Prostate cancer
Discussion
rovermorris999 said:
Did they offer Tamsulosin?.....
They didn't offer anything. Treatment for an enlarged prostate was only briefly mentioned upon my first appointment prior to having the finger test, so at that time my enlarged prostate hadn't been diagnosed. She mentioned if I had one there were options such as medication, surgery etc and then went on to briefly discuss if cancer was found. She then did the finger test, sent me for an MRI, which lead to a biopsy. The enlarged prostate was never mentioned again, and then I got the letter saying ny biopsy result was benign. Good news to receive, but got me wondering about my enlarged prostate.
If my bladder symptoms get worse I guess I;ll have to speak to my GP regarding another referral for it?
The Gauge said:
If my bladder symptoms get worse I guess I;ll have to speak to my GP regarding another referral for it?
If it's disturbing your sleep I'd ask about it now, very surprising they didn't offer it, my GP suggested it straight away. In my case it did the job and with no side effects, I've been on it about three years. My father-in-law, now 85, has been on it for a decade or longer with no problems.rovermorris999 said:
If it's disturbing your sleep I'd ask about it now, very surprising they didn't offer it, my GP suggested it straight away. In my case it did the job and with no side effects, I've been on it about three years. My father-in-law, now 85, has been on it for a decade or longer with no problems.
Thanks, pleased it is working for you both and is symptom free, I will give it some consideration. I'm currently being woken up around 6am - 7am, so not particularly disruptive, yet!The Gauge said:
rovermorris999 said:
If it's disturbing your sleep I'd ask about it now, very surprising they didn't offer it, my GP suggested it straight away. In my case it did the job and with no side effects, I've been on it about three years. My father-in-law, now 85, has been on it for a decade or longer with no problems.
Thanks, pleased it is working for you both and is symptom free, I will give it some consideration. I'm currently being woken up around 6am - 7am, so not particularly disruptive, yet!I'd almost ignored the night time issues as I've always been a terrible sleeper anyway. But now I'm noticing more potential 'dribble' issues and tend to have to be more diligent with my peeing and hang around for the afters. getting old is a load of old b
ks....... and I'm only 55!The Gauge said:
westberks said:
... hang around for the afters........ and I'm only 55!
^ That describes it perfectly. I don't always get that feeling that I've finished, like I used to....and I'm only 51!the worst is when i hold it too long; which is hard enough in itself. Then i struggle to go properly and end up having 3-4 visits in a short period with a lot of discomfort. Happens rarely as I obviously try to avoid that happening. Sporting events and gigs are the prime opportunity for this so I tend to not drink at these r certainly very little.
Very interesting read.
It looks like I'm starting down that road aged 60.
I few mild waterworks niggles and so went to the GP. PSA came back at 26(!!). An urgent referral to Addenbrookes prostate clinic went in yesterday.
Might be nothing serious but it will be whatever it is. I'll deal with it.
Can I echo the constant refrain in the thread - FFS get yourself checked. Yes, that might involve having a finger pushed up your bum (for which you pay good money up West, allegedly) but still get checked.
Ironically, I seem to have skipped the finger up bum stage, as the GP said that the hospital will do that and there's no point in subjecting it to me twice. I suspect he didn't fancy me.
It looks like I'm starting down that road aged 60.
I few mild waterworks niggles and so went to the GP. PSA came back at 26(!!). An urgent referral to Addenbrookes prostate clinic went in yesterday.
Might be nothing serious but it will be whatever it is. I'll deal with it.
Can I echo the constant refrain in the thread - FFS get yourself checked. Yes, that might involve having a finger pushed up your bum (for which you pay good money up West, allegedly) but still get checked.
Ironically, I seem to have skipped the finger up bum stage, as the GP said that the hospital will do that and there's no point in subjecting it to me twice. I suspect he didn't fancy me.
Were you well rested for a couple of days before the test, well hydrated and no ejaculation or recent infections? The test is very susceptible and can give artificially high readings. I had a reading once of 19 as it was taken too soon (two weeks) after a UTI. The BUPA urologist said to wait at least two months after a UTI. It gave me a bit of a fright, settled down to 4 a few weeks later.
Reasonably rested - I'd only walked the dogs beforehand. Normally hydrated, I'd say. I don't recall having the "breakfast of champions" that morning but might have.
The doctor was reasonably chilled that it could be a false positive - but also was in "let's not f### around" mode too.
Telephone consult with the Prostate Triage Team in 2 weeks but having a chat with a consultant urologist friend today hopefully.
The doctor was reasonably chilled that it could be a false positive - but also was in "let's not f### around" mode too.
Telephone consult with the Prostate Triage Team in 2 weeks but having a chat with a consultant urologist friend today hopefully.
AstonZagato said:
Can I echo the constant refrain in the thread - FFS get yourself checked. Yes, that might involve having a finger pushed up your bum (for which you pay good money up West, allegedly) but still get checked.
You are right, but I don’t think GO’s will do a OSA test unless you have symptoms of prostate issues, unless age becomes a factor? My employer arranged mine which came back slightly high for my age, so my GP agreed to do a second test. But without having any symptoms I doubt my GP would have done the initial test in the first place. The only way would be to lie.
The Gauge said:
AstonZagato said:
Can I echo the constant refrain in the thread - FFS get yourself checked. Yes, that might involve having a finger pushed up your bum (for which you pay good money up West, allegedly) but still get checked.
You are right, but I don’t think GP’s will do a PSA test unless you have symptoms of prostate issues, unless age becomes a factor? My employer arranged mine which came back slightly high for my age, so my GP agreed to do a second test. But without having any symptoms I doubt my GP would have done the initial test in the first place. The only way would be to lie.
My GP wrapped it into a "Well Man" screening. I only had/have very mild symptoms (his baseline assumption was that it was age related). He didn't need any persuading.
AstonZagato said:
MRI now booked for Monday
That's good. It's my belief that the MRI is the procedure needed and the PSA test is really just a pre-MRI screening to indicate whether the NHS should spend ££ on an MRI. The PSA reading can be meaningless regardless of it being low or high but the MRI is the one you want. I'd say it's worth having a high PSA reading just to get an MRI scan. Imagine having low PSA readings every year whilst unknowingly having prostate cancer!Unless having too many MRI scans is unhealthy, then I'll be hoping my next PSA test will be high to trigger another MRI. Anyone know if its safe to have multiple MRI scans over the years?
Have just read this thread from the beginning - I’m 54, don’t have to get up in the middle of the night to pee (even after a ’few’ beers..), no, that I know of, history of PC in the immediate family.
What I do have is a slight lower back / left hip pain - not enough for painkillers but it’s noticeably there.
Should I see my GP for a PSA anyway? (Considering my age)
What I do have is a slight lower back / left hip pain - not enough for painkillers but it’s noticeably there.
Should I see my GP for a PSA anyway? (Considering my age)
Square Leg said:
Have just read this thread from the beginning - I’m 54, don’t have to get up in the middle of the night to pee (even after a ’few’ beers..), no, that I know of, history of PC in the immediate family.
What I do have is a slight lower back / left hip pain - not enough for painkillers but it’s noticeably there.
Should I see my GP for a PSA anyway? (Considering my age)
I would say yes, and mention the pain.What I do have is a slight lower back / left hip pain - not enough for painkillers but it’s noticeably there.
Should I see my GP for a PSA anyway? (Considering my age)
Whilst I don't advocate lying to the NHS I think it might be worth you telling your GP that you do get up in the night, maybe you don't feel like you fully empty your bladder, and you urinate more often than you used to. These symptoms should trigger your GP to perform the PSA test, otherwise they may fob you off saying they don't do PSA tests as a matter of course without any symptoms.
Even after I had two high PSA readings (for my age - I'm 51 and had readings of 4 & 5) my GP wasn't overly alarmed but thankfully decided to refer me to the hospital Urology dept for an MRI just to be safe as I'd previously mentioned that I had started having to get up early in the morning for the toilet, and went more often than I used to, though I realise these may also just be age related symptoms.
Edited by The Gauge on Wednesday 1st November 19:38
AstonZagato said:
PSA tests are available privately for well under £100.
Useful to know. I think that if I have normal PSA readings over the next few years I will consider paying the £500 or so for the private test that was mentioned earlier in the thread, the one where you have to travel to one of the few centres who perform it and where the blood sample is sent off to somewhere like Sweden for a result that is about 98% accurate.I can't recall how accurate the PSA test is but it's a much much lower %Square Leg said:
Have just read this thread from the beginning - I’m 54, don’t have to get up in the middle of the night to pee (even after a ’few’ beers..), no, that I know of, history of PC in the immediate family.
What I do have is a slight lower back / left hip pain - not enough for painkillers but it’s noticeably there.
Should I see my GP for a PSA anyway? (Considering my age)
Absent urinary symptoms, there are other things more likely to be causing your pain than metastatic prostate cancer. For example sacroiliac joint inflammation. What I do have is a slight lower back / left hip pain - not enough for painkillers but it’s noticeably there.
Should I see my GP for a PSA anyway? (Considering my age)
Don't forget that you were walking about like a bit of a spaz, with your foot in a brace, for quite while. You will have shifted your not inconsiderable weight to your other leg, which could have caused mechanical issues and inflammation.
second PSA result in a month back. 1st exceeded 20 and this one was 19.7 and the doctors seemed happy to let that ride after my previous results averaging 16.
i'm not happy with that and have made an appointment with hte doctor as the urinary side of things is slightly worse and feel another MRI or taking some meds will be required. Feeling a bit pee'd off with the surgery for thinking that a steady rise of 20% is 'normal' even for me.
i'm not happy with that and have made an appointment with hte doctor as the urinary side of things is slightly worse and feel another MRI or taking some meds will be required. Feeling a bit pee'd off with the surgery for thinking that a steady rise of 20% is 'normal' even for me.
Another procedure to be made widely available to reduce an enlarged prostate. Not heard of this before.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1271018...
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1271018...
Edited by rovermorris999 on Sunday 5th November 11:44
rovermorris999 said:
Another procedure to made widely available to reduce an enlarged prostate. Not heard of this before.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1271018...
Interesting, and looks promising.https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1271018...
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff