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Posted 12/19/2014 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys and gals.  New member of the club here. 

Dx on Dec. 2.  GS 6  PSA 5 

I've been doing alot of "lurking" here since dx.  Dr. Walsh's book "Surviving Prostate Cancer" (the best of the 3 I've ordered) I learned about on here .  And yesterday I sent the biopsies to Dr. Epstien at JH.

Well...so much for the facts.  My concern is that what really drove me to do the biopsy wasn't PSA, but rather, pain and voiding symptoms.  (And at 56 years old, I don't really figure I should be having either one).  My family doctor has been telling me off and on of years that it was proctitus.  Then in Sept the pain started getting alot worse and voiding was keeping me up all night.  (He'd treated me with anti-biotics on and off in the past few years for lesser symptoms...but I'd always had this nagging thought....).  So I finally got myself to a uro ....and here I be. 

Why would there be so much pain "down there"....and the voiding problems?  You don't have to be told what my fears are.  They've missed the worst of it on biopsy.  Waiting on Oncotesting to see the biological make up of the aggressiveness (or lack there of) of the cells. 

island time

quick note....my uro told me that I definately do not have proctatitus.   Ummm....

definately not looking forward to this lol  guess no one does.

 

Posted 12/19/2014 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
A lot of great guys will weigh in on this soon. I just saw your post and wanted to respond. So far you have to go w/ what you know and PSA of 5 and G6 in 2 cores isn't horrible. I know what you're saying about the fear that they've just "missed" it and that's why you are having symptoms. We all go through fears (me as a wife think I've had more fears than hubby). Wondering if you can have the prostatitis and PC at the same time? (One of the knowledgeable ones will be along to address that I'm sure). Do they miss areas on biopsy? Of course. Do you know for a fact they did? No. Just keep positive (Yeah, I Know how hard that is). Why did the uro say there was so much pain? Also wondering if they ruled out the prostatitis simply because of the cancer and going back again to my first question of can you have both at the same time. Sorry you have to be here but you have come to a great place. Get your boxing gloves on and get ready to fight the hell demon (my name for PC). Miki
Posted 12/19/2014 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
With a PSA of 5, and a pretty slow rise, it's surely localized, and when it's localized it doesn't cause pain, as far as I know. But like Miki, I'm new here too, waiting in surgery next month. So wait for responses from some of the really knowledgeable guys who will be posting for you soon.

Welcome, and sorry to see you here. This sucks, especially when it's new. But always remember there's life after Prostate cancer. Lots of it. If you've been here for a while, and read Walshs book, you know that already.
Posted 12/19/2014 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks angel14. (yes, you can have both). My uro (to my mind) dismissed the pain question when he said "BPH" in a huffy sort-a-way. He also told me....when I asked him if I had cancer....that "It's not always so black and white".

Looking for a doc this week that speaks. And when he does speak, it's in english.

Good luck on your surgery Pratoman. I'll be following your progress.
Posted 12/19/2014 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
We were just talking about the "firing" of doctors last nite. I don't understand his response to your question. Either you have cancer or you don't. Hmmm that's concerning that he said that. Did your biopsy results call your positive cores adenocarcinoma or did it say atypical cells? I know on my breast biopsy I had atypical cells but I did not have cancer so yes I guess that could be a gray area. So if it was just atypical cells then it's not actually cancer yet. One of the smart ones will be along soon. (Ok I'm doing an edit), so am I reading right that you had 2 cores atypical and 2 G6?) I just went back and reread the stats.
Posted 12/19/2014 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
Island, welcome to HW, sorry you need to be here but it's a great place to be.

There are a few possibilities, BPH or maybe a tumor pressing on something or something unrelated.

The thing to do now is to get that second opinion on your biopsy and from another URO. PC generally doesn't cause pain in the early stages like yours so that's still an open question.

On the PC side, G6 is lower risk so you've got plenty of time to decide what to do (or not do) about it. If you're having voiding issues, surgery might be a good option as they fix that while in there. Or might try some of the BPH drugs to reduce the size and do some AS for awhile. I don't know, but I get a put out when a doctor just dismisses a concern.

The real good news is that G6 is very treatable and well with in the "curable" zone. Remember that PC is a very slow growing thing and it's possible you could skip treatment with AS for awhile. But first, I'd say you need a medical team who you can trust and that you can talk to.

Hang in there and keep us updated on your progress.
Andrew
Posted 12/19/2014 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
I'm certainly not qualified to tell you what might be causing you the pain. But I'll agree with the others here that a G6 would unlikely be the cause. Do you have any additional info about the biopsy results, such as the number of cores and how were positive?

Also, very smart of you to send the slides out for the second opinion. Make sure you let us know what they say.

Most important, good luck and let us know how we can help.
Posted 12/19/2014 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
I read about someone having a bladder scan and found out they were retaining significant amounts of urine. Is that what you mean by "voiding"?
Posted 12/19/2014 5:21 PM (GMT 0)

Dewayne said...
I read about someone having a bladder scan and found out they were retaining significant amounts of urine. Is that what you mean by "voiding"?

Yes, Urologists use the term, "voiding" to describe how your bladder is emptied when you urinate.
Posted 12/19/2014 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome island, Sorry you have to be here, but you're in the right place. Looking for a new uro sounds like a good first step to me. Find one you can talk to. If you've read Walsh's book, and you've lurked here, you know enough to have a decent conversation about prostate cancer with a doctor. I fired my first one, and never looked back. Not sure what the cause of the pain is, but your biopsy results (once you get them back from Epstein) will tell you more. For right now, it sounds like on the cancer front anyway, you have time to do your research, get opinions and make your decisions. I won't sugar coat it, I found this to be the hardest part. Once you've made your choice, you can get down to fighting, and I've found that easier. Good luck finding the right uro and finding out what the pain and voiding issues are about. Keep us posted.
Mike
Posted 12/19/2014 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Andrew...MichealT...DeWayne....and Mike...thank you all for weighing in.  Really helps alot being here.  I'm single, with no children and live alone...but I have good support with 2 sisters nearby....who love me very much.  (truth is though...I don't like talking with them about it all that much.  I can tell it scares them.  I love them very much).  Being retired and spending so much time alone....sometimes my mind wonders if I'm even sick...or else...am I gonna "make it".  The pain is in my back and my groin.  that's what drove me to the doc.  But....right now, as I sit here...my thinking is fairly straight...no sense in borrowing trouble that isn't diagnosed.  I am going to have a bone scan Christmas Eve.   

I think we all see this the same way.  According to my numbers, I'm in pretty good shape...as it goes....with several options, for now. 

I was told by the lab doing the Oncotesting that my uro diagnosed me as TIC.  2 cores are 3+3, 1mm to 2 mm both cores.  And 2 cores are atypical.  The guru pathologist at JH should be able to pat this down somewhat with a little more certainty.  (12 cores taken). 

G/F coming in tomorrow from out of town.  She's a nurse.  A TLC is definately overdue.  :) 

 

Posted 12/19/2014 10:07 PM (GMT 0)

MikeM53 said...
  I won't sugar coat it, I found this to be the hardest part. Once you've made your choice, you can get down to fighting, and I've found that easier. Good luck finding the right uro and finding out what the pain and voiding issues are about. Keep us posted.
Mike

Thanks Mike.  Not knowing isn't my strong suit.  Glad to hear I'm not alone with that.   Thanks man  David

Posted 12/20/2014 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Im thinking the pain and voiding issues are not PCA, incurred. Possible UTI, or an infection caused by the biopsy itself. Id get a second opinion on the pain and voiding issue. the Pca appears to be slam-dunk "curable" Quote marks only imply my belief that cure comes with death from any thing other than Pca. It keeps me "honest" No comment on quote usage there, as perspective and context define that, in my view.
Posted 12/20/2014 6:42 AM (GMT 0)
Island Time: Last two PSA reads of 4.3 to 5.1 in a little over one month plus your pain sound like an infection might be brewing. It would be better if a Uro would confirm this and prescribe a course Cipro.

It is my understanding that identifying and defeating infections takes considerable time.

I certainly wish you well and please keep us updated.
Posted 12/20/2014 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
I'm beginning to think the same thing. Been on 2 different antibiotics from my pcp. Uro says no infection. I'm leaning towards believing my pop. It's just hard to treat.

No libido since Nov 25 biopsy. Is this normal? G/F visits this weekend. Should tell the tell...

Probably a back problem causin' my sciatica. Plus sore lymph nodes in my hip. Rt. Knee going.

I think I'm just friggin' old. G/F asked her dad once..."Are you hurting dad?" "Yep." Where?" "All over".
Posted 12/20/2014 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
By no means should my story imply that your pain and voiding problems are the same as mine were, but I was in the same spot 4 years ago.

My first Uro was fired because he failed to diagnose a raging UTI until I was being prepped for surgery. That idiot came close to killing me. So, a 3 week period of antibiotics....and still the pain?

The second Uro who did perform the DaVinci surgery had me see a general surgeon who figured out in under a minute that I had an inguinal hernia. Once the robot was pulled out of me, he went to work with his laporoscopic tools and I was good to go. He used the same incision points and I have heard that there is typically more pain in a hernia operation than the DaVinci, so I made out well.

Good luck to you!
Posted 12/20/2014 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with GTO. I had three inguinal hernias. They can give you the pain you describe.

I also agree, it could be an infection.

Lastly, I had a large Prostate that gave me urination problems and caused an elevation in PSA. The doc who did your biopsy probably measured the size of you Prostate. Look at the report and see if it is the the 30 cc range. Mine was more than 70 cc.
Posted 12/20/2014 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
I can see how everything going on would affect your libido--mentally, not physically. Let's hope that the TLC you get from your girlfriend gets you back on track there!
Posted 12/20/2014 7:38 PM (GMT 0)

Michael_T said...
I can see how everything going on would affect your libido--mentally, not physically. Let's hope that the TLC you get from your girlfriend gets you back on track there!

Thanks Mike.

She'll be here in a minute...first time since DX. Should be interesting. I's there any part of one's life this crap don't affect? I don't think so. Only serves to improve us as people. And for the first time in my life....that's not an abstract statement.

I think...We'll cook a meal together. Just like on the Viagra commercials.

Keep ya posted....
Thanks
David.

Post Edited (island time) : 12/20/2014 12:41:03 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/20/2014 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know if it's psychological or physiological. I read somewhere that a biopsy itself can cause some men to have temporary ED for a month or so. But that could be psychological for even those men. Me included
Posted 12/20/2014 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
I experienced that after my first biopsy, not my second. Not full on ED, but less wood and harder to maintain. It resolved over time.
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