Posted 3/16/2016 1:15 PM (GMT -5)
I had problems with blood clots after the biopsy, which resulted in a trip to the ER and insertion of a catheter, after that came out, talked to the urologist again and he performed a scope procedure to see if there was blockage inside the urethra, either there was blockage or he couldn't drive the camera probe very well and the procedure hurt way worse than the biopsy. I didn't have any problems with the biopsy itself other than blood clotting. My urologist determined I needed a TURP procedure before we could proceed to radiation. He didn't think surgery was warranted in my case as the biopsy came back 12/12 positive for cancer, gleason 4+4.
I never had any problems with blockages before cancer and biopsy's and the TURP may very well have been necessary to prevent problems during radiation because I had no problems with radiation later on, but after the TURP I read up on the side effects, I would suggest everyone read up on the TURP before having that procedure done. It can have serious life changing side effects to your love life, and I found out that 95% of those having a turp experience this. I would have fought harder against having that procedure done if I had researched it more ahead of time. After the TURP they raised my gleason to a 9 since the material extracted was also cancerous.
I was diagnosed with the results of the biopsy, and immediately put on Lupron...same day he told me the result of the biopsy. Didn't give me time to look that up either, but afterwards could agree with the treatment. I was given a 6 month dose and lived 18 months with Lupron, while my wife learned part of our relationship had taken a vacation. Lucky for me, we had 30 years together and had already had kids and watched them grow and leave the house for college before cancer showed its ugly head.
If you've had the DRE, the biopsy is the next logical step, just beware that after puncturing the walls of your rectum to reach the Prostate area, there will be bleeding for a few days afterwards, usually some bloody stools but I only had one or two stools tinged with pink in the water. The biopsy was not traumatic, I don't want you to worry much about that, it is uncomfortable, just as a colonoscopy is, and its a bit embarrassing if anyone but the doc is present, my wife was in the room as he did it, as was a nurse. But they do give you a valium or something similar to relax you before you start, in my case I didn't feel the first six needles, the last six were painful enough to feel but weren't that bad. I was fine afterwards and could have gone back to work except I'd taken a valium which would need to wear off first.
After you get the results, your life may change, or it may not, based on what is determined. I've now been through 18 months of Lupron, 10 weeks of Radiation, and 6 infusions of Taxotere chemotherapy, and am currently on Xtandi. I know my prospects aren't good for the long term, so I'm enjoying life as much as I can in the few years I have left, and I try to pass on whatever I experienced in forums such as these, as well as other forums for hobbies I participate in, Information is key, don't get embarrassed talking about your situation, find others to confide in. It helps to unload your worries. My younger brother died of leukemia after he successfully endured bone marrow transplants, died of Pneumonia months later, but he wasn't given time to get things in order first. I have. and for that I am grateful.
Don't get depressed, everyone may go through phases of depression if they do endure cancer treatment. Best thing to do is to talk it over with others that understand the situation, other patients. I know for a fact that others have responded successfully to treatments I've gone through, for some, Lupron was enough, for others Radiation killed it and they were fine afterwards. But a few of us get to go on to chemo. You have a ways to go before having to worry about chemo. I wish you luck, it may not be as bad as you think at this point, get your biopsy and keep a positive attitude.