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Posted 1/1/2017 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
Curious as to your thoughts:
I am a 44 year old male who is in general good health other than a little over weight. However, I have been having issues with my prostate. Frequent urination, low flow stream, some pain when going but not every time, can't get an erection past half way, and when ejaculate there is pain. When to doctor and he ordered PSA test. Came back at 5.1. He ordered 4 weeks of Cipro for prostatitis and recheck PSA. Is this right course or should I be more concerned about cancer? Thanks!

Post Edited (Krammer49) : 12/31/2016 6:45:36 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/1/2017 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
Your PSA is high, but there's lots of things that can do that besides PCa--everything from infection to riding a bike the day before your PSA test. Typically, they'll put you on Cipro first to see if that drops the PSA, so your doctor is following standard practice there.

Based on your symptoms, something is going on and you'll want to stay on top of it. But just know that PCa is generally symptom-free. Hope it's just an infection and the anti-biotic takes care of it. Good luck and let us know.
Posted 1/1/2017 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks! I forgot to mention that we have ruled out a UTI or bladder infection. He wanted to try the Cipro for 4 weeks to see what that does to the count.
Posted 1/1/2017 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
You're on the right track. Probably prostatitis which is no fun but goes away with antibiotics. I had it at your age, cured it and never had it again but developed BPH about 20 years later.
Bob
Posted 1/1/2017 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
Prostatitus rarely gives goes away with the anti biotics. Bicycle riding or sex befor you have test rarely spikes that high...you probably have prostatitus and doc will want a biopsy when it doesn't go down....prostatitus can be deep and not affected by anti biotics ur doc knows this or should... up to you weather you want to do that. Is it possible u have sexual disease. Your symptoms mimic that in some way. Don't be offended. What kind of antibiotic was prescribed. Good luck. I see it was cipro Don't worry one day at a time

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Posted 1/1/2017 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
Here's some more information based on what has been suggested so far:

No bicycle riding or sex before the test. No possiblity that it is a STD. Married for 25 years and 100% faithful on both sides. Not even a question about that and no offense was taken. I'll do whatever needs to be done to stay on top of this. Had an uncle, on my mother's side, who had prostate cancer and was treated. After 5 years it came back full blown and he died within months of reaccurance. So I have seen what this can do first handed and I am determined to fight whatever this is full force. Thanks again!!!
Posted 1/1/2017 6:10 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW, sorry you need to be here.

You've got something. Little of what you mention point to PC directly. First you need to rule out all other causes before thinking of PC. prostatitis is high on the list, but it's often difficult to diagnosis and difficult to treat.

You might need to get some imaging done, an ultrasound might be good. The other possibility that is consistent with your symptoms would be BPH (enlarged prostate) and the ultrasound would show the size of your prostate, plus any obvious problems.

Generally, PC presents no symptoms at your PSA number. ED could be caused by a number of things - some not related to the prostate (heart problems, diabetes, vascular issues, weight, etc). Erectile dysfunction problems for PC patients are normally a side effect of treatment - not what causes us to seek treatment.

The right course is the one you're on - test each possible cause until you find what it is. While you're in a higher risk group for PC, all you know now is you've got a problem that needs to be checked out. Are you being treated by a urologist? A good URO should be able to figure that out for you.

A general heath screening would be good too, if you haven't done it (standard blood tests, an EKG, etc).

So for now, waiting to see what the cipro will do is prudent. It will be interesting to see if it improves the PSA or your symptoms.

Hang in there and keep us updated on progress.

Andrew
Posted 1/1/2017 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Krammer49, welcome and sorry you have to be here...maybe short term depending on Cipro treatment. Sounds like an infection to me, but if PSA scores don't go down, then you are on the road to imaging and potential biopsies. But let's not think about that yet. Just do the program and see how it turns out. Hopefully we can wish you a fond farewell from here. Take care. -JR
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