TP biopsy day

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!

Hello mate.

Thanks for posting your biopsy experience.

Now, on a sliding scale, if 10 meant, 'It was a doddle' and 0 meant 'It was the worst thing that's ever happened to me'. How would you score it? 🙂

I'd have given mine 8.