Post biopsy infections/not feeling good for a long time

Hi all,
I've had two biopsies now. The first took me 6 weeks to get over. My body just wasnt right and I was weaker, had less endurance, more fatigue. While I was not diagnosed with any infection, my guess is I had a low grade battle going on.
Two weeks ago I had my second biopsy. A couple days later I had a fever and the worst chills I have ever had. I was in communication with the doctors, and if my temp (with ibuprofen) went over 102 or I felt worse I was to go to the hospital. I recovered at home, and then regressed. Severe headaches and fatigue started every day for 4 days in the late afternoon (while mornings and midday I felt pretty good).

They have me now on Bactrim due to a high white blood cell count. I await the culture to make sure the bacteria/antibiotics line up. Im to rush to the hospital if I feel worse.

Why bring this up? I think for a lot of us biopsies SUCK. Do not wait to get checked out if you dont feel right in the days following the biopsy. There are some nasty bacteria out there that can do some serious harm. I've been surprised at the stats I have found recently. Its not uncommon for people to go to the hospital post biopsy still. There is evidence that infections are on the rise still. Given the low risk of 3+3 AS I wonder if a 3rd or later biopsy doesnt carry more risk than the actual cancer?!

This all said, anyone on AS who has any stats on going with Mp MRIs or other diagnostic methods after their second biopsy instead of a 3rd...5th...etc biopsy? Id consider just treating this thing in 2 years rather than get another biopsy. Its just high risk for me and my body specifically.

Many people are far too quick to brush-off the real and dangerous risks of prostate biopsies. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Active Surveillance is nothing more than the decision to safely defer treatment if and when it might eventually become necessary and appropriate. One of the huge benefits is that medicine progresses over time. Already, in just the last few years, as people have woken up to some of the risks of needle prostate biopsies, more and more emphasis has been placed on the mpMRI as an important new imaging tool for AS patients. mpMRI detects high-grade PCs and ignores the low-grade stuff. You have the blessing/gift of time...use it wisely.

So sorry to hear it...
Feel better soon!

I have had two biopsies. The first one I had oral pre-medication a few days before and spiked a fever less than 12 hours after the procedure sending me to the hospital where i send a few days in observation. Bloodwork did not show any bacterial infection. The second one, I had a few days of pre-medication, and an iv bag of Gentamicin one hour prior and spiked a fever 24 hours later again sending me to the hospital for a two day admission. While I showed not to have any bacterial infection, per se, about a week later for WBC was elevated at 17. It can happen. I was a bit reluctant to have another one as was my wife, but my infectious disease doctor from a past episode of endocarditis, who I still consult with, and who has worked with my medical uro will come up with a plan for the next time possibly just sending me straight to observation. For the record, my PSA 3 months later increased from 4 to 12. My uro surgeon said that there are many types of infection and explained that my PSA could have easily hit 50-100. So since you just had your biopsy, I would seriously wait 3 months before rechecking you PSA. Personally, I will get a followup PSA possibly 4 months after my next biopsy. And don't freak out if you get a crazy reading. As far as the future on AS, biopsies are being spaced out a little more like every 2 years. Of course, every case is different. If I need one, I'll get one although the plan seems to be to wait for a weird PSA or mpMRI. I must like pain. And yes I've gotten 2 mpMRI's and am scheduled for another next year.