Develop Symptoms Before Pca Diagnosis?

I have read that for many men, prostate cancer is detected by DRE or elevated PSA before the onset of ANY symptoms.
I did have symptoms before the cancer was diagnosed or a biopsy was performed.
Mine is a stageIII cancer. So, I don't know if this (stage) makes a difference, but my symptoms included: very bad urinary frequency, especially at night--- lower right back pain and some dribbling.
Did you have symptoms before diagnosis, or close to diagnosis, regardless of stage?
I have talked to a few guys who've said they did. Of course prostate cancer has many symptoms including: frequency, difficulty urinating, feelings of incompleteness, blood when urinating ect.
I guess I want to know if my symptoms were unusual? Were you bothered by them or were you symptom-free?
Also, I still have urinary frequency post-
surgery 02/14/06. I realize that many of us, including me, have much more serious post-treatment side effects. But is frequency still a problem for you?
Thanks for your help. I am so grateful that I found this site.

Thanks again,
Vet

Diagnosed: 12/03/05
Biopsy: Gleason 10
Surgery: 02/14/06
EBRT: Proton, 06/05/06 thru 07/25/06
Diagnosis: T3b Seminal Vesicle Involvement, Gleason 9 both lobes.
Intermittent Hormone Therapy: 12/15/05
Current PSA--- .01

Post Edited (veteran1) : 6/24/2007 2:09:46 PM (GMT-6)

My husband didn't have any symptoms. On a routine exam (which he hadn't had for 3 years)the dr. thought he felt a nodule on his prostate, so put him on antibiotics. His PSA was 2.5. After the antibiotics it only went down to 2.1. So they took a biopsy. 2 out of 12 samples positive for cancer, 3% in those 2 samples. Both samples were on the opposite site of the nodule. Geason 3=3, well differentiated cells. I think the biopsy was in early august. He was just about to turn 45.

He had surgery Oct. 17th, and although the Gleason remained the same, his raiting was T2c, with cancer in both lobes of the prostate, and in a small area in the margin. (Thank the Lord we had the surgery so quickly. We were going to wait 2 more months). First 2 PSAs <0.01%.

My husband has noticed a difference in urination. I don't know if it's more frequent, but as soon as he feels the need to go, he'd better go. I read something about the fact that the prostate had a sphincter, or some other mechanism that enables you guys to hold it, along with the sphincter on the bladder. So now you guys know how we women feel, with only one mechianism of "holding" it.

bec

Ken had no symptoms whatsoever, except for a bouncing around PSA. But no physical ones. (until after the actual diagnosis). After the diagnosis he had some hip pain, etc (but i think that was from compensation for an ankle injury he received skiing right about time of biopsy).

Tanya