Leon_C wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 07, 2024 6:45 pm

As a result of your post, beddie, I ordered a home PSA test from the BKPCA.

I actually tried to do the finger prick test a couple of days ago, but despite using 3 lancets, I was unable to extract enough blood.
It is NOT painful, it's just quite tricky to catch the blood before the small hole heals again. I'm going to order some more, or just book in (probably the latter to be honest to ensure it happens.)

Thanks for your candour on this crucial matter. (As a result, I'm happy to share my experience above, albeit super trivial.)

Lakester_2023 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 07, 2024 7:10 pm

PSA normal but diagnosed enlarged prostate last year. Was told operating could cause incontinence and / or impotence and was given the option to put up with the symptoms, which I do. Thoughts?

beddie wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 07, 2024 6:15 pm

Apologies for doing another thread but I didn’t want anyone to miss it.

As some on here wanted an update after my visit last night to the Hospital to see the Urologist here it is

Background.
A total knee replacement on 10/01 resulted in me not being able to pee, they kept me in for a further 2 days but I still couldn’t pee. A catheter was fitted, I had to come back a week later for the catheter to be removed and spend the day at Hospital drinking as much water as I could in 6 hours, any peeing in that time had to be measured, by tea time they decided another catheter had to be fitted and a Urologist appointment was made as I still had a litre of water in my bladder that wouldn’t come out.

Last night the Urologist gave me a thorough examination and concluded I have an enlarged prostrate, it will require surgery. The best way he explained it was to imagine an orange, the pith inside the orange has to be completely cut away into very small pieces so it can be flushed out through the penis tube. The outer orange skin stays as it is. Many on here will know the operation is called a TURP-Trans-urethral resection of the prostate - should you wish to look it up. it will require either a general anaesthetic or a spinal, the operation should last around 60 to 90 minutes. I’m waiting for a date now but still wearing the catheter Because I’ve recently had the knee op it may be too soon to do the TURP although they’re looking into that.

Symptons. Peeing more frequently and urgently, Finding it difficult to begin peeing, Accidentally leaking pee, Straining to pee
Needing to pee during the night, Difficulty fully emptying your bladder.

This is uncannily similar - the whole scenario including the knee replacement - to my mate who is awaiting the follow up consultancy after a scan last week. His op was on 15th November and he still yet has a catheter and bag fitted.

Good luck with your next stage.

Can I suggest for any man that’s suffering any of the above symptoms regardless of whether you go for a yearly blood test to check your PSA you should immediately see your Doctor as treating it early is the best way of preventing further problems. I was told that a PSA test is only a guide.

One final thing. I’ve had yearly Blood tests via my Doctor and they’ve always shown my PSA to be in the right scale. Ive had peeing problems as mentioned in the symptoms above for sometime but did nothing about it, my wife would constantly be on at me to see the Doctor, I said I would but kept putting it off. Without the knee op I’d have probably allowed the problem to continue.

So Gentleman if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above please, please see your Doctor. Just think about your partner or loved ones and do it for them.

Thanks everyone for your good luck messages. I’ll keep you posted when I get a date etc.

Lakester_2023 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 07, 2024 7:10 pm

PSA normal but diagnosed enlarged prostate last year. Was told operating could cause incontinence and / or impotence and was given the option to put up with the symptoms, which I do. Thoughts?

beddie wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 07, 2024 6:15 pm

Apologies for doing another thread but I didn’t want anyone to miss it.

As some on here wanted an update after my visit last night to the Hospital to see the Urologist here it is

Background.
A total knee replacement on 10/01 resulted in me not being able to pee, they kept me in for a further 2 days but I still couldn’t pee. A catheter was fitted, I had to come back a week later for the catheter to be removed and spend the day at Hospital drinking as much water as I could in 6 hours, any peeing in that time had to be measured, by tea time they decided another catheter had to be fitted and a Urologist appointment was made as I still had a litre of water in my bladder that wouldn’t come out.

Last night the Urologist gave me a thorough examination and concluded I have an enlarged prostrate, it will require surgery. The best way he explained it was to imagine an orange, the pith inside the orange has to be completely cut away into very small pieces so it can be flushed out through the penis tube. The outer orange skin stays as it is. Many on here will know the operation is called a TURP-Trans-urethral resection of the prostate - should you wish to look it up. it will require either a general anaesthetic or a spinal, the operation should last around 60 to 90 minutes. I’m waiting for a date now but still wearing the catheter Because I’ve recently had the knee op it may be too soon to do the TURP although they’re looking into that.

Symptons. Peeing more frequently and urgently, Finding it difficult to begin peeing, Accidentally leaking pee, Straining to pee
Needing to pee during the night, Difficulty fully emptying your bladder.

Can I suggest for any man that’s suffering any of the above symptoms regardless of whether you go for a yearly blood test to check your PSA you should immediately see your Doctor as treating it early is the best way of preventing further problems. I was told that a PSA test is only a guide.

One final thing. I’ve had yearly Blood tests via my Doctor and they’ve always shown my PSA to be in the right scale. Ive had peeing problems as mentioned in the symptoms above for sometime but did nothing about it, my wife would constantly be on at me to see the Doctor, I said I would but kept putting it off. Without the knee op I’d have probably allowed the problem to continue.

So Gentleman if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above please, please see your Doctor. Just think about your partner or loved ones and do it for them.

Thanks everyone for your good luck messages. I’ll keep you posted when I get a date etc.

Lakester_2023 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 07, 2024 7:10 pm

PSA normal but diagnosed enlarged prostate last year. Was told operating could cause incontinence and / or impotence and was given the option to put up with the symptoms, which I do. Thoughts?

mkmel wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 08, 2024 6:05 am

I also want to very strongly recommend to you guys of a certain age to definitely book a PSA test. I had my first one back in 2011 and had a biopsy after which I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. My Gleason score was 6 so very low level of cancer. This meant I was put on watch and observe which lasted until I was discharged in about 2017. In between those years I had a further 3 biopsies all of which came back negative.
In a few weeks time I will be 73.
And I'm still here!
And I'm still handsome!
So please guys get booked in for your PSA test.
It could save your life!

Clive 1960 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 08, 2024 6:33 am

6

Stayingup wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 08, 2024 9:26 am

PSA is only a guide?

Stayingup wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 08, 2024 9:26 am

PSA is only a guide?

Croydon Claret wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 08, 2024 10:45 am

As explained to me, PSA is just a test of general prostate health. It doesn't detect cancer specifically.

A raised score doesn't necessarily indicate cancer, just that something is amiss that needs further investigation

beddie wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 08, 2024 9:15 am

Casper2 Thank you for the information regarding Urolift. I’ve had a good read and intend to investigate it further. Regards Joe.

Leon_C wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 07, 2024 6:45 pm

As a result of your post, beddie, I ordered a home PSA test from the BKPCA.

I actually tried to do the finger prick test a couple of days ago, but despite using 3 lancets, I was unable to extract enough blood.
It is NOT painful, it's just quite tricky to catch the blood before the small hole heals again. I'm going to order some more, or just book in (probably the latter to be honest to ensure it happens.)

Thanks for your candour on this crucial matter. (As a result, I'm happy to share my experience above, albeit super trivial.)