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Fearing the worst

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User

Posted 31 Dec 2016 at 09:57

I'm 49 , recently had repeated urinary infections. GP sent off urine and blood tests Friday before XMas.

Called the drs surgery, they say I need to discuss my PSA results with him and have another glucose blood test, he is not available until weds next week.

Having started to research things I expect I will have a psa score to hear. Not sure what the glucose blood test is for ?

User

Posted 31 Dec 2016 at 11:24

Hello Coxy and welcome

I assume from your post and the fact that you've joined the site that you are thinking Prostate Cancer?

There are a few reasons for raised PSA and in itself a raised PSA does not indicate cancer. What it does is tell your GP is that something needs investigating and he/she wants to see you to discuss this.

Did the GP do a digital rectal exam before Christmas? This, together with a raised PSA would tell him/her it would be wise, as a precaution, to refer you on.

You haven't reached that stage yet though and googling will only make you more anxious.

Raised PSA could be caused by your repeated infections or BPH (enlarged prostate) and it's best to rule those out before getting too anxious.

IF you have PC and you eventually get scores (like PSA, Gleason ) then by all means ask away and somebody is bound to be able to advise you.

In the meantime, try not to fret or get too far ahead of yourself.

Best Wishes

Sandra

Edited by member 31 Dec 2016 at 11:26 | Reason: Not specified

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 31 Dec 2016 at 13:01

On that basis Coxy, it might be a good idea to download The Toolkit which is free and available from the publications section above.

Don't get too hooked on the scary bits, they may not apply to you but it might help you and your wife to form questions you want to ask.

Write them down before you go and right down the answers to whatever is relevant to you (according to the consultation).

Ask any question you want answers to on here. Nobody is offended by personal questions and nothing is taboo if it is something you want to know.

This is an excellent site with lots of helpful members. Remember, that if you do have PC then everyone on here will know how you and your wife feel. We've all been there, done that and some have literally got the T.Shirt!!

Best Wishes

Sandra

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 06 Jan 2017 at 23:22

Hi Coxy,

My understanding is PSA under 10 is considered quite low .. Funnily as a OH and therefore have no prostrate During the waiting period I started to have to get up and go to the loo in the night which is unheard of for me! Think I came out in sympathy with symptoms my husband wasn't experiencing!

The power of the brain! So I am now in a positive mode ( which is easier now we have a diagnosis! ) and sleeping again! I suggest you nag for an appointment!

Fingers crossed for you

Clare

User

Posted 07 Jan 2017 at 16:19

Coxy

Were you referred under the two week pathway?

I'm 46 and had an initial PSA of 6.2. Turned out to be T3b and Gleason 9. I had no prior symptoms.

The waiting game is hard.

Hopefully they'll do a multi parametric MRI and then a biopsy. The PCUK website or nurses will explain those.

Walter

User

Posted 07 Jan 2017 at 18:06

Coxy

I had robotic surgery on 9th December. I met my urologist on 4th January. Before surgery, I was T3a and Gleason 7. Now, they've upgraded me to T3b and Gleason 9. I'm seeing the oncologist on 11th January to discuss immediate follow up treatment. For me, I'm finding this period of waiting worse than the initial period of waiting, probably because I know I'm in a more serious situation now.

Waiting is hard, Coxy, but at least you're in the system and the system moves quickly once you're on the two week pathway.

Show Most Thanked Posts

User

Posted 31 Dec 2016 at 11:24

Hello Coxy and welcome

I assume from your post and the fact that you've joined the site that you are thinking Prostate Cancer?

Did the GP do a digital rectal exam before Christmas? This, together with a raised PSA would tell him/her it would be wise, as a precaution, to refer you on.

You haven't reached that stage yet though and googling will only make you more anxious.

Raised PSA could be caused by your repeated infections or BPH (enlarged prostate) and it's best to rule those out before getting too anxious.

IF you have PC and you eventually get scores (like PSA, Gleason ) then by all means ask away and somebody is bound to be able to advise you.

In the meantime, try not to fret or get too far ahead of yourself.

Best Wishes

Sandra

Edited by member 31 Dec 2016 at 11:26 | Reason: Not specified

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 31 Dec 2016 at 11:50

Thanks Sandra

Yes you're right, however things haven't been right for a while with theses repeated infections, reduced flow and some erectile issues, which I fear is all beginning to add up.

However I was pleased to find this community, and nervously await next weeks appointment, which my wife is coming to.

Coxy

User

Posted 31 Dec 2016 at 13:01

On that basis Coxy, it might be a good idea to download The Toolkit which is free and available from the publications section above.

Don't get too hooked on the scary bits, they may not apply to you but it might help you and your wife to form questions you want to ask.

Write them down before you go and right down the answers to whatever is relevant to you (according to the consultation).

Ask any question you want answers to on here. Nobody is offended by personal questions and nothing is taboo if it is something you want to know.

Best Wishes

Sandra

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 31 Dec 2016 at 13:03

Thanks Sandra

User

Posted 31 Dec 2016 at 19:15

As Sandra said, it could be a number of things.

If you want to know your PSA results, you can get them over the phone from the surgery - I always call the surgery for the results - ask for the actual number as sometimes the receptionist just tells me "it's OK". At least you would know and then be prepared for the meeting with GP. The thing to remember is that a raised PSA is just an indicator and could be due to other infections.

Re: blood glucose the doctor is probably looking for Type 2 diabetes?

Good luck.

Chris

User

Posted 31 Dec 2016 at 20:03

Chris,

It certainly makes it easier if the GP's receptionist will give you PSA results over the phone, mine like many will not do so. I have to first establish over the phone that results are in and if so present at the surgery. Sometimes I am then given the result immediately and at other times the receptionist has said, "I don't think Dr X has seen this yet", whereupon she consults Dr and then gives me the result. So GP surgeries can work in different ways.

Barry

User

Posted 31 Dec 2016 at 20:16

Good point Barry. I guess I'm lucky they have been so helpful to date - but always worth trying.

Chris

User

Posted 31 Dec 2016 at 23:01

Cheers Chris

I didn't think to ask , as I guessed that they wouldn't tell me over the phone, she simply said the doctor needed to discuss my psa results.

That's what I thought about diabetes, but thought there might be a link to the psa results .

I will ring on Tuesday though

Thanks

Coxy

User

Posted 01 Jan 2017 at 15:26

AS pointed out Raised PSA can b due to many other factors, But can b due to PCa also . So ruling out PCa is must.
Dont panic. but dont ignore too.,
Best wishes.

User

Posted 02 Jan 2017 at 13:32

Thanks for the kind words.

User

Posted 03 Jan 2017 at 15:24

Waiting for results was the worst 2 weeks... Hope you are coping

Regards

Clare

User

Posted 04 Jan 2017 at 18:46

Thanks to all for kind words.

I have been referred to the urologist following raised PSA results of 6.5. I was told the expected level for my age was 2.8

So now I await the appointment.

User

Posted 06 Jan 2017 at 13:22

So now experiencing sleepless nights and headaches.

I'm also now going to the loo more often, and feel when I'm in bed that pains are emerging.

Is this common, perhaps a psychosomatic response? I'm now worried (clearly pessimistic) that things are progressing while waiting for an appointment.

Sounds pathetic I know, but seeking others experience in that inbtween stage.

User

Posted 06 Jan 2017 at 14:59

Hi , sorry you're feeling rough. I'm more than sure that the endless worry of cancer affects you more and more as a person , and there is no doubt relentless stress can affect your bodily functions. Admittedly I've always been a worrier and am also bipolar , but 18 months on from the op I have bad abdominal pain and adhesions. They suggested it may be diverticulitis. Then the cialis caused acid and swallowing issues so I was given Lansoprazole. This is causing IBS etc etc. Knees hurting , awful back , fingers hurting. The list goes on haha. And my Onco never seems worried even though I have recurrence and need ongoing treatment for G9 T4 N1 !!!
So yes I'd really really like to hope this is just worry mate. Try to relax and milky drink at bed.
Wishing you all the best
Chris

User

Posted 06 Jan 2017 at 16:48

Cheers Chris

Not even been seen by the urologist yet, and pains seem to be increasing .

Thanks for the positive words - yes I'm a worrier

Coxy

User

Posted 06 Jan 2017 at 23:22

Hi Coxy,

The power of the brain! So I am now in a positive mode ( which is easier now we have a diagnosis! ) and sleeping again! I suggest you nag for an appointment!

Fingers crossed for you

Clare

User

Posted 07 Jan 2017 at 00:22

Thanks Clare

Spoke to the hospital today and they told us the consultant would triage my case, and to call back on weds if I haven't heard anything .

I'm calling on Monday, and Tuesday !

Coxy

User

Posted 07 Jan 2017 at 16:19

Coxy

Were you referred under the two week pathway?

I'm 46 and had an initial PSA of 6.2. Turned out to be T3b and Gleason 9. I had no prior symptoms.

The waiting game is hard.

Hopefully they'll do a multi parametric MRI and then a biopsy. The PCUK website or nurses will explain those.

Walter

User

Posted 07 Jan 2017 at 17:42

Cheers Walter

Yes I have been referred under the 2 week pathway.

Where are you now? What are you doing ?

Coxy

User

Posted 07 Jan 2017 at 18:06

Coxy

Waiting is hard, Coxy, but at least you're in the system and the system moves quickly once you're on the two week pathway.

User

Posted 07 Jan 2017 at 18:39

Thanks Walter

Based on how I'm feeling, I can imagine it's 10 times harder for you.

Yes, I'm glad things are moving but, as you've evidenced, scared of what I'm going to find out.

Good Luck for 11th of January.

Coxy

User

Posted 06 Feb 2017 at 13:46

Hope things went ok Coxy. Guessing it was good news.

User

Posted 06 Feb 2017 at 17:32

Hi all

And apologies for the tardy update.

Consultation on 19th went well -DRE suggested that proatatitis was the most likely issue.

If cancer was present it was too early to be detected, however I am having ultrasound check of bladder urethra and kidneys to try to eliminate other possible causes of repeate UTIs.

I have medication for 3 months for strong antibiotics and to help improve my flow .

A follow up PSA test and consultation in April.

So of all the things it could have been - seems like the most benign.

So thanks for everyone's kind words - and the advice of the prostate nurses on here that said the PSA test should not have been done so close to my infection .

So not conclusive by any means - but a lot more relaxed than I was

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