From: kilowatt@charter.net (Terry)

I am having trouble going to the bathroom. I go frequently and in a very
small amount. It is not painful, but it is uncomfortable.

I had a PSA test done and it was 4.75. My urine showed up a little
blood.
The doctor ordered a MRI and did a biopsy.
When I went to see the doctor he said all the results were negative.
He was going to tell me to come back in 6 months and send me on my way.
I reminded him that I was having trouble going to the bathroom so he
prescribed FloMax.
It seems to help some but I still go at night and frequently.
He never ordered another PSA test.
I am thinking that I should go see another doctor.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

====> interesting.......

back in 2002, i was having a slowing down in urine flow and when i got
my psa tested, i was 5 49.   after two weeks of antibiotics, it was down
to 4.7   they did a follow up to a uro visit which lead to a biopsy,
which lead to prostate cancer, which lead to surgery, which lead to the
source of my problem on the slow peeing.

i have a piece of BPH tissue growing out of the prostate which had grown
into the bladder wall and collapsed it and it was covering the output
hole of the bladder.  i was in the process of rental shutdown.

the surgeon says that it doesn't happen that often, it does happen.

so, what i thought was a BPH condition proved out to be a lot more.

bottom line - you need to take care of your health.  get more testing
done.  if nothing else, get a free psa test ran.  that will give you
some idea of was going on too.

~ curtis

knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional    
"Many more men die with prostate cancer than of it. Growing old is
invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so."
http://community.webtv.net/PALMER_ENT/doc

Hello, Terry:

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles.  How old a man are you?  A PSA of
4.75 is a danger signal for a younger man.  I am 51, and my PSA was
5.2 when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  But a PSA like 4.75 is
interpreted very differently for men in their late 70s or 80s.

If you are having trouble urinating, and producing small amounts, that
could be an enlarged prostate.  The negative biopsy supports that, but
is not conclusive.  I think that a urologist would have discussed with
you a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).  Sometimes the
slang term is 'roto-rooter surgery.'  It sounds worse than it is; I
think a lot of men who have had it report relief pretty quickly.  Of
course, I'm not a doctor so I don't know if such a procedure is right
for you.

You always have a right to a second opinion.  And you should feel
informed about what's happening to you.  If you don't and your doctor
isn't helping you, fire him/her.

You should also consider getting a good book on the prostate, like
Walsh's or Scardino's.

Good luck.

--charlie

4.75 is not that high.  Folks here mention that size matters.
There's a (treatment decision making) algorithm here
http://www.cfpc.ca/cfp/2004/Jan/vol50-jan-cme-2.asp (where you'll see that
10 is in the watchful waiting category).

and other things that produce PSA
http://www.diagnosis.prostate-help.org/pcpsaot.htm
from http://www.diagnosis.prostate-help.org/

PSA should not be taken within 48 hours of the prostate
manipulation/massaging orgasm or DRE.

There's other things that can cause blood in the urine, kidney cancer,
bladder cancer, penile cancer, too vigourous masturbation, infections and
the list is probably longer.

Your doctor prescribed Flomax. Most doctors assume followup by the
patient.
(when you go back) Talk with him as to whether further tests should be
pursued and/or some of the issues I've posted here. If still in doubt, get
a different opinion, possibly from a specialist at a teaching hospital to
set your mind at rest and/or get retested in 6 months but do make sure you
don't stress over it; communicate with your doctor.
J
PS blood in the urine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003138.htm

if he is then you need a different one. You need a Urologist when it
comes to plumbing. I would think your doctor should have checked for
infection and done a cystoscopy (a peek up the urethra to the bladder
- that has been my experience. From recent studies, any PSA over 2.5
is suspicious and prostate cancer should be ruled out by finding out
why the PSA is elevated. What was the pathologist's report from the
biopsy, it should have prostate size and PSA density. Did you get a
Free PSA test - it is another indicator for risk of cancer.

Some doctors take our problems far too lightly. Best wishes.