Dave Brailsford prostate cancer

mercuryrev

johngti said:

Can I just ask how you knew you had a developing problem? I’ve had a PSA test recently that didn’t show anything abnormal but...

For me it was an uncomfortable ache in my perineum, perfectly described as like sitting on a golf ball. Coupled with a restricted flow that has been slowing for probably 5 or 6 years. I'm 59 btw. It came on after driving about 3500 miles in 10 days.

My doc ordered a blood and wee test, which showed no UTI and a PSA of 1.6. He ummed and arr'ed a bit then said go to see a specialist. Largely because the tests didn't explain my discomfort.

Having had a finger and a probe up where the sun don't shine, ultrasound scan of my kidneys and bladder, then a camera down the Ol' Fella, the specialist's best guess is either prostatitis or neuralgia. I'm on pills for the next three months to see if things improve. If not it could be an MRI scan or a nerve blocking injection.

I'm also going to start doing some exercises to see if that improves anything.

Some people reckon the PSA test is flawed, in that it can through up false readings. For me, if the test is high then it'll be investigated, if the test is low then it likely won't be, but you will have established a base score which can be reviewed on your next test.

AFAIK there is no definitive test for what is now the most common form of cancer in men.

Do you have any other symptoms?

orraloon

I reckon if you are concerned that something may be wrong, then do go get it checked out pronto.

I had / have similar symptoms to RR with low flow and increased urgency. With SDB's issues this year, it prompted me to go get seen, partic after counting back and realising the last time I had a PSA test was 2005/6. GP on it, got ultrasound scanned within a week. PSA came back with 1.35, scans showed bladder not emptying fully so been given some tabs to help relax the smooth muscle, we'll see how that does, early doors but condition seems to be improving.

Current thinking is yes, prostate enlarged so impacting urinary flow but no indications of cancer.

Life, eh.

johngti

PSA was 0.6 which is about what it was a couple of years ago. Flow seems ok most of the time but slow to start sometimes. Notice that when I have to go, I HAVE to go! Not getting up in the night or anything. I’m soon to be 51. Probably see how it goes for the next few months and maybe pop back to the GP.

TMI?

mercuryrev

johngti said:

PSA was 0.6 which is about what it was a couple of years ago. Flow seems ok most of the time but slow to start sometimes. Notice that when I have to go, I HAVE to go! Not getting up in the night or anything. I’m soon to be 51. Probably see how it goes for the next few months and maybe pop back to the GP.

TMI?

If it worries you, then go see a doctor, if it's the same as last time then it shouldn't be a problem, but hey, I'm some bloke on a forum, not a doctor.

Your flow will slow down as you get older, it does, we are getting old, sadly. I think it's more of a problem if you can't go, or it's an urgent need always. The docs seem to always ask about if you can sleep through without getting up if you stop drinking about 8 or 9pm.

ridgerider

There is no such thing as TMI on this thread.

1. Your body seems to be telling you something, go and see your doctor.
2. I'm also a bloke on the internet, but I once had a similar urgency problem and the doctor diagnosed a urinary tract infection. Antibiotics and lots of cranberry juice sorted it.

Wheelspinner

🤔🤔
Wonders idly whether SDB has come across this thread...

philbar72

mercuryrev said:

philbar72 said:

I hope recovery goes well chaps.

Thanks very much, very kind of you.

I'm hoping my pills (permixon) are going to do the trick, they're a natural product apparently, with pretty good results in tests.

Has the ciproflaxin done the trick?

I've got the second of my challenges for this week in the morning..... having a tooth extracted, which scares me more than the camera (yeah big wuss). Then a few days of recovering and then I'll be back on the bike.

Great thread this, good to know there's such nice people out there.

Thanks again

its worked, and I am over most of the symptoms. no acute prostatitis. but getting older means its not as good as it was so I should expect a few minor issues.

orraloon

Gym session this morning, got chatting with, or more like listening to this guy describing in full, frank, candid...terms his experiences of being treated for prostate cancer. PSA test picked it up. Had hormone therapy, ladies' hormones as he termed it to reduce testosterone levels, and radiotherapy. Seems to have caught the cancer before it had spread out wider in body.

Fair play to him, he's in his 70s, he's coming off the hormones now, had put on 3.5st in weight, developed large moobs, zero energy, zero downstairs sensations; joined the gym couple weeks ago to try to shed some weight and regain body shape, got himself an e-bike (good luck in this weather). Maybe eyeballing the gym bunnies will assist 😉

Gets retested in a few weeks time, hope it goes well for him.

Another reminder: get checked regularly.

ridgerider

It was good to meet you Orra'

orraloon

😊 ah sheeitt man, you should have said, we could have gone over to the Pizza Hut for a covfefe and a chat...

ridgerider

An interesting development here...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-50249857

Fingers might still be involved, but avoiding having to have a biopsy is a bonus...

ridgerider

So, at the third attempt, I have had my prostate removed! Not that it took the doctors three goes to get it out, one was too soon after the TURP, the second was cancelled due to preparations ahead of the virus.

Removed by a Da Vinci robot yesterday afternoon, I woke up after the 5hr operation having had the best sleep for a while! Will be going home tomorrow.

Thanks for all your previous best wishes, I did not want to announce the event beforehand incase the second spike came along and it was cancelled again.

As a tribute to David B, I dressed up in his honour!

rick_chasey

Ridge! Good to hear from you! God that must have been stressful during corona. Glad they got the bloody thing out. Hope you're doing Ok and on the mend.

No_Ta_Doctor

Nice one Ridge. Did you get to take it home as a souvenir?

ridgerider

I have been on hormone injections since the TURP in anticipation of going down the radiotherapy route. But the surgical team butted in in January and offered me their services, and my PSA had come down to 1.6 as I had stayed on the injections. The medical team were relaxed about the timing of any operation as the cancer was effectively sleeping, but they re-started operations in Eastbourne about a month ago, and here I am.

Apparently, due to the hormone treatment, it was down to 16ml in size, so tiny. The bloke before me in theatre had a 60ml one. Could possibly make it into a stem cap, but on a more serious note, it has gone off for analysis to see if the cancer had broken out of it. If that's the case, I might still have to go down the radiotherapy route to knock the residual bits on the head.

In the meantime, today is the first day of my 'get back on my bike' fitness programme!

dish_dash

RidgeRider! Very glad to hear from you. It's been a quiet couple of months from you and I was getting a bit worried. Glad the operation was a success and fingers crossed on the analysis and radiotherapy front.

DeVlaeminck

Positive news

ddraver

Whoop, join me in rehab...

ridgerider

So what's your story DD?

andyp

Good news, Ridgerider. If the fitness program doesn't go too well, I think we can put you in touch with an excellent clinic in Vienna who can help.

sherer

good news.. good luck with the recovery RR

ridgerider

Thank you. Thank you.

ddraver

ridgerider said:

So what's your story DD?

ACL snap and subsequent reconstruction...

Stupid skiing!

(Swiss hospitals are rather nice tho)

m.r.m.

All the best Ridge and hope you heal up quickly. I have a bunch of doctor friends and my Ex is a doctor as well, so let me know if you need anything or a second opinion at any point in future.

Glad it's working out well. Keeping my fingers crossed, you'll be done with it really soon!

orraloon

Good news RR and all the best for future.