So worried

So worried

User

Posted 14 Dec 2018 at 09:52

Hi everyone, I am new on here (and new to the world of PCa). My 55 year old Husband recently went to the Dr for routine bloods, his kidney function was low (58) so bloods were repeated and unbeknown to him his PSA was checked. His kidney function had increased to 64 but his PSA was 20. He has no real symptoms although has has ED for 2 years (which in hindsight is a symptom that the GP should have picked up - but that's a question to the GP at another time,not now), his urine flow on the whole is good, no urgency etc, sometimes he says it tails off and isn't as strong. He has low back ache (but then is a builder and does get aches and pains). He has a 6mm kidney stone also. He has been referred to a urologist and had a DRE which he was told "His prostate didn't feel great, but didn't feel malignant either". He is booked in for an MRI this Wednesday coming. Is you can imagine we are sick with worry, I am very tearful and trying to hide if from our 2 teenagers. Could a kidney stone cause a high PSA reading?

User

Posted 17 Dec 2018 at 08:14

Hi Vanessa,

As others have said, the waiting is the worst part. You'll feel better when you know the results, no matter what they are, because that takes away the uncertainty.

If I may inject a note of optimism, a PSA of 20 may very well indicate localised prostate cancer, but it's not a death sentence. It's a curable condition, and the overwhelming majority of men diagnosed with it go on to live normal lives after treatment. So if (as I strongly suspect it will) the result does come back positive, don't worry about it. It's a medical condition that can be and will be treated and then you can get on with your lives.

All the best,

Chris

User

Posted 18 Dec 2018 at 10:09

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Chris

I recognise you are trying to give some support but you are not a doctor. The poster is reporting her husbands PSA as >20 and you are telling her this is a curable condition with little knowledge of the specific case.

No, I did not. I said that:

1. A PSA of 20 may very well indicate localised prostate cancer.

2. Localised prostate cancer is a curable condition.

Both of those statements are absolutely true.

The appropriate tests will of course reveal what Vanessa's husband's diagnosis actually is, but there really is no reason for assuming "doom and gloom" at this stage in the proceedings, and every cause for optimism.

Regards,

Chris

Edited by member 18 Dec 2018 at 10:17 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 19 Sep 2020 at 21:48

Hi everyone

So......its been a long time since I updated, and my apologies for leaving it so long! My Husband had a radical prostatectomy in February 2019 (where did that time go?) Operation went well, apart from trapped gas under his diaphragm, which he was in agony with. On our follow up appointment we was told the cancer was very very close to the margins, and had the agonising wait for PSA results. To our relief it was undetectable and has been ever since! He is now fit and well and back doing his manual job. Waterworks are on the whole nearly back to normal and ED is helped with caverject. Thankyou to everyone for all the support in what was a horrendous time in our lives xx

User

Posted 14 Dec 2018 at 12:24

Hi Vanessag

I can relate to how you're feeling. My husband, 67, had a PSA of 30 and he's had an MRI followed by a biopsy, we now await the results.

It is really hard all this waiting, many on here say it's the worst part. As you will see, a lot of men on here live good, productive and happy lives no matter the outcome and this I find comforting. This is a supportive place filled with quite knowledgeable people.

I wish you and your husband all the best.

Janet

User

Posted 14 Dec 2018 at 12:52

Hello Vannessag,

Sorry to read about your situation. It is true that urine infections, recent sexual activity, or cycling can all cause raised PSA levels. But, given the prostate “didn’t feel great” it’s best to get things checked now.

If he doesn’t have prostate cancer great but if he does treating as early as possible is crucial.

The waiting is very difficult but it’s best to find out one way or the other. Ignoring it isn’t a good idea.

Please let us know how he gets on and come back with any further questions.

Also if there is a Maggie’s centre within a reasonable travelling time you could make an appointment to speak to someone there, they are there for cancer patients, spouses/partners, family and friends.

Maggie’s has been a great resource for me when I needed it, they are very knowledgeable and caring.

Ido4

User

Posted 14 Dec 2018 at 22:15

Dont forget the PCUK specialist nurses

08000748383

they are fantastic about all things before and after diagnosis

Dream like you have forever, live like you only have today Avatar is me doing the 600 mile Camino de Santiago May 2019

User

Posted 14 Dec 2018 at 22:29

Back ache is a common symptom of kidney stones. His PSA is high but we have had men heee with PSA of 70-80 who got the all clear; 20 doesn't tell you anything except that it needs checking out. The kidney stone wouldn't cause the PSA rise but if the kidney stone is affecting the efficiency of his urinary tract, unfmduagnosed UTI would push his PSA up.

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

User

Posted 17 Dec 2018 at 08:06

I have a feeling the biopsy will be booked if it is required once the MRI is analysed.

Have you been to a Maggie’s centre or phoned the PCUK nurses?

I think you would find that helpful.

The waiting is awful and the staff at PCUK or Maggie’s will help put things into some kind of order in yiur mind.

Take care.

Ido4

User

Posted 17 Dec 2018 at 10:32

Hi Venessa

There is not much more I can say other than my wife was much the same as you until I had my diagnosis and we were able to talk to a McMillan nurse and have everything explained she sill worries a bit but knows that’s it is curable

The most annoying thing is her asking me very 5 minutes if I’m OK

Bob

User

Posted 18 Dec 2018 at 08:10

Just wanted to wish you all the best for Friday. Take care.

Janet

User

Posted 30 Dec 2018 at 01:42

There are no known cases of needle tracking (cancer spread through the spaces where biopsies are taken) with TRUS biopsy. There are a handful of reported cases with template biopsy but the risk is very small.

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

User

Posted 30 Dec 2018 at 18:24

This is interesting on the subject of needle tracking by the Sperling Prostate Center (who incidentally are often referred to for the (Focal
Ablation Treatment (FLA) they administer. The risk of biopsy needle tracking for PCa is minuscule, although increased for some other cancers.
https://sperlingprostatecenter.com/truth-biopsy-track-seeding/

Barry

User

Posted 31 Dec 2018 at 17:49

Cancer spreads to the bones through the bloodstream.

You can have mets to the bone but not the nodes or organs, spread to the nodes but nowhere else, mets to soft organs without spread to any other place, or mets to lymph/bone but still contained in the gland.

Edited by member 31 Dec 2018 at 17:53 | Reason: Not specified

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

User

Posted 20 Sep 2020 at 08:08

Glad to hear things have gone well. Long may that be the case.

Ido4

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User

Posted 14 Dec 2018 at 12:24

Hi Vanessag

I can relate to how you're feeling. My husband, 67, had a PSA of 30 and he's had an MRI followed by a biopsy, we now await the results.

I wish you and your husband all the best.

Janet

User

Posted 14 Dec 2018 at 12:52

Hello Vannessag,

If he doesn’t have prostate cancer great but if he does treating as early as possible is crucial.

The waiting is very difficult but it’s best to find out one way or the other. Ignoring it isn’t a good idea.

Please let us know how he gets on and come back with any further questions.

Maggie’s has been a great resource for me when I needed it, they are very knowledgeable and caring.

Ido4

User

Posted 14 Dec 2018 at 22:15

Dont forget the PCUK specialist nurses

08000748383

they are fantastic about all things before and after diagnosis

Dream like you have forever, live like you only have today Avatar is me doing the 600 mile Camino de Santiago May 2019

User

Posted 14 Dec 2018 at 22:29

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

User

Posted 17 Dec 2018 at 06:49

Thankyou everyone for your replies. I got his PSA wrong it is 21.3 which is even worse. Reading previous posts and it seems everyone has am MRI and a biopsy, our consultant hasn't mentioned a biopsy yet, should I be asking for that to get a date in the diary?

The waiting as everyone says is destroying me (my Husband seems to be dealing with it better). I have a stash of sertraline in the cupboard that I was prescribed but never took, so have decided to take them (I shall make an appointment with the GP at some point to discuss this). Am getting paranoid about everything my Husband does, every little cough or expression or falling asleep in the chair I find myself watching and analysing, have even been listening to him weeing and trying to figure out if it is normal. It really is the worse torture and I do have a feeling of dread that I just can't shake off

User

Posted 17 Dec 2018 at 08:06

I have a feeling the biopsy will be booked if it is required once the MRI is analysed.

Have you been to a Maggie’s centre or phoned the PCUK nurses?

I think you would find that helpful.

The waiting is awful and the staff at PCUK or Maggie’s will help put things into some kind of order in yiur mind.

Take care.

Ido4

User

Posted 17 Dec 2018 at 08:14

Hi Vanessa,

As others have said, the waiting is the worst part. You'll feel better when you know the results, no matter what they are, because that takes away the uncertainty.

All the best,

Chris

User

Posted 17 Dec 2018 at 10:32

Hi Venessa

The most annoying thing is her asking me very 5 minutes if I’m OK

Bob

User

Posted 17 Dec 2018 at 16:57

Thankyou everyone for your help and advice. I have spoken to the consultants secretary and she has made us an appointment for this Friday morning (MRI being done this Wednesday) and we can discuss the results and what the plan of action is needed then.

I have also spoken to the Macmillan nurses, who were very helpful and helped to reassure me and gave me some good advice.

Thanks again

User

Posted 17 Dec 2018 at 17:18

Good to hear that you now have an appointment. With a PSA of 20, regardless of what the MRI shows, the next step will probably be a biopsy. Unfortunately it's not terribly uncommon for prostate cancer not to show up on an MRI, and a biopsy is the only way to know whether or not cancer is present.

If a biopsy is arranged, don't worry about it! It's a minor, routine procedure. The worst bit about it is the 2-week wait for the results, unfortunately.

All the best,

Chris

Edited by member 17 Dec 2018 at 17:19 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 18 Dec 2018 at 00:01

Chris

From my perspective this is bang out of order, I was diagnosed in August this year with incurable PCa with bone mets on a PSA of less than 14, how can you make a rudimentary "diagnosis" on Vanessa's husbands prognosis with no medical knowledge of the case?

It's not helpful or supportive.

User

Posted 18 Dec 2018 at 00:34

Thankyou all for your help, but I think maybe I should not read anymore comments until I have spoken to the consultant on Friday.

User

Posted 18 Dec 2018 at 08:10

Just wanted to wish you all the best for Friday. Take care.

Janet

User

Posted 18 Dec 2018 at 10:09

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Chris

No, I did not. I said that:

1. A PSA of 20 may very well indicate localised prostate cancer.

2. Localised prostate cancer is a curable condition.

Both of those statements are absolutely true.

Regards,

Chris

Edited by member 18 Dec 2018 at 10:17 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 21 Dec 2018 at 14:47

Hi Everyone

Just to update you all. Husband had mpMRI on Wednesday and we met with the consultant this morning. There is an abnormality in the prostate (as we expected) however it hasn't broken out. Next step is a CT on his kidneys (suspected stone), and a biopsy booked in on 7th January (fusion biopsy MRI?). Also a bone scan is being arranged. The waiting has been torture (even though things are being done very quickly), trying to carry on as normal with 2 teenagers has been very very hard, however we are encouraged by this bit of news and feeling a little more positive.

User

Posted 21 Dec 2018 at 15:38

Thanks for the update. It’s good that the abnormality seen on MRI hasn’t broken out.

Best wishes, Ido4

Ido4

User

Posted 21 Dec 2018 at 16:41

Reasonable news, Vanessa, and the tests are entirely as one would expect. It's a template biopsy under general anaesthetic that your husband is having?

All the best,

Chris

User

Posted 21 Dec 2018 at 17:41

He said it wasn't a template biopsy, it is a fusion guided biopsy under GA

User

Posted 21 Dec 2018 at 19:12

Thanks. A fusion biopsy and a template biopsy are essentially the same procedure in terms of the physical process of taking the samples, the only difference being that in a template biopsy samples are taken using a rectangular grid of holes (the “template”), while in a fusion or targeted biopsy sampling is guided using the results of the MRI scan.

Very best of luck to you,

Chris

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