I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about

Know exactly what you want?

Show search

Notification

Error

Bladder Pain and belly button

Email this conversation Print this conversation

User

Posted 02 Apr 2022 at 17:23

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

any reading over 10 suggests a very good likelihood of prostate cancer

That is simply not true, Ohdear. Any reading over 10 needs exploration but it could just as easily be down to BPH, infection or inflammation.

Nesty, are you sure the GP said 'inflamed'? Could they have said 'enlarged'? The problem with stopping antibiotics earlier than you were told to is that it allows the bacteria to become antibiotic-resistant ... which makes it much harder to treat.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 02 Apr 2022 at 17:38

Well, Lyn, according to a number of cancer sites in the UK and in the US and I quote " Men with a PSA level of between 4 & 10 (Often called the borderline range) have about a 1 in 4 chance of having prostate cancer. If the PSA is more than 10, the chance of having prostate cancer is over 50%". Now, in my book, that means that there is a very good chance of prostate cancer being present. It could mean something else but in the context of what was being discussed my comment is factually correct

Ivan

User

Posted 02 Apr 2022 at 17:45

Statistically, that means if the PSA is over 10 it is almost as likely to be something else. That is not 'a very good likelihood' of it being cancer! We have had men on here with a PSA of 80 who subsequently got the all clear, particularly in cases where the prostate was enlarged 🤷‍♀️

Edited by member 02 Apr 2022 at 17:48 | Reason: Not specified

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 02 Apr 2022 at 18:12

Not wising to have a disagreement on Nesty's conversation page but you are incorrect. You are as always entitled to your opinion but that is all it is. An over 50% chance is statistically more likely than not and though there are men with very high readings that do not have prostate cancer there are also incidences of men with readings of less than 4 that do. Statistically both are unlikely but they do happen. We both know that the PSA test is not a particularly accurate tool for diagnosing prostate cancer but since that is all we have at the moment and since men with a PSA reading of 10 and above are more likely than not to be tested positive for the cancer it is a test worth having.

Ivan

User

Posted 02 Apr 2022 at 19:15

Many thanks for your replies to my subject.

I think until I get a proper diagnosis from this specialist private clinic, to address if I have an actual infection or not, I could be speculating, in how to treat this, even if it is prostatitis, as my pressure urinating is unremarkable and the frequency of going has now improved, it's the ED and the stomach pains I am left with currently.

Though, with further investigation into cancer cells, how just would that be done?

User

Posted 02 Apr 2022 at 19:32

You have had a PSA test over 3.1 which means you should be referred to hospital urology department for MRI and possible biopsy. However, because you have a suspected infection, that might not happen until you have done a proper stint with antibiotics and then a new PSA test. I am not really sure ehy your GP hasn't already referred you to urology since they are also the people best placed to identify whether you do actually have prostatitis.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 02 Apr 2022 at 19:35

Exactly, what I am thinking, though it appears they my surgery doesn't give me much confident in this matter. I have already informed them that my father had PC and had his removed. It just seems I am being passed around from GP to GP.

Edited by member 02 Apr 2022 at 19:38 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 02 Apr 2022 at 19:38

My point Ohdear is that 'more than 50%' does not equate to 'a very good likelihood' ... that is scaremongering. I am very well aware of the lower range possibility since my husband had T3 with a PSA of 3.1 and my father in law died with a reading of 1.2 but to suggest that anyone with a PSA over 10 probably has prostate cancer is wrong.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 02 Apr 2022 at 20:29

I disagree Lyn and the evidence suggests that the higher the PSA score the higher the chance that the person with that score has prostate cancer. A small sample I know, but 7 people that I personally know that had their PSA tested and all scored over 10 have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I can't find the report now but there was a report that suggested that a higher than average PSA score in somebody younger than 50 was less likely to be cancer compared to somebody that was older.

To use your word "scaremongering", which I disagree with by the way, the more men are "scared" into pushing for medical intervention ( scans, biopsies etc) when they have a higher than expected PSA score the better. Two people known to me that wished they had, and one of them was a 66 year old doctor, are no longer around.

Ivan

User

Posted 02 Apr 2022 at 20:35

If I was in your shoes, Nesty, especially because your father was treated for prostate cancer, I would be certainly be knocking on all the NHS doors to get action and if that failed would go private. You don't want to look back and wish you had done this or that.

Ivan

User

Posted 09 Apr 2022 at 22:38

Hi All

I thought I would post an update. On Thursday I had NHS Ultrasound scan, the Ultrasound was mainly for my Bladder to see if filling and emptying properly, that was fine and my kidneys good, as well. However, it did show a very slightly enlarged prostate, the operative also said she couldn't see any inflammation or infection.

I already had a private Uro consult booked on Friday, so I still went through with that, armed with the new info. The consultant is going to test for infection by Prostate fluid and Semen test, though I have to make sure the Prostate fluid will be done and not just semen test.

What it is boiling down to now, do I have an infection or not. Though I have to say the stomach pains are not, as bad as they were when I first posted this thread (maybe constipation was playing a part), sitting down a little better, but still not 100% great, so have to see, if no infection and next PSA has risen, then it's maybe looking at something more sinister?

User

Posted 12 Apr 2022 at 21:34

Hi All

Another update, as you will know I am pursing things via NHS and Private, this is to speed things up to try and get an outcome what is going on.

Today had a appointment with a NHS GP still thinks enlarged prostate, doing a PSA test in 2 weeks, GP says if it's higher then it's a urgent urology appointment for cancer investigation, or if lower then a routine referral to address ways to shrink the prostate.

I am hoping to complete the private semen culture and Prostate fluid tests to rule out infection.

Though I have to say my initial symptoms have improved in places, the stomach pains greatly reduced, going to the toilet frequently almost normal, though sitting down little discomfort, it's a lot better than it was, I have completely changed my diet, better food, no coffee, occasional tea and odd beer, so not sure if that's it or not?

Hopefully, have some full answers by Mid May.

User

Posted 28 Apr 2022 at 05:59

A pain in centre of belly that comes and goes can be appendicitis but it usually moves to the lower right and and becomes constant, so doubt this is the cause of pain in this case.

Barry

User

Posted 28 Apr 2022 at 12:39

It can't be my appendix as had them out & hernia been ruled out by CT Scan.

Not much else to report at the moment. I'm awaiting another PSA test & semen & prostate fluid tests to rule out infection.

However, I think I've had a reaction to the ciprofloxacin, I stopped it a month ago, but about 2 weeks after, getting what I can only call muscle fatigue, that's now concerning me more then the initial prostate issues now, as the stomach pains got a bit better than at first.

User

Posted 12 Jul 2022 at 19:32

Hi All

I thought I'd give an update to my situation. It has been a roller coaster over the last few months.

In April, I got a severe reaction to Ciprofloxin, the side effects been pretty horrific, had temours, lost of limb function, insomnia, paranoia, the fatigue just been unreal, I was off work 2 months. I tell you anyone who takes this stuff and it doesn’t agree with you, it will be brutal, but I am recovering slowly from that and now back at work, but some side effects remain.

My Prostate pain also started getting worse, I felt I was not being helped the right direction by my GP (or should say GP’s, as I’ve seen 4 in this episode), I decided to go private for tests to see if I had a bacteria infection. I had a Semen culture and Stamey test performed in June and the results were no bacteria, so I didn’t need antibiotics in the first place, it’s unlikely a 2 week course of Cipro got rid of it, the bacteria infection just wasn’t there originally and it could be viral and my NHS GP just guessed. Though, I have to say I have improved slightly the stomach pains have got much better.

At this point I was still in the NHS system and my for referral to Urology came through, I had a MRI scan done and the results showed a patch of abnormality in the prostate, so I am being referred for a biopsy in about 2 weeks time. I should have more information to where this path leads in August.

Edited by member 12 Jul 2022 at 19:33 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 06 Aug 2022 at 00:37

I had my biopsy and been given the cancer all clear no malignancy, very pleased about that!

User

Posted 06 Aug 2022 at 13:08

That's good to hear.

I would suggest you ask for annual PSA tests and make a record of them.

PSA tends to rise slowly with age, but if you get a more significant rise, that should be a red flag to be referred back for more tests.

User

Posted 06 Aug 2022 at 13:11

I have been discharged back to my GP for PSA test every 6 months for 2 years, if rises above 5, I will be referred back to hospital.

User

Posted 30 Sep 2023 at 15:58

Hi Nesty,

I found your post as I have similar symptoms, I was fine until I ruptured my Achilles and had surgery, a bad reaction to oxy and I did not eat for several days. Shortly thereafter I started with what I thought was a UTI, urine tests are negative and the irritation is between my anus and belly button.

I also have,

Loss of appetite (changed diet no caffeine, alcohol)

Urinary urgency

zero sleep

My PSA is low, prostate is not enlarged but an exam revealed "inflamed' Doctor claims its prostatitis which it may very well be.

I am 3 of 4 weeks into Cipro and gains have been very small, bladder ultrasound shows emptying is fine, kidneys clear, groin has 3 small hernia. Colonoscopy is negative.

I can't sit/stand in one spot very long and my urologist appointment is months away. My condition eases if I wear an athletic support.

I have cancer in the family, looking for any advice.

Thanks to any responses

User

Posted 30 Sep 2023 at 21:32

Hi Matt

Sorry to hear of your problems, I do feel for you, it’s a right s**ty condition, a couple of things from your post stand out.

Firstly, 3 weeks of Cipro, after what I had (I know everyone different), but IMHO that drug is very concerning. Why has the GP prescribed this have you actually got an infection, has that been proven? I too had the same issue that sitting in one spot for a while became painful, my prostate upon Ultrasound diagnosed, as slightly enlarged. My father had his prostate removed at 65, so cancer runs in my family.

Alongside, with my NHS treatment (to rule out cancer), I also went private in London, I had confidence in the NHS for cancer checks, but they were guessing about my inflammation. I had a Stamey test privately, which came back negative, I had no bacterial infection, but it could have been viral (CPPS). I was offered some pricey treatment for symptom management, but my research suggested it was not proven and negotiable success, so I didn’t take up on it.

I didn’t need to take the Cipro, but the NHS GP’s, just wanted to ply me with any drugs. I felt let down by the NHS, it’s a poorly understood condition and the NHS (cancer check aside), is not up on Prostatitis, it’s mainly a guessing game for them.

Though, I still have some pain up the back passage, this comes and goes feels like cramps, but my latest PSA came back 3.1, lower than before at 3.7. I believe I have CPPS, basically chronic pelvis pain syndrome from my Prostrate, but antibiotics won’t help this condition, though it probably will never go just manage the symptoms, which are much better than last year.

I have considered just spending some money and going to a recommended centre in Poland, to get this sorted and diagnosed once and for all, they appear to be much more clued up on the condition than here in the UK. IMHO, the NHS has not got the resources to deal with these conditions.

Hope the above helps.

Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.