I am 43 and for the last few weeks I am having problems when I need to go to the toilet. GP referred me to a consultant after my PSA results were high. Consultant put my on a six week run of Ciprofloxacin. I then went in to hospital for a few tests. One if these tests was for my flow, which turned out to be slow, I have now been put on nine weeks of self catheterzation and told to come back for the same tests in January. I have asked for my results of my PSA but for some reason I'm not getting them. Is this normal??
As far as I know, they are required to provide you with your test results if you ask for them. My doc always writes "copy to patient" on my lab slip and the lab sends the reports directly to me.
Agreeing with Light1: you have a right to that info. Call and ask for the info, then insist if they resist. On this forum we have all learned to be informed and proactive; it's the way to get things done and prevent tragedies caused by under-informed and/or neglectful medical staff and doctors...
Speak to your doctor directly or the office manager. You have a right to your medical records. It's not normal, or legal, for them to withold any test results like PSA. Hopefully just medical office bureaucracy. If you want to be on top of your health, I suggest you ask for copies of ALL of your test results, such as blood work, any ultrasounds, etc., and not just your PSA.
As to the rest, not a doctor and don't know all the details, but sounds like you had a UTI and as part of the evaluation they found out that you had significant retention as well as low flow, all symptons of BPH. The self cathing was probably suggested to give your bladder a rest and to see if it can function better after decompressing for nine weeks. The self cathing in theory should also help you clear the UTI better by completely emptying the bladder. If this is the case I commend your doctor for suggesting self cathing as it is a step often overlooked yet can be highly effective.
How many time a day did they suggest you self cath? What is the name of the catheter you are using and does it have a straight or bent (coude) tip? As a very broad guideline, if you find more than 400cc coming out of the catheter (you measure it with a plastic measuring cup) then increase the frequency.
I personally am a big fan of self cathing where needed, so please feel free to ask questions or read some of the threads on it.
Not normal. You may simply have a calcification at the base of the bladder adjacent to the urethra. A cystoscopy (camera up the urethra) will soon give an indication.
I'm no medical professional, but I've been there, done that in this case.
Hey buddy. You have a right to know what was the PSA and they should have told you. How high was it . It can be from many thing. You may have a infection and this why you were having a problem peeing. Last December I had a prostate infection and was on the some thing Ciprofloxacin 1000mg for a month. PS at your age don't let them talk you into anything. Call and get the answer to the PSA If they will not tell you go to the office and get it and get a new doctor. He should have not kept anything from you Ken P PS with a infection he should have not sent you to the hospital for a flow test
Other than them concealing your PSA results sounds like they are doing a good job. Not putting you on some drug for your prostate but having you self cath. IMO is a huge step forward for you. If all is ok ultimately then you will be able to stop self cathing and no harm done. Too many side effects on prostate drugs, like lowered libido, reduction in ejaculation, etc. just that kind of stuff. Self cathing is a good thing! So stay on course and see what Jan. Has to say. Always remember, get multiple opinions and NO TURP!
No, you should be given a copy or told. High PSA at your age is normally prostatitis not cancer. Mine was 16.92 at age 49 which is bad. Alternative %free psa test gave 5% which is also bad. MRI showed level 4 out of 5 suspected tumour. But biopsy showed chronically inflamed prostate tissue in all 13 cores. I had a HOLeP operation that cuts out the middle of the prostate, the removed tissue is tested and again no cancer. All fine now. However at 42 you are young for TURP, greenlight PVP, or HOLeP operations, as they leave you unreliably infertile due to retrograde ejaculation. A short term fix for a few years is called Urolift, it can improve flow rate but not often resolve a frequency issue. PAE is a good long term fix that maintains fertility, although it does not always work. With luck your antibiotics will work and it will self resolve over the next few months. Clearly massively inconvenient using a cath at age 42.
I'm doing it 3 times daily, catheter is speedicatheter, size 14 at start now moving on to size 16. I'm finding this very hard to do, getting panic feelings just before I'm to do it. Feeling very low as every thing I read moves towards an old man.
If I knew my PSA was low I won't mind doing this, but if it's high and I need to do something else after this I won't be happy, as I'm finding this hard to accept.
I'm sick every time I have to do it, it's the last thing I think off when I go to sleep and the first thing when I wake up. Shake like a limitless girl about half an hour before each one.
I have, this is a very expensive private hospital in cork city. I have a feeling my PSA is still high, and he knows if I find out I will pull out of Self catheterzation and go straight to the next step. I'm finding this so degrading.
A high PSA can be caused by many things (infection, large prostate, biking or orgasm before blood draw, etc) not just PCa. Even if it might look like PCa, most PCa is not aggressive or a cause for concern. Don't get too concerned at this point. Just keep us posted as things develop.