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

Notification

Error

<123

PSA 33 but no apparent urgency for diagnosis - PSA33,Scans (CT / MRI / Bone scan),Biopsy

Email this conversation Print this conversation
User
Posted 24 May 2018 at 12:43
It’s usual to have a bone scan. Much quicker than an MRI and less annoying. Mine came back clear. Hope yours does too.

If you opt for surgery, please do research the statistics and experience of your chosen surgeon, as they say high-volume surgeons tend to have better outcomes (continence, potency) than a guy who does one R.P. a week.

My Retzius-sparing surgery is scheduled for 4th June.

Good luck, John.

User
Posted 02 Jun 2018 at 20:30

First of all the very best of luck with your surgery John. Please keep us posted on your recovery. 

I went for my Nucleur Medicine (NM) full body scan and it was not a bad experience at all. The radiologist did warn me that at the end of the first 20 minute sequence they would check the results and might need to do some further scans. Sure enough at the end of the sequence I could see random images popping up on the display panel and then the radiologist said they would continue with a pelvis scan. I was a bit freaked out by this as I thought they must have spotted something and wanted to do a more in depth analysis.

In the next sequence the machine rotated in steps around my pelvis.

The radiologist then said that everything was done and my referring doctor would get the report in about two weeks. When I said that I had a consultation with my oncologist urologist in a few days she said she would make sure the report was ready in time.

I'm now wondering if the final detailed scan around the pelvis is a normal part of a full body bone scan? Perhaps I do have reason to worry? In any case I will find out on Tuesday 5th June 2018. 

 

 

 

User
Posted 02 Jun 2018 at 21:01

My Bone scan was in two stages too and I got tge all clear..

User
Posted 03 Jun 2018 at 08:17
Can’t remember how many stages there were in my scan, but as I said, much quicker, less claustrophobic and less annoying than my MRI.

Plus Her Loveliness was in the room with me so I could prattle away to her during it. The difference is that you are radioactive after the dye injection, and the scan just picks up on radioactive spots if any.

I had to laugh, on telly the other day at Kennedy Airport an Arab lady set off a hand-held Geiger counter at customs. The customs guys went mad, scanning her baggage repeatedly, thinking she was Al Qaeda with a dirty bomb about to attack New York. After about half an hour of panic, she told them she had had a bone scan a day or so before!

Surprising, as the isotopes they inject you with have a very short half-life, and just shows how sensitive those radioactivity scanners are.

Hope you get a good result.

User
Posted 03 Jun 2018 at 08:52

Thanks Jonathan and John. (I've now learned how to thank with the thumbs up button https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/Scripts/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-embarassed.gif )

I wondered if I should have asked if there was anything to be concerned about. Some radiologists volunteer good news but instead I felt the body language was telling me something on this occasion. 

Just 2 days to wait till I find out. 

 

User
Posted 03 Jun 2018 at 11:23

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Thanks Jonathan and John. (I've now learned how to thank with the thumbs up button https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/Scripts/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-embarassed.gif )

I wondered if I should have asked if there was anything to be concerned about. Some radiologists volunteer good news but instead I felt the body language was telling me something on this occasion. 

Just 2 days to wait till I find out. 

 

I have never known a radiographer to say anything about what they observed, and all my X-rays, scans have been clear, except for one mpMRI scan, obviously!

Her Loveliness says she does remember the guy coming in half-way through and moving something - maybe that was a second scan.

I hope you are worrying needlessly, but it’s only to be understood.

User
Posted 05 Jun 2018 at 20:34

My bone scan results came back clear.  Just a few wear and tear issues which at 68 years young are to be expected.   I can't explain what a relief that news is and how lucky I feel to have two options to make up my mind about in the next couple of weeks. Radiation route or surgery. 

The urologist explained the radiation route and suggested that one option for me would be to start on brachytherapy with hormone therapy for 3 months then start external radiation. It seems Southmead like to use this combination of treatment where appropriate.

I need to wait 2 weeks to discuss surgery options and then make a decision soon after that. I'm going to say I'm available at short notice for a consultation if they get a cancellation. This has worked for me in the passed and I feel the need to claw back precious lost time. 

Thanks again for all your inputs, support and good wishes. 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

User
Posted 05 Jun 2018 at 21:47

Hi Rob, I had my bone scan at Southmead, great hospital. My PSA was 38 on diagnosis after template biopsy, Gleason 4:5 T2c at WSM General, an all round good experience. I’m now awaiting RT at Bristol Haemotology and Oncology centre in mid July.

 

User
Posted 06 Jun 2018 at 11:30

Hi Alan, Thanks for sharing your experiences. I too have nothing but praise for the way I have been treated at Southmead.

I wish you the very best outcome following your treatment. I too am a regular cyclist although not so much since retiring last July.  I plan to get back on the saddle soon not least to maintain my fitness for the treatment ahead.  

 

User
Posted 06 Jun 2018 at 11:42

Rob

i was cycling an average 170 miles a week before diagnosis. I have noticed a loss of, shall I say, impetus? 

I have cut down from 7 rides a week to 4 since starting hormone treatment and feel better for it 

I hope to carry on at least some cycling during my 6 weeks Monday to Friday RT. I have been told by my nurse that some of the tiredness felt during RT is not purely physical, so not collapsing on the couch and pushing myself to go for a therapeutic bike ride should be done where possible and safely.

Both my Oncologist and primary care nurse agree my fitness level for a 66 year old is helping me through the mid phase of my PCa journey.

Weight gain around the waist is what I’m fighting at the moment!

Alan

 

 

User
Posted 06 Jun 2018 at 20:08

Hi Alan, Even when commuting regularly to work (7 miles each way), I had odd periods for various reasons when I stopped riding for a week or two. During these periods I began to feel tired and lacking in energy. As soon as I got back on the bike my general energy came back and I just felt good.

I walk our two Staffy dogs twice every day and also go to the gym at least 4 days a week and alternate between aerobic and weight training exercises.  I plan to get back on the bike and resume my gym sessions for as long as possible throughout my treatment.

I hope you succeed in keeping your bike rides going through your treatment Alan.  

User
Posted 06 Jun 2018 at 20:19

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi Alan, Even when commuting regularly to work (7 miles each way), I had odd periods for various reasons when I stopped riding for a week or two. During these periods I began to feel tired and lacking in energy. As soon as I got back on the bike my general energy came back and I just felt good.

I walk our two Staffy dogs twice every day and also go to the gym at least 4 days a week and alternate between aerobic and weight training exercises.  I plan to get back on the bike and resume my gym sessions for as long as possible throughout my treatment.

I hope you succeed in keeping your bike rides going through your treatment Alan.  

_——————————————————————————————

Thats what I’m hoping for, easier for me as I’m retired I guess. Even if I don’t feel up to getting out on the road I have a static trainer in my garage

Edited by member 06 Jun 2018 at 20:20  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 08 Jun 2018 at 18:12

Alan,

Just want to say you inspired me to go to the gym yesterday. I've been getting over a UTI apparently caused by my TRUS biopsy a few weeks ago. I felt pretty exhausted after 30 minutes on a cross trainer but felt much better this morning. I plan to go back tomorrow and include a few weights. 

 

User
Posted 08 Jun 2018 at 23:53

That’s really great news mate. All I would say is do what feels OK for you and don’t try to increase too much unless you feel well up for it. I am 100% convinced, as backed up by my GP, Oncologist and primary care nurse, that the daily cycling exercise really does help me have less side effects and get through PCa treatment. Proof of the pudding for me will be in 5 weeks when I start external beam RT, so I will keep everyone updated, but I fully intend to do daily exercise of some sort through the sessions

Edited by member 08 Jun 2018 at 23:55  | Reason: Corrected mistake

User
Posted 19 Jun 2018 at 21:27

Monday 18th June 2018. I went with my sister for the consultation with a surgeon at Southmead.  I had prepared some questions to ask and gave a copy to my sister so that she could check that all the questions I had written down were covered in the conversation with a view to prompt me if I forgot anything.

The surgeon was very open and started by asking me if I had any thoughts about which way I was thinking of going i.e. surgery or radiation.  I explained that I'd had 4 months to ponder the various treatments available but if the option for surgery was available to me, I was leaning in that direction.

He told me that he didn't want to hold any punches but my diagnosis showed that I had a 'significant' cancer.  He told me that he was pleased that I was leaning towards surgery but he warned me that he wanted to ' throw the kitchen sink' at me. He went on to explain that the best plan for me was to start immediately on 3 months of hormone therapy and to schedule me in for a radical prostatectomy at the end of September. Nerve sparing surgery would not be an option in my case and as well as removing my seminal vesicles, some lymph nodes would be removed.

I am now preparing to deal with the onslaught of various side affects of hormone therapy and eventually those of a radical prostatectomy aimed at prolonging my life at the expense of preserving erectile function.

Once again I brought up my concerns about just how long it has taken to get to the point where my treatment has started. The surgeon was clearly concerned that it had taken so long but reassured me that in the scheme of things 4 months is not likely to have an impact on the outcome in my case.  

I am relieved to have finally started treatment after 4 months of waiting between appointments for the next stage of tests and diagnosis. I am confident that my surgeon is at the leading edge of expertise and among the best in the country. 

I'm aiming to conclude this thread and start a new one to share my treatment experiences. I want to thank everyone who has responded to my story so far and for the kind words of support and helpful advice.

     

 

 
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