Scared . . . Prostatitis or Prostate Cancer

Greetings to all,

I thank God for this forum. I'm 46 years old and recently started having pain with urination. It felt like I was passing a kidney stone (like glass was coming out) and some back pain. I went to see a doctor because it got better and I thought the stone may have passed. During the visit, I had a urine sample taken and it was all clear. The next week I started having pain while urinating off and on, pain in the testicles off and on, and pain in the lower back. My urine stream is strong and uninterrupted. No problems with ED. However, my father and brother both had prostate cancer. I know that puts me at a very high risk. My brother, who is 56 had his prostate removed last summer. My dad had his removed in his early 60'so. My brother is doing great now. My father has passed, but not from the prostate cancer.

I'm afraid that I have prostate cancer now. I get checked (DRE/PSA bloodtests) every year. Never any problems. I'm really scared now that this is the start for me. I'very read tons of info on the web. I see a doctor on Thursday and I'm just scared what my results will be. What is the best test for diagnosing prostatitis?

So sorry to ramble. I can't even sleep right now thinking about this.

Considering your age and negative results from DREs and PSAs, the chances that you have prostate cancer are extremely low.

The other symptoms you have are things that happen to most men from time to time due to a variety of factors. The most significant symptom would likely be pain during urination and if that continues it would be worth speaking to your physician about. However, at this stage in your life, it is unlikely to be prostate cancer.

It is good to be aware, particularly with your family history but try to use this awareness in the most positive way possible. I would suggest using this knowledge as an incentive to create the most healthy lifestyle as possible - good exercise, good nutrition with lots of fruits and vegetables and lower amounts of red meat and trying to maintain a low stress level (which usually is achieved by living in the moment).

PC rarely has symptoms in the early stages. If you have something symptomatic, then likely it isn't PC. Prostatitis is difficult to diagnose. There is no one test that says you've got it. Lots of things factor into it.

What you need to do right now is stick to the facts you know and not speculate. You've got something and an appointment with your doc for more tests. Good. Now for the hard part - waiting.

While you are at risk for PC, you don't know that you do have it. Even if it proves to be true, there is a lot they can do and likely it won't be more than a bump in the road for you. Okay, a big bump, but look at your family history for success stories. A bit of optimism goes a long way.

Andrew

I'm not a doctor but given your age, how common prostatitis is and the fact that PC generally has no symptoms for many years, I'd bet on prostatitis.

Given your family history, you'll definitely want to monitor your PSA for the balance of your life (which it sounds like you're doing), but I don't think you should get worked up over this. Good luck with your doctor appointment this week and let us know how it goes.

Thanks to everyone for the info. After reading all of your replies, I felt much better about my prognosis. I also talked to a friend and he told me to take saw palmetto. I got some yesterday and now today I am having issues with ED. Now this really scares me. Still no blood in my urine, but it does seem as if my stools are thinner than normal. Maybe like my prostate is squeezing as it comes out. I know this is actually very gross, but I'm really concerned and scared even more than before. Still intermittent pain in my testicles, back, hip, pelvic area, frequent need to urinate, and at the base/bottom of my penis. This whole episode has been happening for three weeks now. Has anyone used saw palmetto? Could it be causing ED? ED isn't a symptom of prostatitis is it? I had blood work and PSA check, and DRE last September of 2015. all turned out clear. Could prostate cancer grow and spread that quickly? I'm desperately looking for my bloodworm from last year to see what my PSA number was. I'm African American, and obese. I know this heightens my risks especially with it running in my family. I know that I just have to wait until Thursday to see my doctor. I'm really sorry and feel just pitiful ranting like this. Many apologies . . . .

blues, on the question of saw palmetto....

I took it for a long time, it was an ingredient in one of the popular prostate supplements that's out there. It does seem to have a positive effect on BPH (old man prostate enlargement), similar to flomax. However, it also suppresses PSA, so it hides the long term slow changes in PSA that are the usual triggers for PC alert.

My urologist (after the biopsy) told me that saw palmetto will reduce PSA roughly 50%--hence, my triggering PSA of 3.3 was probably closer to 6.5 or 7.0.

In your case, no reason not to take it. It falls in the category of "Probably won't hurt, and it might even help".

Consider this: your ED may be about anxiety and the other things that you're doing.