Thank you Neil. Your story is very reassuring and comforting. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to tell the rest of us big strong men that there is nothing to be afraid of.
Thank you for taking the time to make this. I am going in 2 days and have been very worried. Almost cancelled. Now will go through with it. Very grateful. Doug. Rumson NJ USA
Doug Rossbach hi Doug. I know how feel, and i almost cancelled, but glad i didnt. I have another one due in a few months, and am not the slightest bit concerned. good luck, and keep us informed please. neil
My 12 biopsy needles did not hurt at all, the noise didn't bother me, but the2 anesthetic injections hurt like hell. The urologist warned me they would hurt. After the procedure the table was covered in a pool of blood. I went through 3 diapers on the drive home. That last experience made me empathetic toward what women of child-bearing years go through every month.
thanks for feedback Ted. For me the opposite was trye. the anesthetic was pretty much a non event and there was very little bleeding if any. Good luck with your results. neil
Thank you so much for your valuable insight. I had my biopsy this morning in Southampton General Hospital UK and thanks to you I knew exactly what to expect. In fact the examination was much less disturbing and uncomfortable than I thought it was going to be, so I just want to say how valuable your video has been. This afternoon I took the dog for a five mile walk in the New Forest and felt fine with no discomfort at all! Amazing! Here's to a happy and healthy future! Jonathan
Hi Jonathon, I'm glad it went well for you, and I hope the results and the future is good for you. I ended up having a robotic prostatectomy last year, and the experience was no biggie. i am now back to square one with no side effects and no health issues. I did do a series of videos on this if you end up down that track - which i hope you don't. All the best. Go the all blacks. neil
Thank you for doing this video. I saw it yesterday my Transrectal biopsy today, and it really helped to alleviate my worries about the procedure. Having gone through the procedure this morning I can say it was pretty easy with minimal discomfort. The part I was really nervous about were the four anesthetic injections and they were just small pinches. Interestingly, I experienced some pain after the procedure, like you did. That was alleviated taking 2 Ibuprofen tablets.
Neil, I had the procedure done today and my experience was very similar to yours. I was still a bit nervous going in but found it a piece of cake. your description of the probe and the sample gun were spot on. It has now been four hours and I am comfortable and will return to work tomorrow. Well done and good luck on your results.
Neil, thanks for taking the time to relay your experience. I'm scheduled for a biopsy in a few days and up until now was seriously considering canceling it. The doctor made me feel like I was on an assembly line during the last appointment and stated that the pain was a big deal because he hadn't had to have the procedure room walls sound proofed for screams. Thanks again and best of luck to you sir.
Thanks Neil, I really admire you posting video on such a delicate subject. Off for my Biopsy tomorrow and feeling a lot better about it now and well informed . Thank again.
Neil - had my biopsy this morning. Two female nurses and the urologist were in the room. Not in the slightest bit embarrassing or painful. Not even that uncomfortable to be honest. I just chatted to one of the nurses as the surgeon took the samples. It was over in a jiffy. Thanks for your video. It put my mind at rest before the procedure and as you say, it was nothing to be worried about.
Neil, thank you so very much for your video! My husband and I watched your video. It prepared us both. He was prepared, and it really helped him to know what was going on during the video. We can't thank you enough!!! The big problem is that hubby went off heart medicines for about 5 days. Major heart issues when he went back on the medicine. Hoping for good results, as he probably won't do this procedure again. There seem to be lots of reasons for enlarged prostate, as other videos show.
Thanks Guys. I'm glad it helped. i have a second biopsy due in a week or 2 - its been a year already (!) , and I'll post a new comment afterwards. neil
Neil, thanks for posting this. I am going in for mine this afternoon! I haven't really worried about it much until today, and you have put me at ease. Thank you. Brad from Canada
@@ga20904 It actually went pretty well and very similar to what Neil described in this video. The procedure itself was quick, not painful, but a little uncomfortable. I could barely feel the needles. The worst part was the period of recovery following the biopsy for about 4 or 5 hours - although not really painful, it felt like I had to pee for several hours, but couldn't - it was more annoying and uncomfortable than painful. I was finally able to urinate after about 4 and a half hours, which was a relief, and then then I started feeling better immediately thereafter. I had a very good sleep that night and felt back to 100% by the next morning.
Neil - got my results today. Just like you - Gleason 6 in one sample only. I'm 58 and am going on active surveillance. Better knowing I've got it and watching if it progresses than not knowing until it's maybe too late. I'm from N Ireland and send my thanks to you in New Zealand for the video which put my mind at rest before the biopsy.
Hello from the UK thanks for the video , I'm having Prostate Biopsy in a few weeks time, your video made my mind up to have the Biopsy, Thanks from Paul.
Thanks Neil for sharing this. I have my first biopsy this Saturday (1st April) no joke and viewing your video a reassured me on this alien procedure. I'll your comparison to women giving birth! Once again many thanks for this.
My biopsy was recommended for the exact reason yours was. I'm also 69 years old and my PSA score was starting to rise. My father survived prostate cancer but his brother (my uncle) died from it. Your detailed description was almost identical to mine. Although I was asked to give myself an enema on the day before the biopsy. I had this biopsy done yesterday at the VA Loma Linda, California. I was very nervous about it to say the least - causing high anxiety. I was so nervous (afraid), I took an unauthorized Xanax one hour before just to keep my blood pressure from going too high. The doctor was very good and explained every step as she was doing it. My conclusions: Not nearly as bad as I imagined. Uncomfortable? Yes. Painful? No. The whole procedure took less than 10 minutes. She took 16 very targeted samples from my prostate. Lab results are pending.
Glad to hear it went Greg, and I hope that the results are good. I ended up eventually having a robotic prostatectomy which was 5 years ago, and I did several videos on the days after. Let us know how your results turn out.
@@neil1058 Hello Neil. Thx for your reply. I went ahead and watched your videos on the prostate removal. Being the pessimist I am, I have a suspicion that I will be going down the same path. I will know my biopsy results in a week or so. Thanks for your videos. They shed light on a mysterious subject. I am already familiar with the catheter ordeal. I had a pre-emptive triple bypass about two years ago. Never had a heart attack or stroke.
your experience put my mind at rest and I'm kinda lost fears on my up coming saturday biopsy procedure. I appreciate for your all encouraging videos i watched.
@@neil1058 Hello Neil. You was right, I've got my biopsy procedure easy yesterday no pain at all) Thanks my man. Now I'm worried about what's the next...) I guess i'll get surgery if even negative results. You know, everytime when they removed catheter after three hours my bladder getting blocked again, and again catheter placed back... second month like this and I'm very scared...
Hi Neal, thanks for your video and for sharing your personal experiences on the prostate biopsy. It gives me a little bit of courage in facing my fear of the biopsy. My urologist wanted to let me undergo prostate biopsy after hospitalization due to UTI. There is so much blood coming out of my urine. I am still young at the age of 46 and I had so much fear about what's going to happen next. I hope I could get more of your videos on how you feel after a samples were taken from your prostate. Do you feel pain from time to time?
Thank you for your candid report.My biopsy was quite the same experience just that I had some pain when my urologist harpooned my prostate,also 16 probes.My side effect was not pain afterwards but swollen testicles,maybe I was allergic or don't know why.Thanks and cheers!!
Neil, my experience last October was almost identical to yours with the exception of the communication, or lack thereof, at the start of the procedure. I wasn't ready for the first snap and I jumped a little. The doctor asked what was wrong and I told him the noise startled me given I was a wee bit tense. I told him that I would appreciate him communicating what we was doing before he did it, and after that all went very smoothly. I was tense for a week or so prior to the procedure, and apprehensive as I sat on the table waiting for him to come in and looking at the apparatus, but afterward I told him that I'd do it all again in a heartbeat if he told me we had to. I'm almost done now with a month and a half of radiation treatments and it has gone smoothly.
Thanks for your comment Craig. I'm sure others will be re-assured. After my Biopsy, i went on to have a prostatectomy, and that went smoothly as well. All the best.
He was lucky. My prostate biopsy wasn't so easy. The injection was extremely painful. The nurse handed me a bag of menstrual pads afterwards as there was bleeding for the next day or two from my rectum. The test was worth the final result which was negative for cancer.
I had a biopsy two days ago. Everything went fine and painless. While resting after the biopsy I had a strong sensation of passing stools when I tried, I got dizzy and perspired profusely. Later I found out it may be the mild toxicity of Lidocaine. In 4/5 hours I was back to normal.
Im going for mine tomorrow, so this was a welcomed clip to watch, i have a psa of 5.7 so still not sure if that is bad or not ?? Have to take a depository in the morning as well as one antibiotic tab and the following one the next day.Lucky for me i will be under anaesthtic as they also need to remove a stent for a kindey stone done the previous week so Doc asked if we should do both while i am under anaesthetic...
I had my first biopsy August 2019. I don't consider myself a wimp, having had 2nd and 3rd degree burns and more stitches than I can count, but my experience was it hurt like hell. My doc had to give me a second round of the numbing meds after 5 of 16 samples. I was numb for maybe half of them. I do have cancer and now that my PSA is higher than ever I am having my second biopsy tomorrow. I'm not trying to scare anyone but my first experience sucked. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
I had a biopsy last year , very uncomfortable the Dre and ultrasound probe . Once lidocaine kick the biopsy itself was not painful. 14 cores taken. And ultrasound sound shown I had a enlarged prostate one core was suspicious but was not conclusive
Hi Neil, I am also 69 and live in NZ. I am in for this procedure in 4 days time and also like you somewhat worried. Thank you for making this video, I must say I feel a lot better about it after seeing the video with your experiences.
It's kinda funny Neil, I was also in electronics, more in audio HiFi and cinema sound. I still make a few videos for UA-cam. My local hospital is Hamilton. I'm pleased you survived the ordeal and lived to tell the tail. Regards, Mike
i had an M.R. fusion biopsy preformed and like you there was not much pain just embarrassment the nurse was HOT!! the pain came about 45 minutes afterwards when the lidocaine wore off so you might ask for a light pain killer for the ride home
Hi Neil i live in the uk ive got mine in 3 days time I've hade a tripal bypass 7 years ago but with this im nervous as hell about having this i found this very informative Graham proseaju
Hi Neil -- Very good video. One constructive suggestion: Oil your squeaky chair or change it out for one that's silent. Every time you moved, the chair squeaks covered up a word or two, including the name of the antibiotic they gave you. Hope this is helpful.
at last, the first really useful video i have found on this procedure giving a patients view. i’m 47 and having my first guided prostate biopsy next tuesday and although not worried about the procedure its good to hear a down to earth description by someone who has been through it instead of only getting the horror stories of the small number of infection cases. thank you for posting this video and hope you are well. Richard
Thanks Richard. Good luck Tuesday. I am having another transperineal biopsy under general anesthetic next Monday and will do a video a day or so after. Let us all know how you do on Tuesday. neil
Neil, Mine was similar, except it felt like Bee Stings to me having been stung a lot. Then the Doctor said you have to per before you go home. I couldn't pee, so they installed a catheter for home. Luckily My son in law drove me home. Next day removed catheter, and was fine.
In the UK. Had mine in May 21 but it was Transperineal rather than Transrectal. Infection much less likely and probably more comfortable. Mine was fine.
I was ill after they finished, my sats were low, the doctor was called and said was the problem empysema, low oxygen level, as for the biopsy it was nothing just like a b string
HI NEIL . I DID A PROSTATE BIOPSY .THE PROBLEM YOU HAVENT DEALT WITH IS THE WAITING TIME BEFORE AND AFTER THE PROCEDURE....I WAS FULLY SEDATED...ISSUES WERE FASTING PRIOR...4 HRS PREPARATION BEFORE YOU GET IN...IE PAPER WORK.. GOING TO DIFERRENT ROOMS FOR PREP.ETC...THEN RECOVERY TIME AFTER...ALL IN TOOK 7 HRS IN AND OUT OF HOSPITAL. THANKS
Well sir, thanks. Mostly went how you described but I'd say you are better with pain and discomfort than me. Lol for the most part you are right on and obviously people react differently. I took the full day off because I've got groin discomfort that is bearable but unpleasant for sure.
I had my 14 core biopsy last week and honestly I felt nothing. Never felt any pain at all. Even later on or days later never had one moment of pain. My bleeding also stopped the very same day. I don’t’ know if the techniques have improved or if I just had a great doctor.
New studies in the U.S. are now showing that MRI and high resolution ultrasound can find prostate cancers, the kind you want to know about, the more aggressive types with very high accuracy. We are talking somewhere in the 95 to 98% range and these imaging studies, multiparametric MRI and color Doppler ultrasound can be done without the need for biopsies. So, there is no inherent danger of biopsy caused infections.
Hello Neil, Hi Neil, A very useful, and informative account of your journey - maybe I should do one on open heart surgery? We’re you in private, or public hospital care? Best regards, Selwyn
Hi Selwyn, The biopsies were in the public hospital but I had the subsequent prostatectomy at a private hospital. There is a UA-cam series on that. neil
my psa goes up and down the highest was 10 but I had a very severe infection. Then it went down after antibilot otics to 3.1 then months later a 7.4 then a 4.5 then a 6.3 it just is all over but never a rise, rise rise. I am diabetec and get a lot of UTI's plus have enlarged prostate. I am scheduled in march for biopsy and do not want t have it. I fear complete impotence and even cancer spread if it is even present.My brother was like me with jumping all over psa levels large prostate etc then had biospywhich was negative. MUST I go through this? have to stop blood thinner as well and risk stroke help?
Hi Glen, I am NOT a doctor, and cannot advise you. However - if i was in your position, and I don't know your age, i'd be thinking that the erratic PSA is likely due to other causes than cancer, and I'd be thinking of my age also Impotence due to a TRUS biopsy is rare i believe, and I had no issues. Cancer spread due to a biopsy I have looked into and cannot find any cause for alarm. As I and others have commented, the biopsy is not really any worse than a filling at the dentist, and takes less time. How old are you?
65 I am still I have, stopping my Xaralto also puts me at risk of stoke albeit it only 3 to 4 days.I really believe my UTI's and age coupled with being diabetic cause these ups and downs. Maybe I can get a second opinion but on a biopsy? not sure insurance will cover it. If I do get the biopsy, I'll be under anesthesia and will ask they insert the probe after I'm out. Shoving a ultrasound device up my butt is really a darn bother.
Hi MrWhelts, I cannot comment on your PSA level, but my experience was that the sudden rise from my normal level was the warning sign for me. If you want to read the latest research I suggest you buy the "2018 Annual report on Prostate Diseases" by Harvard Health Publishing. I purchased a copy from www.health.harvard.edu and it is VERY good. It does give you guidelines as to PSA levels and what they mean. The cost was $25 as I recall.
I had mine done about it 3 1/2 hours ago and it feels like he left his foot in my ass. The pain doing the process was far less than I expected but it was the whole concept of the operation that was frightening. On a scale of 1 to 10 the pain that I’m experiencing now would probably be rated as 6 Out of 10
Gleeson 6 in one sample only, from 13 cores, so have decided to go on active surveillance, which means psa test every 3 months and another biopsy every yr. good luck with yours. procedures is a walk in the park. take 2 paracetamol afterwards, and takes the day off. I went work next day..no issues.
ian - sorry I missed replying to your comment. relaxed ? well you cant change the future by worrying, so i don't worry. What will be will be. It is what it is. I suppose that sounds glib, but i still work (should be retired) and that keeps me pretty busy. I have just today posted another video on my 2nd biopsy from earlier this week.
two bins ..well could be much worse. ive put it behind me, and rarely think about it. It certainly doesntvworry me. I had a good psa result last week(no increase in 6mnths) so having another psa in 3 mnths and a biopsy next yr. good luck old chap.
I hasten to add Paul, that the absolute value of the psa is not really as important, as what it does with time. My first biopsy showed a very small +ve area of cancer, that was low grade. However the PSA kept rising and the second biopsy 18 months later showed that the size and number of +ve CA areas had increased markedly, and that was why i decided to have the robotic prostatectomy 2 months ago today. I did a lot of research and hinking before having this done. I was back at work a week later and all is well at the moment. I have done a series of videos describing the operation on detail. Rely here if you cant find them.
I was scheduled for the transrectal biopsy, and was more than a bit concerned. The ultrasound gal, had me lay on my left side, and inserted the probe. She injected the local, which I never felt. The 12 samples were done quickly, under ten minutes, and the only thing I felt was a tingling in the penis. She said all plumbing is connected, and that can happen. I had some blood in the initial urine flow for a day. No infection, and the whole thing was very easy and painless.
I had my prostate biopsy. Today and it was not fun but it wasn't that bad I think it depends on the person I found out that the more you watch the stuff on UA-cam no more depressed you get
Glad it went OK. Hope the results are good. I agree - some people are terrified, and others are stoic. I like to do my homework and know what to expect, and I found a you tube POST similar to my post, that -for me- was very helpful. I dont think looking at the surgical scenes is helpful, but now that my surgery is done and dusted ( 15 months ago), I have no issue looking at my own surgery, which I have a copy of. My surgery was a breeze, and I am now back to normal, with no issues, and a psa =0 .
Thank you for such shared and forthcoming personal experiences, but....I'm still nervous. -hahaha (only a little; you definitely helped a little). So I'm 47, I have had a second PSA come in at the same 40...and I have a prostate biopsy scheduled for May 31st....still tons of time to 'sweat it out', ughhhhhhh! So I was wondering....has anyone experienced any derogatory side effects? Specifically....has anyone experienced any sort of erectile disfunction? I've got a pretty healthy libido and very active sex life, recently heard it said that this can cause ED, so I'm kinda concerned (to put it mildly)
I did not feel the anesthetic being injection but I had had eight samples taken but four of them must have gone through my urethra where it passes through my prostate and that was very painful for a split second in my penis. Since then I have suffered from lots of soft bloody poos and twice in the following week I had to seek medical help because of serious discomfort in my bowl area. It is a necessary procedure but in my case it was very painful.
@@johnlanawa5846. Hello John. It took me about three weeks to fully recover from it and recovery was not the best experience in my life but from there onwards I had to have a trans urethral resection procedure carried out to clear a blockage in my prostate and then have three gold markers placed in my prostate and now I’m 12 days into receiving radio therapy treatment and hopefully the end of my prostate cancer. Thank you for asking about me. Peter
The fact that they do not put anesthetic any other place, but around the house exactly why I will be put under if I have this done. It is absolutely barbaric to have this done while being awake.
Doctors, downplay pain, because they don’t want to take the time to make somebody comfortable regardless if it’s necessary or unnecessary. So that they can fit in more patients in one day.
Not a pleasant experience when the hemmorhoids flair up , other than that was a pretty cool experience, although might think twice about having another
you did it at 4.6 or so??? That seems like jumping the gun but since you have prostate cancer in the family, good idea.. Mine is 7.5....That is down from 9.1 with diet change and weight loss. BUT, I will still go in for a 4kscore, bladder and prostate ultra sound first....Biopsy for me is last resort....That just me....
This is an old video (no offense to the poster!). Anyone getting a biopsy in 2024 should demand a trans perineal biopsy which DRAMATICALLY reduces the risk of infection.
I agree. I had both and whilst the TP is more invasive, as you say iis much less likely to cause an infection. The TR is of course cheaper. If I had to do it again ( and I dont. My psa is now 0 and a test 2 days ago came back at
The biopsy is no big deal. It is the aftermath that is troubling. Go for a prostate biopsy only if you can live with erectile dysfunction for the rest of your life. My first biopsy was uneventful but the second just took away the last vestiges of erectile function I had left. With a 20% chance of detecting cancer, I think this is just a fishing expedition, and I would advise anyone not to undergo this procedure. Of course, if symptomatic evidence indicates underlying problems, then, by all means, go for it. But the procedure should never be based on a high PSA because that is not a reliable indicator of prostate cancer.
Yes a prostate biopsy can be very dangerous. MRI and ultrasound, can eliminate the need for these very primitive biopsies. The latest imaging procedures have proven to be very accurate and are completely safe.
Figuratively speaking. It was only minutes, and certainly wasn't 30 minutes. Anyway - it was no big deal. I don't have a prostate now, so i wont be able to check again. My prostatectomy is now 8 months ago, and so far all is well. PSA = 0. All functions are go.
@@9neil i think you must have been so traumatized you were in some kind of a trance . my father was the same , he said it was no big deal when it really was a big deal . even the freezing needles are fairly painful and theres 2-or 3 of them . they go in like a couple of inches . my father admitted that he was bull shitting the first time he had it done .
Nope - i remember it well, and noted the nurse putting the labels on the small vials that each sample was stored in. i also remember feeling the 12 " long needles for the locals puncuring the bowel wall and being surprised that it was not painful. I also asked the Dr if he delivered the local inside the prostate or alongside and he explained that it was alongside the nerve bundle at the apex of the prostate - so no - i was fully with it.
@@9neil i guess we are not going to agree but the important thing is u are still here , although minus a prostate . i guess your biopsy result was positive for cancer .
@@jameslee2105 Hi James - yes it was, and I have done a series of videos on the robotic surgery, which are on line. That was in May last year (2018) and I was back at work 2 weeks later. That didnt take 5 minutes, but i was walking to a coffee bar each day with the wife from the day after, so it went OK.
Thanks for the feedback Mark. It will be a help to others in the future. Good luck with the result. I ended up having a Da Vinci robotic prostatectomy some time later and I post that experience, which was also pretty easy considering.
A positive result, whilst not welcome news, was probably not a surprise, but more importantly, could save your life. ive got another biopsy in the next month or 2.
Thank you Neil. Your story is very reassuring and comforting. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to tell the rest of us big strong men that there is nothing to be afraid of.
Good luck David. neil
Thank you for taking the time to make this. I am going in 2 days and have been very worried. Almost cancelled. Now will go through with it. Very grateful. Doug. Rumson NJ USA
Doug Rossbach
hi Doug. I know how feel, and i almost cancelled, but glad i didnt. I have another one due in a few months, and am not the slightest bit concerned.
good luck, and keep us informed please.
neil
My 12 biopsy needles did not hurt at all, the noise didn't bother me, but the2 anesthetic injections hurt like hell. The urologist warned me they would hurt. After the procedure the table was covered in a pool of blood. I went through 3 diapers on the drive home. That last experience made me empathetic toward what women of child-bearing years go through every month.
thanks for feedback Ted. For me the opposite was trye. the anesthetic was pretty much a non event and there was very little bleeding if any. Good luck with your results.
neil
Thank you so much for your valuable insight.
I had my biopsy this morning in Southampton General Hospital UK and thanks to you I knew exactly what to expect.
In fact the examination was much less disturbing and uncomfortable than I thought it was going to be, so I just want to say how valuable your video has been.
This afternoon I took the dog for a five mile walk in the New Forest and felt fine with no discomfort at all! Amazing!
Here's to a happy and healthy future!
Jonathan
Hi Jonathon,
I'm glad it went well for you, and I hope the results and the future is good for you. I ended up having a robotic prostatectomy last year, and the experience was no biggie. i am now back to square one with no side effects and no health issues. I did do a series of videos on this if you end up down that track - which i hope you don't. All the best. Go the all blacks.
neil
Thank You so much for taking the time to inform us. Really help with the anxiety.
Greg Ivan
for me Greg, it was no big deal. let us all know how it went.
Thanks for sharing your biopsy experience, Neil. I go in a week. Your video answered many questions, and lowered my anxiety!
Good luck Robert. For me its all done & dusted, and I'm back to 100% after a prostatectomy later on. Post your thoughts next week?
Gee Neal many thanks for your post I’m in this position right now and this makes me feel at ease. Best of luck for your future,regards Lee.
Gidday Lee. All is well with me so far. All the best with your progress. Neil
Thank you for doing this video. I saw it yesterday my Transrectal biopsy today, and it really helped to alleviate my worries about the procedure. Having gone through the procedure this morning I can say it was pretty easy with minimal discomfort. The part I was really nervous about were the four anesthetic injections and they were just small pinches. Interestingly, I experienced some pain after the procedure, like you did. That was alleviated taking 2 Ibuprofen tablets.
Neil, I had the procedure done today and my experience was very similar to yours. I was still a bit nervous going in but found it a piece of cake. your description of the probe and the sample gun were spot on. It has now been four hours and I am comfortable and will return to work tomorrow. Well done and good luck on your results.
Doug Rossbach
Thanks Doug for that. That should d help give other guys confidence.
Neil, thanks for taking the time to relay your experience. I'm scheduled for a biopsy in a few days and up until now was seriously considering canceling it. The doctor made me feel like I was on an assembly line during the last appointment and stated that the pain was a big deal because he hadn't had to have the procedure room walls sound proofed for screams. Thanks again and best of luck to you sir.
Hi Tony. What a dumb think to say. I hope you told him so. Good luck, and please tell us how it went.
neil
Thanks Neil, I really admire you posting video on such a delicate subject. Off for my Biopsy tomorrow and feeling a lot better about it now and well informed . Thank again.
Dean Corry hello Dean. By now you will have the result. I hope its a good one, and i trust the procedure was no big deal.
A pleasant surprise was the "all clear" on cancer but I guess I'll be back for another Biopsy in 5 years. Thanks for your concern.
Neil - had my biopsy this morning. Two female nurses and the urologist were in the room. Not in the slightest bit embarrassing or painful. Not even that uncomfortable to be honest. I just chatted to one of the nurses as the surgeon took the samples. It was over in a jiffy. Thanks for your video. It put my mind at rest before the procedure and as you say, it was nothing to be worried about.
Neil, thank you so very much for your video! My husband and I watched your video. It prepared us both. He was prepared, and it really helped him to know what was going on during the video. We can't thank you enough!!!
The big problem is that hubby went off heart medicines for about 5 days. Major heart issues when he went back on the medicine. Hoping for good results, as he probably won't do this procedure again. There seem to be lots of reasons for enlarged prostate, as other videos show.
Thanks Guys. I'm glad it helped. i have a second biopsy due in a week or 2 - its been a year already (!) , and I'll post a new comment afterwards. neil
Neil, thanks for posting this. I am going in for mine this afternoon! I haven't really worried about it much until today, and you have put me at ease. Thank you. Brad from Canada
Brad, how did your procedure go do mind sharing ?
@@ga20904 It actually went pretty well and very similar to what Neil described in this video. The procedure itself was quick, not painful, but a little uncomfortable. I could barely feel the needles. The worst part was the period of recovery following the biopsy for about 4 or 5 hours - although not really painful, it felt like I had to pee for several hours, but couldn't - it was more annoying and uncomfortable than painful. I was finally able to urinate after about 4 and a half hours, which was a relief, and then then I started feeling better immediately thereafter. I had a very good sleep that night and felt back to 100% by the next morning.
@@Bethelwoodstudios thank you
Neil - got my results today. Just like you - Gleason 6 in one sample only. I'm 58 and am going on active surveillance. Better knowing I've got it and watching if it progresses than not knowing until it's maybe too late. I'm from N Ireland and send my thanks to you in New Zealand for the video which put my mind at rest before the biopsy.
Hello from the UK thanks for the video , I'm having Prostate Biopsy in a few weeks time, your video made my mind up to have the Biopsy, Thanks from Paul.
twobins..im glad it went well for you, and that my comments helped. i am having another biopsy in 3 months.
best regards
neil
Thanks Neil for sharing this. I have my first biopsy this Saturday (1st April) no joke and viewing your video a reassured me on this alien procedure. I'll your comparison to women giving birth! Once again many thanks for this.
I am going in next Monday. Thanks for putting your experience for a novice. ...David, Chicago
Big thanks you gave me peace of mind.
Thanks
thanks mate it's put my mind at rest hope your results are ok
Colin. England
My biopsy was recommended for the exact reason yours was. I'm also 69 years old and my PSA score was starting to rise. My father survived prostate cancer but his brother (my uncle) died from it. Your detailed description was almost identical to mine. Although I was asked to give myself an enema on the day before the biopsy. I had this biopsy done yesterday at the VA Loma Linda, California. I was very nervous about it to say the least - causing high anxiety. I was so nervous (afraid), I took an unauthorized Xanax one hour before just to keep my blood pressure from going too high. The doctor was very good and explained every step as she was doing it. My conclusions: Not nearly as bad as I imagined. Uncomfortable? Yes. Painful? No. The whole procedure took less than 10 minutes. She took 16 very targeted samples from my prostate. Lab results are pending.
Glad to hear it went Greg, and I hope that the results are good. I ended up eventually having a robotic prostatectomy which was 5 years ago, and I did several videos on the days after. Let us know how your results turn out.
@@neil1058 Hello Neil. Thx for your reply. I went ahead and watched your videos on the prostate removal. Being the pessimist I am, I have a suspicion that I will be going down the same path. I will know my biopsy results in a week or so. Thanks for your videos. They shed light on a mysterious subject. I am already familiar with the catheter ordeal. I had a pre-emptive triple bypass about two years ago. Never had a heart attack or stroke.
your experience put my mind at rest and I'm kinda lost fears on my up coming saturday biopsy procedure. I appreciate for your all encouraging videos i watched.
Good luck. Neil
@@neil1058 Hello Neil. You was right, I've got my biopsy procedure easy yesterday no pain at all) Thanks my man.
Now I'm worried about what's the next...)
I guess i'll get surgery if even negative results. You know, everytime when they removed catheter after three hours my bladder getting blocked again, and again catheter placed back... second month like this and I'm very scared...
Ive had both and the Transperineal involves a GA, where the TR does not. Glad itv went well for you, and you are right about infection risk.
Hi Neal, thanks for your video and for sharing your personal experiences on the prostate biopsy. It gives me a little bit of courage in facing my fear of the biopsy. My urologist wanted to let me undergo prostate biopsy after hospitalization due to UTI. There is so much blood coming out of my urine. I am still young at the age of 46 and I had so much fear about what's going to happen next. I hope I could get more of your videos on how you feel after a samples were taken from your prostate. Do you feel pain from time to time?
Thank you for your candid report.My biopsy was quite the same experience just that I had some pain when my urologist harpooned my prostate,also 16 probes.My side effect was not pain afterwards but swollen testicles,maybe I was allergic or don't know why.Thanks and cheers!!
Neil, my experience last October was almost identical to yours with the exception of the communication, or lack thereof, at the start of the procedure. I wasn't ready for the first snap and I jumped a little. The doctor asked what was wrong and I told him the noise startled me given I was a wee bit tense. I told him that I would appreciate him communicating what we was doing before he did it, and after that all went very smoothly. I was tense for a week or so prior to the procedure, and apprehensive as I sat on the table waiting for him to come in and looking at the apparatus, but afterward I told him that I'd do it all again in a heartbeat if he told me we had to. I'm almost done now with a month and a half of radiation treatments and it has gone smoothly.
Thanks for your comment Craig. I'm sure others will be re-assured. After my Biopsy, i went on to have a prostatectomy, and that went smoothly as well.
All the best.
He was lucky. My prostate biopsy wasn't so easy. The injection was extremely painful. The nurse handed me a bag of menstrual pads afterwards as there was bleeding for the next day or two from my rectum. The test was worth the final result which was negative for cancer.
Sorry to hear about the pain...How are you feeling now???
I had a biopsy two days ago. Everything went fine and painless. While resting after the biopsy I had a strong sensation of passing stools when I tried, I got dizzy and perspired profusely. Later I found out it may be the mild toxicity of Lidocaine. In 4/5 hours I was back to normal.
Im going for mine tomorrow, so this was a welcomed clip to watch, i have a psa of 5.7 so still not sure if that is bad or not ?? Have to take a depository in the morning as well as one antibiotic tab and the following one the next day.Lucky for me i will be under anaesthtic as they also need to remove a stent for a kindey stone done the previous week so Doc asked if we should do both while i am under anaesthetic...
Thank you for this video, my prostate biopsy will in the next month.
I had my first biopsy August 2019. I don't consider myself a wimp, having had 2nd and 3rd degree burns and more stitches than I can count, but my experience was it hurt like hell. My doc had to give me a second round of the numbing meds after 5 of 16 samples. I was numb for maybe half of them. I do have cancer and now that my PSA is higher than ever I am having my second biopsy tomorrow. I'm not trying to scare anyone but my first experience sucked. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Sorry to hear that Michale, and I hope the next one goes better for you. It obviously depends a lot on the skill of the placement of the shots.
neil
I had a biopsy last year , very uncomfortable the Dre and ultrasound probe . Once lidocaine kick the biopsy itself was not painful. 14 cores taken. And ultrasound sound shown I had a enlarged prostate one core was suspicious but was not conclusive
Hi Neil, I am also 69 and live in NZ. I am in for this procedure in 4 days time and also like you somewhat worried. Thank you for making this video, I must say I feel a lot better about it after seeing the video with your experiences.
Hi Michael,
Which city.? All the Mike. I'm sure it will go well. I had another biopsy later also, and both were no big deal.
Neil
It's kinda funny Neil, I was also in electronics, more in audio HiFi and cinema sound. I still make a few videos for UA-cam. My local hospital is Hamilton. I'm pleased you survived the ordeal and lived to tell the tail. Regards, Mike
i had an M.R. fusion biopsy preformed and like you there was not much pain just embarrassment the nurse was HOT!! the pain came about 45 minutes afterwards when the lidocaine wore off so you might ask for a light pain killer for the ride home
Hi Neil i live in the uk ive got mine in 3 days time I've hade a tripal bypass 7 years ago but with this im nervous as hell about having this i found this very informative
Graham
proseaju
Thank 🙏 you for sharing, I am just about to undergo a prostate biopsy & cystoscopy & obviously need reassurance.
Best of luck!
Hi Neil -- Very good video. One constructive suggestion: Oil your squeaky chair or change it out for one that's silent. Every time you moved, the chair squeaks covered up a word or two, including the name of the antibiotic they gave you. Hope this is helpful.
at last, the first really useful video i have found on this procedure giving a patients view. i’m 47 and having my first guided prostate biopsy next tuesday and although not worried about the procedure its good to hear a down to earth description by someone who has been through it instead of only getting the horror stories of the small number of infection cases. thank you for posting this video and hope you are well.
Richard
Thanks Richard. Good luck Tuesday. I am having another transperineal biopsy under general anesthetic next Monday and will do a video a day or so after. Let us all know how you do on Tuesday.
neil
Nicely Done! Thank you for taking the time to post the video. I found it very helpful.
Dante Star Thabks Dante, allnthe best.
How many people pinched their hand in the same way at exactly 5:14 when he described that?
Neil, Mine was similar, except it felt like Bee Stings to me having been stung a lot. Then the Doctor said you have to per before you go home. I couldn't pee, so they installed a catheter for home. Luckily My son in law drove me home. Next day removed catheter, and was fine.
In the UK. Had mine in May 21 but it was Transperineal rather than Transrectal. Infection much less likely and probably more comfortable. Mine was fine.
I was ill after they finished, my sats were low, the doctor was called and said was the problem empysema, low oxygen level, as for the biopsy it was nothing just like a b string
Thank you Neil
HI NEIL . I DID A PROSTATE BIOPSY .THE PROBLEM YOU HAVENT DEALT WITH IS THE WAITING TIME BEFORE AND AFTER THE PROCEDURE....I WAS FULLY SEDATED...ISSUES WERE FASTING PRIOR...4 HRS PREPARATION BEFORE YOU GET IN...IE PAPER WORK.. GOING TO DIFERRENT ROOMS FOR PREP.ETC...THEN RECOVERY TIME AFTER...ALL IN TOOK 7 HRS IN AND OUT OF HOSPITAL. THANKS
Well sir, thanks. Mostly went how you described but I'd say you are better with pain and discomfort than me. Lol for the most part you are right on and obviously people react differently. I took the full day off because I've got groin discomfort that is bearable but unpleasant for sure.
Hi Eric,
Glad it mostly went well for you. Thanks for the comment.
I had my 14 core biopsy last week and honestly I felt nothing. Never felt any pain at all. Even later on or days later never had one moment of pain. My bleeding also stopped the very same day. I don’t’ know if the techniques have improved or if I just had a great doctor.
Mine was not much different.
Mine was indescribably painful. I think you had a great doctor. I hope you're doing well. Best wishes 😉👍
New studies in the U.S. are now showing that MRI and high resolution ultrasound can find prostate cancers, the kind you want to know about, the more aggressive types with very high accuracy. We are talking somewhere in the 95 to 98% range and these imaging studies, multiparametric MRI and color Doppler ultrasound can be done without the need for biopsies. So, there is no inherent danger of biopsy caused infections.
Hello Neil,
Hi Neil,
A very useful, and informative account of your journey - maybe I should do one on open heart surgery?
We’re you in private, or public hospital care?
Best regards,
Selwyn
Hi Selwyn, The biopsies were in the public hospital but I had the subsequent prostatectomy at a private hospital. There is a UA-cam series on that.
neil
my psa goes up and down the highest was 10 but I had a very severe infection. Then it went down after antibilot otics to 3.1 then months later a 7.4 then a 4.5 then a 6.3 it just is all over but never a rise, rise rise. I am diabetec and get a lot of UTI's plus have enlarged prostate. I am scheduled in march for biopsy and do not want t have it. I fear complete impotence and even cancer spread if it is even present.My brother was like me with jumping all over psa levels large prostate etc then had biospywhich was negative. MUST I go through this? have to stop blood thinner as well and risk stroke help?
Hi Glen,
I am NOT a doctor, and cannot advise you. However - if i was in your position, and I don't know your age, i'd be thinking that the erratic PSA is likely due to other causes than cancer, and I'd be thinking of my age also
Impotence due to a TRUS biopsy is rare i believe, and I had no issues. Cancer spread due to a biopsy I have looked into and cannot find any cause for alarm.
As I and others have commented, the biopsy is not really any worse than a filling at the dentist, and takes less time. How old are you?
65 I am still I have, stopping my Xaralto also puts me at risk of stoke albeit it only 3 to 4 days.I really believe my UTI's and age coupled with being diabetic cause these ups and downs. Maybe I can get a second opinion but on a biopsy? not sure insurance will cover it. If I do get the biopsy, I'll be under anesthesia and will ask they insert the probe after I'm out. Shoving a ultrasound device up my butt is really a darn bother.
I'm booked in for 2 months time. Looking at some of these PSAs on here, I'm a bit concerned with my reading of 8.45 ng/ml!!
Hi MrWhelts, I cannot comment on your PSA level, but my experience was that the sudden rise from my normal level was the warning sign for me. If you want to read the latest research I suggest you buy the "2018 Annual report on Prostate Diseases" by Harvard Health Publishing. I purchased a copy from www.health.harvard.edu
and it is VERY good. It does give you guidelines as to PSA levels and what they mean. The cost was $25 as I recall.
@@9neil - Yes a sudden rise in PSA is a warning. Good you got checked 👌
seriously, excellent video..thanks , I go in a month.
Thanks Mike. Its not English - its Kiwi!. Good luck next month. Please let us know your experience.
neil
Thank you
Sixteen samples, question is do they withdraw the needle and repuncture the bowel lining sixteen times?
Yes they do.
@@neil1058, thanks for responding.
I had mine done about it 3 1/2 hours ago and it feels like he left his foot in my ass. The pain doing the process was far less than I expected but it was the whole concept of the operation that was frightening. On a scale of 1 to 10 the pain that I’m experiencing now would probably be rated as 6 Out of 10
Good video Neil. Going for mine in just over a week. How did the results go?
Gleeson 6 in one sample only, from 13 cores, so have decided to go on active surveillance, which means psa test every 3 months and another biopsy every yr.
good luck with yours. procedures is a walk in the park. take 2 paracetamol afterwards, and takes the day off. I went work next day..no issues.
neil 10 I have been worried that the results of the biopsy will mean certain death.You seem totally relaxed about the whole thing.
ian - sorry I missed replying to your comment. relaxed ? well you cant change the future by worrying, so i don't worry. What will be will be. It is what it is. I suppose that sounds glib, but i still work (should be retired) and that keeps me pretty busy. I have just today posted another video on my 2nd biopsy from earlier this week.
Informative video...thanks for posting but please put some oil on that squeaky chair.
two bins ..well could be much worse. ive put it behind me, and rarely think about it. It certainly doesntvworry me. I had a good psa result last week(no increase in 6mnths) so having another psa in 3 mnths and a biopsy next yr. good luck old chap.
neil 10 צ
thanks neil ,i am going to have the same as you, doent feel to bad now thanks ,what was your psa
6.0 I had a prostatectomy a year later. See other videos. All is now well. All the best to you.
I hasten to add Paul, that the absolute value of the psa is not really as important, as what it does with time. My first biopsy showed a very small +ve area of cancer, that was low grade. However the PSA kept rising and the second biopsy 18 months later showed that the size and number of +ve CA areas had increased markedly, and that was why i decided to have the robotic prostatectomy 2 months ago today. I did a lot of research and hinking before having this done. I was back at work a week later and all is well at the moment. I have done a series of videos describing the operation on detail. Rely here if you cant find them.
im glad you came out of it ok ,good health to you neil
I was scheduled for the transrectal biopsy, and was more than a bit concerned. The ultrasound gal, had me lay on my left side, and inserted the probe. She injected the local, which I never felt. The 12 samples were done quickly, under ten minutes, and the only thing I felt was a tingling in the penis. She said all plumbing is connected, and that can happen. I had some blood in the initial urine flow for a day. No infection, and the whole thing was very easy and painless.
Glad to hear that Robert
I had my prostate biopsy. Today and it was not fun but it wasn't that bad I think it depends on the person I found out that the more you watch the stuff on UA-cam no more depressed you get
Glad it went OK. Hope the results are good. I agree - some people are terrified, and others are stoic. I like to do my homework and know what to expect, and I found a you tube POST similar to my post, that -for me- was very helpful. I dont think looking at the surgical scenes is helpful, but now that my surgery is done and dusted ( 15 months ago), I have no issue looking at my own surgery, which I have a copy of. My surgery was a breeze, and I am now back to normal, with no issues, and a psa =0 .
I had mine yesterday. Piece of cake. They said to expect blood in my pee, but it appears clear even after just one day. 16 samples.
Thank you for such shared and forthcoming personal experiences, but....I'm still nervous. -hahaha (only a little; you definitely helped a little). So I'm 47, I have had a second PSA come in at the same 40...and I have a prostate biopsy scheduled for May 31st....still tons of time to 'sweat it out', ughhhhhhh!
So I was wondering....has anyone experienced any derogatory side effects? Specifically....has anyone experienced any sort of erectile disfunction? I've got a pretty healthy libido and very active sex life, recently heard it said that this can cause ED, so I'm kinda concerned (to put it mildly)
Hi Dominic.
ED after biopsy - a day or 2 due to swelling. After Davinci prostatectomy - about 6 months only.
I did not feel the anesthetic being injection but I had had eight samples taken but four of them must have gone through my urethra where it passes through my prostate and that was very painful for a split second in my penis. Since then I have suffered from lots of soft bloody poos and twice in the following week I had to seek medical help because of serious discomfort in my bowl area. It is a necessary procedure but in my case it was very painful.
Sounds like you had some nasty side effects...How are you feeling now???
@@johnlanawa5846. Hello John. It took me about three weeks to fully recover from it and recovery was not the best experience in my life but from there onwards I had to have a trans urethral resection procedure carried out to clear a blockage in my prostate and then have three gold markers placed in my prostate and now I’m 12 days into receiving radio therapy treatment and hopefully the end of my prostate cancer. Thank you for asking about me. Peter
@@peternewman3487 Thanks for the reply! Stay strong!!!
The fact that they do not put anesthetic any other place, but around the house exactly why I will be put under if I have this done. It is absolutely barbaric to have this done while being awake.
Barbaric? Prone to exaggeration perhaps? It’s unpleasant. It’s hardly barbaric.
Doctors, downplay pain, because they don’t want to take the time to make somebody comfortable regardless if it’s necessary or unnecessary. So that they can fit in more patients in one day.
my psa is 7,8 is that ok or is it not
not ok... go to the doctor
Not a pleasant experience when the hemmorhoids flair up , other than that was a pretty cool experience, although might think twice about having another
you did it at 4.6 or so??? That seems like jumping the gun but since you have prostate cancer in the family, good idea..
Mine is 7.5....That is down from 9.1 with diet change and weight loss. BUT, I will still go in for a 4kscore, bladder and prostate ultra sound first....Biopsy for me is last resort....That just me....
Hi CJ,
it was the rapid increase that triggered my biopsy, plus the family history. Good luck with your tests. keep in touch.
neil
well Neil, I am glad you are doing well and thanks...
This is an old video (no offense to the poster!). Anyone getting a biopsy in 2024 should demand a trans perineal biopsy which DRAMATICALLY reduces the risk of infection.
I agree. I had both and whilst the TP is more invasive, as you say iis much less likely to cause an infection. The TR is of course cheaper. If I had to do it again ( and I dont. My psa is now 0 and a test 2 days ago came back at
The biopsy is no big deal. It is the aftermath that is troubling. Go for a prostate biopsy only if you can live with erectile dysfunction for the rest of your life. My first biopsy was uneventful but the second just took away the last vestiges of erectile function I had left. With a 20% chance of detecting cancer, I think this is just a fishing expedition, and I would advise anyone not to undergo this procedure. Of course, if symptomatic evidence indicates underlying problems, then, by all means, go for it. But the procedure should never be based on a high PSA because that is not a reliable indicator of prostate cancer.
Yes a prostate biopsy can be very dangerous. MRI and ultrasound, can eliminate the need for these very primitive biopsies. The latest imaging procedures have proven to be very accurate and are completely safe.
Saintaolo This should have had no impact at all on erection. Sorry to hear friend.
P.M. Lynch So an MRI should be done over this?
Totally agreed. Thanks for sharing.
I would rather have my teeth pulled
16 core samples only took 5 minutes ? now i can tell you thats not true . my ten samples took about 30 minutes .
Figuratively speaking. It was only minutes, and certainly wasn't 30 minutes. Anyway - it was no big deal. I don't have a prostate now, so i wont be able to check again. My prostatectomy is now 8 months ago, and so far all is well. PSA = 0. All functions are go.
@@9neil i think you must have been so traumatized you were in some kind of a trance . my father was the same , he said it was no big deal when it really was a big deal . even the freezing needles are fairly painful and theres 2-or 3 of them . they go in like a couple of inches . my father admitted that he was bull shitting the first time he had it done .
Nope - i remember it well, and noted the nurse putting the labels on the small vials that each sample was stored in. i also remember feeling the 12 " long needles for the locals puncuring the bowel wall and being surprised that it was not painful. I also asked the Dr if he delivered the local inside the prostate or alongside and he explained that it was alongside the nerve bundle at the apex of the prostate - so no - i was fully with it.
@@9neil i guess we are not going to agree but the important thing is u are still here , although minus a prostate . i guess your biopsy result was positive for cancer .
@@jameslee2105 Hi James - yes it was, and I have done a series of videos on the robotic surgery, which are on line. That was in May last year (2018) and I was back at work 2 weeks later. That didnt take 5 minutes, but i was walking to a coffee bar each day with the wife from the day after, so it went OK.
talk English for God's sake.
Thanks for the feedback Mark. It will be a help to others in the future. Good luck with the result. I ended up having a Da Vinci robotic prostatectomy some time later and I post that experience, which was also pretty easy considering.
A positive result, whilst not welcome news, was probably not a surprise, but more importantly, could save your life. ive got another biopsy in the next month or 2.