Just how painful IS a transperineal biopsy?

User

Posted 31 Jul 2023 at 04:33

I had 12 under local and 3 months later 24.

My 1st experience was rather teasing and uncomfortable. So I decided to keep myself busy (talking to the nurse standing next to me) 2nd time round. It did work. I virtually felt nothing during biopsy.

User

Posted 27 Nov 2023 at 17:30

Had a TB today

Feet up in stirrups with everything on show so forget about any dignity (doctor lifted scrotum and covered with a pad to keep it out of the way but not until both female nurses had had a good gawp at my meat and 2 veg)

Local anaesthetic, no more painful than the needle at the dentist

Mainly just uncomfortable but felt about 25% of samples taken, sharp stabbing pain and intake of breath, apology from doctor each time

2 nurses engaged in general chit-chat to try to keep me relaxed/take my mind off it (impossible!)

Hot cup of coffee and a digestive afterwards

In and out in an hour

User

Posted 22 Jan 2024 at 18:43

Had a transperineal biopsy on the 18 January under local anaesthetic.

It was done by a nurse in training overseen by a doctor. The original plan was to take 12 samples but this changed to 24 when I arrived for the procedure. My positive outlook suggested that this was to give the nurse additional practice. :) She had a few ‘misfires’ meaning more than 24 ‘shots’.

Next to no pain during the procedure except for a couple of times I felt a very small sting from the needle.

A little bit of blood when I went to the toilet at the hospital and zero since. No pain whatsoever. Not got as far as finding out how much blood is in my semen.

I hope the above helps someone about to go through this.

Edited by member 22 Jan 2024 at 18:45 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 24 Jan 2025 at 14:38

I had a transperineal targeted biopsy with 24 cores taken under a local aesthetic.

The biopsies were very tolerable, as others have said it's like a flicking elastic band at worse.

The ultrasound probe in the back passage was uncomfortable but very tolerable.

The initial local aesthetic was the worse bit of the whole procedure, the deeper injections did hurt but its very quick.
I just grittted my teeth, one of the nurse held my hand for that bit and comforted me.

After effects have been minimal, initial first pee a small amount of blood and weakish flow, but no other blood in the urine after that.
Normal flow returned after 12hrs.

My urologist said he can see on the ultrasound if the prostate is badly inflamed after the procedure, if it would cause a restriction of the urethra to restrict peeing, but said its very rare to ever see this.

Mild post procedure soreness in the area where the needles went in, and similar in the back passage from the probe.
I didn't take any painkillers afterwards, these symptoms rapidly declined over a few days.

Its the unknown with these procedures, but I would say to anyone please don't worry the nursing team and consultant will put you at ease.

Edited by member 24 Jan 2025 at 15:38 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 13 Feb 2025 at 17:02

We are all different so of course my experience will be different from others so here goes.

After an mri scan i was quickly booked in for a tp biopsy under local anaesthetic but unfortunately we had to abandon the procedure because I couldn't handle the pain level of the probe in the rectum so the consultant very kindly explained the options to me and I opted to go again but with a general anaesthetic two weeks later (I e. Today) at 0730.

The whole procedure took about 20 minutes from falling asleep to waking up, I have been very lucky in as much as I have experienced no blood in either my pee or my poo. (It's now 5.00pm )

The painkillers are wearing off and my "rusty sherries badge" is a bit tender although far from worthy of painkillers and taking a pee is a little uncomfortable inside, presumably where the urethra passes through the Prostate.

So the upshot of this word salad is......... General Anaesthetic every time! It's not a problem.

Keep on rocking and stay strong

Muzza

User

Posted 24 Feb 2025 at 11:54

I see this is quite an old post, but I had my TP biopsy 13th Feb 2025 in Stamford, Lincs. For me the most painful part was the ultrasound probe up the bottom, that was incredibly painful when first inserted, but thankfully the pain faded within a minute or so, the local anaesthetic to the perenium hurt a little and I could feel the needle moving around a bit to get the various biopsies and the clicking of the biopsy taking equipment. All in all not too bad, have to be able to urinate into a bottle and they check how full your bladder still is before you can go. For me, I had to empty my bladder again before they released me. I was able to drive OK, a bit sore but not painful, urinating was very slow the first night, lots of standing and waiting but returned to normal the next day. The sore bottom took 4 or 5 days to fully recover and the perenium/prostate was slightly sore for about a week when urinating.

Edited by member 24 Feb 2025 at 12:19 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 12 May 2025 at 17:37

After getting a PSA score of 8 it was followed up by an MRI scan a couple of weeks later. After that I received a calI and was asked whether I wanted a local or general anaesthetic re the upcoming Transperenial Biopsy. Probably for macho reasons I chose the local. If I had my time over again I'd go for general all day long. The initial anaesthetic injections were uncomfortable enough but I assumed that would be it for the pain. Alas not so and I found the actual biopsies themselves often quite painful. It seemed to go on for ever and I came to dread the wait between each biopsy click that makes you jump at times. The nurse and her assistant kept asking me questions during as though they were conducting a survey throughout the procedure. Just when you think it's over they spray something they call Spray-on Skin over the entry wounds and this initially stings like hell for a few minutes.

However, once back in the recovery room things calmed down quite quickly and the pain subsided to a dull ache.

So, I'd advise anybody having the procedure there's no need to be a hero. Have the general anaesthetic.

User

Posted 12 May 2025 at 18:02

I had local too in February but found the worst thing was when the ultrasound probe was first put up my backside, soo painful until the anaesthetic gel they put on it started to take effect. Had some soreness in my perenium for around 2 months, even went to GP as I was told this was not normal, but he did a DRE and full exam and couldn't find anything. Thankfully by the end of April all discomfort seemed to clear up.

Edited by member 12 May 2025 at 18:03 | Reason: Spelling

User

Posted 04 Jun 2025 at 14:17

Well, as it was me who first posted this 'back in the day' I've answered my own question below (albeit I initially posted it under a different topic: my bad) I waited just under 4 weeks to be diagnosed 3+4, no metastases. Given the options and had RARP 5 weeks later. 6 weeks off work and back mid-January. Two subsequent blood tests show no sign of cancer. God bless the NHS:

Posted 28 Sep 2024 at 12:28

Hi there. I had a TP biopsy yesterday. Had a raised PSA (just under 9) and an 'abnormality' on the subsequent MRI. Called in for the biopsy a few days later. Like you my anxiety levels were through the roof. So many stories on here about terrible pain, not enough anaesthetic and procedures being stopped. Armed with that I was dreading the whole thing. After the usual pre-procedure checks I was shown to 'the chair' which had lots of paper towels on it. Sat in the chair and somehow managed to get my legs into the stirrups (I'm not very flexible) and leant back. I should point out that the consultant did say if I was so worried about local anaesthetic I could have GA but that would be 2-3 weeks away. I did not want to go through the same build-up again so decided to go ahead with LA with the caveat that if the pain became too much it could be topped up, or stopped. I'm 6'1" tall and 15 stone but I was very, very anxious. Anyhow, once my legs were strapped to the stirrups and I was asked to hold a dressing against my chest that appeared to be keeping my ball-bag out of the war-zone, it began. The consultant first did a DRE, then pushed the gell-covered probe in. That was a tad uncomfortable. Then the chair was raised and tilted back so everyone could have a good look at my nether regions. As someone posted on here a while back 'Leave your dignity at the door'. I reminded myself that this was what these highly-trained NHS staff did all day, every day, so I needn't be self-conscious. I was swabbed with iodine, then a very cold spray was applied to numb the injections sites. The consultant put the first LA jab in which wasn't too bad (no idea where it went in) then another shortly afterwards into the prostate (I think) Then we waited 6 minutes. The longest 6 minutes of my life, hoping the LA would work. I asked the consultant how many samples he'd be taking and he replied '24' *gulp* Then he asked if I could feel anything, which I couldn't, and off we went. I have to say for most of it it was painless. Just the 'snapping' of the biopsy gun as it took the sample. Sometimes he would push quite deep with the needle and it felt momentarily 'very sore' as opposed to painful. I was so tense I was actually trembling, worried about excruciating pain that never actually came. The staff were great though (2 female nurses, 1 male consultant) Then at last it was over. Perhaps 15 minutes had passed - I can't be sure. I was tilted back upright, and sat there for a while letting the relief wash over me. When I got up the paper towel stuck to me and as I pulled it away I could see blood all over the seat. I was then shown to a toilet where I could pee (bit of blood at first but nothing after nor since) and change. Then into another room to be discharged and given the usual precautionary talk about side-effects etc. Seems it'll be 4-6 weeks before I hear anything (3 for the results to get to the MDT, then a week or 2 for them to discuss the results and call me back in) Going to be a long 4-6 weeks but at least the worst part is over (IMHO) Fingers crossed. I guess each of us has a different experience, and varying pain thresholds. This was my experience. Afterwards and today I have a dull ache across my perineum, but no other problems. I have yet to ejaculate to witness the tomato sauce semen!

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