Biopsy scheduled

My husbands urology appointment went well; everyone there seems nice and explained everything so well! The ruled out uti, they had him empty his bladder and gave him an ultrasound to see how well he emptied it (they said it was good; only about a tbs left), they did a regular dre and didn't find any lumps or hardness. They recommended a biopsy which is scheduled for the morning of the 24th.

I feel so much better just knowing that part is over. My husband said that he was glad I told him what I thought he could expect because it was almost like they read my script!

For those who have had a biopsy before, the nurse said it would feel like 12 pinches...not the kind that your grandkids would do when they pinch and run off, but more like the bully that gives you a good pinch, but it leaves as fast as it comes and there is no residual pinch pain. Would you say that's how it felt to you?

Thanks for all your help and support this past week. I think I'll be okay until right before the biopsy...and then the waiting for the results.

Donna

I didn't feel a thing, I was out cold. I had sedation.

My Uro gave me a prescription for Valium to pick up beforehand. Arrived at the his office (after the annoying prep) 45 minutes before actual biopsy time, and took the two pills. Whole experience wasn't bad at all, although my partner said I was a bit loopy as the drug took effect before the procedure started, and I said some funny things. One of the pills would probably have been enough for me, given I am of smaller stature. Took a nice long nap that afternoon. Definitely ask for some medication!

No pain for me.  All I heard was the click of the trigger twelve times and that was it.  I wasn't even sore the next day. 

Good luck and hope it turns out negative,

Tom

..Donna, info for the Hubby,
..Staying calm almost submissive in nature, controlled relaxed breathing, having gentle Doctors helps. It is strange but like a dart gun going off to the sound of a click. Staying still in order to hit targeted areas, if there are any. Does not really hurt but there is a little push, they use novae cane and that helps. After there may be some red blood out the rectum, and the big one, after he will have a few days of very bloody ejaculation, does not hurt just looks strange or better yet alarming, it is normal and will clear up after a few love sessions. After the procedure it will feel like he was kicked up the butt with a steel toe boot, a bit sore. go home lay down and just rest. this was my experience and others may be different, but I gave you my truth..

....Project Appleseed........Nick..........

I've had 4 biopsies over the years. The best description is like having a rubber band snapped against the inside of your rectum, if you can imagine that.

My last one had the nerve block, but they were in a bit of a hurry so the first two snaps were rather more uncomfortable. I react slowly to the anesthetic. I suggest you have them administer the anesthetic, and then do the prostate measurements to give it time to act. Then the biopsy cores are no problem.

My thought was, "Ouch, but we need the data. Jab away!".

I had three gold 'fiducial markers" placed last week in prep for my radiotherapy, and it was like another light-duty biopsy. Same pattern, similar sensations, but no snap sounds.

Getting old is not for wimps.... :)

My hubby said they put a pain killing shot up there first. And that the biopsy felt kind of like getting shots, not 'painful', just uncomfortable.
He went from work, driving himself, and went right back to work after; he works in inside sales.
He had a dull 'ache' afterwards, maybe for a day and a half.
This was his 2nd biopsy, the first 5 yrs ago, without the pain killing shot; and he went right back to work then too.
He did have a bit of blood in his urine, a few spots in his bm, for a couple of days after, which is normal.
I think he was also put on antibiotics just prior to it.
Best of luck to you both.

Hi Donna,

Due to the size of my prostate (98 grams -- 4x normal size), my urologist had to do TWENTY cores instead of the standard 8-12. But I only heard the needle gun firing, never felt a thing.

Be sure that the urologist is VERY experienced. Then make sure that he uses a numbing jell before inserting the probe. Once my urologist did this, I really did not feel the probe going in. Then he used the probe to give me an injection of pain killer, which further deadened the nerves.

So, if your husband's uro does this same thing, he will not feel a thing. It's more like a 20 minute DRE, but nothing more.

Good luck to him!
Chuck

Resident of Highland, Indiana just outside of Chicago, IL.
July 2011 local PSA lab reading 6.41 (from 4.1 in 2009). Mayo Clinic PSA Sept. 2011 was 5.7.
Local urologist DRE revealed significant BPH, but no lumps.
PCa Dx Aug. 2011 at age of 61.
Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma in 3 of 20 cores (one 5%, two 20%). T2C.
Gleason score 3+3=6.
CT of abdomen, bone scan both negative.
DaVinci prostatectomy 11/1/11 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), nerve sparing, age 62.
My surgeon was Dr. Matthew Tollefson, who I highly recommend.
Final pathology shows tumor confined to prostate.
5 lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, extraprostatic soft tissue all negative.
1.0 x 0.6 x 0.6 cm mass involving right posterior inferior,
right posterior apex & left mid posterior prostate.
Right posterior apex margin involved by tumor over a 0.2 cm length, doctor says this is insignificant.
Prostate 98.3 grams, tumor 2 grams. Prostate size 5.0 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Abdominal drain removed the morning after surgery.
Catheter out in 7 days. No incontinence, occasional minor dripping.
Post-op exams 2/13/12, 9/10/12, PSA <0.1. PSA tests now annual.
Semi-firm erections now happening 14 months post-op & VERY slowly getting a bit stronger.