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Re: Alternative/prep to/for biopsy and PSA numbers
Sorry to hear of your concerns, Peet. Here are a few thoughts from an old hand - I was 54 when I was diagnosed in 1996 – 16 years ago. I chose not to have any invasive treatment at that time. Not saying that’s what you should do, but…….
1. The changes in your PSA are nothing to worry about in themselves – I trust you are aware tht PSA is NOT prostate cancer specific and at least two thirds of men with elevated PSA levels are NOT diagnosed with prostate cancer . If you haven’t already read PSA 101 , then I suggest you do so. There is a link to PSA – 28 DAY EXPERIMENT which I ran back in 2001, taking daily PSA tests to see just how much variance there might be. The biggest was an increase from 4.50 ng/ml to 6.0 ng/ml in three days.
2. You say “…am near a Dr Wheeler in Florida but the more I look into his info the more suspect it looks”… which I think is a wise attitude
3. You say …. the possibility of serious infection along with a false negatives and what I've heard of "needle tracking" has me reluctant to go through with the biopsy again… Have you had a biopsy previously since you use the word AGAIN? The TRUS guided biopsy procedure is indeed a ‘shot in the dark’ and although the incidence of serious infection is low – especially at an institution like Johns Hopkins – it is, as you say there. The risk of the cancer being spread is, I believe, very low, if it exists at all.
4. You say Anyway, I am looking for advice, are there any better options besides the "stable gun in the ass" approach, besides enhanced color ultra-sound guidance? As far as I know, the Color Doppler scans, done by the right person provide the best chance of identifying any suspicious areas that might be suitable for biopsy. Can I suggest, in this connection that you read the story told by JON NOWLIN who has done a deal of work and who has good experience with this procedure. You may like to mail him directly with any specific questions.
5. You say Any advice on prep for the biopsy? they provide and enema solution, some valium and a percocet to take prior to. What about after to reduce swelling? Seems they are looking after you better than most of us were!! I had no Valium or Percocet – just the needles. I had blood in my urine and semen for about six weeks after though!
Re: Alternative/prep to/for biopsy and PSA numbers
Peet,
My story is on the site at TERRY HERBERTand you can see all the detail there.
I knew nothing when I was diagnosed - no idea where my prostate was or what it did! I had a bout of what was undoubtedly prostatitis. The doctor I went to did a DRE, which actually relieved the discomfort I was having, but because my PSA was 7.4 he suggested I see a urologist. The urologist said I needed a biopsy, as urologists do. so I had one - what did I know?
Neither of the doctors remarked on the enormous prostate gland I had - it was finally estimated at about 120 gm -almost five times the normal size - or the potential that this large prostate and the prostatitis were causing the PSA elevation.
Good luck - and can I suggest that you either start at the first page of the site - DON'T PANIC and work your way through the pages that follow. Or, if that doesn't appeal, then go along to A STRANGE PLACE and download the booklet I wrote. If you can't do that I'm happy to mail you a hard copy if you e-mail me your postal address.
Doning one (or even both) of these things will give you a good deal of background about this disease.
Re: Alternative/prep to/for biopsy and PSA numbers
Was free PSA done along with PSA? How about PCA3 test?
Biopsy is not as bad as you expected. I went through PSA, free PSA, PCA3, as well as MRI before i decided on biopsy.
Eventially, it was biopsy that proved that I have PCa.
I went through MRI FUSED, Color Doppler Elastography Ultrasound Biopsy.
MRI showed a suspicious spot (deciding factor for biopsy), turned out not a cancer spot.
Color Doppler Elastography showed no suspicious area but 3 out of 14 samples were positive. My Uro said that my PCa were small and early and were not detected by the MRI and the CDEUL.
Re: Alternative/prep to/for biopsy and PSA numbers
2-Oxycodones 1-10mg valium. The worst was the initial placement to inject the numbing agent, not really too bad though. After that, no loud noises and just muted feeling, over quickly.
Same day I am able to urinate but with some blood & occasional clots, minor. Day 2 same but urgency to void increases, unable to empty bladder. Waking up at 2 am unbearable urgency but unable to go. I took a hot shower was able to pee just a little. Back to bed but happens again. Decided to stay up, I was close to going the ER since it looked as though I needed a catheter. I already had a lower than normal flow, I am assuming the prostate gland is swollen and making matters worse.
Day 3, Able to urinate but strong urgency prior to peeing, with strong build up to overcome, hard to explain. Sometimes less powerful urge. Drinking copious amounts of water and green tea to keep the plumbing operational
Any advice on meds to reduce swelling in the short term?
Results next Friday
