 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Prostate Cancer / May 2008Biopsy next week
I'm a bit nervous. I'm 46, my PSA was 1.4 last year, 1.4 after a small kidney stone episode last month (and a subsequent visit to the urologist) and 1.0 a couple weeks later as prescribed by my GP. The urologist wants the biopsy because of a "firmness" on one side of my prostate. He told me it's probably nothing, but wants to be careful. I know that the statistics for an abnormal DRE with normal PSA is about 9% positive for cancer, so that's a bit of a comfort. Any words of wisdom or support GREATLY appreciated. John > I'm a bit nervous. I'm 46, my PSA was 1.4 last year, 1.4 after a small > kidney stone episode last month (and a subsequent visit to the > urologist) and 1.0 a couple weeks later as prescribed by my GP. (snip) I recommend making sure that the surgeon takes steps to assure that the procedure is painless. Notwithstanding the naysayers, there simply is no way for an individual to know whether he will be lucky and escape without pain, or unlucky and undergo what has been described as agony. Why gamble? Here is an article on the subject: http://prostate-cancer.org/resource/prostate_cancer_news_archives.php4?id=35580 I also recommend that by way of second opinion, since the biopsy results are of supreme importance, the specimens be examined by a pathology lab that specializes in such work. The cost is about $350 (more for additional services) and I understand that it is covered by insurance and Medicare. In enlightened jurisdictions, those specimens are the property of the patient and no one else. Assert your authority as necessary. Here is a list of specialist labs: Bostwick Laboratories [800] 214-6628 Dianon Laboratories [800] 328-2666 (select 5 for client services) Jon Epstein (Hopkins) [410] 955-5043 or [410] 955-2162 David Grignon (Michigan) [313] 745-2520 Jon Oppenheimer (Tennessee) [888] 868-7522 UroCor, Inc. [800] 411-1839 Good luck. Regards, Steve J “Prostate cancer is often described as a curable disease made incurable by late diagnosis." --David Wright, Advanced PCa patient East Comiston, Scotland >I'm a bit nervous. I'm 46, my PSA was 1.4 last year, 1.4 after a small >kidney stone episode last month (and a subsequent visit to the [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >John Hi John. Nobody can possibly know but with a fall in your latest PSA and a low reading at that, is it possible that your uro is being alarmist and drumming up unnecessary work? Might you consider, even at this late stage, getting an independant review of that DRE? Are there other factors? PCa in your forebears? If you do have PCa, I'd expect at such a tender age and with a low PSA you've caught it early and so you've the luxury of time on your side to consider all the options. If taking a bet on your outcome were compulsory, I'd bet on your being ok - but I must re-state, nobody knows. Take it easy, in our world things usually move slowly at the start. Best of luck. > >I'm a bit nervous. I'm 46, my PSA was 1.4 last year, 1.4 after a small > >kidney stone episode last month (and a subsequent visit to the [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > and a low reading at that, is it possible that your uro is being > alarmist and drumming up unnecessary work? This has crossed my mind. > Might you consider, even > at this late stage, getting an independant review of that DRE? Not really. > Are there other factors? PCa in your forebears? Nope. No family history of any cancer. > If you do have PCa, I'd expect at such a tender age and with a low PSA > you've caught it early and so you've the luxury of time on your side [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Take it easy, in our world things usually move slowly at the start. > Best of luck. Thanks very much for your thoughful reply. John >> Might you consider, even >> at this late stage, getting an independant review of that DRE? > >Not really. In any case, now that the process is in train you'd probably worry that failure by a second uro to find the firm spot was through lack of skill rather than absence of suspicion. Hope the biopsy is uneventful. As Steve J advises, make sure you ask for help with pain control. I had three biopsies in all, soft flicking elastic band was the sensation, in my case amplified by fear and feeling tense but much more imagined than real. Couple of hours of vague and entirely untroubling soreness afterwards. Please let us know the result! > >> Might you consider, even > >> at this late stage, getting an independant review of that DRE? [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Please let us know the result! I will. I do take Xanax on occasion. I'll also load up on that before the procedure. On May 6, John replied to "rosbif": > I do take Xanax on occasion. I'll also load up on that before > the procedure. Xanax affects the central nervous system. I urgently recommend that the medic be consulted before self-medication is attempted. Note: it is not an analgesic (pain killer). See: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/alpraz.htm Regards, Steve J > I will. I do take Xanax on occasion. I'll also load up on that before > the procedure. Only with your GP and uro's cooperation, I hope. That is definitely NOT a benign drug and has numerous interactions with food and other drugs. You should also have someone else drive you while on it. I.P. > I'm a bit nervous. I'm 46, my PSA was 1.4 last year, 1.4 after a small > kidney stone episode last month (and a subsequent visit to the [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Any words of wisdom or support GREATLY appreciated. Buy low, sell high, and don't worry about statistics until you find whether you're one of the 9% or of the 91%. At 46 a 1.4 and a 1.0 are good news. "Firmness" on one side of the prostate is cause for a biopsy, but not cause for worry, concern, or alarm. Assuming you haven't had a succession of PSAs from which to determine a pattern, I think a biopsy is a good idea. It can be painless and cathartic.  SignaturePSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46 Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA <.1 <.1 <.1 .27 .37 .75 PSAD 0.19 years EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 PSAD .056 years Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 and every 4 months there after PSA .07 .05 .06 .09 .08 .132 .145 PSAD 1.4 years Casodex added daily 07/06 PSA <0.04, <0.05, <0.04, <0.04, <0.1 2/12/08 Non Illegitimi Carborundum > > I'm a bit nervous. I'm 46, my PSA was 1.4 last year, 1.4 after a small > > kidney stone episode last month (and a subsequent visit to the [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > PSA <0.04, <0.05, <0.04, <0.04, <0.1 2/12/08 > Non Illegitimi Carborundum Second on the pain relief. The biopsy was the worst part of my diagnosis and treatment. Best of luck and check back in. If you come out in the 9%, know that there are a few of us younger guys in this group. PSA 2.6 10/05, 3.3 10/06, 3.3 (9% Free) 1/07, 4.1 4/15/07 @ 44 > Biopsy 6/15/2007 G6 (3+3), T1c > RRP 10/2/2007 G6 (3+3), T2cN0M0 Neg margins > PSA 1/08 <.1 > > "John" <jcarne...@verizon.net> wrote in message > [quoted text clipped - 50 lines] > > - Show quoted text - Thanks guys. I was kidding on the Xanax, BTW. I take it under a doctors orders and wouldn't think of taking it with the possibility of being given something prior to the biopsy. I sure hope it turns out to be nothing. Reading the posts in this group has scared the hell out of me. I had a mild heart attack this time last year (I'm fine now with no damage) and figure I've really had enough! John C. I sure hope it turns out to be nothing. Reading the posts in this group has scared the hell out of me. I had a mild heart attack this time last year (I'm fine now with no damage) and figure I've really had enough! John C. ==> We do too! We enjoy nothing more than ripping up temporary passes to our NG. |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.