I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about
Know exactly what you want?
Show search

Notification

Error

<123>

PSA 6.5

Email this conversation Print this conversation
User
Posted 13 Mar 2018 at 17:41

No. I said what I recall. Entry was definitely not through the rectum. There was a local anaesthetic, I think.

AC

User
Posted 13 Mar 2018 at 20:56

Wow AC, I take my had off to you in that case!!! I have had both the TRUS biopsy where I also felt it was like being flicked by a rubber band for the 12 cores that were taken but also had a transperineal where 50 cores were taken. Fortunately, I was put under for the latter procedure as is normally the case, as the legs are in an elevated and unnatural position and it is crucial that the patient remains perfectly still. If you scroll down to the video of precision prostate diagnostics in this link, the actual procedure is shown in part along with other interesting information. http://www.ahamm.co.uk/prostate/blogdetails.htm

 

Edited by member 13 Mar 2018 at 20:57  | Reason: Not specified

Barry
User
Posted 13 Mar 2018 at 23:01

I had the transperineal template biopsy March 2017, with a spinal block/epidural.

Didn't feel a thing. I was distracting myself chatting with the anaesthetist, wondering when the biopsy was going to start, and they told me they had finished. 

With the sp. block and having my legs parted and placed up in stirrups I was beginning to wonder if they'd misread my notes about what I was in for.

 

User
Posted 14 Mar 2018 at 00:26

Very interesting discussion. A’s diagnosis followed 46 core transperineal template biopsy with a general anaesthetic. This followed a MpMRI scan so was targeted.

The RAPID prostate pathway slides are a useful read

http://rmpartners.cancervanguard.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RAPID-Prostate-Pathway-Hashim-Ahmed.pdf

However I can’t see an answer to the anaesthetic plan - general/ local/ nothing question? I

However A was really badly bruised and full recovery took a fair few weeks following his template biopsy ( not complaining just reporting) so he wouldn’t have wanted 46 cores taken in this way without any anaesthetic .

User
Posted 14 Mar 2018 at 03:51

My recent template biopsy was really no big deal, and I am a big baby, averse to pain! Although I do watch when they take blood samples.

I went into theatre around 10.30, chatted to and joked with the anaesthetist about his native Berlin and discussed which cocktails he was administering. Fentanyl was one, the recreational drug that killed The Artist Formerly Known As Prince, when he overdosed and combined it with some other drug.

Woke up around mid-day, with a lovely Filipina nurse almost in bed with me. Back to the day case ward, with an urge to pee where the catheter had been inserted. When I did go to the loo there was the razor blade sensation and pink piss, but not too bad. The registrar came round and said I was OK to leave, but a nurse said my pulse was too high and I had a temperature. I said my pulse is high anyway and the temperature is likely to be a side effect of the anaesthetic. I was advised to sit by an open window.....

I felt fine, so got dressed and discharged myself around 2.30 pm. They gave me Co-codamol painkilling tablets, but I didn’t need them. Slight discomfort when micturating for a day or so, but the rosé soon changed back to Chardonnay. There was extensive bruising to my perineum, of course, as they had taken 42 core samples, and I got Her Loveliness to take a picture. I will spare you the image, but think black and blue. Not uncomfortable though. Pink semen for about three weeks.

So that’s just the rehearsal. The premiere is yet to come. Not sure when.....!

User
Posted 17 Mar 2018 at 09:06

Hi there
I went to my Hospital appointment last Thursday.
Questionnaire
Flow test
Ultrasound
Examination
Blood Test
Information regarding two possible biopsies on offer, (Transrectal Ultrasound & Transperineal)*

 

Have an appointment made for an MRI scan next Friday

 

*I asked the nurse who would make the decision as to which biopsy, (if one is needed at all) I would have, the answer was rather ambiguous but if I am given a choice of the two on offer based on what I know now I would go with the Transperineal one.

My understanding is the medical team will make the decision as to whether I need a biopsy after they have the results of my MRI 

Edited by member 17 Mar 2018 at 09:16  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 17 Mar 2018 at 09:47

The gold standard for diagnosis is a multi-parametric MRI scan at 3 Tesla resolution followed by a transperineal biopsy targeted by the MRI imaging results.

That is exactly what I had, so thank you NHS. My friend had the same done privately and he paid about five grand as he was worried about NHS waiting lists. I had to only wait around eight or nine weeks from raised PSA to diagnosis.

User
Posted 24 Mar 2018 at 08:56

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

The gold standard for diagnosis is a multi-parametric MRI scan at 3 Tesla resolution followed by a transperineal biopsy targeted by the MRI imaging results.

That is exactly what I had, so thank you NHS. My friend had the same done privately and he paid about five grand as he was worried about NHS waiting lists. I had to only wait around eight or nine weeks from raised PSA to diagnosis.

 

Hi Bollinge

I had my MRI scan yesterday 

Took about 40 minutes in the tunnel and they injected die into me at one stage

I asked how long it would be before I got the results and was told around 2 weeks.

My understanding is that now I have to wait to be contacted by the consultant who will recommend the next course of action.

If I have to have a biopsy and am given a choice I will opt for the transperineal one over the trus one because there is less chance of infection and it is more likely to find the cancer if I have any.

What's going on for you now?

What was your diagnosis?

Thanks for all your advice and for sharing your experience I appreciate it.

All the best 

Edited by member 24 Mar 2018 at 08:58  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 24 Mar 2018 at 09:29

Yes, I had the same scan. The radiographers were two black guys from Eritrea, so I said “put some reggae on the headphones while I’m in the tunnel”. Did they buggery! All I heard was hideous grunge or house or garage mechanical “music”😂😂😂

They told me there was a “long” waiting list for the target biopsy after I (on the separate advice of two friends from different parts of the world) politely declined the rectal one on the day of the post MRI consultation. And in fact I had two letters from the hospital, one from the senior consultant, imploring me to go for a TRUS, one of which arrived the same time as a letter inviting me to go for pre-med tests prior to a general anaesthetic.

It’s purely down to money as a TRUS is so much cheaper. And the risk of infection of multiple piercings of the bowel is secondary to that. There is always a risk with a general anaesthetic, of course. In the event, I think I waited about three weeks.

Click on my profile for my latest good news - I’m not cured - yet!

Cheers,

John

User
Posted 24 Mar 2018 at 10:40

It is not purely down to money - it is not helpful to keep stating this like a fact as others starting the process may not realise that this is just the personal opinion of another newbie.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 24 Mar 2018 at 10:47
Matron,

It’s not just my opinion, it’s the opinion of two friends who are far from “newbies”, and the opinion of the poor bloke in the bed opposite me who had a TRUS last August and had to wait five months for a template, and at least one guy on here in the last week or so.

All of whom had a TRUS initially, and then were recalled for a more accurate template biopsy later.

I only speak as I find.

Edited by member 24 Mar 2018 at 10:49  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 24 Mar 2018 at 12:48

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Yes, I had the same scan. The radiographers were two black guys from Eritrea, so I said “put some reggae on the headphones while I’m in the tunnel”. Did they buggery! All I heard was hideous grunge or house or garage mechanical “music”😂😂😂

They told me there was a “long” waiting list for the target biopsy after I (on the separate advice of two friends from different parts of the world) politely declined the rectal one on the day of the post MRI consultation. And in fact I had two letters from the hospital, one from the senior consultant, imploring me to go for a TRUS, one of which arrived the same time as a letter inviting me to go for pre-med tests prior to a general anaesthetic.

It’s purely down to money as a TRUS is so much cheaper. And the risk of infection of multiple piercings of the bowel is secondary to that. There is always a risk with a general anaesthetic, of course. In the event, I think I waited about three weeks.

Click on my profile for my latest good news - I’m not cured - yet!

Cheers,

John

 

I read your profile - looks like you've got a top Harley Street doctor who has a hope to cure your Pca on the NHS.

Sounds good to me!

I wish you well and thanks again for your advice

 

User
Posted 24 Mar 2018 at 13:40

Lazarus - not dead yet to rise from, check out the posts here from the correspondent called “Rafael”. He had a Retzius-sparing prostatectomy a month ago by the same surgeon.

Of course you may not need any of that malarkey pending your MRI result, fingers crossed.

User
Posted 11 Apr 2018 at 08:22

Hi everyone

I've been away for a week and as a consequence my next appointment with the Hospital Doctor is not until April 26th.

I had my MRI scan on March 23rd and so I am hoping that by then the medical team have had chance to look at the results of the MRI scan.

I also have received a letter from the Hospital Doctor that I saw at my initial Hospital Appointment in March 15th in it she mentions a number of things things that appear to be good news to me - "MSU was negative" and "he has not had any urinary tract infections or visible haematuria" and "his urine dip was negative" and "on rectal examination, he has a small and benign feeling prostate"

She also quotes the results of the flow test - "a flow test today is just 7.4ml/sec with the post-void residual 55ml"

Can anyone on here help me to understand whether the flow rate results she quotes is good or bad?

Also she says in the letter in relation to the raised PSA - "I have given him a blood form to have it repeated just to ensure it is not a spurious result"

She ends by saying "I have also requested a an MRI scan of his prostate on the understanding that he will be booked directly for a biopsy if any abnormality is seen."

As my appointment letter for the 26th does not mention a biopsy does that mean in your experience that my MRI result must have been good and therefore I don't need a biopsy this time?

Thanks as always for your time and advice - I appreciate it.

Edited by member 11 Apr 2018 at 11:48  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 11 Apr 2018 at 14:49

Your consultant would have known the results of your MRI scan within a matter of days, and it seems a shame that you are left in the lurch worrying about the results.

If I were you, I would phone up the Urology department and ask a doctor or nurse to tell you the results of your MRI scan, sooner than leaving you in limbo for another two weeeks.

One would hope that the follow-up on the 26th is non-urgent, so maybe good news, but in the organised chaos that is the NHS today, who can say?

Fingers crossed🤞

User
Posted 12 Apr 2018 at 08:45

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

She also quotes the results of the flow test - "a flow test today is just 7.4ml/sec with the post-void residual 55ml"

 

I found this on flow testing results by means of some googling

Hope it helps someone else like me trying to make sense of their results

 

Analysis of urine flow may aid in establishing the type of micturition (urination) abnormality. Common findings, determined by ultrasound of the bladder, include a slow rate of flow, intermittent flow, and a large amount of urine retained in the bladder after urination. A normal test result should be 20-25 mL/s peak flow rate. A post-void residual urine greater than 50 ml is a significant amount of urine and increases the potential for recurring urinary tract infections. In adults older than 60 years, 50-100 ml of residual urine may remain after each voiding because of the decreased contractility of the detrusor muscle.[4

 

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urinary_retention#Prostate

User
Posted 12 Apr 2018 at 08:49

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Your consultant would have known the results of your MRI scan within a matter of days, and it seems a shame that you are left in the lurch worrying about the results.

If I were you, I would phone up the Urology department and ask a doctor or nurse to tell you the results of your MRI scan, sooner than leaving you in limbo for another two weeeks.

One would hope that the follow-up on the 26th is non-urgent, so maybe good news, but in the organised chaos that is the NHS today, who can say?

Fingers crossed🤞

 

Thanks Bollinge 

My wife also takes the view that given the lateness of the follow up date that it must mean that it's good news but like you say what with the NHS in crisis and all that who knows?

I've decided just to hang on until the appointment date to find out the results. 

 

Edited by member 12 Apr 2018 at 08:51  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 13 Apr 2018 at 12:59

2 envelopes arrive this morning from the local NHS trust arrived this morning

First envelope contained one letter of cancellation of the 26th April appointment.

Second envelope contained two letters of appointment one for the 5th June and one for the 12th June

Rang the Urology department and spoke to someone there who has confirmed that the first appointment is for a Transperineal Biopsy under a local anaesthetic the second appointment is for the results.

User
Posted 13 Apr 2018 at 13:53

So, forget any hint of “good news”, except that you now have dates for a target biopsy and follow-up.

Transperineal biopsies are normally under general anaesthetic, unless your body cannot cope with one. Your MRI must have shown up what they euphemistically call an “abnormality” in your prostate, which may or not turn out to be benign.

Best of luck,

Cheers, John

User
Posted 13 Apr 2018 at 15:58
Hi, I had a transperineal biopsy under local anaesthetic, wasn't too painful Dr topped it up as and when needed, procedure took about 20 mins. My appointment was at 9am and I was home putting the kettle on at 10:30am.

I had some blood in urine for a couple of days and blood in semen for about a week after resuming sex, no big deal really. Don't let people stress you out.

Best wishes for a good outcome.

I have been told that I have BPH but time will tell.

Steve.

Edited by member 13 Apr 2018 at 16:14  | Reason: Not specified

 
Forum Jump  
<123>
Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.




MenuTop ▲
©2025 Prostate Cancer UK