Hi Max. I had my TP Biopsy under General Anaesthetic on 7th march. They took 18 samples. I got the results 2nd April so about 18 working days. Gleason (3+4) 7. Age 60. Fit & Healthy outdoors sort of person. I had a Radical Prostatectomy 2 weeks ago 23rd May 2019. Hope that helps re possible timeframes.

Max Hi Tony,

saw consultant today expecting biopsy. He gave me the good news that my bone scan was clear. Then gave me a what felt like a very thorough DRE and lower body and nether regions examination. He said that in his experience my prostate did not feel at all suspicious though a DRE is obviously not conclusive He decided that before arranging a biopsy he wanted me to have an MRI scan to be sure of what if anything is going on in my prostate and a repeat PSA test. I asked him if it was enlarged and he said it was certainly “bulky.” So no results to report until I come back from my holiday week after next. Not the day I was expecting So it’s watch this space for now.

Max

Max, for me when I actually sat down with the consultant the MRI explained and showed a lot. Make sure they talk you through the video rather than just giving you the score. It is my understanding (although limited) that MRI is now the most common next step in analysing the situation. I wish I had seen my MRI before biopsy, Choline scan and meeting my surgeon. It would have plain and understand things earlier

steve

Hi steve

My RP wasn't recent, it was nearly 10 years but I doubt that much has changed.

If you've never had surgery before, then the prospect is bound to be alarming, but modern anaesthetics are brilliant!  They spend a couple of minutes putting monitors, etc, onto your body while the doctor puts a shunt into the back of your hand. You probably won't remember falling asleep, then suddenly you're in recovery.  And a few minutes later you're drinking a cup of hot sweet tea and eating a pack of biscuits! If you're in any pain then they're very keen to control it.  

The first two weeks after the op while you're wearing the catheter are normally ok, but tiring. If you're anything like me, you'll crash out each afternoon for a couple of hours sleep. I found the catheter to be no bother at all, but here is a tip: always put the catheter night bag in a bucket, because everybody at some point gets the taps wrong and has a leak.  If it's in a bucket then you won't get a soggy carpet!! 

Once the catheter is out, things get a little more tiresome. You will be incontinent, so lay in a good supply of pads, and expect to get through 2-4 pads a day.  The first night after catheter removal you will feel strange and conflicting signals from your bladder - you've been replumbed and you have to relearn what a full and emply bladder feels like. You'll also pee out lots of blood and clots for many weeks after. This is normal. 

Don't expect any improvement from the incontinence for at least 3-4 months. Practice your pelvic floor exercises several times a day and things will eventually improve.  I was able to stop wearing pads after 6 months, but I continued with pelvic floor exercises for far longer - several years, in fact, and I still do them now from time to time.

If you have any more questions then please ask

Hi Steve

Today I am 3 weeks post op. There is quite a lot to tell so let me know what things you are interested in at the moment: The Procedure & Hospital 24hrs, Wk 1 at home with catheter, Catheter out, general recovery with pain killers & injecting yourself, Pads/Leakage exercises etc, ED. I can give you as much or little detail that you want. As you would expect wk 1 was not the best but everything does improve day by day especially if you look at it day by day and have goals ie the day the catheter comes out.

Hi Max  I had a similar experience with the DRE and my inspection was also "thorough" . Initially my GP who had much shorter fingers and was far gentler said that my prostrate felt smooth and squishy BUT it wasn't and now 6 months later on a 3 year hormone course and after 37 radiotherapy fractions I was told by 3 different specialists that another 6 months would have put me into Stage 4 , incurable prostarte cancer . If the word bulky was used then it does sound like firther inspection is needed ideally a biopsy which for me was no real painful deal whatever others say . There exists a least 24 prostate cancer variants and a biopsy will reveal if you have any or a combination of them and you will be treated urgently . You will also have an MRI scan to show the size and extent of any tunour . You must have some concerning things because otherwise you would not be getting a bone scan this is done because they think cancer is likely as many peopl edo not get this . I did . Have a great holiday and keep in touch with me re Gleason score and PSA . The Psa figure is almost irrelevant initially but becaomes very relevant to see if any of the cancer has started growing again .This can take years by the way as most prostate cancers are very slow growing .Good luck

Hi would not have minded if my doctor s fingers were small just a pity he never sent me to the hospital earlier when my psa was 7,3 and was quit high for four years before sending me to get checked out properly, at that time it was 7.4, mri, biopsy and had increased to 10.3 so now taking hormone and about to have radiotherapy, all this could have been done four years ago. Cannot understand all this press regarding us getting checked if doctors not doing anything, and then we’re asked by the urologist do you really want to know if you have cancer!! Well that why I’m here I said !! JD

Hi JD I do not know why they delay taking the checks . People ceratinly die because of this attitude I was very lucky because I pushed for this . I was told that another 6 months would have pushed me into Stage 4 -incurable ! I didn't have any real symptoms either just thought I had better be checked .You were very lucky your cancer was slow growing which also tells me that when it returns ,typically within 3 yearsactually it never went away it will be the same level of aggression which is something that I have learn and that means many years of life for you . My cancer was Gleason 9 and a psa of 32 wbut it had recently doubled from 22 -usually a bad sign , also my dad died of this disease 18 years after first diagnosis . Glad you are really going to be ok remeber you are in the system and will be checked for ever many are out there who will die without knowing that it was entirely avaoidable .

With a PSA over 4, you should have been referred immediately.  Shocking that you were delayed for years.