I've never had a prostate ultrasound. Is that real miserable? I assume
it doesn't last too long? I assume after the test one can function well
just like after a DRE?
In short, what's it like?
I see my urologist Monday. I am having bad BPH problems so I suspect
that might be one of the tests to be done.
Mel

===> hi mel... let's see.  a prostate ultrasound???  huummmm....   ok,
do you like something the size of night stick shoved up your butt?  

just kidding....   it's a TRUS unit.  this has the ultra-sound unit it
and guides the doctor on where they place the needle sticks for the
prostate sample biopsies.  only if you are getting the ultra-sound only,
they won't do the needle sticks.

the needle sticks aren't really painful, just for further reference.
and they can give you a numbing agent to make all this experience very
tolerable.

you can probably ask for pictures of your prostate too.  my surgeon ran
some off to show me where he thought the troublesome spots were.   it
also gives the size of your prostate in the corner on them too.

seriously, it's not a big deal.  only takes a couple of minutes and
that's it.

in fact, here's a thought for you.  if you are going this far,  why not
have the prostate samples taken and this is the gold standard on what's
going on with your prostate, in terms that the lab can physically see
your prostate tissue and tell you what's going on.

hope monday is a good day for you....

~ 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

I had TRUS 4 yrs ago before TUMT and PVP.  The TRUS is a very minor
procedure that can be thought of in the same category as a DRE. No prep
is necessary.  They have you positioned on the table on your left side
with your right leg drawn up to your chest.  My URO put numbing gel on
the anus and the probe and the insertion into the anal canal was like a
DRE.  It is nothing to be concerned about, has few if any side effects
and is really more of a nuisance that anything else. If the screen is
positioned right you can see the pics as he does the procedure.  It
helps to measure the size of the prostate and whether you have any
calcifications or other suspicious areas needing further investigation.

I have not had biopsy done in connection with the TRUS.  My
understanding is that if they plan to do a biopsy they give you
instructions about prep prior to the procedure which includes emptying
the anal canal prior to the procedure.  They likely put you on
antibiotics for a couple of days prior to the procedure.  I have heard
varying reports about the pain involved in taking the needle samples.
One friend told me that no anesthetic was used during his biopsy and
that the pain was so great that he would NEVER EVER have another one
without general anesthetic.  Others have reported with local anesthetic
that the pain is tolerable. I would never have one without injection of
local anesthetic into the prostate prior to the needle biopsies. Depends
on one's pain threshhold I guess.

You're correct.
Just like a DRE

aka TransRectalUltrasound

aka TransRectalUltrasound