Short story even shorter:
Jan '10 - aged 50.5 decided to ask for a PSA test at the doc. June 10 go to doc on unrelated issue, and she spots high test result. Test repeated, 25% higher. Two weeks and I'm with a urologist who sees enough to order a biopsy five days later.
Bit painful, some after effects (look 'em up), but two weeks later I'm told I have prostate cancer, at the upper end of moderate. Since then I've had MRI scans to check on possible spread (unlikely, but possible), awaiting results for that, which is not nice.
I have since done loads of reading - risk factors are out of our control, and include familial prostate cancer and also breast cancer.
My top tip - get a PSA test if you are 45 or above. Even if it's normal it will establish a benchmark, and an increase at a later date can then be spotted. Caught early it's completely treatable.
Facts are that it's close to breast cancer in terms of numbers diagnosed per year, and fatalities from it, but I bet you didn't know that. It is often, as with me, symptom-free in the early and middle stages - many don't find they've got it til they are peeing 3/4x a night, or suffering bone/back pain.
More at www.prostate-cancer.org.uk/
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Really hope it all turns out well for you. The waiting for results must be a bad time - hope they arrive soon and you get the best outcome possible.
I'm exactly the same age as you and you've really made me think.
Soft Top.
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Id second that advice. My dad ( 71 ) had requested a PSA test last year, as he has every year for the last 5 after two guys he knew died of prostate cancer. All fine until last year when his reading was a little up, so they investigated further.
They quickly deduced he had a very aggressive cancer in the earliest stages which has now been treated and he has been clear for must be a year now. But if he had waited until there were symptoms, id be without my dad by now or on the way to it.
So worth doing it, along with the other man-checks which nobody enjoys! Lifes too short and doctors are great when you do have a problem.
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The MRI results time is dragging, TBH. It was to be 10th Aug, but no appts available that day, so we went for 17th, but then a letter came putting it back to the 24th, so it's still two weeks away.
Last edited by: oldnotbold on Sun 8 Aug 10 at 09:33
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All the best mate.
Decided I need to go for a checkup.
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>Jan '10 - aged 50.5 decided to ask for a PSA test at the doc. June 10 go to doc on >unrelated issue, and she spots high test result.
Thats a bit lax, what if you had never gone back?
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"Thats a bit lax, what if you had never gone back? "
True - I'm looking into that - it's possible that the first result was high enough for a referral, anyway. My leggy nurse neighbour works at the same surgery, and she thinks I should have been contacted after test #1, too.
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Good post ONB. I'm a year older than you and to be honest I've not been in a doctor's surgery in decades. Never thought of having my bits checked. Probably should.
Good luck with your recovery.
On a lighter note, I had my prostate checked by the seat post on my mountain bike the other week when the saddle broke off after a particularly hard landing. Now that did hurt.......
:-)
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The test is just a few ml of blood, and a two-day (or in my case 5 month) turnaround. Only if that's +ve is it likely that you'll get the wiggly pinkie. I've now had more digits and equipment inserted via that orifice to last a while, and I'm not finished by a long chalk.
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I've now had more digits and equipment inserted via that orifice to last
>> a while, and I'm not finished by a long chalk.
Yep, not pleasant. I had to stick a suppository up there myself before having my wisdom teeth out in hospital. I was given a disposable glove and directions to the toilet. Made me gulp thats for sure. I don't understand why I needed it for a wisdom tooth operation. I reckon they got my notes mixed up with someone elses, or they were having a joke with me. When I got back to the bed, the patient opposite was grinning. 'I know where you've just been' he said.
I shall be looking forward to my 50's with baited breath.
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>>I've not been in a doctor's surgery in decades.
>>Never thought of having my bits checked. Probably should.
>>
IMO at least get your blood pressure regularly checked plus a yearly eye sight test.
The eye test can obviously identify vision problems but it is also the only non invasive check on blood vessels.
IMO sadly, older folks do not get their free eye test done for fear of being sold expensive specs. Do prod folks to get their eyes checked.
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I have a quality pair of +1 reading glasses Henry. They were quite expensive as I recall. At least £11.99 from Sainsburys and they didn't even give me a free case ! I can read quite well with them with my left eye anyway. The right lens is a bit scratched now.
:-)
Last edited by: Humph D'bout on Sun 8 Aug 10 at 10:45
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>> I have a quality pair of +1 reading glasses Henry. They were quite expensive as
>> I recall. At least £11.99 from Sainsburys and they didn't even give me a free
>> case ! I can read quite well with them with my left eye anyway.
>>
>> :-)
>>
.....and how well are your eyes etc? :-(
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You are of course right. Maybe it is MOT time soon.
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It's something i must ask about. I do have regular blood tests for Diabetes. I would hope that everything is checked when they've got my half pint.
I'm 64 now, I've never felt that I've had a problem.
I'll ask the nurse next week when I go in. I do my own blood checks 4 times a day but that's for sugar, of course.
Good luck with the tests, anyway.
Ted
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A while back I had prostititis - nasty. Peeing every few minutes/red-hot needles etc!
Cured with a specific anti-biotic, but our doc here is very thorough and insisted on a blood test. PSA was high, so I had a referral to the Urology dept. at the Hospital Costa del Sol, in Marbella.
Tests prescribed: another blood test, flow test, and an ultrasound scan.
Thankfully the result came back OK, PSA down, prostate enlarged, but otherwise no problem, but with the proviso that if the PSA rose to more than 10 or the peeing problem recurred come back and see us.
Enlarged prostate is very common in older men, often symptomless for a long time and sometimes totally so.
E.D. is a common problem with enlarged prostate as the gland surrounds one's "men's bits".
Last edited by: landsker on Sun 8 Aug 10 at 12:12
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Hope you can read into this that there's no urgency!
Had a similar experience in May last year when they discovered I have bladder cancer. Vary aggressive sort. However, top class treatment and a wonder cure seems to have stopped it at present. Waiting for results of latest check-up as I type.
My message would be "chaps - don't be embarrassed, get checked out".
Terry
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Best of luck, oldnotbold.
My Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer and is now, thankfully, clear. I suppose I should get checked, even though I'm only 36. I do occasionally have flow-related problems too.
It's silly, but the thought of the examination is almost as bad as the thought of what they might find.
All the very very best.
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Good luck with your future health - the NHS is brilliant, especially on the serious illnesses.
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Very good advice, oldnotbold. It's surprising as one gets on a bit, just how many chaps you come across who have prostate cancer. One such, a friend of mine, has made it his life's work to pester all and sundry, including me, to have their PSA checked.
I know that you have already carried out your own research, but I do have a recent article that may be of interest. Please feel free to email me via the mods.
May you have a speedy recovery.
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CS - many thanks - send it to ebay<*tsign>hrmconsultancy.net
ONB
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>>send it to ebay
It's on its way.
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>> My top tip - get a PSA test if you are 45 or above.
Thanks - I'll look into it.
F (45)
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6/7weeks ago I was tired and breathless, so nipped in to see the GP.
Last week the last of the tests have been done, tubes down, tubes up, Xray, MRi, CT Scan, bood test, blood transfusions. I had the news that the problem is an ulcerated tumour.
I should probably have gone 4/5 weeks earlier when the breathlessneess occured first of all but the specialist says it was not that important as the tumour process was many years old and a few weeks is neither here nor there.
Surgery (BIG TIME) in 2 weeks and them possibly Chemo after that.
In the Spring (or may be before that if it is self contained in the bowel) when I am better, the choice will be a new brand new XF or RX450 unless another car comes along in the next few months or so. SKI ing (Spend Kid's Inheritance)
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As with oldnotbold, good luck over the next few weeks and hope everything goes well.
You seem to have emphasized my point that the NHS is first class, especially with major illnesses.
I know that full well from the way my late wife was looked after over nearly 20 years in a number of hospitals as far apart as Glasgow, Liverpool and the Wirral either as an in-patient or attending out-patient clinics with several serious health problems.
Literally no expense was spared.
Last edited by: Stuartli on Sun 8 Aug 10 at 19:19
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oldnotbold, very good informative post and I would add on to it to highlight the need for the guys to check the balls.
Working in a hospice I hear of so many instances of cancers that could have been less serious if they were caught earlier.
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Good luck oldnotbold and FB and we should all listen to BobbyG.
Can I add just how important it is to 'Check your Nuts' to use a phrase on the Performance Bike forums.
Mr pda had Hodgkin's 7 years ago and after an op and chemo had just got to 3 monthly checks and was clear.
He felt a very tiny lump and went straight to the Doc, she made an urgent hospital appointment for an ultrasound at Huntington Hospital 16 miles away.
Before he had ridden back home on the Fazer, she was on the phone to us wanting to see us both at 4pm that afternoon.
Another operation to remove a testicle and then another 3 months of chemo, but he has now been clear for almost 3 years and is on 6 month checks.
The point is, this had already spread to his lymph nodes despite the speed at which everyone acted, so don't wait, do it now.
The good side is that at 38 he's had cancer, AND BEEN CURED twice, since the oncologist insists there wasn't a link and it wasn't a relapse. So there is always hope.
The bad side, well he would tell you he had to think which trouser pocket he kept his loose change in for a few weeks to prevent him walking round in circles:)
The reason for this posts that the charity we both are involved with has just given a lot of help to a lorry driver who found a nut lump ( as they call it!) and didn't do anything about it for almost a year. It keeps returning despite extensive treatment and operations and the future isn't looking good for him or his young family.
Pat
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I do apologise if I've shocked you all into silence:)
Maybe ladies shouldn't talk about things like that here, but it had to be said and I didn't see any of you saying it bluntly!
Must be my sense of humour again 'cos I have a vision of you all hobbling around clutcing your.............no, maybe not:)
Pat
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Absolutely not Pat and if anyone is in any doubt - do some googling on the ex Arsenal and Celtic footballer John Hartson.
He was in a privileged position of, through football, having access to all sorts of medical help, had a lump for a year, knew about it but just ignored it.
www.johnhartsonfoundation.com/about.asp
edited as the swear filter tripped an innocent word
Last edited by: VxFan on Mon 9 Aug 10 at 12:39
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Good advice and hopefully you will have caught it in time ONB....
Prostate Cancer is surprisingly common - I have two friends and one neighbour undergoing treatment at the moment. Sadly I have lost friends to it as well.
Wasn't it prostate cancer that did for Bob Monkhouse ?
It was also nearly the end of Bob Champion - I believe he was in bed with a female vet who felt an extra lump and advised him to get it checked out....
I will have a chat with my doctor next time I visit her but I must admit to being put off by the prospect of the 'examination' ....
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Here's a few posters that you can download and post around your workplace WCs.
loveyourprostate.co.uk/?page_id=603
The website also contains some other useful information too.
loveyourprostate.co.uk/
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Bob C had testicular cancer, hence the lady vet's ability to feel the lump. The test for Prostate cancer normally involves a blood test first, followed by internals if the test gives high result.
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Can anyone recommend a lady vet in South Manchester please.
Ted
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You good folk may recall from the Backroom that I had Prostrate cancer and had the full op aged 47 five years ago. Been through the whole gamut of psa's, fingers, biopsy's, mri's etc., but to date now clear. Most people (Bloke's) won't/don't listen.
To the guy who's appointment was postponed again and again just make a bleeding row over and over and over. Easy for me to say that I know co's I live in rural Devon and service has been brilliant thus far.
PLEASE to any of you DON'T ignore the signs and DON'T 'do an Ostrich'. Think of seeing your Grandchildren grow up.
If anyone wants any info from the little bits that I may be able to provide then mail me, even on this site if you so wish.
All the best....................MD
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It's all well and good having treatment, but both here and in the mainstream media there's very little ever said about the possible nasty side effects of it. Hence, many men are watching and waiting while having regular PSA tests and biopsies to see how it progresses.
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Maybe but who would want to put people off getting checked. The side effects are varied and not always nice, but you recover and you live longer.
My dads treatment was about 6 months long and he wasnt well during that time, needed alot of help, but now he feels fine, infact since his heart surgery, he is in better shape and spirits than I can remember in many years - he survived. He appreciates that.
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"Maybe but who would want to put people off getting checked"
Certainly you should be aware of the symptoms and consult a doctor immediately if you have any concerns or are worried but neither the NHS nor the Prostate Cancer charity currently advocates mass screening for Prostate cancer. It is by no means a clear cut decision as to whether or not you should have a PSA test. The negatives as listed on the NHS site are:
It can miss the cancer and cause false reassurance
It my lead to unnecessary tests and worry when there is no cancer
It cannot tell the difference between slow growing and fast growing cancer
It may make you worry by finding slow growing cancers that may never cause any problems or shorten your life.
48 men will undergo treatment to save one life.
It is for these reason that I elected not to have such a test.
www.prostate-cancer.org.uk/pdf/campaigning/policy_pos_screening_aug2009_at_a_glance.pdf
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>>It is for these reason that I elected not to have such a test.<<
Ah! so I'm not alone in my thinking (read knowledge) then :)
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"It is for these reason that I elected not to have such a test."
If I'd done that I'd almost certainly be dead by 60 - I'm 51 now. My PCa is shifting/growing at the rate of a BMW driver 100 miles from home on a Friday afternoon.
You need to be aware that the stats are just stats - they don't allow for the fact that about 1,000 men a year under 55 are diagnosed with PCa, and those men are much more likely to have an aggressive form (tiger in the trade) that will be life-threatening. While many men die with PCa, rather than from it, 10,000 men a year do die from it, and that's a fact.
I'm aware of a 59 y/o who asked for a PSA test, very fit, still ref'ing good quality football. His test saved his life - he was one notch off the highest cancer score possible for PCa.
If you are 70 then I'd perhaps agree with you, but not at my age.
A little knowledge can be just as dangerous as no knowledge.
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It's also worth bearing in mind the statement "about two thirds of men with a raised PSA level will not have prostate cancer".
So that means anyone whose level is even 0.1 above the age threshold, fair enough. But if, like me, you have two tests in five months, and the second one is 25% higher than the first (which itself was 70% above the threshold), then it's pretty clear that a) it's unlikely to be benign and so b) it's worth the NHS spending time and money investigating it.
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>>A little knowledge can be just as dangerous as no knowledge.<<
Most definitely, I cant argue with that logic,
My best friend died from Prostate Cancer some years ago, my Brother died from Stomach Cancer, his Wife died from Brest Cancer, Wife's Mother died from a brain tumour, my Sister has Myloma, so I have seen what The Big C can do,
I have studied health & wellness, dis-ease & illness for nigh on 20 years or more now and neither I or my wife are registered with any Doctor and my Dog never goes to a Vet,
Wifey & I are 58 and Mutley is 10 which is good for a large breed, and neither of us take any pills which every single one of my 5 Brothers & Sisters take for various conditions,
Sure! I know the Grim Reaper will catch up with us sooner or later but I wish you well friend and that all goes well with your tests.
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"A little knowledge can be just as dangerous as no knowledge."
Well yes it can and that's why I discussed the merits of the test at some length with my doctor and consulted the various NHS and cancer charity websites before coming to my decision As the NHS website (and my doctor) says there is no right or wrong answer as to whether or not you should have a PSA test, you have to weigh up the pros and cons and come to your own decision.
As I said in my previous post neither the NHS or the Prostate Cancer Soc endorse mass screening by means of a PSA test because to do so would mean there would have to be clear cut benefits with no downside for all taking part and that is simply not the case
I chose not to have a test. It was an informed decision on my part.
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>> 48 men will undergo treatment to save one life.
Debatable.
>>
>> It is for these reason that I elected not to have such a test.
>>
More fool you Sir.
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"Debatable"
How so - do you have some figures not available to the NHS? What is the correct number?
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My information (at the time of my treatment) was that 1 in 17 with a raised PSA would need radical surgery and that there was no way of knowing whether (one) was No. 1 or No. 17 etc.
When I had to make the decision on which way to 'jump', nobody in the medical profession would give an inkling as to the route to take, I guess for fear of being sued. However I have a friend (ex Surgeon) and all round good egg who stated, "That if I had your PSA and Gleeson readings then I would not hesitate to have a Radical Prostetectomy". That comment combined with my own research did it for me and that is exactly what I did, for right or for wrong.
The PSA test was eventually decried by it's inventor (if that is the correct terminology) because it was being taken as being conclusive which of course it is not, however it is indicative of something amiss which should be further investigated.
Enough for now. M
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As one who is involved in healthcare and who also has an enlarged prostate, I have watched this thread with interest.
The views expressed are pretty much spot-on, I think. As with any condition or set of symptoms that concern you, the advice must be to consult your GP and if necessary ask for a second opinion. Even when there is no cancer present in the prostate, urinary flow problems can affect the kidneys, for example, and it is always worth pursuing this condition.
One contributor says, "I would hope that everything is checked when they've got my half pint." Not so. A doctor will specify what the blood test is for and it is unlikely that, if you're being monitored for another condition, PSA levels will be checked. You need to get your GP specifically to request it if you want it done.
It is also worth remembering that some medication (e.g. Saw Palmetto extract, as sold on health food shops as good for the prostate) will lower the PSA and could in theory distort the result of a blood test, thus masking a problem. Also, ejaculation within 24 hours prior to the blood sample being taken will raise the PSA level a little. I pass this on from what my consultant told me.
PSA levels on their own don't mean a lot, unless they are seriously out of line. An enlarged prostate will produce more PSA even if it's non-cancerous and PSA levels are often related to the size of the prostate as measured by an ultrasound scan. A biopsy would only be undertaken if it seemed worthwhile - i.e. cancer was suspected.
On the whole, the older the patient the less aggressive cancers tend to be and it is said that many men die with prostate cancer, but not so many die from it.
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I preach and practice that prevention is better than cure - Vulcan logic.
I avoid junk non-food, eat mainly organic, gave up the weed 18 years ago, drink in moderation etc. etc.
I also flush my Prostate at least twice a week, walk daily, and lift weights 3 times a week,
Amen.
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"I also flush my Prostate at least twice a week" - too much information... :-)
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Can you get Prostate flush in the local Halfords?
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>>Can you get Prostate flush in the local Halfords?<<
He be thinking about The Horace Batchelor method :)
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A BR had a heart attack, later he asked the doc about life in the future.
Smoking? - NO!
Drinking?- the odd glass.
Prostrate Flush? - as long it's with the wife, we do not want you to get excited.
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Best have a medic on hand for a prostate flush in case of complications.
A lady vet should do !
Ted
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Done :)
Can't remember whether I mentioned it on here but got a urinary tract infection last year, which apparently is unusual in a 45 year old male. Antibiotics sorted it out, but doctor did a PSA test to check for any underlying issues.
That came back a bit higher than normal, so he did another one a month or so later, and that was higher still.
So first thing this morning I was in his surgery with his finger... well, I think you can guess the rest. But he said he couldn't find anything unusual, not even enlarged, so he's booked me a non-urgent visit to the urology (IIRC) department in the hospital to see if they can spot anything. Not worried at the moment.
Doctor was very apologetic about putting me through the examination, but to be honest I wasn't that bothered...
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through the examination, but to be honest I wasn't that bothered...
each to their own!
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Our local urology surgeon was a Mr Waterfall.
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>> >> through the examination, but to be honest I wasn't that bothered...
>>
>> each to their own!
I didn't say I enjoyed it! :)
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My first similar examination was carried by my ageing GP.
When he locked the door from the inside my only question was
'I do not know whether that is good or bad news?'
He subsequently went on to explain that very early in his career he was carrying out the same examination, when the door opened and an elderly female patient shuffled in, sat down, seemingly unaware of what was going on!
He had since always locked the door when carrying out any detailed examination.
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>> So first thing this morning I was in his surgery with his finger... well, I
>> think you can guess the rest.
>>
It's when you get a hand on each shoulder you worry.
They do these routinely as part of your annual MOT starting age 45 in Germany. Got a few years to go before that pleasure starts.
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As above from the 10th August posting.
Don't wait chaps..............
MD
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Without taking a position one way or the other re the relevance and relaibility of PSA tests, I understand that there is a medical practice, probably used on older men, called Watchful Waiting and that many men die WITH prostate cancer rather than OF it. Equally a 60 year old colleague of mine had a routine PSA test, not because of symptoms or illness. He was in hospital within a week for a radical prostatectomy! It must make sense to have a regular test even if one is symptom free.
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I cannot thank my GP (now ex sadly) enough.
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At 38 and with no symptoms or family history it seems I don't need to take any action yet - but from 45 I will make sure I get checked over. I've just spent half an hour re-reading the whole thread and the related links. It was MD's comment about seeing grandchildren grow up that really hit home.
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I had 'the finger' when I was in my 30's, I was health conscious even then!
I paid for a BUPA health screening thingy and a digital rectal was offered, of course I jumped at the chance :)
My best friend Laurie Smith the Leather craftsman died of Prostate Cancer - nasty dis-ease!
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I was 47. I know younger with advanced Prostate Cancer!!!!! DON'T leave it.
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I've got a scan tomorrow for Aortic aneurism. Local community hospital where I had me left cataract out. it'll give me a chance to pop in the cataract centre and see if I'm anywhere near surgery for t'other one.
Mum died of the aneurism, not burst but dissecting. Had 24 hrs to live and they were spot on. At 82 they don't operate unless you're someone important like the Queen...or Jordan.
I'm sure Mum's was due to smoking.....WW2 and all that ! Peaceful and quick way to go...loaded with morphine !
Cheerful mode over....back to grumpy.
Ted
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My friend Laurie - the one who died of prostate cancer, also had an aortic aneurysm AND was a smoker,
He had the aneurysm repaired just a few years before he died of the dreaded C, he was 69.
My BIL died of a burst aneurysm when he was 75 (another smoker)
My 2nd-best friend Big Terry phoned me up one morning and said "Dog, I don't feel too great so I'm going to drive myself to Bodmin hosp. and get checked out", they transferred him to Truro for 'the op', but although it was a success, his heart gave out (72) another smoker.
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At my last bladder cancer check-up the consultant found a nodule on my prostate. PSA and CT scans were normal so we went on to biopsies. That was in late Feb. As the OP notes, not pleasant for the majority of men!
It seems the nodule can be caused by the bladder cancer treatment (BCG bugs). I haven't heard yet if anything more is to be reommended - I suspect not or I'd have heard by now. Still, 3 bladder checks clear SO FAR so the treatment's working even if it is causing diversions.
Really, guys, look after yourselves down there!
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>>At my last bladder cancer check-up the consultant found a nodule on my prostate<<
Are you saying that you are in remission from bladder cancer Telb, or have I got the wrong end of the stick (again!)
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Dog: I'm halfway through a 3-year course of BCG treatment. So far, there's been no sign of a return. The treatments gradually move to less frequent (first 3 monthly, now 6 monthly). After 3 years with no trace I can call myself in remission but I'll probably be on annual checks for life.
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And what about the OP?
We've not seen him since the end of August, last year.
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i have an aneurysm in my head in the lower part of the brain near the top of the spine and they dont want to operate but may be forced to as appartnly its under large pressure and pushing on other parts of the brain affecting memory sometimes
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The main thing with the ole aneurysms is to keep the BP as low as poss, my silly mate Big Terry was rushing about Cornwall fixing various peoples computers (for free) so his BP must have risen somewhat and his aneurysm pressed onto his Kidneys giving him awful pain in that area for a few days before he expired.
Last edited by: Dog on Wed 30 Mar 11 at 14:48
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my bp is too high and im cutting back on all work for the rest of the summer at least to concentrate on losing weight and finding joy
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>>im cutting back on all work for the rest of the summer at least to concentrate on losing weight and finding joy<<
I think I knew her sister Ivy ;)
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Since my Cancer I now get free prescriptions and eye tests.
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My sister has been diagnosed with Myeloma,she takes 57 pills every Friday (Chemo) inc. Thalidomide!
She takes a bucket full of other pills every other day for her Cancer + HBP,
She feels 'as right as rain' apart from a little tiredness - Amazing!
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My wife's two years down the line dealing with the big BC, diagnosed aged 39. Not funny with two tiny children around.
Advice to get check ups applies to everyone, regardless of gender. I'm having a skin melanoma investigated at the moment (another curse to go with ginger hair), so far they think that it's 90% certain to be benign.
Good luck and best wishes to all those on this thread affected by the disease.
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ive given up worrying. if mine goes pop i wont know about it.
ive decided to wind up all my work and let someone else run the other businesses for a year.
im going fishing etc.
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>>And what about the OP?
We've not seen him since the end of August, last year<<
Should we drop him a line (email), assume the worst, or just leave it at that?
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>> I've got a scan tomorrow for Aortic aneurism.
Well, had me scan this afternoon and was given a clean report, having an aorta of just 1.8 cm diameter...I think.
Antway, the nurses gave me a good going over, They seemed not to be too overcome by the sight of my manly chest to do a good job !
Ted
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>> But he said he couldn't find anything unusual, not
>> even enlarged, so he's booked me a non-urgent visit to the urology (IIRC) department in
>> the hospital to see if they can spot anything.
Actually, got a letter on Friday telling me how to book it myself online - picked the first available slot, which is a week on Wednesday.
Did think twice though having seen that BBC report about screening not being much use. But reckon it's worth at least taking the next step and seeing what they say (about the high PSA levels without obvious signs of a prostate problem).
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The NHS should have an "MOT" system which carries out certain tests at certain ages. They're the experts. It shouldn't be up to the individual to decide when to request tests for something unless they have symptoms.
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>>The NHS should have an "MOT" system which carries out certain tests at certain ages<<
Better to spend the green folding stuff on Tomahawk missles than improving the life expectancy of mere people :(
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Especially when they're really old...
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...Especially when they're really old...
Yeah, those Tomahawks could do with updating.
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>>Especially when they're really old...<<
S'right! ... My FIL needs a knew nee but 'they' wont let him have the op b'cos he's 85,
Fought in WW2 up near Monte Casino, salt o'the Earth type - now housebound, virtually.
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so 85yrs of paying tax and they write him off. snip
Last edited by: VxFan on Thu 31 Mar 11 at 18:59
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Doing him a service: the NHS kills the old - MRSA etc..
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prob right there.
ops at home would be better and prob cheaper
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If ya ain't paying tax they don't wanna know. MIL in the same boat.
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Of course we've considered paying for him to have the op done privately but,
I've heard that knee joint replacements are funny people, and unlike the hip op - if it goes wrong, the operation can't be carried out for a 2nd time, and, you end up with a stiff leg.
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"Of course we've considered paying for him to have the op done privately"
That's a knee-jerk reaction.
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At 85 years of age, the fatal risk of surgery far outweighs the potential benefits of new hips.
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>> S'right! ... My FIL needs a knew nee but 'they' wont let him have the
>> op b'cos he's 85
Yes, my workmate had a hip operation - worth doing according to the NHS because he was 50, so relatively young.
>> Doing him a service : the NHS kills the old - MRSA etc.
It finished my grandad off sending him to hospital - he went in there with a mild stroke, and ended up falling out of the bed, getting concussion by banging his head on the floor, and then caught pneumonia, and died. I get upset when I think about about how his life ended. I do not want to end my days in a hospital.
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>>At 85 years of age, the fatal risk of surgery far outweighs the potential benefits of new hips<<
Agreed but, you do hear about folk undergoing major surgery in their 80's and 90's, with a positive outcome.
>>I do not want to end my days in a hospital<<
Me neither, it's criminal the way some people are treated at the end of their life, the nurses are OK though,
ask Teddy ;}
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"Yes, my workmate had a hip operation - worth doing according to the NHS because he was 50"
Years ago I had a burglar alarm fitted in my flat in Palmers Green, done by a thoroughly decent guy in his 50s who was really proud of his work. When I moved house a couple of years later I drove round to his locksmith shop to see if he was still there but he was in hospital having a new hip. The earliest they could fit me in was two weeks away so we did the deal and of course I expected a different guy to turn up. But nope, two weeks later, there he was with his new hip, up and down his ladder like a 25-year-old. Absolutely incredible.
He said it was his second new hip, they'd done the other one the year before and he knew what to expect. And that the difference it made to his life, the relief from the pain and the problems he was experiencing was like waking up a new man.
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>>the relief from the pain and the problems he was experiencing was like waking up a new man<<
Yes, it's that unbearable pain, isn't it - I know an Agoraphobic who eventually succumbed, because of the pain.
It isn't a good idea to have the op at an early age, because it will likely require doing again later in life,
(but then pain is pain!)
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Yes, well - that article doesn't surprise me at all, each person has to take what ever path through life that they believe in, and so I steer clear of Doctors and specialists and in my 59th year I don't take any pills or potions, and I feel quite healthy, so far.
My take on Cancer (and I stand to be corrected) is that there is the slow growing variety, and the aggressive type, and if you contract the latter, then all the burning, and all the cutting, and all the chemo, won't stop it metastasizing to other organs.
As I've said before, I wish to die healthy, not hanging on for each and every breath, taking ever-more quantities of pills,
I actually don't have any GP, but I intend to register with one on my 60th birthday for an MOT, if I'm still alive.
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>>but I intend to register with one on my 60th birthday for an MOT, if I'm still alive.
You might be advised to cut down a little on the (sea) salt intake. Not good for the BP.
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No friend - it's common table salt that is associated with HBP,
although anyone already diagnosed with cardiovascular dis-ease would be advised to reduce Sodium intake.
Last edited by: Dog on Fri 1 Apr 11 at 19:46
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Salt is salt. Buying it in larger chunks does not change its basic properties.
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Sodium all, sodium all, the long and the short and the tall, for we are the............
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>>Salt is salt
Quite right.
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www.second-opinions.co.uk/salt-and-hypertension.html
Pick it up from the section titled "Why blame salt?".
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Probably best to take note of a qualified doctor in these matters. There's an awful lot of rubbish published about nutrition by the unqualified.
Last edited by: CGNorwich on Sat 2 Apr 11 at 09:02
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No one would have believed, in the last years of the 20th century, that human affairs were being watched from the timeless worlds of space,
No one could have dreamed that we were being scrutinized, as someone with a microscope studies creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water,
Few men even considered the possibility of life on other planets, and yet across the gulf of space, minds immeasurably superior to ours, regarded this Earth with envious eyes, and slowly, and surely,
they drew their plans against us.
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I'll stay clear of Woking then.
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Medication is beckoning, Dog.
:)
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Walked the dog at the very landing spot yesterday. They have all gone.
Last edited by: Zero on Sat 2 Apr 11 at 10:10
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>> Walked the dog at the very landing spot yesterday. They have all gone.
>>
No. They are still there. It's just that you can't see them.
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No they have gone, why do you think I take the dog, she can sniff them out and hear them.
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The dog is not going to grass them up. She is one of them.
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Ah! yes!
That explains a lot. Jeez I have no hope, what with the wife being one of the lizzard family that David Icke has warned us about.
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>>what with the wife being one of the lizzard family that David Icke has warned us about<<
I've got a couple of his books ere if you wanna have a borrow.
;}
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>> My take on Cancer (and I stand to be corrected) is that there is the
>> slow growing variety, and the aggressive type, and if you contract the latter, then all
>> the burning, and all the cutting, and all the chemo, won't stop it metastasizing to
>> other organs.
Well, I wouldn't be so sure. My wife's cancer was of the most aggressive grade, however it was caught early, and all indications so far are that there's been no spread. At her stage of life as a young-ish woman with very young children, the stance has to be one of "take no chances", and do anything which may help her achieve a life span long enough to allow the children to grow old enough to remember her properly, should the worst happen.
So, it's horses for courses. If someone feels that Dog's approach is suitable for them, then fine.
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Don't read if squeamish...
Well I'm now missing 10 slices of prostate after my biopsy this morning, 5 off each side (they do warn you that they still might miss something...). Wasn't too bad really, although there are probably nicer ways to spend a Thursday morning.
The thing they use to take the samples (prostate slicer?) makes a distinctive clicking sound as it is fired, although it also makes a quieter click when the doctor primes it. So you know it's coming, and you try not to tense up, but it's like not blinking for a flash photo - there's lots of photos of me with half-closed eyes. Fortunately the local anaesthetic seemed to work - it doesn't for some apparently. Nice enough young (male) doctor, although he looked quite young; the more mature nurse did have to point out that he had only taken 4 samples when he was about to switch to the other side!
Just taking it easy now on a nice soft sofa watching daytime TV, and being lulled to sleep by the gentle sounds of a wall being demolished for our kitchen extension :)
Results in a couple of weeks.
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>>All the best, Focus.
And the very same from me.
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I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you too.
Pat
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Got the T shirt .......about 5 times!
Has been described as a radical prostatectomy by attrition.
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Well thanks folks, I'm touched. I wasn't fishing for support; I feel quite relaxed about it all at the moment, although obviously aware that things will change should the results go the wrong way.
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I expect you'll be avoiding cycling this weekend? :-)
All the best Focus.
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>> I expect you'll be avoiding cycling this weekend? :-)
:-)
Actually me and Mrs F have a weekend away in the country which we booked some time ago, so we'll be relaxing a bit more than originally planned over in sunny Shropshire. Even feels like I'll be ok to drive, which is a relief :)
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Had the radical in 2005. Good luck Focus. Support here if needed.
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"I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you"
I should imagine he's had enough fingers.
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Just been reading all the comments.Cancer is a mean illness,it creeps up on you and often when it is detected its to late.
I got diagnosed with Esophageal cancer a year and a halve ago now.Its a cancerous tumor of the esophagusthe muscular tube that moves food from the mouth to the stomach.Got diagnosed after two attacks couldn't swallow food.Had two operations second operation took eight hours.I can't thank the NHS enough had a marvelous surgeon determent oncologist who put me through hell with the 8 hrs chemo.sessions before and after the operation.I am a not the same man I used to be but Iam still here.Survival rate is fifty fifty but I have had some excellent counselling I got a bit down in the dumps which is a great help.Please have yourself checked if not for yourself but for your family.With cancer the family suffers with you and when it boils down to it we all want to live.
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>> "I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you"
>>
>> I should imagine he's had enough fingers.
Indeed :)
Anyway, as suspected they think it's a false alarm; nothing detected. In fact the PSA reading was only 4.2 - for my age it should only be 2.5 so I guess they wanted to be sure, especially as the 2nd reading was higher than the first.
They said there did still appear to be a bit of swelling, probably left over from the infection which prompted the PSA test in the first place, which might have caused the high(-ish) reading. But it varies from person to person anyway.
Follow-up PSA test scheduled in 3 months, but no more fingers for now :)
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congrats on a clear test. still worrying though.
Last edited by: VxFan on Mon 6 Jun 11 at 01:24
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Get a few Spanish organic cucumbers down you comrade, that should sort things out :(
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It is you perro! Why were you calling yourself a man all that time (and not calling people tovarich)?
Once a hound, always a dawg... bit like being a Catholic or a member of the intelligence community if people are to be believed (they aren't actually).
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>>It is you perro! Why were you calling yourself a man all that time<<
Aye comrade Lud - tis me alright, I wasn't intentionally hiding, just playing about really, I'm sure many folk knew that the worlds most fabulous man, was a Dog,
I'll be replying to your woof woof thread you started back in April ~ soon!
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>> Get a few Spanish organic cucumbers down you comrade, that should sort things out :(
That is a worry - stepson's band kicked off their tour in Germany yesterday...
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...That is a worry - stepson's band kicked off their tour in Germany yesterday...
Good news for stepdad and onwards and upwards for the lad's band.
Are they making any money from it yet?
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>>That is a worry - stepson's band kicked off their tour in Germany yesterday...<<
Ah! - then I would be concerned, Focus, it would be wise to avoid all that 'they' say avoid.
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16 dead in a population of 82 million? More chance of winning the lottery two Saturdays running than being a victim.
Another health scare hyped out of all proportion.
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>>Another health scare hyped out of all proportion<<
Tell that to the families of the 16 dead.
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"Tell that to the families of the 16 dead."
I'm sure that they are deeply upset but nevertheless every day in Germany around 1,500 people die for one reason or other. A sense of proportion is missing as usual in the hysteria, mainly stirred up by the media, over this modest outbreak.
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>>I'm sure that they are deeply upset but nevertheless every day in Germany around 1,500 people die for one reason or other<<
Say n'more CGN ~ c60m die each year world-wide :(
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...I'm sure that they are deeply upset but nevertheless every day in Germany around 1,500 people die for one reason or other...
Could be a new way for the police to break the bad news:
"Hello Mrs Scroggins, little Johnny's just been killed in a road accident, but it doesn't matter because he's the third we've had this week."
Last edited by: Iffy on Thu 2 Jun 11 at 21:46
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I didn't say it doesn't matter to the individuals concerned, merely that to the population at large statistically its not worth worrying about.
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...that to the population at large statistically its not worth worrying about...
I tend to agree, but many people do not.
I once went to a public meeting at which health authorities were making a statement about a salmonella outbreak in a local restaurant - none dead, but lots in hospital.
There was genuine concern among the audience.
You - and I - might say they had little to worry about, but that does not mean they were not worried.
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Lets not get too complacent about this. Ok so only 18 dead and and 500 cases reported, yeah its nothing in the grand scheme of things.
Except, for a food borne e-coli outbreak, across multiple EEC countries, from a single source its almost unprecedented. What of course is far more worrying is the inability to trace the source and the fact it is a previously unseen mutant strain.
It has the potential, to become very serious indeed.
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Cucumbers two for one at tesco... we have the remains of half of one (from Britain) from earlier in the week. These were from Holland in Tesco today.
Z.... you're right again I am afraid. There is potential this could be very serious. They have no idea of the cause yet.
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All the cases so far have been traceable to Germany. I suspect that they will have traced the actual source in a few days. Most likely it is a food packaging/processing plant in Northern Germany. The outbreak has most likely now peaked.
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It was the beansprouts not the cucumbers, the outbreak has now peaked and the source was in North Germany ;-)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13662431
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See the Cuces got blamed a case of vegetablism if I ever saw it.....
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Yep the immigrant veg get blamed for everything.
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>> It was the beansprouts not the cucumbers, the outbreak has now peaked and the source
>> was in North Germany ;-)
>>
Lucky ?? restaurant owner !!!
He was shown demo-ing that he was in the clear by munching green veg not beansprouts
news.sky.com/skynews/Article/201106116005708
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>>What of course is far more worrying is the inability to trace the source and the fact it is a previously unseen mutant strain.<<
I'll wager Mossad is behind it, somewhere along the line :}
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>> 16 dead in a population of 82 million? More chance of winning the lottery two
>> Saturdays running than being a victim.
Of course you're right CGN. Anyway they're a metal band - not sure they get through many cucumbers :)
Iffy - he does pay us some rent a bit more often these days, but his S reg Corsa is still lowering the tone of the drive. (And that's not easy when the other occupants of said drive are a Y reg Focus and a skip.)
Last edited by: Focus on Thu 2 Jun 11 at 20:07
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...are a Y reg Focus and a skip.)...
Hey, nowt wrong with a Focus of any registration.
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>> are a Y reg Focus and a skip.)...
So what sort of car is the one you refer to as the skip? :-)
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>> >> are a Y reg Focus and a skip.)...
>>
>> So what sort of car is the one you refer to as the skip? :-)
You surprise me - I was expecting you to ask how I can tell which is which :)
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There's nothing wrong with driving a KIA Pride skip.
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...There's nothing wrong with driving a KIA Pride skip....
Grandad,
I'm not sure you are hiding your new identity very well.
Edit: This post will make no sense after he changes it back.
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>> There's nothing wrong with driving a KIA Pride skip.
So the KIA pride clue tells us Grandad Tubby = Bathtub Tom.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsqXIIbqXCc
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Mine's almost just like that one.
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Chaps - get your prostate checked - Soft Top
