Biopsy scheduled for mid-Jan

Not painful, very uncomfortable. However, have you had free PSA and PCA3 tests? They may help you decide whether you should have a Bx at this time.

I would rule out other reasons for the elevated PSA first. do you have any symptoms? Numerous reasons to have an elevated reading, cycling, sex, dre prior to, infection, other? Maybe have antibiotic treatment for a few weeks and re-test would be a reasonable approach. W/o a positive DRE, that's what I would do.

As for the biopsy, I took urologist prescribed valium and a pain killer one hour prior to, plus I was listening to music on headphones. They also injected lidocain. Minor discomfort when the probe is inserted, but no pain at all, over in ten minutes. There is no reason not to medicate yourself for it. If your Uro doesn't agree, get another one, should be a patient option.

The answers to your question will vary by individual. I had two biopsies, and while scared to death before the first one, found them to be just annoying and undignified. I even went back to work after both of them, and took my usual walk before dinner each day. I did get the lidocaine injection into the area, and then all I felt was pressure each time the biopsy needle entered the prostate. Other men, however, had more severe reactions to the biopsy.

Like most others here, i felt no real pain during the procedure, only a little prick (no pun intended), when the needle went in. Like you, i was scared to death, almost incapacitated, in the days leading up to the surgery. The doc told me i would not feel pain, and i remember, (even though i was totally wasted on 2 valium) getting off the table, and saying to the doc "as promised, no pain, just annoying, thank you"
So don't freak out. And btw, my biopsy was a month ago, so its not like its not fresh in my mind.

Also, doc said he does everything possible to avoid the urethra, so he is hopeful no blood. I had a small amount at the beginning of the stream, the first 2 or 3 times i pissed. It was just a little discoloration, not dark at all. But after that, by the end of the first day, no blood at all

My view is that all major procedures related to prostate cancer -- biopsy, surgery, radiation, etc. -- require a really good and experienced doc to ensure good experience and good outcomes. You don't want to be anybody's first patient for this stuff. That said, most men don't find the biopsy to be that big a deal.

As has been said, it's usually uncomfortable and unpleasant, but not painful. You can also check your modesty at the door when you go in.

I found it much more uncomfortable immediately after, when the lidocaine wore off. The doc told me to take Extra Strength Tylenol when I got home. I didn't have any at home and had to stop at the drug store. I was VERY sore during that ride home and for the next day or two. I suggest you buy it before the procedure and take some with you. You'll want to pop a couple of those suckers as soon as the procedure is over. Sooner, if it's ok with your doc. Be sure to ask.

Expect to see blood in your semen for three or four weeks after the biopsy, and possibly in your urine for a few days. It's normal, so don't be alarmed.

Good luck with your biopsy. Hope it turns out to be nothing. One way or another, let us know how you make out.

Jonathan

Just had a biopsy today. The doc used some kind of numbing gel to start with and then a couple of novocaine shots, that was probably the worst part of it. The actual biopsy samples were nothing. I took a couple of extra strength tylenol when I got home because I was pretty uncomfortable. After about two hours the discomfort was gone except for the fact that I felt like I had to pee. This evening it is just a little sore and no problems. Just a little blood in the urine the first few times, hardly noticeable. No way could I have gone to work after it though, don't think I could sit down for long periods of time.

If I had to do it again I would ask for some pain meds and something to calm me down a little before hand as I was quite anxious, tense and pretty uncomfortable for a few hours after the biopsy.

Glad it is over and glad I did it because after several years of anxious waiting and watching it was time for me to do it. Now I can deal with the results and go from there, better than doing nothing and constantly wondering if it was the right thing to do.

Biopsies suck enough that you should make sure you really need it. Based on what you described, it felt like your URO was making some broad generalizations--although the rise in PSA is a real concern. Still, I'd want a bit more info before I would undergo one.

That said, if you really need one, by all means do so and don't be worried too much about the discomfort. To me, the procedure was akin to unpleasant dental work, although in an area that you're not used to have any work on. The discomfort fades in hours, but the yucky part-blood in urine and ejaculate--hangs on for a while. In the case of my second biopsy with 30 cores, for a very long period of time.

Michael

Post Edited (Michael_T) : 12/22/2012 10:20:16 PM (GMT-7)

Cad:

I think your Uro. is too quick to do a biopsy. He should at least do a free PSA test and re-do your PSA to verify the reading. Make sure you wait at least 48 hours after sex, and don't do any activity that puts pressure or massages your prostate before the blood draw. And refrain from caeffine, too.

IM(non-medical)O , I would delay the biopsy and have him do the above. You are the Decider. If you do have CaP, it is slow growing and you have months, not weeks before you would need to make a decision ( according to John Hopkins Urology). If your Uro. insists on doing a biopsy ASAP, I would run, not walk out of his office and look for a new Uro., ASAP.