My First Biopsy Experience

Just finished my first Bx and I thought I would post my experience to help other first timers.

A week before, I was given a full list of medications not to take for the week. Most emphasized was aspirin or other medications that may cause bleeding, i.e. Aleve, Advil, etc. Also, the week leading up to the Bx I had some anxiety but tried to do other things to keep my mind off of it. The night before I start on Cipro to help reduce the chance of infection.

Upon entering the procedure room I remove my pants and underwear, but keep socks and shirt on. I lay down on the exam table and place a paper sheet over me. The nurse gives me an antibiotic shot in the rear. This is not OMG painful, but hurts a little bit. The Dr explains to me what he will be doing and what discomfort or pain I might experience. I turn on my side and he inserts the probe and I feel four separate "pricks" as he numbs the area. Not painful, but uncomfortable. Then he takes pictures of my prostate. Then he proceeds to take the separate 12 core samples. The first 4 or uneventful, but as he progresses, there is some minor pain with the remaining 8 and I count them to see when he will be done. He asks me if I had taken any aspirin as there is more bleeding than he would like to see. He then puts pressure on the area for about 2 minutes.

I lay on my back and he shows me a picture of my prostate. He said the right looks fine but the left is brighter than he likes to see. However, this could be due to calcification. I get dressed and he discussed my PSA spike (2.3-4.8 in 18 months) and then mentions that my prostate is 62ml, about 50% larger than normal. He mentions it would not be unusual to have a growth spurt that has caused the PSA spike. He continues to be hopeful. My follow up is in 2 weeks as he says he does not want to give news of cancer over the phone to anyone. The Urologist is one of the best in the area and, at 56, he has done this before. He asks how am I doing and I state that from the procedure, fine, but still some anxiety,. I tell him I just want to get to the next stage so we know what is causing the spike and we can make some decisions, as needed. Hopefully, he is being honest with his hopeful comments and not just trying to help me calm down.

At home, I take it easy. The prostate area is a little uncomfortable and along with a little blood in my urine there is a stinging sensation. My rear end hurts a bit from the shot. But overall not a terrible experience. I can start my normal diet whenever I feel I’m ready. I can shower today, back to work tomorrow. No sex for 7 days no heavy lifting (over 30 lbs) for 3 days. I can do cardio (I run) in 3 days but cute my running in half and
take it easy.

If something else comes up, I'll update.

Thanks for the update. Had mine last Friday, peeing quite a bit of blood but doing just fine.

The anxiety waiting for the call obviously sucks. But nothing to do but wait and hope for the best.

Ditto the above.

Your comments could be my comments about my BX.

Waiting is the b____.

Hoping for the best for you.

May all beings be well.

Roger

....."When they gave me the sedative by injection..."

Do you remember what sedative they gave you? Was it through an IV in the office or general sedation in the OR?

Anyone........What sedatives can be administered by injection as opposed to an IV in the OR?

Thank you,
Sutters

Post Edited (suttersmill) : 11/21/2017 12:38:00 PM (GMT-7)

Hi Sutter. Yes, I remember, it was Propofol, a white milky looking liquid and was administered through an IV in the OR by an anesthesiologist. I was already in position lying on my side ready for the biopsy procedure when it was administrated. My procedure was done at a hospital but my doctor had offered either to do it in his clinic or at a hospital. I wanted to be out for the procedure it had to be done in the hospital. If done at his clinic I would have been awake for the procedure. He told me nowadays most men prefer to be out for the procedure, about 70% of his biopsies are done in hospital.

My sperm after my biopsies looked like transmission fluid.

halbert said...
....Although, I did learn to check out the rack of glove boxes, and pay attention to which size glove appears to be the most used. ..

You too?

I would rather have 10 count them 1-10 BX than have a root canal drilled. I guess I must have been lucky. The BX I had was a COMPLETE non event.

Hang in there...sounds like you have a good dr. There is so much treatment available IF it’s needed. I am same age same (62)bullcrap,.,already had 2 biopsy’s 2.5 and 4.5 years ago...both neg. psa can easily rise from bph. I’m currently at 4.29 (slightly down from 6 weeks ago at 4.375) next psa at end of January..will include psa free which should tell more,,,if all goes well can avoid another biopsy...hoping for the best for all!

That’s an excellent free psa. My understanding is anything over25%
Is very good! My guess is your bx is negative.

Remember with a large prostate you generally produce
More psa. I’m in same boat if next psa isn’t
under 4.1 with a good free number it will necessitate
Biopsy number 3. Not horribly but the waiting sucks.
Hang in there. May sound weird but encouraging you
Helps me also. Get lots of exercise reduce the stress