A57 the snake
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 5 Aug 2020
- Messages
- 2,398
- Team supported
- Mcfc
Good luck with everything Rob if you need anything on advice concerning yourself don’t hesitate to PM .
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Prostate cancer
- Thread starter A57 the snake
- Start date
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Will do, and thanks again.Good luck with everything Rob if you need anything on advice concerning yourself don’t hesitate to PM .
Looking at your age when you started this thread, sounds like you are the same age. I’ll post any updates in here as I go through the next tests - hopefully they will be useful to others.
Real life experiences from fellow blues feels more relevant than Dr Google horror stories!
After reading these posts before Xmas, i thought i better check with my GP if i've ever had a PSA check. (thanks OP)
I'm 54 now, and had a MOT at 50 etc. The only thing that came back then was raised blood pressure and pre type 2 diabetes. I was 16.5 stone, so decided weight loss was the route to sorting that. I managed to lose 3.5 stone in 9 months.
Both BP and pre T2 diabetes went away.
I had been suffering acid reflux for years, and H.Pylori tests came back negative. Eventually my GP decided a camera down the throat was needed. Within 20 minutes of the biopsies being taken, the nurse said i did in fact have H.Pylori.
I was given two strong antibiotic drugs to treat it. Well it worked!
The downside was that it wrecked my stomach and lower bowel. I got thrush infections above and below that lead to a few piles and an anal tear. That then lead to two surgeries to sort out. (including a camera up the bum)
That was about a year ago. Because i felt "different" down below, i wasn't sure if my changed bowel/urine habits was normal. I had the odd "after" dribble when weeing. But sorted that by making sure i was totally empty and not being rushed/lazy. I then started having the odd "hesitancy" during the night. I decided to contact my GP about my prostate.
Turns out that the PSA wasn't part of the 50 MOT. But i was entitled to a check after 50 years of age.
Just before the PSA check, i got a bout of food poisoning from some buffet food my wife brought home. We were both ill for a week. She recovered, but i went worse.
About a week later, i had the PSA check, and it came back as 3.1. I now know this is the low end of high.
I was told that the limit for further action was 2.9. So i would need another test.
I will admit i was a little worried. I didn't have a good Xmas as i was still ill, and this played on my mind.
A couple of weeks after Xmas i had my second PSA test. This came back as 2.8. Great i thought!
However, this didn't explain other symptoms i had developed. I had been suffering lower back pains for a few months, and pain in my pelvis and right hip. I had just put it down to my age and job. But with the dribbles and hesitancy, i again contacted my GP via the online form.
To my surprise, i got a message back the next day to say come in! I explained everything, and i was asked if i minded being "examined". The only bit i wasn't sure about it was the receptionists being asked to be a chaperone. Apparently they are trained to do it! She found the prostate was slightly enlarged (the GP, not the receptionist!). I was told i would be referred to the hospital for further tests.
I somehow ended up getting seen within two weeks. On arrival i was asked for a Urine sample. I then saw the consultant. I was shocked with his attitude. He explained he was a cancer surgeon and why was i here. He went on to explain that his time was valuable and why did i think i needed to see him!
Taken aback, i explained my symptoms route to his office and that the messages everywhere was get yourself checked out, and that is what i had done. I told him that i had also developed a swollen and sore testicle since my GP appointment. I also said if he wasn't happy, maybe he should take that up with my GP.
He said he "may as well examine me since i was here". After the "examination", he changed his tune. He said that yes i was enlarged, and further tests/scans would be needed. Just then, the results from my Urine came back with blood/protein/Glucose in it. I was told these tests would be done in about two weeks.
The worse part was that i was still very ill since before Xmas. I hadn't been able to work.
I will be honest, although i'm fairly level headed, i was starting to think the worst. My whole pelvic region on the righthand side was painful, i was struggling to eat, and was completely run down.
Because i assumed it was all prostate related, it didn't even occur to me to contact my GP about it!
Amazingly, i kept being offered cancel appointments, so i got all my tests/scans done within days.
With only the camera into bladder taking 14 days. I was so impressed with the speed.
I was told the camera was about the size of a pencil. Fucking liars! It wasn't any smaller than i had had down my throat and up my bum. Hopefully NOT the exact same camera!
When i saw it, i did comment that i didn't think my japs....."penis hole" would take it. He just smiled!
Just to put anybody's mind at rest who may have to have it in future, don't worry.
Yes it will fit. No there is no pain. It is weird and slightly uncomfortable. But compared to the one down your throat, i would have this all day long!
So, that was a few weeks ago.
The results so far are all good. No sign of bladder or prostate cancer. The prostate is enlarged, but that will be dealt with later. Not sure how/why as they are writing to my GP etc.
My testicles have both got fluid surrounding them. They think that will absorb back into the body with time.
They think i've had a Urinary Tract Infection since the food poisoning. If the poisoning gets into the blood, it can cause some of my pelvic problems. My urine has gone from dark tea to almost clear over the last two weeks. I have slowly been feeling better too. I'm going to try and get back to work next week. This might have been earlier if i didn't just put it all down to the prostate and got antibiotics!
I'm also now on Metformin for type 2 diabetes.
I have put some weight back on with the two surgeries i had to have. I couldn't run, so some of it crept back.
I'm hoping to come off them when i can shift the weight again.
So get checked out. It isn't always cancer. The fear of that is putting some off etc.
I always said that no fingers up my bum until i was at least fifty. I think that was just a silly "lad" thing.
We have all had the jokes about having it done. It's a bit of banter, but might be stopping people.
Fingers up the bum and cameras are just not that bad. I dreaded it, but these people doing it are incredible.
At no point did i feel embarrassed. Your dignity is respected at all times.
I'm 54 now, and had a MOT at 50 etc. The only thing that came back then was raised blood pressure and pre type 2 diabetes. I was 16.5 stone, so decided weight loss was the route to sorting that. I managed to lose 3.5 stone in 9 months.
Both BP and pre T2 diabetes went away.
I had been suffering acid reflux for years, and H.Pylori tests came back negative. Eventually my GP decided a camera down the throat was needed. Within 20 minutes of the biopsies being taken, the nurse said i did in fact have H.Pylori.
I was given two strong antibiotic drugs to treat it. Well it worked!
The downside was that it wrecked my stomach and lower bowel. I got thrush infections above and below that lead to a few piles and an anal tear. That then lead to two surgeries to sort out. (including a camera up the bum)
That was about a year ago. Because i felt "different" down below, i wasn't sure if my changed bowel/urine habits was normal. I had the odd "after" dribble when weeing. But sorted that by making sure i was totally empty and not being rushed/lazy. I then started having the odd "hesitancy" during the night. I decided to contact my GP about my prostate.
Turns out that the PSA wasn't part of the 50 MOT. But i was entitled to a check after 50 years of age.
Just before the PSA check, i got a bout of food poisoning from some buffet food my wife brought home. We were both ill for a week. She recovered, but i went worse.
About a week later, i had the PSA check, and it came back as 3.1. I now know this is the low end of high.
I was told that the limit for further action was 2.9. So i would need another test.
I will admit i was a little worried. I didn't have a good Xmas as i was still ill, and this played on my mind.
A couple of weeks after Xmas i had my second PSA test. This came back as 2.8. Great i thought!
However, this didn't explain other symptoms i had developed. I had been suffering lower back pains for a few months, and pain in my pelvis and right hip. I had just put it down to my age and job. But with the dribbles and hesitancy, i again contacted my GP via the online form.
To my surprise, i got a message back the next day to say come in! I explained everything, and i was asked if i minded being "examined". The only bit i wasn't sure about it was the receptionists being asked to be a chaperone. Apparently they are trained to do it! She found the prostate was slightly enlarged (the GP, not the receptionist!). I was told i would be referred to the hospital for further tests.
I somehow ended up getting seen within two weeks. On arrival i was asked for a Urine sample. I then saw the consultant. I was shocked with his attitude. He explained he was a cancer surgeon and why was i here. He went on to explain that his time was valuable and why did i think i needed to see him!
Taken aback, i explained my symptoms route to his office and that the messages everywhere was get yourself checked out, and that is what i had done. I told him that i had also developed a swollen and sore testicle since my GP appointment. I also said if he wasn't happy, maybe he should take that up with my GP.
He said he "may as well examine me since i was here". After the "examination", he changed his tune. He said that yes i was enlarged, and further tests/scans would be needed. Just then, the results from my Urine came back with blood/protein/Glucose in it. I was told these tests would be done in about two weeks.
The worse part was that i was still very ill since before Xmas. I hadn't been able to work.
I will be honest, although i'm fairly level headed, i was starting to think the worst. My whole pelvic region on the righthand side was painful, i was struggling to eat, and was completely run down.
Because i assumed it was all prostate related, it didn't even occur to me to contact my GP about it!
Amazingly, i kept being offered cancel appointments, so i got all my tests/scans done within days.
With only the camera into bladder taking 14 days. I was so impressed with the speed.
I was told the camera was about the size of a pencil. Fucking liars! It wasn't any smaller than i had had down my throat and up my bum. Hopefully NOT the exact same camera!
When i saw it, i did comment that i didn't think my japs....."penis hole" would take it. He just smiled!
Just to put anybody's mind at rest who may have to have it in future, don't worry.
Yes it will fit. No there is no pain. It is weird and slightly uncomfortable. But compared to the one down your throat, i would have this all day long!
So, that was a few weeks ago.
The results so far are all good. No sign of bladder or prostate cancer. The prostate is enlarged, but that will be dealt with later. Not sure how/why as they are writing to my GP etc.
My testicles have both got fluid surrounding them. They think that will absorb back into the body with time.
They think i've had a Urinary Tract Infection since the food poisoning. If the poisoning gets into the blood, it can cause some of my pelvic problems. My urine has gone from dark tea to almost clear over the last two weeks. I have slowly been feeling better too. I'm going to try and get back to work next week. This might have been earlier if i didn't just put it all down to the prostate and got antibiotics!
I'm also now on Metformin for type 2 diabetes.
I have put some weight back on with the two surgeries i had to have. I couldn't run, so some of it crept back.
I'm hoping to come off them when i can shift the weight again.
So get checked out. It isn't always cancer. The fear of that is putting some off etc.
I always said that no fingers up my bum until i was at least fifty. I think that was just a silly "lad" thing.
We have all had the jokes about having it done. It's a bit of banter, but might be stopping people.
Fingers up the bum and cameras are just not that bad. I dreaded it, but these people doing it are incredible.
At no point did i feel embarrassed. Your dignity is respected at all times.
Last edited:
4 mates all blues got PSA high readings in the last 2 years 2 of them had fuck all wrong with them went thru peer pressure we are all 60 plus all had bad news 3 had the fucker removed one radiotherapy all recovered and all clear.
All 4 mithered me so last week had the blood test and ffs massive reading and fast tracked to urology at Tameside and now having MRI scan on Saturday afternoon absolutely fucked me up big time. Resigned after a week to accepting it has to be worse case scenario but begs the question should we be tested or not I’m hoping that in the long term I may have averted something very unpleasant and prolonged my life so on balance despite being in a very bad place at the moment maybe I did the right thing.
I had to tell all my mates the current situation as they all knew I’d been tested the thing was I told them the outcome yesterday afternoon as all of them were at the funeral of one of our mates who had passed away only 56 and one of Stalybridge’s finest blues.
Emotions ran high as expected
But for a few hours and to be honest what was more emotional than my situation was that at least a dozen of us who all went to York including Moz RIP were all together again all still as loyal as ever although few still go away but everyone still ST holders.
And it was arguably the first time in years that over 20 of the founder members of the infamous Stalybridge Fox Tavern Supporters club we’re in the same boozer albeit in Cockbrook but within a mile of our spiritual home and the railway station where we all boarded the train that fateful day lol
I’m humbled by the support group I have around me as demonstrated yesterday plus a great family.
Just spent the last hour reading all 40 odd pages and have found the council given on here very comforting and reassuring as I experienced yesterday there is something uniquely special about us Blues in all aspects of life be it in or out of football
All 4 mithered me so last week had the blood test and ffs massive reading and fast tracked to urology at Tameside and now having MRI scan on Saturday afternoon absolutely fucked me up big time. Resigned after a week to accepting it has to be worse case scenario but begs the question should we be tested or not I’m hoping that in the long term I may have averted something very unpleasant and prolonged my life so on balance despite being in a very bad place at the moment maybe I did the right thing.
I had to tell all my mates the current situation as they all knew I’d been tested the thing was I told them the outcome yesterday afternoon as all of them were at the funeral of one of our mates who had passed away only 56 and one of Stalybridge’s finest blues.
Emotions ran high as expected
But for a few hours and to be honest what was more emotional than my situation was that at least a dozen of us who all went to York including Moz RIP were all together again all still as loyal as ever although few still go away but everyone still ST holders.
And it was arguably the first time in years that over 20 of the founder members of the infamous Stalybridge Fox Tavern Supporters club we’re in the same boozer albeit in Cockbrook but within a mile of our spiritual home and the railway station where we all boarded the train that fateful day lol
I’m humbled by the support group I have around me as demonstrated yesterday plus a great family.
Just spent the last hour reading all 40 odd pages and have found the council given on here very comforting and reassuring as I experienced yesterday there is something uniquely special about us Blues in all aspects of life be it in or out of football
Last edited:
The Lightbowne Cowboy
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 17 Nov 2015
- Messages
- 5,714
- Team supported
- City
Hoping for some positive news for you today pal.I was back in Christie’s yesterday after the cancer was confirmed, Sadly the CT scan didn’t go to plan as there’s a slight problem with my bowel but their going to give the scan another go first tomorrow morning we’re still confident the outlook is promising, and we’re still booked in for 5 weeks of radiotherapy it’s just a minor detour in the journey of full recovery. Glad this thread is still going strong and many have taken the advice to get checked , we keep going .
Up the blues.
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Good to hear you are on the mend.After reading these posts before Xmas, i thought i better check with my GP if i've ever had a PSA check. (thanks OP)
I'm 54 now, and had a MOT at 50 etc. The only thing that came back then was raised blood pressure and pre type 2 diabetes. I was 16.5 stone, so decided weight loss was the route to sorting that. I managed to lose 3.5 stone in 9 months.
Both BP and pre T2 diabetes went away.
I had been suffering acid reflux for years, and H.Pylori tests came back negative. Eventually my GP decided a camera down the throat was needed. Within 20 minutes of the biopsies being taken, the nurse said i did in fact have H.Pylori.
I was given two strong antibiotic drugs to treat it. Well it worked!
The downside was that it wrecked my stomach and lower bowel. I got thrush infections above and below that lead to a few piles and an anal tear. That then lead to two surgeries to sort out. (including a camera up the bum)
That was about a year ago. Because i felt "different" down below, i wasn't sure if my changed bowel/urine habits was normal. I had the odd "after" dribble when weeing. But sorted that by making sure i was totally empty and not being rushed/lazy. I then started having the odd "hesitancy" during the night. I decided to contact my GP about my prostate.
Turns out that the PSA wasn't part of the 50 MOT. But i was entitled to a check after 50 years of age.
Just before the PSA check, i got a bout of food poisoning from some buffet food my wife brought home. We were both ill for a week. She recovered, but i went worse.
About a week later, i had the PSA check, and it came back as 3.1. I now know this is the low end of high.
I was told that the limit for further action was 2.9. So i would need another test.
I will admit i was a little worried. I didn't have a good Xmas as i was still ill, and this played on my mind.
A couple of weeks after Xmas i had my second PSA test. This came back as 2.8. Great i thought!
However, this didn't explain other symptoms i had developed. I had been suffering lower back pains for a few months, and pain in my pelvis and right hip. I had just put it down to my age and job. But with the dribbles and hesitancy, i again contacted my GP via the online form.
To my surprise, i got a message back the next day to say come in! I explained everything, and i was asked if i minded being "examined". The only bit i wasn't sure about it was the receptionists being asked to be a chaperone. Apparently they are trained to do it! She found the prostate was slightly enlarged (the GP, not the receptionist!). I was told i would be referred to the hospital for further tests.
I somehow ended up getting seen within two weeks. On arrival i was asked for a Urine sample. I then saw the consultant. I was shocked with his attitude. He explained he was a cancer surgeon and why was i here. He went on to explain that his time was valuable and why did i think i needed to see him!
Taken aback, i explained my symptoms route to his office and that the messages everywhere was get yourself checked out, and that is what i had done. I told him that i had also developed a swollen and sore testicle since my GP appointment. I also said if he wasn't happy, maybe he should take that up with my GP.
He said he "may as well examine me since i was here". After the "examination", he changed his tune. He said that yes i was enlarged, and further tests/scans would be needed. Just then, the results from my Urine came back with blood/protein/Glucose in it. I was told these tests would be done in about two weeks.
The worse part was that i was still very ill since before Xmas. I hadn't been able to work.
I will be honest, although i'm fairly level headed, i was starting to think the worst. My whole pelvic region on the righthand side was painful, i was struggling to eat, and was completely run down.
Because i assumed it was all prostate related, it didn't even occur to me to contact my GP about it!
Amazingly, i kept being offered cancel appointments, so i got all my tests/scans done within days.
With only the camera into bladder taking 14 days. I was so impressed with the speed.
I was told the camera was about the size of a pencil. Fucking liars! It wasn't any smaller than i had had down my throat and up my bum. Hopefully NOT the exact same camera!
When i saw it, i did comment that i didn't think my japs....."penis hole" would take it. He just smiled!
Just to put anybody's mind at rest who may have to have it in future, don't worry.
Yes it will fit. No there is no pain. It is weird and slightly uncomfortable. But compared to the one down your throat, i would have this all day long!
So, that was a few weeks ago.
The results so far are all good. No sign of bladder or prostate cancer. The prostate is enlarged, but that will be dealt with later. Not sure how/why as they are writing to my GP etc.
My testicles have both got fluid surrounding them. They think that will absorb back into the body with time.
They think i've had a Urinary Tract Infection since the food poisoning. If the poisoning gets into the blood, it can cause some of my pelvic problems. My urine has gone from dark tea to almost clear over the last two weeks. I have slowly been feeling better too. I'm going to try and get back to work next week. This might have been earlier if i didn't just put it all down to the prostate and got antibiotics!
I'm also now on Metformin for type 2 diabetes.
I have put some weight back on with the two surgeries i had to have. I couldn't run, so some of it crept back.
I'm hoping to come off them when i can shift the weight again.
So get checked out. It isn't always cancer. The fear of that is putting some off etc.
I always said that no fingers up my bum until i was at least fifty. I think that was just a silly "lad" thing.
We have all had the jokes about having it done. It's a bit of banter, but might be stopping people.
Fingers up the bum and cameras are just not that bad. I dreaded it, but these people doing it are incredible.
At no point did i feel embarrassed. Your dignity is respected at all times.
I guess you are in the "massive" reading club like me. All the best for Saturday.4 mates all blues got PSA high readings in the last 2 years 2 of them had fuck all wrong with them went thru peer pressure we are all 60 plus all had bad news 3 had the fucker removed one radiotherapy all recovered and all clear.
All 4 mithered me so last week had the blood test and ffs massive reading and fast tracked to urology at Tameside and now having MRI scan on Saturday afternoon absolutely fucked me up big time. Resigned after a week to accepting it has to be worse case scenario but begs the question should we be tested or not I’m hoping that in the long term I may have averted something very unpleasant and prolonged my life so on balance despite being in a very bad place at the moment maybe I did the right thing.
I had to tell all my mates the current situation as they all knew I’d been tested the thing was I told them the outcome yesterday afternoon as all of them were at the funeral of one of our mates who had passed away only 56 and one of Stalybridge’s finest blues.
Emotions ran high as expected
But for a few hours and to be honest what was more emotional than my situation was that at least a dozen of us who all went to York including Moz RIP were all together again all still as loyal as ever although few still go away but everyone still ST holders.
And it was arguably the first time in years that over 20 of the founder members of the infamous Stalybridge Fox Tavern Supporters club we’re in the same boozer albeit in Cockbrook but within a mile of our spiritual home and the railway station where we all boarded the train that fateful day lol
I’m humbled by the support group I have around me as demonstrated yesterday plus a great family.
Just spent the last hour reading all 40 odd pages and have found the council given on here very comforting and reassuring as I experienced yesterday there is something uniquely special about us Blues in all aspects of life be it in or out of football
I'm slowly getting used to the fact that within 2 days I've gone from a simple blood test to "probably" having prostate cancer. After my PSA of 23, I went to the GP yesterday to talk it through with him - as I have an appointment with a specialist on Monday, he seemed content to leave it at that, but I asked if he'd put his finger up my backside. He said my prostate was "quite firm", and when I said to him that given the reading and what you just said, it feels to me that I've probably got cancer, he agreed.
So, nothing definite yet, but the odds aren't looking good in terms of me having cancer. However, I know that this is one of the most treatable cancers, and the stories on here are encouraging, so thanks once again to everybody who contributes.
Now, if only can can get my wife and kids to stop being upset!
Naturally I'll bore you all to death after each appointment, and if between us, we can keep this thread high in the list and encourage more men to get tested, that will be a good thing.
Looks like we are in the same boat at the same time. My wife is being the usual rock as is my daughter but the lad is broken by all thisGood to hear you are on the mend.
I guess you are in the "massive" reading club like me. All the best for Saturday.
I'm slowly getting used to the fact that within 2 days I've gone from a simple blood test to "probably" having prostate cancer. After my PSA of 23, I went to the GP yesterday to talk it through with him - as I have an appointment with a specialist on Monday, he seemed content to leave it at that, but I asked if he'd put his finger up my backside. He said my prostate was "quite firm", and when I said to him that given the reading and what you just said, it feels to me that I've probably got cancer, he agreed.
So, nothing definite yet, but the odds aren't looking good in terms of me having cancer. However, I know that this is one of the most treatable cancers, and the stories on here are encouraging, so thanks once again to everybody who contributes.
Now, if only can can get my wife and kids to stop being upset!
Naturally I'll bore you all to death after each appointment, and if between us, we can keep this thread high in the list and encourage more men to get tested, that will be a good thing.
I’ve ended up with tendonitis in my forearms and elbows through spending the last 6 days on google
I’ve got man up and need to totally reset ready to beat this whatever it is. He who spent the 70s strutting his stuff on the Kippax is a shithouse who has to have his wife or daughter holding his hand just to have a blood test ffs long history of passing out on the sight of a needle going back to the Diptheria jab I had to have coz I travelled through Longsight en route to school everyday in 1970 lol
Hope we both have the outcomes we want even if it gets a bit messy same for A57 who I assume is a Glossop lad loads of first mates I made when we moved from Thornley Park to Stalybridge in 1973 are Mottram and Glossop lads
I’m more than happy to share my journey on here or privately PM me if it helps
When I’m in a better place I’ll give you all my encounter with Colin Bells son when I had private medical cover before retiring if I say so myself it’s fuckin embarrassingly hilarious…..obviously the episode is around one of my passing out episodes
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Of course, more than happy to PM and/or share on here.Looks like we are in the same boat at the same time. My wife is being the usual rock as is my daughter but the lad is broken by all this
I’ve ended up with tendonitis in my forearms and elbows through spending the last 6 days on google
I’ve got man up and need to totally reset ready to beat this whatever it is. He who spent the 70s strutting his stuff on the Kippax is a shithouse who has to have his wife or daughter holding his hand just to have a blood test ffs long history of passing out on the sight of a needle going back to the Diptheria jab I had to have coz I travelled through Longsight en route to school everyday in 1970 lol
Hope we both have the outcomes we want even if it gets a bit messy same for A57 who I assume is a Glossop lad loads of first mates I made when we moved from Thornley Park to Stalybridge in 1973 are Mottram and Glossop lads
I’m more than happy to share my journey on here or privately PM me if it helps
When I’m in a better place I’ll give you all my encounter with Colin Bells son when I had private medical cover before retiring if I say so myself it’s fuckin embarrassingly hilarious…..obviously the episode is around one of my passing out episodes
We all get scared of different things and my view is that if you are afraid of tests/needles/snakes/people or whatever, there's no shame. I'm fairly positive and doing OK at the moment, it's everybody else who is really upset!
I was going to ramble on a bit more but I'll send you a PM.
I just wonder if PSA tests are so easy to do, why aren't they done routinely?
Even from just this thread, the myth that it's an old mans disease is no longer valid.
The awareness is rising, but GP's need to understand that men are still willing to ignore symptoms.
Therefore we need to start PSA testing much earlier. Even if it's to only give a baseline of when thing start to change.
I'm one of them who never saw his doctor between 20 and 50 (they thought i had left the practice at one point!), yet seem to live there lately. I feel i've had to push them all the way to get the right treatments.
I laugh when i see adverts saying discuss any health concerns with your health care provider. Good luck getting past the receptionist first!
I'm not completely out of the woods yet. I still have many symptoms, and will have to deal with my enlarged prostate eventually. But for now, i hoping for a period of much better health.
I now realise i've been ignoring and neglecting my health. Work pressures and the need to provide for my family have always come first. But reaching 50 has meant that i just cannot do that anymore.
One trick i have found is don't try to book GP appointments. This "phone back tomorrow as all appointments are now gone" bollocks needs to be sorted.
I've found it's best (at least at my doctors) to fill out the online form. They respond within two days, and you can get answers/medicine or a quick appointment.
I've found i'm more willing to discuss something, or get answers to something, that i would never bother getting an appointment for.
The basic fear i've gone through since my pre Xmas PSA test has been awful. I was ok at first, but as the symptoms grew i found it hard to dismiss it. I had three separate things all going on at once etc.
I have every sympathy for people who are dealing with this, or those who are just starting with it...
Even from just this thread, the myth that it's an old mans disease is no longer valid.
The awareness is rising, but GP's need to understand that men are still willing to ignore symptoms.
Therefore we need to start PSA testing much earlier. Even if it's to only give a baseline of when thing start to change.
I'm one of them who never saw his doctor between 20 and 50 (they thought i had left the practice at one point!), yet seem to live there lately. I feel i've had to push them all the way to get the right treatments.
I laugh when i see adverts saying discuss any health concerns with your health care provider. Good luck getting past the receptionist first!
I'm not completely out of the woods yet. I still have many symptoms, and will have to deal with my enlarged prostate eventually. But for now, i hoping for a period of much better health.
I now realise i've been ignoring and neglecting my health. Work pressures and the need to provide for my family have always come first. But reaching 50 has meant that i just cannot do that anymore.
One trick i have found is don't try to book GP appointments. This "phone back tomorrow as all appointments are now gone" bollocks needs to be sorted.
I've found it's best (at least at my doctors) to fill out the online form. They respond within two days, and you can get answers/medicine or a quick appointment.
I've found i'm more willing to discuss something, or get answers to something, that i would never bother getting an appointment for.
The basic fear i've gone through since my pre Xmas PSA test has been awful. I was ok at first, but as the symptoms grew i found it hard to dismiss it. I had three separate things all going on at once etc.
I have every sympathy for people who are dealing with this, or those who are just starting with it...
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Yes, I agree that filling in an online form is the best way of dealing with a GP.I just wonder if PSA tests are so easy to do, why aren't they done routinely?
Even from just this thread, the myth that it's an old mans disease is no longer valid.
The awareness is rising, but GP's need to understand that men are still willing to ignore symptoms.
Therefore we need to start PSA testing much earlier. Even if it's to only give a baseline of when thing start to change.
I'm one of them who never saw his doctor between 20 and 50 (they thought i had left the practice at one point!), yet seem to live there lately. I feel i've had to push them all the way to get the right treatments.
I laugh when i see adverts saying discuss any health concerns with your health care provider. Good luck getting past the receptionist first!
I'm not completely out of the woods yet. I still have many symptoms, and will have to deal with my enlarged prostate eventually. But for now, i hoping for a period of much better health.
I now realise i've been ignoring and neglecting my health. Work pressures and the need to provide for my family have always come first. But reaching 50 has meant that i just cannot do that anymore.
One trick i have found is don't try to book GP appointments. This "phone back tomorrow as all appointments are now gone" bollocks needs to be sorted.
I've found it's best (at least at my doctors) to fill out the online form. They respond within two days, and you can get answers/medicine or a quick appointment.
I've found i'm more willing to discuss something, or get answers to something, that i would never bother getting an appointment for.
The basic fear i've gone through since my pre Xmas PSA test has been awful. I was ok at first, but as the symptoms grew i found it hard to dismiss it. I had three separate things all going on at once etc.
I have every sympathy for people who are dealing with this, or those who are just starting with it...
Also agree about neglecting health - I don't smoke and hardly drink, but I'm overweight and that needs to get sorted right now - I've ignored that too long.