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Posted 9/16/2006 12:11 PM (GMT -8)
Hi all. I'm not really sure if I have it or not, but the doctor found what he called "rough patches" on my prostate. I'm 45 years old and this really threw me for a spin. He said it could be possible scarring but wanted to err on the side of caution and had me go for a PSA and urinalysis (I went this morning). Plus I have an appt. with a Urologist on Thursday. I really don't exibit any symptoms that I've read about, except maybe frequent urination. But I tend to drink a lot of water (24 oz a day) so I'm thinking I'm just scaring myself. But I do tend to also wake up during the night to urinate. Mostly once but sometimes twice a night. But I also drink at night as well, just not as much as during the day(I keep a drink by my bed in case of a dry throat. But as far as other symptoms there's none.

Anyway, I guess my real questions are: Has anyone else gone through this at my age, with what I just described, and it's only been scarring for one reason or another? And, if i do have cancer, is the fact that I have no symptoms really a sign that it's either benign or in a very, very early stage of it?

I'm sorry if I'm starting early with panic but this is the first time I've ever been faced with the possibilty of not being with my wife and children.

Please help me.

Thank you.
Posted 9/16/2006 12:37 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Dan, Never to early to start asking questions and get an idea what you might be dealing with.   Not sure about the scarring issue.   Was this discovered in a routine physical?   First things first.... PSA results and your visit to the Urologist to get more specifics....   let us know as soon as you get them okay!!   What is your health status otherwise?? Please let us know your results as soon as you get them… OK!  Prostate Cancer is a scary word and we are all dealing with it in our own way.... But ~ having friends who have traveled or is traveling this path makes all the difference in the world.   I'm glad you found us!!!!   We are all here to help each other...   so read, read, and learn.   KNOWLEDGE IS POWER…The learning about Prostate Cancer is so important.   Don't be afraid to read about it because the more you know the better you will be at knowing what decisions you will want and need to make.    Take care,  Lee & Buddy
Posted 9/16/2006 12:52 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks for replying!  My health is good.  Except that I take Nexium for stomach acid and nefazodone for anxiety. Other than that I eat well and exercise extensively.  Both cardio and lfit weights.  I'm also studying to be a personal trainer. 

I will definitely let people know what my results are.  And I will definitely read, read, read!

Posted 9/16/2006 1:26 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Dan, Buddy had a wellness program/routine at the YMCA! and we really feel this helped in his positive healing/recovery time.   So – if you are diagnosed… your fitness will come into play as a huge positive!!!!   Not to soon to start kegels……   can’t hurt!!  If you are totally in the dark as we were when we were first diagnosed!!!   Go to our thread “OUR JOURNEY”… and it will give you a small glimpse into our time frame.   It may help a little.   In New Friendship,
Posted 9/16/2006 1:47 PM (GMT -8)
Dan,
At 45, it would not be unusual to have some amount of calcification (scarring). Urinating a lot may indicate the need to do a fasting glucose check and / or a glucose tollerence in order to rule out diabetes. If you take medication for hypertension you may urinate more...opps, not that I see. Maybe your'e just getting older like the rest of us...LOL!

Your PSA and free PSA would be more useful than anything else right now.
A biopsy amy or may not be indicated as could a rectal ultrasound...done with or without a biopsy. I wouldn't worry until somebody says there is something to worry about.

For the time being, assume the best!

Swim
Posted 9/16/2006 6:15 PM (GMT -8)
Hello Dan,

What Swim Said is good advice: Don't start to worry before there is anything to worry about. My good friend likes to worry, so after my diagnosis he had his routine check-up w/PSA test that came back a 4.5. He immediately freaked out. His urologist did a second PSA test, and it came back normal; now the only thing he has to show for the worry is more gray hairs.

Glen
Posted 9/16/2006 7:54 PM (GMT -8)
Dan,
Enlarged prostate BPH and related symptoms like frequeny are not necessarily related to Prostate Cancer which is more common after 50 and very often has no symptoms.
As per previous posts, PSA can vary a lot due to many factors like recent sexual activity, inflamation, infection, size of prostate.

John
Posted 9/17/2006 7:01 AM (GMT -8)
Wow, everyone, thank you so much. I really, really appreciate all the quick responses. They all made me feel a lot better and more at ease. I can't tell you all how much it all means to me. I've been so nervous and tense, with nothing but sad thoughts going through my head. I will keep you all posted as to my diagnosis as I consider you all my good friends now. And I hope I can reciprocate what you've done for me.
Posted 9/17/2006 9:08 AM (GMT -8)
I had absolutely no symptoms when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer last December. I was 59 at the time ... PSA and digital rectal exam will offer insight into whether you need a biopsy. I know all this can be overwhelming, and we often tend to catastrophize. It's normal to experience a variety of emotions, but I've found that worry tends to drain my energy. So focus on getting properly diagnosed. If you have prostate cancer, it's treatable, normally slow growing. You will get through it ... I had biopsy, surgery. Had to wear a catheter for 21 days. I survived. You will, too.
Posted 9/17/2006 9:50 PM (GMT -8)

Dan,

I am 41.  When in for a routine physical, no symptoms of any prostate problems, no family history.  Doc felt a "nodule" he called it and ordered a PSA and referred me to a Urologist.  PSA came back 1.4 which is considered "normal" since it was under 4.0.  Urologist also performed a DRE and felt the nodule and performed biopsy to rule out cancer.  It came back positive (major bummer!) and I had my surgery last month.

I am not telling you this to make you worry but I do want you to be aware.  I do not know what your doc felt but it would be a good idea to have the urologist perform a DRE as well to get his opinion regardless of your PSA results.  No one wants prostate cancer, but thank God for my primary doc's find.  To catch it early means we can be cured.  Keep us posted and hopefully we will only hear that it is scarring and you can stop the worrying.

Michael

Posted 9/18/2006 6:54 AM (GMT -8)
Dan:

My husband was 44 when diagnosed - no symptoms at all - his doctor suggested a PSA screening during a routine physical - best thing he ever did.  My husband's PSA was 3.74 - ended up being Stage 2 prostate cancer with a Gleason of 6 (you'll get to know the word Gleason very well around here).

He underwent brachytherapy in April and is due to complete his radiation at the end of October.  Last PSA reading shows that it has decreased so that's a good sign.

Best advice I can give you is gather all your information and make the decision that you are most comfortable with.  Every specialist we saw thought their procedure was the best so you need to be comfortable with what treatment you chose.  It's confusing sometimes but knowledge truly is power.

You've found a great support group here - they've been wonderful to me.

 

Posted 9/18/2006 12:49 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks everyone. I'm just waiting on the PAS now. My urin test came back all negative so I'm hopeful my PSA will show the same. I'm going this Thursday to the urologist either way though. I'll keep you all posted.
Posted 9/20/2006 6:20 PM (GMT -8)

Dan,

Hang in there, but follow up on the diagnotic steps your doctor suggests.   Prostate cancer is very rare for guys your age (OUR age--- I just turned 46).  It's usually something else...BUT....  Don't be afraid to push for answers.  If you get real concerned, get  a bioposy done.  That's just my personal slant, but I'd rather have an "unneccessary" biop than not get one and miss something important.  Its not as bad a procedure as it sounds (get good drugs from your doc ahead of time!)

Like I said, its MUCH, MUCH, MUCH more likely something else weird going on with you than it is PC...so try not to make yourself nuts.  But it does happen.  about 4% of prostate cancer cases are under age 50.   I had no symptoms but caught it on a PSA....it was relatively far along, but I'm OK now...GOOD LUCK AND KEEP POSTING....the odds are on your side, but follow thru!

Sterd82

Posted 9/21/2006 4:35 AM (GMT -8)
You are smart to see the Urologist.  Don't chase PSA numbers the only real way to tell if cancer is in there is a biopsy. I was scared to death of the biopsy. Believe me it is a piece of cake mildly uncomfortable feels like a digital exam and someone snapping you lightly with a rubber band twelve times for about 20 minutes. I hurt myself worse going out to the garage and playing with tools. I would do it again in a heartbeat. The worst part is waiting for the results. The second worse part if it happens is hearing it is cancer, however every seed of adversity carries forth a greater or equivalent benefit. My prostate and the cancer is coming out on October 12 with the da vinci robot. I'm 57 and glad I found out early from all indications. Until this happend I had no idea just how many men get this. I thought  PSA was a defunct California airlines. Best of everything to you and keep us posted on what you find out today at the urologist.
Posted 9/21/2006 4:57 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks guys. Ok, i got my PSA results last night. 1.1 and they said that was very good. So it's more than likely not cancer. I'm very, very happy but I'm still going to go to the urologist just to find out precisely what it is. And what I should do/ not do, about it.

It's really helped talking to people who know about these things and you all have helped me more than i can say. I will, of course, be sticking around to help others the way you've helped me.
Posted 9/21/2006 6:04 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Dan,

That is great news, and it's likey the urologist will find it was something minor as well. Please keep us posted anyway when you get the chance.

Glen
Posted 9/21/2006 7:16 AM (GMT -8)

Dan:

That is great news.  If nothing else, you now have a baseline PSA.  Your are a lucky man but please know that more and more men are being diagnosed in their early 40s.  We took it upon ourselves to educate men (most of whom hate going to the doctor's office) about the myth "it can't happen to me, I'm too young".  Unfortunately times are changing and more and more young men are now receiving treatment.  My husband is also a case in point - he was only 44 and would have been undiagnosed for 6 years if our doctor went by the "typical" PSA screening age of 50 ...

Posted 9/21/2006 8:27 AM (GMT -8)
See Dan?!!! Life just goes on!
Posted 9/21/2006 11:16 AM (GMT -8)

Dan--

Great news --- follow up...and tell your friends.  Like the post above, it CAN happen to younger guys.   I don't think I would have made it to 50 had I gone undiagnosed....GOOD LUCK!

Posted 9/21/2006 5:15 PM (GMT -8)
Great news Dan! that's a great idea to follow up with a urologist and now you have a baseline to go on. Best wishes to you and keep us updated. kat
Posted 9/21/2006 8:03 PM (GMT -8)

Good news Dan,

I hope it is nothing as well.  Let us know what your Urologist thinks and it would be great to hear on this forum negative results for PSA!  Take care.

Michael

Posted 9/22/2006 1:57 PM (GMT -8)
Hey Dan, Thank you for sharing your urinalysis and psa test results!!   Ahhhh now breathe a little bit more J    Yes, keep your appointment with the urologist… and rule out all areas of concern.   Please do stick around with us in the future…. Friends “many” who are not ready to join will find comfort in your resent test findings…. And give them hope also.   It’s easy for us to say “Don’t worry”…. But that’s the nature of the beast… isn’t it! Several times on new member postings I’ve gone to say “Don’t worry until you have to worry and then if you are diagnosed then we will help you through the worries… because we’ve been there….” I’ve deleted this sentence several times before posting my replies…..but after reading the postings from Spinbiscuit and Swimom with the same thought….. I know it’s okay to type this ~ so I will in the future!!! You are the prime example of this J and we are so thankful you will continue with us.   Amazing what a little scare can do for us!!!   Enjoy each and every day with your wife, children, and friends….    You may be one of the lucky ones…in receiving that special little push as a reminder that we are not promised tomorrow. Live one-day-at-a-time and enjoy each and every moment!!!   What a GIFT!!!!   One Day At A Time…… Yesterday was history.    Tomorrow is a mystery.   Today is a gift.   That’s why it’s called the Present.   Enjoy your gift……… In Friendship,
Posted 9/22/2006 7:56 PM (GMT -8)

You all are the best.  Just the BEST!

Regards, Bill

Posted 9/27/2006 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't gotten on but between work and school age kids it got difficult. Anyway, I have an appt. on Oct. 9th for my exam with the urologist.

And I'll be staying on to help all I can for others who have issues to talk about.

Talk to you all soon.
Posted 9/28/2006 12:32 PM (GMT -8)
Hey! 56 Pontiac, I am going for open Prosectemy 10/12/2006 PSA 3.3 3+3=6 59 years old Keep in touch. Didn,t they put you out for your Biopsy. I did not feel a thing. 12 sections 2 have cancer. 1 5% and 1 50%. I,ll be thinking about us on the 12th. Yikes!!!! Shepla
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