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Hey KK,
Sounds like you've jumped through the hoops. I was unaware of all your details.
As far as the biopsy, your doctor's office should let you know wether you will need a ride home. Depends on what they give you for sedation. I was given a local and was fine driving home except for the urge to go!!
My first biopsy was without sedation (just lidocane shots) and I drove myself home. The pain was significant. Before my second one, I asked for something for the pain. I got a valium and a percoset. I felt no pain but I had to be driven home.
Go for the pills. It will be a much more enjoyable.
KGK,
I have been a regular biker for many years and got my cancer diagnosis in May 2007. I think you should be concerned about continuing biking in the short run, but can expect to be back with it in the future. I am rather surprised that you continued biking all this time since your urologist's suggestion for a biopsy.
A big issue is whether one's cancer can be eradicated altogether or whether it will have to be controlled as well as possible. For some that is somewhat clear from early on, but for many, perhaps you, not clear. For eradication, cure, at this point in medical progress I think the key is that it be only in the local prostate area and not metastasized. And just as you ask, I'd wonder whether the physical stress in the area from biking could facilitate spreading in some manner. I sure have no answer to that question. But common sense would argue for caution, I think. And I did read in a recent Scientific American magazine about blood supply in cancer tumors. What I well recall is that the small vessels are not nicely formed as in normal tissue, vessel walls are not as good as they should be. And that this can result in an easier access to the blood stream for cancer cells. I'm sure you can see why this seemed relevant to me.
I don't say all this to worry you, but to encourage caution until you better understand your own particular situation. I had surgery and do biking again, although not as much as before. I am running a bit more now.
Finally, after my surgery, I asked my surgeon how soon before it was ok to resume biking. He suggested a minimum of 6 months, 12 months preferable. It was not clear at that time if all my cancer had been removed or not. Still, most likely he was concerned about the healing from surgery rather than spread of any possible cancer. I cannot be sure.
I only offer this as one opinion, so accept it as that and nothing more. Equally well informed contributors here might think quite differently.
BillG,
Thank you for writing, I am glad that this site exists, it helps to have a worldwide place to go for insight. This morning, rather than biking, I took a long, brisk walk, not as much as a workout as biking yet allowed me out in the cold NH air. I also called the ACA and posited the question to them and supposed to have an answer from a research oncologist in a few days; the customer care said the data available to him showed no indication where any type of excercise was harmful. Still, your intuition for caution reflects the basis of my question, and I hope the clear answer, if there is one, is don't worry be happy. I meet with another urologist later this week and will ask him. What type of surgery did you have are you satisfied with the results?
Must admit, thinking back, my Uro suggested avoiding any cycling.No particular reason given at the time.
Referring to Terry's post mentioning the study on psa by cyclists; which indicated no change in psa.
Surely one would not expect a change in psa level unless there were an existing problem. Presumably in this study, none of the cyclists had a problem at that particular time. That is all was proven.
I have noticed a potential risk factor, which was emphasised to me by cases of men in their thirties being diagnosed. Including professional cyclists.Looking at some saddles this does not surprise me somehow.
We seem to get a lot of engineers as well......
Regards
Rob
KGK,
I had the DaVinci robotic surgery, in Wisconsin. And I am happy with the result. For robotic surgery you should be especially careful to get a good, experienced surgeon.
Once you get your biopsy results then you'll know a lot more and can see ahead more clearly. My take on the biopsy experience, since you asked, is that it's neither a big deal nor a minimal doctor testing. Somewhere in the middle, and I would advise having someone come with you for the drive home. Also, the urologist might have some further comments on your prostate from what he sees while doing the biopsy. Mine did, so it's worth asking.
Good afternoon,
The results of my biopsy were given to me on Dec 11; and the news was excellent given my high PSA levels. The procedure included 12 samples; two came back with HIPIN, the others were benign. The doc would like another PSA test in 3 months. I would really like to know more about experiences with PIN, and how best to increase one's chances from it moving beyond its precancerous state. Words do not adequately convey how relieved I am, even with the caution of HIPIN... before the biopsy my PSA was in the mid teens, cut in half from a month earlier.
I am really pleased for you with your biopsy result, KGK. The best immediate plan for you now is to thoroughly enjoy the Christmas and New Year holiday and put all prostate thoughts behind you! (I was going to say sit on those thoughts).
I don't know what you can do to stop your PIN from becoming PC and I am not sure that PIN will necessarily become PC anyway. But you have proved Terry right in that a high (even very high) PSA does not necessarily mean cancer.
In your situation, I would watch and wait with PSA's every 3 months initially and then maybe 6 months. But I would also schedule another biopsy in one year or earlier if the PSA trends up. I would also think that prostate mapping with MRI would be advisable. My initial take on your result is that if 12 needles didn't find anything, then IF anything is there it is unlikely to be significant. Your PSA seems to be elevated by other causes.
