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User

Posted 31 Mar 2024 at 14:43

I've recently had a targeted transperineal prostate biopsy. When the first sample was taken I jumped at the noise - it was a significant jump. How typical is this and what are your thoughts on the added risks?

My tumour is relatively small, but is right up against the wall of my prostate.

If you too jumped was this discussed at a later stage with your consultant?

I was warned that the first sample was going to be taken, but not about the noise. After the first sample I kept perfectly still. I wish I'd been warned ...

I have to wait, now, for 4 weeks until I get the biopsy results. My fear is that the tumour may be easily be able to leach out of my prostate, because of the added trauma. I suspect you can see where my thoughts are taking me.

Many thanks for any advice and/or feedback.

User

Posted 31 Mar 2024 at 19:27

Hi Barry,

I remember my first sample taken and the noise was a little alarming, more so than any pain from taking it. However the nurses were superb, talking to me all the time to 5am my mind off it, and it passed without any issue.

These people do these biopsies on a daily basis so I’m sure you will be ok, but if you’re concerned, why not give your CNS a phone and they will help put your mind at rest.

You will learn on this journey that the waiting is the worst part…but you do kind of get use to it although it doesn’t stop the anxiety waiting on results.

Good luck and all the best.

Derek

User

Posted 31 Mar 2024 at 20:40

Hi Derek, thank you for those kind and supportive words.

Yes it does seem to be a journey, from when I went for my first PSA (6.8 - I'm 65) at the end of January to now - waiting to hear the results on 24th April is hard. My mpMRI scan returned a Likert of 5, so I'm not kidding myself that I'll be cancer free, it's just how aggressive the cells will turn out to be.

The internet is a two edge sword, which helps and harms, especially when it's impossible to get through to the NHS support staff. With my wife's help, I'm surprising myself at how balanced I think I'm being, but this incident in the biopsy has fuelled an anxiety that I'd been keeping at bay. I'm struggling to get out of my mind the needles slicing through tissue rather just piercing and releasing highly mutated cells.

I'm sure others would have jumped when the first samples were taken. I can't be alone.

Otherwise the biopsy process went fine. The staff were considerate and caring, it's just that they are so pressured.

I will take up your suggestion and ring one of the specialist nurses on Tuesday for a chat.

Thanks again,

Barry

User

Posted 31 Mar 2024 at 22:05

Hi Barry,

Sorry that you had to find us but I'm glad you have. Welcome to the forum.

You'll be fine. The loud biopsy clicking noises made me jump. They sounded like these toys that I play with the grandkids.

https://www.choicewholesale.co.uk/products/click-catch-ball-game-12cm?variant=39822649229423&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk6SwBhDPARIsAJ59GweNyOpOjCmNYrmtINOgLmkUs_H3Xcw83zIfQFasY-MMbI2aogVxwkcaAr08EALw_wcB

😁

Good luck mate.

Edited by member 31 Mar 2024 at 22:09 | Reason: Link

User

Posted 31 Mar 2024 at 22:31

Thanks Adrian.

Not sure I really want to be here ... guess you know what I mean. However, now I'm here I'll try and help if I ever can.

Reading over the contributions in this community shows how supportive folk can be. If I hear from others who've jumped around a bit I'll feel a little more relieved.

Barry

User

Posted 01 Apr 2024 at 23:52

Hi,

Diagnosis is the worst part I found and some get more anxious than others. For me when the op date came I was excited and relieved as the days ticked down.

Sometimes reading certain things can trigger exaggerated thoughts. I did try to limit what I read and avoid some areas but needed to become knowledgeable about my own potential path.

A nurse on PCUK told me not to get ahead of myself when I rang them. I've often told myself that and found it helpful.

There was a display by a neon artist at a local art gallery that said in large neon lights 'everything is going to be alright'. I know I'd no evidence to support it but it seemed to be there for me and the thought often lifts my spirit. I'm sure that artwork is on line as it's toured the UK. You might find it and go to be lifted.

I hope all goes well for you. All the best Peter

User

Posted 02 Apr 2024 at 09:28

Thanks Peter for your support.

Most of the waiting days are OK, the elephant-in-the-room is only a mouse, but occasionally it returns to a full scale beast and my thoughts wander to extremes - not often, but occasionally.

My reasoning is that the research has to be done to build up knowledge, but then to try and position my expectations in the middle ground to cope with all possibilities... then to get outside ...

User

Posted 16 Apr 2024 at 15:28

Hi Barry

I have just been for my Biopsy (Monday) There was a surgeon who did the procedure and my oncologist was in the room. First off - the nurses put my legs up and were chatting away to put me at ease. The surgeon spoke to me and told me what to expect, the description of the first injections is like being at the dentist ... to put not to fine a point on it "bollocks" I cut my finger on the table saw at home a while back and I don't think that was as bad. A pinch, a scratch a little sting --- nope, if ever you have cut your finger with a Stanley knife that is closer. It is not unbearable and it only lasts for maybe 15 seconds but make no mistake it hurts. They took 14 samples, again the surgeon told me what was happening and what to expect, the clicking did not make me jump at all, it was the feeling inside my prostate that someone was flicking it with their finger, some people have likened it to an elastic band but it is more physical than that if that is the right description, if you tap your finger on the back of your hand reasonably hard, that will give you an idea of what I was feeling at each sample, not painful for the first seven or eight. Then they changed sides (of the prostate) number one - hit the roof ..... top up of anesthetic wait five minutes and off we go again, number 2 and yes it made me jump again and no it wasn't the sound.

So for anybody looking for experiences of this procedure the upshot is does it hurt? - initially yes but not unbearable, once the local takes effect not really. Does the sound make you jump, it depends I suppose, I have cigarette lighters that make more noise (harsher clicking) does the biopsy make you jump, in my case yes - every time, oh and lastly is it just me or after the local wears off do you feel like someone has stuck a base ball up your arse and left it there??. on a good note pee'd strait away and no blood in the urine at all.

Edited by member 16 Apr 2024 at 15:30 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 16 Apr 2024 at 16:40

Hi Barry I think I jumped every time they took a sample. Fortunately they knew where to aim for and did not take too many. My cancer had not spread although was up to the outer edge of the prostate.

User

Posted 16 Apr 2024 at 17:55

Well that made me smile. Thanks for taking the time to reply. hope you managed to free up the base ball

8 days to go till I get the results...

User

Posted 16 Apr 2024 at 17:58

Thanks Jim for helping.

The NHS is so stretched and getting through to any of the staff for any advice, or to correct a mistake they made, has been almost the worse part of my experience so far. Makes these forum replies to useful ...

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