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User
Posted 01 Jul 2016 at 18:54
Hi,

Glad to have found this and had a look through the topics.

I'm about to turn 43. I'm normally healthy. Symptoms started around 3 years ago, which I noticed as a slowing stream and difficulty starting urination. As time went on I had the feeling I had not emptied my bladder. I started to get discomfort in the groin area, noticeably in my left testicle and had the feeling that I needed to go to the loo, (number 2) but didn't, just felt like it. Would occasionally get an uncomfortable sharp kind of pain in my bladder area going down to my pubic bone area.

I went to the GP about a year ago, she said I had some white blood cells in my urine sample so was prescribed antibiotics. I had a DRE which was over in a flash and was told it was fine but was sent for a blood test a few days later. The result of that was my PSA was 'normal'.

I found out recently it was 2.27 ??!

I was offered medication to improve the symptoms but the side effects looked worse than the problem so I didn't take them. Probably not my best decision.

Move on a year and I'm back to the GP, symptoms have worsened, often feel the need to pee, but nothing in there.

Weak flow, more frequent, problems starting and particularly on a full bladder in the morning it can take me what seems like an age to go.

Saw a different GP who again did the DRE and said my prostate was enlarged but felt 'benign' and I'm in for another blood test for PSA and Chlaymidia(??) next week.

My biggest worry is the pain I have as I can't see mention of that as a symptom anywhere in relation to BPH, only with the more sinister diagnoses.

It's not a constant pain, it seems to come and go some days better than others. Generally it's as described above, and now ands again, maybe once twice a weekI get an ache in my kidney area.

I see a Chiropractor fairly regularly for lower back pain and stiffness in my shoulders and told her of the latest GP visit.

Fearing what I'd read about advanced prostate cancer. I was told not to worry but I am unfortunately a worrier.

Just can't help shake the feeling that at my age it's likely to be something serious as everyone just keeps saying its unusual to have an enlargement 'at my age'.

The discomfort is my biggest fear, because as I said that only seems to be attributed to the more serious diagnosis.

As the title says, I'm trying to be calm, but I'm failing.

User
Posted 01 Jul 2016 at 19:39

Sounds like BPH or possibly a bladder valve problem - the sharp pain etc are classic symptoms. Assuming the other tests all come back okay, I would suggest you accept the muscle relaxants this time - John had them from age 35 to reduce the hesitancy and night loo visits.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 01 Jul 2016 at 20:09
Valley view you don't get chills with chronic prostatitis only the bacterial version.....also known as chronic pelvic pain system.....think it fits your description
User
Posted 01 Jul 2016 at 20:11

I used to work in young people's sexual health so my experience was more in advising young women about it. It can certainly sit around quietly for years and the first they know about it is that they don't conceive easily because it's damaged the Fallopian tubes. So please don't take me as an expert in how it might affect the prostate.

User
Posted 07 Jul 2016 at 09:23

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
PSA results in today for my blood test on Monday showed 1.58, which the docs secretary described as 'normal'.

OK I thought, it is lower than 12 months ago when it was 2.27.

I called and spoke with a PCUK nurse who said anything over 1.00 at my age would be considered abnormal

It's all very worrying and seems to move so slowly!

 

Hi Valleyview, understandable to worry, even if you are not a natural worrier.

How many PSA test results do you have, and over what period of time?  

Are they all carried out at the same surgery, are all the samples sent to the same laboratory, tested on the same machine?

This one way in which you might put your results into context?  A decline in PSA is better than a rise.

When you have had a PSA test carried out have you done anything or has anything happened to you that might spike the result?

When the NHS moves slowly is a good sign , when it moves fast it is generally for a reason, that it is necessary.

Have a good weekend.

dave

 

All we can do - is do all that we can.

So, do all you can to help yourself, then make the best of your time. :-)

I am the statistic.

User
Posted 07 Jul 2016 at 11:22

Just my personal view but I think it would be a good idea to ask the GP to refer you to urology - whatever is causing the pain, it needs to be explored properly and as good as GPs are, they are not specialists. Whatever it is may have nothing to do with cancer and your PSA could be a red herring (1.58 might be a tad higher than average for someone with a small prostate but absolutely fine for a man with an enlarged one) but best to have a thorough check.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 07 Jul 2016 at 11:58
Hello. I just thought I'd say that my other half had raised psa resulting in a biopsy and mri scan. They did find prostate cancer (low grade slow growing) he had no symptoms. But within a few weeks of the biopsy he started getting lower tummy pains, pains in one testicle and more of a back ache than he had before. The mri showed prostatitis. No idea whether it was there before the biopsy or the biopsy caused it.

That was 2 years ago. He was given antibiotics. He has since had brachytherapy for the cancer, but throughout all the pain in his prostate has been coming and going. It seems to be getting worse as time goes on, to the point where sitting down for long periods is hurting. (Not helpful as this time of year he is on the tractor haymaking all day)

The gp and consultant just prescribe more antibiotics. He's been on them for about a year on and off for the last 2 years. Last week being given 4 months of antibiotics again.

Some of Your symptoms do sound similar. So you may have prostatitis. I think it can be hard to treat. I'm fairly sure prostatitis can cause a raised psa too. But try to insist on getting it sorted. Not that we are having much luck with sorting problems.

Good luck.

User
Posted 07 Jul 2016 at 12:22
Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Hello. I just thought I'd say that my other half had raised psa resulting in a biopsy and mri scan. They did find prostate cancer (low grade slow growing) he had no symptoms. But within a few weeks of the biopsy he started getting lower tummy pains, pains in one testicle and more of a back ache than he had before. The mri showed prostatitis. No idea whether it was there before the biopsy or the biopsy caused it.

That was 2 years ago. He was given antibiotics. He has since had brachytherapy for the cancer, but throughout all the pain in his prostate has been coming and going. It seems to be getting worse as time goes on, to the point where sitting down for long periods is hurting. (Not helpful as this time of year he is on the tractor haymaking all day)

The gp and consultant just prescribe more antibiotics. He's been on them for about a year on and off for the last 2 years. Last week being given 4 months of antibiotics again.

Some of Your symptoms do sound similar. So you may have prostatitis. I think it can be hard to treat. I'm fairly sure prostatitis can cause a raised psa too. But try to insist on getting it sorted. Not that we are having much luck with sorting problems.

Good luck.

Thanks, I think that may a possible cause. Sorry to hear the issue your other half is having, and that certainly seems to be the case with prostatitis.

My PSA is raised at 1.58, high for my age apparently, although it's lower now than 12 months ago and my prostate is enlarged although when checked 12 months ago it was was normal.

Some weeks I'm fine, but I still have the urinary issues sometimes worse than others, and other weeks I can be in discomfort with lower abdo pain, particularly on my left side and left testicle.

Still some digging to do.

Thanks for your reply and very best wishes to you and yours.

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User
Posted 01 Jul 2016 at 19:39

Sounds like BPH or possibly a bladder valve problem - the sharp pain etc are classic symptoms. Assuming the other tests all come back okay, I would suggest you accept the muscle relaxants this time - John had them from age 35 to reduce the hesitancy and night loo visits.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 01 Jul 2016 at 19:46

Hi valley view, I am a newboy here and go for a Uro test in the next 2 weeks because of high PSA. I have been doing a lot of research since my tests last week, I' m no expert but your symptoms may point to chronic prostatitis, which will give you all the pains you are experiencing....they're is acute prostatitis and chronic prostatitis they both have similar symptoms but the acute is normally caused by a bacteria and can be knocked out by antibiotics.....probably not you as you don't have any fevers or chills......Google chronic prostatitis.....might want to get that PSA checked again at 43
From one worrier to another
Tony

User
Posted 01 Jul 2016 at 19:52
Thanks for the reply.

I've just been looking at that condition.

Some of it's symptoms fit, but I don't have pain urinating or ejaculating. Not had any temp or chills etc.

Couldn't see anything about Prostatitis causing the enlargement that is there.

Thanks again for the reply, if nothing else it's nice to know that your not alone, and not going mad for worrying!!

User
Posted 01 Jul 2016 at 19:52

That could be the reason for the Chlamydia test. Chlamydia is notorious for showing no symptoms at all but is very easily treated with antibiotics.

User
Posted 01 Jul 2016 at 20:09
Valley view you don't get chills with chronic prostatitis only the bacterial version.....also known as chronic pelvic pain system.....think it fits your description
User
Posted 01 Jul 2016 at 20:11

I used to work in young people's sexual health so my experience was more in advising young women about it. It can certainly sit around quietly for years and the first they know about it is that they don't conceive easily because it's damaged the Fallopian tubes. So please don't take me as an expert in how it might affect the prostate.

User
Posted 07 Jul 2016 at 00:07
PSA results in today for my blood test on Monday showed 1.58, which the docs secretary described as 'normal'.

OK I thought, it is lower than 12 months ago when it was 2.27. I called and spoke with a PCUK nurse who said anything over 1.00 at my age would be considered abnormal!

Anyhow, my pain and discomfort in my lower abdomen and groin is still there, aching lower back grumbling away with the occasional pain in my testicles. Hoping its prostatitis and nothing more sinister.

I have a follow up appt with my GP on Friday, and if I'm honest I think I'll get 'fobbed off'. Which is how I felt 12 months ago when I first went to the GP about all this.

It's all very worrying and seems to move so slowly!

User
Posted 07 Jul 2016 at 09:23

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
PSA results in today for my blood test on Monday showed 1.58, which the docs secretary described as 'normal'.

OK I thought, it is lower than 12 months ago when it was 2.27.

I called and spoke with a PCUK nurse who said anything over 1.00 at my age would be considered abnormal

It's all very worrying and seems to move so slowly!

 

Hi Valleyview, understandable to worry, even if you are not a natural worrier.

How many PSA test results do you have, and over what period of time?  

Are they all carried out at the same surgery, are all the samples sent to the same laboratory, tested on the same machine?

This one way in which you might put your results into context?  A decline in PSA is better than a rise.

When you have had a PSA test carried out have you done anything or has anything happened to you that might spike the result?

When the NHS moves slowly is a good sign , when it moves fast it is generally for a reason, that it is necessary.

Have a good weekend.

dave

 

All we can do - is do all that we can.

So, do all you can to help yourself, then make the best of your time. :-)

I am the statistic.

User
Posted 07 Jul 2016 at 10:56
This is my 2nd PSA. 1st was a year ago, at the same GP practice. I cannot recall how long it was between my examination and having the bloods taken the 1st time around.

This time I waited over the 7 days before it was done.

I presume the surgery use the same lab, but no idea about the machines used.

User
Posted 07 Jul 2016 at 11:22

Just my personal view but I think it would be a good idea to ask the GP to refer you to urology - whatever is causing the pain, it needs to be explored properly and as good as GPs are, they are not specialists. Whatever it is may have nothing to do with cancer and your PSA could be a red herring (1.58 might be a tad higher than average for someone with a small prostate but absolutely fine for a man with an enlarged one) but best to have a thorough check.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 07 Jul 2016 at 11:58
Hello. I just thought I'd say that my other half had raised psa resulting in a biopsy and mri scan. They did find prostate cancer (low grade slow growing) he had no symptoms. But within a few weeks of the biopsy he started getting lower tummy pains, pains in one testicle and more of a back ache than he had before. The mri showed prostatitis. No idea whether it was there before the biopsy or the biopsy caused it.

That was 2 years ago. He was given antibiotics. He has since had brachytherapy for the cancer, but throughout all the pain in his prostate has been coming and going. It seems to be getting worse as time goes on, to the point where sitting down for long periods is hurting. (Not helpful as this time of year he is on the tractor haymaking all day)

The gp and consultant just prescribe more antibiotics. He's been on them for about a year on and off for the last 2 years. Last week being given 4 months of antibiotics again.

Some of Your symptoms do sound similar. So you may have prostatitis. I think it can be hard to treat. I'm fairly sure prostatitis can cause a raised psa too. But try to insist on getting it sorted. Not that we are having much luck with sorting problems.

Good luck.

User
Posted 07 Jul 2016 at 12:22
Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Hello. I just thought I'd say that my other half had raised psa resulting in a biopsy and mri scan. They did find prostate cancer (low grade slow growing) he had no symptoms. But within a few weeks of the biopsy he started getting lower tummy pains, pains in one testicle and more of a back ache than he had before. The mri showed prostatitis. No idea whether it was there before the biopsy or the biopsy caused it.

That was 2 years ago. He was given antibiotics. He has since had brachytherapy for the cancer, but throughout all the pain in his prostate has been coming and going. It seems to be getting worse as time goes on, to the point where sitting down for long periods is hurting. (Not helpful as this time of year he is on the tractor haymaking all day)

The gp and consultant just prescribe more antibiotics. He's been on them for about a year on and off for the last 2 years. Last week being given 4 months of antibiotics again.

Some of Your symptoms do sound similar. So you may have prostatitis. I think it can be hard to treat. I'm fairly sure prostatitis can cause a raised psa too. But try to insist on getting it sorted. Not that we are having much luck with sorting problems.

Good luck.

Thanks, I think that may a possible cause. Sorry to hear the issue your other half is having, and that certainly seems to be the case with prostatitis.

My PSA is raised at 1.58, high for my age apparently, although it's lower now than 12 months ago and my prostate is enlarged although when checked 12 months ago it was was normal.

Some weeks I'm fine, but I still have the urinary issues sometimes worse than others, and other weeks I can be in discomfort with lower abdo pain, particularly on my left side and left testicle.

Still some digging to do.

Thanks for your reply and very best wishes to you and yours.

 
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