referred for biopsy.

Evening Gordon and welcome

My husband's (aged 72) PSA started at 5.9 rising to 6.3 and he too had virtually no symptoms apart from mild ED which we had put down to age.

Your GP is very much on the ball so be grateful for his interest, because IF you have Prostate cancer with no symptoms you wouldn't possibly know about it until it was much further advanced.

Once the biopsy is done and reviewed you'll have a much clearer picture of what's what. Panicking is easy at this stage, the worst case scenarios are bound to run through your mind and we do all understand that feeling.

Try not to worry too much (easier said than done) It causes a lot of stress and you need your energy.

Treatments these days are improving all the time.

My husband was initially on Active Surveillance which is where there is no treatment just regular checks and a yearly biopsy to keep up to date with any changes. He was on that for a year.

We are a very good support group. After all, we all know what it feels like to be diagnosed, whether we are the patient or a patient's partner.

All the best

Sandra

****

Gordon.

Gordon.

You are in a similar place to where I was 2 years ago. Please feel free to check out my profile. Good luck.

Paul

Hi Gordon

This is probably a little out of date as typed this up the other day. Just on PC to post.   Firstly all the best.

My timeline was : + see my profile .  

I had an MRI 10 days before biopsy  (however not sure the 'definition/resolution'  of the machine used in 2014).  My brother who lives in Australia was scanned using a 3T MRI - Multiparametric last December and was given 2 pages of output  coding Lesions using PI-RAD (1 to 5)  He decided to sit on that, following advice from his GP, his first biospy was last month.  PSA 3.57  - dx unfortunately Gleason 4 +3 .   He is 69.  

I have at this stage (as didn't know about this forum and only just started to understand a little more; as obviously hoping to help and advise brother re. his next decision) no idea what type of machine scanned me and what exactly was found.    

My biopsy was followed about 1 month later by a CT and Bone Scan.    Then referred to MDT  (ie The Team) who obviously discuss and 'chew over' each individual case.    You can only cross a bridge as you come to it, as I always say to the 'kids', so you will soon have results.

Gleason 6 is most probably the hardest of all to decide for numerous reasons. I had to do something, AS was not an option for me.  Me and my brother have/had Gleason 4 + 3, although mine was downgraded to 3 + 4 post RP.  Unfortunately statistically they go the other way it seems.  I do ask too many questions when I  see my consultant. ie mathematically they could have found more tumour and the primary type was Grade  3.    The most important result for me  is 0.01 PSA for 18+ mths now. 

All the best - (I must update info about my brother as he has been offered FLA- Focal Laser Ablation for tumour destruction in situ  - so I need to know more about that).    My brother lives in Australia, and has Insurance funded medicare, however I need to find out more about FLA and how his subsequent PSA levels will then monitored and interpreted.      I've just seen your profile and 3 + 4.   Have you got the core analysis, T staging and % yet ?     Finally,  I was very fortunate, I decided on RP, had catheter in 7 days and completely dry** within less than 24 hours   (** only few drops for about 1 week if I got up from chair quickly).    

Gordon

Edited by member 15 Nov 2016 at 16:24  | Reason: Not specified

Hi Gordon

You may want to remove the name of the surgeon before the moderators do so - we have a no name policy on here.

I had my RARP in March, and had my follow up with the consultant yesterday. I have been one of the lucky ones. They caught it at the right time and the results are as good as can be expected re the cancer - clear margins, all contained within the prostate, and PSA around 0.

After the op I just tried to get back to normal as quickly as possible. The first week I obviously took it easy with the catheter, but as soon as it was removed I started to move around and probably did things that my consultant and nurses would have been mightily concerned about :)

PFEs are essential to getting the continence on track. This area seems to be a real roll of the dice for most men, but like you I didn't have any urinary issues beforehand, and that may help post-op. I was dry overnight almost immediately, and I get a slight dribble very occasionally, but nothing to worry about, and there are the "phantom" spurts.

I was prescribed Sildenafil for first 28 days - unfortunately no sign of life there. I will get a referral for the ED clinic but there is a long waiting list in East Kent. The consultant has prescribed further 50mg Sildenafil with a once per week 100mg. He has also given me the all-clear to ride my bike, although I was playing tennis after 3 weeks, it was more the issue with the bike saddle and its possible effects.

Good luck with your recovery.
Chris

Try to take things steady so although you don't want to be just sitting around don't do too much too soon. You know your body so listen to what it tells you. All the swelling will gradually reduce but you may have discomfort in your groin area for a few weeks. Try to focus on the things you enjoy doing and don't worry about the results of the biopsy as there is nothing you can do about that as there are basically two outcomes - all looks good or we may need to consider doing something else. Either outcome is manageable so no point wasting today worrying about tomorrow. I am envious of you being a drummer I wish I had the ability to play them as they are what holds most music together. Be kind to yourself and I hope everything goes well.

Kevan

In response to your enquiry I am feeling pretty good but a bit frustrated at not being allowed to do too much for another 2 weeks as a result of hernia op.

As far as PCA is concerned I am not experiencing any side effects from the HT as yet so long may it continue. I am still out and about driving minibuses for the school and thoroughly enjoying myself.

Perhaps the reason I would be rubbish as a drummer is that maybe I under think things but I like to keep life simple.

Please remember that no matter how well you feel don't do too much too soon and run the risk of undoing some of the good work the medics have done

.

All the best with the catheter removal. It doesn't hurt just feels a bit weird.

All the very best

Brilliant Kevan,

Great to hear your news:)

Gordon.