What a wild roller coaster ride

I generally like roller coasters and will ride any but this is one that I hate and wish I have never gotten on. And since for some reason my signature never shows let me catch you up to speed. My ride began this past December when I went to my PCP with problems. He suggested a PSA test which came back 5.1. Prescribed 2 weeks Cipro and retest. I immediately thought the worse and was 95% sure I had PCa. So mid January rolls around and we retested and that one came back 3.5, but had them do a free PSA which came back 15.7.

I was thrilled PSA came down and even though free was lower than I liked went ahead and had them refer me to a urologist down at Wake Forest Urology just for a follow up and second opinion from a specialist. In mean time I was 95% sure this was just inflammation or prostatitis, so no big deal. Well had that appointment today and went in on a high expecting him to tell me everything was ok and I was making a big deal out of nothing.

Long story short and many questions from me and questions from him, he looks at me and says, Well, your numbers are suspicious and I recommend an ultrasound and biopsy. I think my heart skipped a beat and stuttered; Ok. He then said, Because of your age; 44, I am counting on it coming back negative but we won't know for sure till then. Now I'm thinking the worse again! Up and down up and down and this is killing me! So got to wait 3 more weeks till biopsy time and who knows how long after that before I finally get an answer! Or will he know anything that day? Thanks for your time again!!

PCa in a guy your age would be unusual but certainly not unheard of. This early stage of diagnosis is a huge strain and I for one was shocked, taken aback, etc., etc. Getting a biopsy is a good idea - settle the question once and for all.

Speaking of the biopsy, for some guys it's no big deal and others (me included) it hurt like h3ll after the third or fourth punch. All the doc gave me was an anti-anxiety pill, I wish I would have insisted on proprophenol or something to really zone me out. You are going to be sore down there and will probably pass some blood clots in your urine stream but recovery only takes a few days.

Good luck on the biopsy, sorry you have to go through this, but sounds like a high likelihood you'll only be passing through and not need a membership in our club for now.

Re the biopsy, in addition to the blood in your urine as Michael mentioned, be prepared for very bloody gism, which over a few weeks will turn brown, to and then go back to its normal **** video color. Don't be alarmed.

Hang in there, Krammer. The odds are in your favor. You're young, and even if you were older, only about 1/3 of initial biopsies come back positive. Your odds are probably much better of being negative.

One thing to ask for in the biopsy. Ask the uro (in advance) if he/she can do a prostatic nerve block. This is an injection they poke into the prostate itself prior to taking the 12 sample cores. You only feel one or two very small injections, then after that when they take the samples you hear it and feel a tap, but absolutely no pain when the samples are drawn. If they tell you they can't use a block, find another doc to do your biopsy. I had the nerve block and a 12-core ultrasound-guided biopsy in the morning, then went right from the doc's office out to lunch with my wife. I was loopy from the oral pain meds, but had absolutely no pain during or after the procedure.

Thanks again for all the great advice! Especially on the prostatic nerve block. I will definitely keep that in mind when I go! You all are always the best!

Before you had your blood drawn for the PSA test did anyone tell you to avoid stimulating the prostate in any way, including a DRE or ejaculation for at least 24 hours?

If not, why not? That is very important. Ejaculation will rais your PSA! And a DRE will raise it a lot!

So, did you have sex the night before your blood was drawn? (You don't have to answer here in public)
If yes, then ask for a retest and from this day forward promise you will be consistent and abstain for 24 hours before the blood draw.

If the doc gave you a DRE and then sent you down the hallway to have your blood drawn, kick him in the nuts for me!

Jeff