Pre prostate biopsy precautions

[Chesleyt (imported)]

You don't have to abstain from sex before a prostate biopsy it won't effect the results trust me I know. Been there done that.

[Sexluver (imported)]

I recently discovered both sides of my family have a high risk of prostate cancer, and that all of my living uncles and my father have had a run in with it. I got tested and unsurprisingly I am at high risk too.

Naturally when looking at available online medical information it is all worst case scenario stuff. I am tempted to get the prostate preemptively removed rather than worry about when it'll bloom into cancer for the rest of my life. What are the consequences of that, and what other options are available?

I love the irony that I have been lurking these message boards and the story archive for nearly two decades, and would never have guessed that the prostate would be the first bit of male equipment that I might lose.

Do not think that without a prostate you erections and orgasms go with it. I was 58 when I was diagnosed and had it removed. I am now 70 and get full natural erections and still enjoy sex with my wife. Although with generic viagra I am back in my 20s again. If you need surgery see if you are a candidate for nerve sparing surgery and get a great surgeon. You need those nerves left intact for continence, erections, and the the orgasmic pleasure you have always felt. Many surgeons cut those nerves out with the prostate gland.

[Sexluver (imported)]

I would not have prostate removed if no signs of cancer just as I would not want to have my nuts cut off to avoid testicular cancer if they were perfectly healthy. They still feel really good and still make me very horny !!

[TopManFL (imported)]

I have a 14 core biopsy done last April and it was done in the hospitals x Ray department the urologist numbed me and did the procedure and all I felt was a dull thump when he took the biopsy. I have to have another one done soon because he found pre cancerous cells and will be doing it the same way it wasn't that bad at all I don't see why anybody would want to be knocked out but I wouldn't do it anywhere but in a hospital.

Hey @Chesleyt,

Glad your procedure went almost pain-free. The reason more and more urologist and patients are insisting on being put under is that not everyone responds to the lidocaine numbing in the same way.

Can you imagine going to the dentist, having him numb you up and then proceeding with a root canal without asking if the novacaine was working? In your case, the lidocaine (pretty much the same as novacaine) worked. That's good.

However, not everyone's anatomy or nerves are exactly the same. So, for some men, the lidocaine just doesn't work. Most say nothing while at least a dozen core samples are torn from the most sensitive tissue in their body. Then, when it's over, most will say it was "fine".

It took decades for urologist to even admit that lidocaine was required. They'd blame any patient's complaint of pain during the procedure as anxiety, a patient with a low pain threshold or just a patient who liked to complain.

It was men in exactly your situation that caused urologist to start using lidocaine. Prior to lidocaine when a patient was adviced that followup biopsies would be required a huge percent would refuse the 2nd biopsy due to the pain. Magically, urologist figured out that using a spring-loaded tiny spear gun to take core samples out of a man's prostate through his anus hurts. I think it was more the prospect of hurting their profit margin by doing fewer biopsies than worrying about the patient's pain.

[Chesleyt (imported)]

I would never do it with out anything for the pain I already have prostate pain and that's to much I couldn't imagine doing it without anything I would refuse.

[Cseriess (imported)]

Well i am having a12 core at 09:30 tommorow, so i will be able give my first hand account after.

[TopManFL (imported)]

Best of luck. Are you having it at the office or a surgical center?

[Cseriess (imported)]

So i just got home. Wasn't that bad. There were a couple of sharp pains when she had to go through a muscle. I told her it hurt, and i flinched. She stopped, explained there was a muscle there she could not move. She tried several different angles, but still a little painful. She asked if i wanted to stop, but i have had much worse pain rapping my knuckles, so she just pressed on explaining exactly what she was doing and when it was going to hurt.

Right now it just feels like i slipped off my pedals and landed on my cross bar, no not crunching my testicles, just bruising my perineum. The nausea from the antibiotics is probably the worst thing.

So factual bit over, amusing bit now.

The place is a urology practice. 5 urologists there, so quite busy. A very attractive young, early 20s nurse takes me into an exam room. Does the pre stuff, blood pressure explains what's going to happen. She was super nice, we joked how she couldn't know what it feels like, but doesn't think it will be too bad. Explains i need to be naked from the waist down, but can keep my socks on, she likes socks, has lots of them, some glow in the dark. Mine are red and blue striped, she's likes them. She says she will be back in a moment and comes back with another young nurse, and they check the labels on the biopsy kit. They put pads on the exam table, tell me to strip and sit on the table but not to lay down and give me a paper blanket to cover myself. I stand up and start to strip. One of them says we can leave, just call when you are ready. I laughed and said under the circumstances i don't think it really matters and started to undress. The room was nice and warm and although i was nervous i felt relaxed. As i jumped up onto the bed in my T shirt and socks I grabbed the paper blanket to cover myself and looked down. I don't have a belly, so no excuse there, but my penis was the smallest i think i have ever seen it! It was well less than an inch and my testicles were no were to be seen! I am told i have a nice package, but it totally disappeared. It was the strangest emotional feeling, had no self consciousness or shame, actually felt good and proud to be in that state.

[TopManFL (imported)]

Hey

Very glad it went well. Also, that your urologist took it seriously when you were were in pain. The newer philosophy among urologist is that it does actually hurt to shoot a needle into a man's prostate.

For many years urologist refused to even admit it actually hurt. So, numbing helps.

[JockItch (imported)]

I'm glad it went OK too... I've been following this thread closely as I may be due for a prostate biopsy soon too, so am very curious. Let us know how it is the next few days. Wondering how much time off work I will need, but am thinking at least a day or two. When my urologist first proposed this (before I read up on it), I asked if I could go back to work after, and he said I could (very tentatively) but I have since learned that I almost certainly will not feel like going back to a desk job afterwards. Cheers