - Just wondering - I thought blood in urine, rib cage pain, slight pain in tip of penis were in fact symptoms of PC. I agree with you on my anxiety, It's through the roof. But I'm just trying to clarify. Thank you for the help.
Joe
Posted 9/28/2014 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Joe,
With very advanced PC, such pains don't come and go, they just come, and it wouldn't matter what position you're in. Urinary symptoms of advanced PC, if they occur, may include urinary retention, nocturia, frequency, etc. The pain in your penis is more likely from your spinal problems and nerve impingement. Sudden, advanced PC in a man your age is exceedingly rare, fortunately.

- Allen
Posted 9/28/2014 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, sir. That is why I'm here. To get the voice of experience. I sincerely hope that all is well with you. God bless.
Joe
Posted 9/29/2014 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Perhaps your anti anxiety med is not working. I tried numerous meds before settling on cymbalta which did it for me and got rid of related pain. Then I added deplin which enhanced it further. Anxiety can cause all kinds of problems .
Bob
Posted 9/29/2014 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
New to this forum here as well Joe. I too found a very very small amount of blood in my urine, and went straight to my doc. Lets face it, thats not something you see everyday... Hopefully. My doc suspected an infection, but ran a psa test anyway. It came back a solid 17...very scary. She sent me to the urololgist, and also prescribed some antibiotics. Urologist ordered a biopsy, but in between the appointments, I had been taking the meds. Urologists psa test came back at 1.5...not bad, less scary, probably an infection, but he insisted on the biopsy. Had the biopsy, and it came back postive for a small amount of cancer in 1 core out of 12 on the right side...gleason 6.

He recommended the brachytherapy seed implants, so off we go. 1 month later, and Im not feeling all that great. but the long term fix is in place. My suggestion is that you have the psa, and digital exam done at the very least. If those indicate the need for the biopsy, just do it. Im only 47, so I had little choice in doing something. The brachytherapy was probably the best choice I could have made, and offered the least serious side effects.

I hope it goes good for you, dont wait, just do it.
Posted 9/30/2014 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
tulmkr; good news to catch this demon early. G6 gives you much time to decide and to manage intervention.

Joe: have yourself checked out do the PSA test and go for a DRE. Its best to get a false alarm; however, if there is something then you have caught it early and thats good.

In the meanwhile smell the roses, its spring in my neck of the woods.

.
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