Anxiety about my prostate

@DarkOrb...1st...RELAX...you saw a doc...he told you your prostate looks normal although I'm surprised he did not give you a "DRE" (digital/finger rectal exam)...if your PSA comes in normal...its HIGHLY UNLIKELY you have prostate cancer! Not sure what the hard thing is you feel...but is probably bone structure. By the way you should only need to press on the prostate with the same pressure you might use to respond to irritation of the eyeball.

it is weird he did not do a DRE.

it is very unlikely you have cancer.

but, since this guy did not do a DRE, maybe you should go to a urologist.

asking us here on this forum if the ultrasound and PSA is an adequate test to eliminate the possibility of cancer is not the thing to do, as we are not doctors.

i only recommend going to a urologist because of your high level of worry.

darwin

DarkOrb,

I agree with @darwin, despite the tests your doctor did perform, a DRE is still called for. Your report of a "bony" mass and apparent location as indicated by your referenced picture is a curious anomaly which needs further investigation. This is something that an urologist or proctologist should investigate. While ultrasound tests are generally helpful they do not provide the detailed clarity that some other non-invasive testing procedures can provide.
At your age it is very unlikely you have prostate cancer but ultimately (and unfortunately) the only way to rule that out is to have a prostate biopsy done. However, short of having to do that, a follow up exam by the urologist may find you have a simple cyst, some benign growth or perhaps an engorged Cowper's gland creating this hard lump. In any respect it should be further investigated.
Good Vibes to You !

or nothing abnormal at all, just a misconception.

off to the urologist for you!

darwin

If the psa test comes out normal, do i have to go to the urologist?

If the psa test comes out normal, do i have to go to the urologist?You don't "...have to..." do anything, but my advice is still to go see a urologist. A single PSA test score can be pretty meaningless because what is "normal" for you may be abnormal for someone else. Most PSA numbers only become relevant when compared over time from multiple tests, your numbers can fluctuate day to day and depend upon a number of factors, including the last time you ejaculated. It is well known that a PSA number is an imprecise indicator for prostate cancer, especially based upon only a single test. Studies have shown that even relatively high numbers are often false positives for prostate cancer. Your urologist would be well aware of this and take that into account in his diagnosis when investigating your lump. For your own peace of mind it would be best to have the follow up consultation with a urological or proctological specialist.
Good Vibes to You !

i do not understand the approach of this doctor.

if i went to a doctor complaining of a palpable lump inside my rectum, i'd expect the first thing the doctor would do is feel the lump for himself.

this itself could immediately dismiss it as just normal anatomy.

or, if it was unexpected, it's location could direct further diagnostics.

the idea that this doctor took the patient's assessment that there was an abnormality of the prostate --which this patient has no basis for evaluating-- and, based on that, performed an expensive ultrasound, and ordered a PSA, is just weird.

this so-called abnormality needs to be competently palpated.

since the primary care doctor did not do the DRE, patient is unfortunately in need of a trip to the urologist.

the great likelihood is that with one dip of the finger, the urologist will dismiss the whole thing.

darwin

I will call an urologist on monday and ask for an appointment. Hopefully the lump isnt something serious, my aneros is the best thing what happened in my life. (It cured my severe depressions) 🙁

It's possible your doctor did not do a rectal exam of your prostate at your initial visit is because if he was getting blood work, i.e PSA, the "DRE" might cause an artificial elevation of the PSA when he presses on it making you even more anxious. PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen can be (not always) squeezed out of the prostate into the blood stream so to speak during a routine exam. (As an aside, don't do aneros for a couple days either or attempt to do your own exam either for 2-3 days at least before you get a PSA drawn in the future.)

I am hopeful at your follow up visit he will proceed with that exam however, It is extremely unlikely that at your age you have prostate cancer and most likely what you felt as something hard and knucle-like as you worded it was not your prostate. It might have been the posterior or back side of your pubic bone. As you aren't sure what you re feeling the internal anatomy can be less than straight forward and confusing to you. Either way, simply ask your doctor to do the exam for you at your next visit. If he won't then go to someone who will because if he won't do this basic exam for you, especially on request you need another doctor. Who knows what else he may side-step for you in the future...

Hey,

I have an appointment for an urologist for the 13th october. Can i have my aneros sessions or should i take a break until then?

you don't mention any discomfort, and you've already had blood drawn for psa, so i don't see any reason to avoid aneros.

darwin

@DarkOrb, I would play with Aneros until 10 October, rest 11th and 12th. This is a good margin incase the Uro want to redo the PSA or another blood test. It just means you are prepared. Some suggest no ejaculation in the rest time. This is all just in case.

Ok, thank you. Also got my test results today: 1.5. Seems normal to me.

1.5 looks very good.

1.5 is in the normal range for sure

My prostate isn't soft by any means, but it is dense. I can't figure out if you are feeling something else besides your prostate, or just something unusual with/in/on the side of your prostate?

also, when it feels that way to you, do you have an erection? My prostate gets rock hard when I'm rock hard 🙂

@omgwtf - DRE has now been proven to NOT affect a PSA result, so a test can be done immediately after. Certainly prostatitis can, and probably aneros use. It was normal so sort of irrelevant now.

My prostate isn't soft by any means, but it is dense. I can't figure out if you are feeling something else besides your prostate, or just something unusual with/in/on the side of your prostate?

also, when it feels that way to you, do you have an erection? My prostate gets rock hard when I'm rock hard 🙂

does having a dense prostate mean its harder for you to achieve prostate orgasm?

@Sorena_ Why should it? Properly speaking the aneros doesnt stimulate the prostate but the nerves around the prostate. Thats why you still can have prostate orgasm after you had a TURP (The nerves around the prostate aren´t affected by that).

My prostate isn't soft by any means, but it is dense. I can't figure out if you are feeling something else besides your prostate, or just something unusual with/in/on the side of your prostate?

also, when it feels that way to you, do you have an erection? My prostate gets rock hard when I'm rock hard 🙂

does having a dense prostate mean its harder for you to achieve prostate orgasm?

not at all, I orgasm all the time, easily and quickly in a few minutes, or I can edge for over an hour and explode! I have dry orgasms and major involuntary contractions with an aneros in within a few minutes of starting a session and have 20+ dry Os and at least 1 to 3 super Os every time 😉

I more meant my prostate isn't like a squishy texture, its firm, when I press on it with my finger from the inside there is a little resistance, but I can't push into the wall of it like its a water balloon, if you know what I mean

@DarkOrb, hope it was hemhoroids! Guess the Aneros are supposed to help that at least 🙂