Anyone Have A Prostate Needle Biopsy?
 

I was just lucky enough to have one two days ago. I expected to be back on my bike the next day (yesterday) but the doctor was shocked and said I had to stay off my bike for two weeks. Anyone else have experience with this? I would love to get back in the saddle and am feeling no discomfort at this time. BTW, I don't get the results until next Thursday.

Never...and that sounds terrible!

I haven't had one, but at work i'm part of the department that deals with needle biopsies. The following is not medical advice nor should it be taken as such:

I'm guessing they used a fairly small gauge needle which means you really should be fine after afew days. In my opinion, they say 2 weeks to cover themselves. It can't be any worse than when donating blood and the warning they give you not to do any heavy lifting for 24-48 hours (you don't want to rupture the blood vessel at the puncture point since they use large gauge needles). Also some peoples bodies don't react well to tissue damage. I know, a needle doesn't cause much damage but for some people it could cause discomfort while it heals. Now if they were using a large gauge needle which took a big chunk of tissue, well, then i could see why they want you to wait afew weeks.

That's just my opinion from what i know about needle biopsies. :) (i'm a cytotech, i look at needle biopsies under the microscope almost everyday). :D

O_o;; *cringes* I'm afraid to ask but curiosity has go thte best of me. I don't know anything on this but I'm guessing they stuck a needle into the giggle berries?

/me shudders



Zero_Enigma

Worse than that. The prostate is biopsied through the rectum. The prostate needle biopsy is one of the more barbaric, painful procedures modern medicine has going. Sounds like you sailed through it though, sv_ted.

I'd listen to your doctor. There can be post-biopsy bleeding and riding your bike would only confuse the issue should a problem arise like bleeding or pain. Here's hoping it doesn't and here's hoping your results turn up nothing but healthy protate tissue.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice. It is not a fun one. They take 12 core samples. By the twelfth one you are really ready to be out of there. I guess I should wait the couple of weeks.

Good luck Ted. I would have told Jack Bauer the truth before he even asked a question. I think if it was a medical procedure they would put you under first. Please say that they would put you under.

Nope. You are wide awake. They do give a local before the first one and that does help. When that wore off I was back at work and thought I was going to pass out. The next day I felt much better. Now I just get to worry about the results. Some bike riding would be very therapeutic.

Ok, yeah. Wait the 2 weeks. :)

12 core samples is considered alot...

Rectum? Damn near killed 'em.

Wow. That sounds incredibly painful. Heal up soon.

I've got my fingers crossed that the results will be good news sv_ted.

It'll be tough not riding for 2 weeks but do what the doctor said.

I'm guessing the biopsy was because of suspected prostate cancer.

Don't all the "older" guys on here have an annual physical that includes a PSA?
http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer...PSA-blood-test
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/f.../Detection/PSA

Even some of us not so "older" guys get a yearly PSA if there's a history of prostatic cancer in the family. My grandfather had prostate surgery for cancer removal, my father is 3 years clean after radiation and chemotherapy, and I'm just waiting my turn. I started my PSA baseline when I turned 30.

sv_ted, I hope the results come back clean for you, and any problems that gave rise to needing this test turn out to be something minor and easily treatable like BPH.

I didn't fear getting older (I'm 30) until I read this post.

Ouch, ouch, good god, ouch. Suddenly my lower back pain pales in comparison to rectal core samples of my prostate. If a doctor told me they were going to stick a needle in my rear and take tissue from an internal organ, I'd probably tell him to go back to the late 15th century so he could help out some suspicious spaniards....

Just make sure they use a local anesthetic first. And try not to twich. ;)

+1 on getting an annual PSA screen if you have family history of prostate problems. The PSA screen is a blood test. My uncle had an enlarged prostate and had to have the roto rooter treatment, a cousin in his mid to late 40s had to have his prostate removed.

While we're on the subject of pain, I had vasectomy last December. They numb up your privates with a topical anesthetic then inject a local anesthetic: one shot on each side of the sac and one shot in the base of your tallywacker. Doesn't compare to a needle stuck in your rear 12 times though.

sv_ted, good luck on your results.

It's when your dangly bits start coming back out of the anestheic about halfway home. That's when it starts to hurt.
I was a soccer goalie for 5 years with my previous employer's company beer league team. I can't say for certain which I'd rather have again: The feeling of post anesthetic privates coming back to my painful realization, or getting clanged in the junk with soccer cleats by someone that doesn't understand "stop kicking when the keeper traps the ball."

Not that you need to hear all these tales of woe in your time of agony, but Ted, when you're in pain like that, do you also find some twisted consolation in the fact that you're not the only one?
(It's as if the "Oh yeah, let's see how you like it" *whack!* method actually relieves your own pain.)

one word.

Mammogram.

Done by an uncaring tech.

At the wrong time of the month. No numbing.

'Nuff said,

That being said, I hope the biopsy comes out good, not bad.

You don't really need a local, the technician can take samples quite well while you squirm around.

Try not to worry about the results. I'm almost three years past a radical prostatectomy due to cancer and still riding 100 miles a week or so. They generally take good care of you so listen to your doctor.

Aggggghhhhhhhhhh! Don't say that. At least when I got my 40th birthday colonoscopy they put me under. You a tougher man than I am sv ted. Good luck with the results.

Don't want to get into a gender comparison about who's got the worse procedure going, but I think the prostate biopsy has got mammograms beat.

The best description for men that I heard of having a mammogram was something like this: Imagine taking your testicles, pulling them as far from body as you could, then having them sqeezed, not so gently, between 2 flat plates of cold glass. Hold that position for 2 to 5 minutes.

TWELVE core samples? Jeezis! Best wishes for good results!

sv_ted,

If the doc says to stay off the bike for 1-2weeks listen to them. They only want you to heal up right then injurying yourself and having to lead to other problems. Perhaps you should ask your doc what exercises you can do while you heal. I'm sure walking would not be an issue. See what they say about jogging or a step climber or holding weights while you walk up and down the stairs 50 times.

Here's hoping all the best to you. After the explaination of how the needle goes in I'm already in pain each time I hear of this.


Zero_Enigma

I had that done last year. they took 12 samples on me too. not pleasant. but not horrible. but everything was OK. hope it is the same with you! Just a warning-- wierd creepybut temporary side effect, PM me for details.

I did a google search on the procedure and read about it. I just about wish I had not...