No suggestion of prostrate cancer???

Hi All.  Fingers crossed, I hope that I haven’t got it,  the only test I have had is “ Drinking jug fulls of water till bursting, and then being directed by a nurse to pee into a device that would measure the amount. I don’t know if that was good or bad?  Best wishes Kevin

Blood tests & the finger examination will give the Dr a guide if you have prostate problems.

Hi Ron. Thank you for your reply. I think that I had those tests originally when I was referred to hospital in the first instance.  Best wishes Kevin

There can be other reasons why we wake in the night needing the bathroom.  I find I sleep through far more often, and wake only once if at all, since I had a sleep study done which resulted in me being awarded a CPAP machine.  You can google that.  Not only do I sleep better but I wake refreshed (more or less, most mornings, and far better than before) with, as I mentioned, little need of the "wee-hours walk"

Just a thought.  

At our age, Kevin, yearly blood tests are almost essential - in fact my Dr has me done twice a year for most & once a year for PSA to check on prostate .

Another problem that can increase our nocturnal wandering is irritation from urinary stones. I had a half inch stone taken from my right kidney last year and almost immediately went from six trips to one each night. Unfortunately, a follow-up CT scan has revealed another almost as large half way along the left hand kidney-bladder tube.

It doesn't help that since 1998 we've all been force-fed chalk in any UK bread or pastry products, because it's claimed to reduce osteoporosis in older females.

I was subjected to a battery of tests for Prostate Cancer after having a urinary tract (bladder) infection about 3 years ago. The symptom for me wasn't getting up once in the night, I started to have to pee (sometimes without urine happening) about every 15 minutes! I then had Cat scans, MRI scans, bladder flow tests, a eurethrascope examination and probably a couple of other things - it seemed never ending at the time.However….

(second post as not sure how long the posts can be), I then had a template biopsy, and was diagnosed with the disease, but am assured (as much as one can be) that it is currently only a mild case. Active Surveillance is my present regime, which isn't too bad. Annual MRI scan (had last one just a week ago), plus 6 monthly PSA blood test and periodic consultation (by phone in these strange times). Specialist assured me that "These days lots of men die with prostrate cance, but very few die of it". Not sure if this helps, and I'm aware that others may chip in to tell me how wrong/naive/gullible I am, but hopefully not. Keep a positive outlook.

If you are worried Kevin, just get a PSA test at your doctor.  If it's negative, you are fine, if it's positive they will carry out further tests, because it could simply be an enlarged prostate or several other possibilities.  I have been through all this and got a diagnosis of prostate cancer 18 months ago.  All the tests sound fairly harrowing, but they aren't.  We decided to remove my prostate, which turned out to be a good decision as it was more developed than all of the original tests showed, but I am absolutely fine now and just have the PSA test every 6 months to check I stay clear.  My father was diagnosed when he was 75 and it was quite advanced, but he is still going now at 92, so the outlook is not quite as bleak as it once was, so long as one gets the treatment.
Michael

Hi Michael.  Thank you for your reply. Which reminds me of a visit to my GP some time ago , appears that “The inconvenient placement of the prostrate gland was either off putting or that the doctor could not be bothered .I cannot remember the results. But, I must get back to it.  Best wishes Kevin 

Hello Kevin.  I too was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year.  I elected to have surgery and it was removed just before the first lockdown, just weeks after diagnosis. Back to normal now with virtually no reading on the PSA tests.  The cancer was only discovered because I insisted my GP send me for a PSA blood test every six months. It is important to insist on having PSA tests as there is no national screening programme for men with this condition and if you don't ask, your GP won't bother.

Prostate cancer is curable if discovered early on but it is up to you to take the initiative and contact your GP every six months or so and insist on a PSA test.


Terry


PS - Another thought just occurred to me.  Prostate aside, avoid drinking tea, coffee or fizzy drinks (including fizzy water) for some hours before going to bed. Caffeine and carbonated drinks irritate the bladder and make you pee more.  Drink still drinks, such as fruit juice, or water.

Hi Terry, glad to hear you have had a positive experience too.  You are right, we have to take the initiative, although in my case it was the hospital who got everything going because I had been in for a routine outpatient appointment and I was lucky enough to see a doctor who suggested I get a PSA test and then organised it so neither I,  nor my GP, could refuse!  Having said that, my local surgery is great and organise my test on the day and time I request if I give them a few days notice and the results are back within a few days. I'm not exactly a PSA evangelist, but I do feel like I was saved by a chance meeting and so advocate a regular check up to all my friends of a certain age.
I was operated on by a robot, which was very cool!

Michael

Hi Terry.  Thank you for your reply. I don’t know anything about Prostrate Cancer, but, since my discharge from hospital after my heart surgery I have had regular visits from the “Team “ and latterly the heart specialist nurse and have asked the question frequently about my loss of sleep due late night loo visits without an answer. However I will attempt to get an appointment (non telephone if possible) with my GP and ask the same question.  As it happens I have had two Skin Cancers cut out from my leg and my ear. Best wishes Kevin 

My urology specialist recommended the BAUS website, which includes a leaflet about Nocturnal Polyuria

Hi 6243.   Thank you for your reply. Now that I have had both COVID-19 jabs I feel safer on the streets?   But, regarding hospital/  doctors appointments, I would rather that the “Mountain “ came to me, with my record of falling over being that I do not wish to become an inpatient again . Every time I go to hospital, they Bung me in bed, and all my muscles go to jelly and I have to learn to walk etc again.   Best wishes Kevin

Hi Michael and any interested parties. I had a telephone appointment with my GP, and after a discussion she has arranged for the district nurses to collect blood and urine samples from me. Best wishes Kevin 

Well done Kevin, I'm pleased you have done the right thing.

 Best,

Bill

Excellent Kevin, and well done for getting this organised.  It can feel like a step into the unknown, but hopefully it will be all clear.  And if not, you will not be on your own, there are a few of us to share stories with.
Michael

Hi Michael and any interested parties. Today the nurse came as usual to take a blood sample for INR, while she was here I did a Pee sample as well. Let me guess how long that will take?  Best wishes Kevin