Prostate scare

[TonyGold]

I hope this thread isn't out of order but I feel it must be addressed.

To put things in context I’m almost sixty nine. For my age I keep reasonably fit by riding a bike sixty km/ (about forty miles) a week. My vital statistics are: height 1780 mm / 5’10”, weight 83 kg / 182 lbs / 13 stone. I have an active interest in everything. I’ve been married for 42 years, I have three adult sons, and three and 8/9 grandchildren. I drink a bit of beer and wine. I haven’t smoked for 38years.

For the last two years I have been increasingly concerned about my health ‘down there’. I have been getting up frequently during the night and having to organise my trips away from my home around the availability of public toilets and restrooms. Eventually I summoned up enough courage to discuss the problem with my local GP. She organised a PSA test and an MSU (both of which were OK). She also gave me a specialist referral to a urologist. He did the customary poke around and then announced that my prostate was significantly enlarged but otherwise felt OK. To confirm his findings I went off for a renal ultrasound (sonogram ?). Again my prostate was confirmed as being significantly enlarged but not cancerous. I am now on a course of tablets and have a return appointment with the urologist in four weeks time.

I make this post for two reasons that I would ask others to consider:
• having experienced concerns about my ‘frequency problem’ I should have taken action much earlier. In Australia the incidence of prostate cancer is on a par with breast cancer. It is a significant killer of older men.
• the relief experienced when the MSU, PSA, internal examination and ultra sound all showed that my fears had been essentially unfounded could have happened earlier if I had only bitten the bullet then.

Hey fellows! do the right thing for yourself and your family. Get it checked!

 

[raisindot]

You did the right thing getting it checked when you did.

My father was diagnosed with prostrate cancer when he was 70. He had no previous symptoms; it was uncovered during the usual probe check (which is why, as you grow older, you choose a new doctor based not on their experience, but on their width of their fingers ).

He had his prostrate seeded. It led to a short period of incontinence (maybe a couple of weeks) but then was fine. His PSAs levels are down the his prostrate has shrunk. It doesn't cure the cancer; it just slows it done.

What his doctor said was interesting. He said that relatively few men die of prostate cancer at an early age. Most men will get prostate cancer if they live long enough, but by the time it gets really serious most men will have died of other causes. The only exceptions are those rare families where it strikes early and goes undetected.

In the U.S. I've heard the incidence of prostate cancer is nearly 1 in 2 men. Certainly runs in my family--both my father and his brother have it.

So I've been having my doc do the finger check since I was 40. Not the most pleasant thing, but certainly not as horrible as your imagination might think it is. So far, no signs of trouble.

Good luck on your course of treatment, and feel glad that you had it checked when you did.

Jeff in Boston

Jeff in Boston

 

[Confilo]

My internist encourage male patients to bring their wife, because she tells them everything we don't.
She is a smart Doc

 

[rockviper]

Since I turned 40, I decided the "finger" is the lesser of the evils (by a wide margin).

 

[Obsessed]

Since I turned 40, I decided the "finger" is the lesser of the evils (by a wide margin).

There's no reason not to have your prostate checked as soon as your doctor tells you to. Yes, the "finger" is no fun, but it's over in two seconds and it beats the hell out of the alternative.

While we're on the subject, there's no reason for anyone with health insurance not to get a complete annual physical.

 

[Mink]

Although prostate cancer is viewed as an old man's disease, if it shows up in younger men (under 60), it can grow and spread very quickly. I had annual exams for years and showed no symptoms of anything - normal prostate size and PSA - until my PSA jumped to 5.0 (54 yrs old). They found a tiny tumor and advanced asymptomatic cancer. I have found that women doctors are much more thorough with the digital exam. Bringing your spouse in for the yearly evaluation is a very good idea. I don't know of a single member of my family that has had prostate cancer. As you age, prostate troubles are common, but trying to rationalize what might be a prostate problem with aging can get you in trouble. Get checked, and if you're having anything going on, get to the exact cause with more thorough exams and scans.

 

[hifigeezer]

Although comedians make a big deal of the exam it is quick and painless. Good for you for being up front.

 

[Snipersnest]

Just had my annual last month. This time I brought a bottle of some nice port wine with me. When the Doc asked me to roll on my side, I said, "Hold on, since we're gonna be so intimate, I figured we make it romantic so I brought a bottle of wine!" Last year I told him to use two fingers, cause I wanted a second opinion. My Doc's a good guy, but he thinks I'm nuts.

 

[mretzloff]

Just had my annual last month. This time I brought a bottle of some nice port wine with me. When the Doc asked me to roll on my side, I said, "Hold on, since we're gonna be so intimate, I figured we make it romantic so I brought a bottle of wine!" Last year I told him to use two fingers, cause I wanted a second opinion. My Doc's a good guy, but he thinks I'm nuts.

 

[rfm2]

Just had my annual last month. This time I brought a bottle of some nice port wine with me. When the Doc asked me to roll on my side, I said, "Hold on, since we're gonna be so intimate, I figured we make it romantic so I brought a bottle of wine!" Last year I told him to use two fingers, cause I wanted a second opinion. My Doc's a good guy, but he thinks I'm nuts.

That is funny.

 

[malocchio]

Although comedians make a big deal of the exam it is quick and painless. Good for you for being up front.

I get mine checked every year,although to save money ,my HMO sends me a reminder to have it checked every 5 years !! and I am 61 years old ! make them check it ! every year if you are over 50,psa bloodwork and the finger exam...my doctor tells me many men actually ask "is it over "? and feel nothing,I have a thin doctor (purposely) and my entire life of getting checked,12 years now,has been horribly painful,and when they press down and manipulate the gland ,I really could scream....I dread it for that reason,but you know what the alternative is if you don't catch the big C early...nowadays an early detection can mean you can get rid of the cancer and still have an active sex life..if you don't cherish the idea of a man putting his finger in your orifice,get a woman doctor ! sometimes they are more considerate than the male docs...all men are not created equal,I am very prone to extreme pain on my prostate

 

[brianw]

I've said it more then once.....Listen to your body.....get those things checked !!!!!!!

 

[azmark]

My Doc's a good guy, but he thinks I'm nuts.

 

[GFlanagan3]

Although prostate cancer is viewed as an old man's disease, if it shows up in younger men (under 60), it can grow and spread very quickly. I had annual exams for years and showed no symptoms of anything - normal prostate size and PSA - until my PSA jumped to 5.0 (54 yrs old). They found a tiny tumor and advanced asymptomatic cancer. I have found that women doctors are much more thorough with the digital exam. Bringing your spouse in for the yearly evaluation is a very good idea. I don't know of a single member of my family that has had prostate cancer. As you age, prostate troubles are common, but trying to rationalize what might be a prostate problem with aging can get you in trouble. Get checked, and if you're having anything going on, get to the exact cause with more thorough exams and scans.

I can attest to it affecting younger men. I will be 43 and had a prostate scare in August. Had throuble urinating etc....after being in agony (an denial) I got checked. I was blessed that all that was wrong was benign prostatic hyperplasia. I take meds now and for the rest of my life to combat it. It is a small price to pay to live. In short don't ignore the symptoms- educate yourself.

 

[ImaWestie]

I had a prostate scare a few years back - I thought I had to start getting checkups at 35

Tony, good news mate. I'd pictured you being (MUCH!) younger till now.

 

[kadett]

I had a prostate scare a few years back - I thought I had to start getting checkups at 35

Tony, good news mate. I'd pictured you being (MUCH!) younger till now.

I've been getting the PSA since age 32 (I pay for it at a private clinic so no problem). It is a good idea to start monitoring earlier as prostate cancer can happen earlier than people think.

 

[TonyGold]

Thanks fellers for your interest, comments and support. Traditionally I am not the sort of person who goes on crusades but I think I may be on one now. Mr Snipersnest's comment on turning it into a social event with a bottle of wine certainly puts a whole new spin on 'two fingers of bourbon'.

Great to be alive,

Tony

 

[Greybeard]

I would like to add to Tony's post to emphasise the importance of getting check ups and telling your doctor when something doesn't feel right.

I've always been healthy as a horse and never bothered with annual check ups. When I had a check up at 44 for insurance purposes, the doctor told me I was healthier than most army recruits. If I was sick it never lasted for more than a couple of days, didn't slow me down, and I hardly noticed I was sick. 10 years ago, when I was 50, my stomach didn't feel quite right for about 2 weeks. My wife was concerned because it wasn't normal and nagged me into going to the doctor, which I wasn't going to do. The doctor sent me for an ultrasound. My discomfort ended up being caused by diverticulosis but the ultrasound also found 3 polyps in my colon. The doctor scheduled a colonoscopy and the result was that 6 polyps were removed, 2 of which were cancerous. I was incredibly fortunate in that it was caught at the earliest possible stage and was contained in the polyps so no further surgery was required. It was a total shock since the only history of cancer in my family was my father who got mouth cancer from smoking at the age of 75 (I don't smoke).

Anyway, one of the things my doctor told me is that around 50 is that "magic" age when potentially serious health problems occur with greatly increased frequency. Most can be treated effectively if caught early enough so get your annual physical, especially if you're 50 or over. If your doctor suggests any tests, get them.

Now for the humorous parts.
My first colonoscopy was the only time I didn't go out right away from the anesthetic. I'm lying on my side with the Sony monitor right above me. I look up and I get a perfect picture of this naked *** getting bigger and bigger on the screen as the camera approaches. Thankfully everything went dark just as insertion was about to take place.

Needless to say I had a battery of several tests and baselines done afterwards. The results went to my family doctor. My doctor called me into his office and went over the results of everything with me. There were some abnormalities that showed up. After informing me of each one he always ended with a "but that's normal for a man your age". I left his office feeling that if I were a used car, I wouldn't buy me. I know it's good to know, but I didn't necessarily want to be reminded that parts are aging.

As for my prostate, I had at least half a dozen visits to 3 different doctors around my 'scope over a period of about 3 weeks. On at least 5 occasions my prostate was examined. It must be a doctor's reflex. On the last visit and after the prostate check my doctor proclaimed "Your prostate is slightly enlarged but it's nice and smooth". My response was "Sure it's smooth. It's been checked so many times it's been polished."
For about 2 months afterwards, whenever my wife put on rubber gloves to do house cleaning, I would have an involuntary contraction and feel the overwhelming urge to lie on my side and raise my knees.

 

[Gaz]

My dad just had Prostate surgery (he is 76). He has had problems for years and has been on Flomax (?) and has gotten regular checkups. It was always assumed when it got bad enough, surgery was the answer. That day came last week. It took about an hour and he was in the hospital two days (he stayed until no blood in the catheter). Things are better but time will tell. It is something for every guy to keep an eye on it. I'm glad the OP is ok too.

 

[Obi Wan]

I went through a similar situation during the summer. The problem turned out to be the tea that I had started drinking in the morning. I cut out the tea and within 2-3 days everything went back to normal. What was funny when I mentioned it to my family afterwards one of my brothers and a sister has the same problem. They could have told me!