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Anesthesia for a Prostate Biopsy
Given DRE, PSAs and MRI results to date which indicate possible prostate cancer, my next diagnostic is a prostate biopsy. Because I have intermittent AFib, although I consider well controlled by careful attention to diet and exercise regime, the urologist needs cardiac clearance before doing the biopsy in a clinic environment. Fair enough. However, the cardiology resources are in great demand so cardiac clearance would be several months. The alternative is doing the biopsy under anesthesia which I welcomed since the wait time is only a month. Well, hopefully since I have to pass anesthesia clearance. I had two operations under anesthesia in 2017 without issue but then I was 76 and now am 82. I am in no way questioning the procedure, just would like to know any comments from people who have had a prostate biopsy under anesthesia.
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I had biopsy in the office. Only took 10 minutes (23 samples taken from 12-14 areas). Discomfort rather than pain with no lingering issues. Minimal soreness. Sounds like there's no problem for most of us; significant discomfort for a few. Good luck.
I have had both local anesthesia and sedation for two different biopsies, I would have sedation any day even though LA in office was quick, I thought the procedure was quite uncomfortable. No issues from the procedure for either. I hear that they do about 50/50 for each type.
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1 Reaction4 transrectal biopsies with only local anesthesia. The anticipation was always worse than the experience. The audible snap of the biopsy forceps is always disarming but the “pinch” was not painful for me. We all have our own thresholds, though…
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1 Reaction@jime51 Doc poked me during a colonoscopy and I woke up and watched the rest of it. Clean as a whistle lol
@chippydoo Congratulations! I've never been able to watch one, but the new anesthetics start and stop so fast that I can actually carry on an alert conversation with the physician afterward.
Experienced that myself. He poked me so hard going around a turn that it woke me up. I thought it was pretty cool. I'm weird lol.
I had my biopsy at “only” age 73, in a clinic. Propanol and valium if I remember correctly. But thee was not. Lot of remembering at the time. Quick, easy with no discomfort during or afterward. I cannot guide you on what decision to make associated to anesthetic risks, but I encourage you to get the biopsy as soon as possible. PC does not rest. Best wishes for you and God bless you.
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1 ReactionWe all have some anxiety and discomfort with the idea of our urologist sticking a (very short) probe in our rectum to guide the twelve (usually) biopsy needles. I had anxiety about how much it might hurt with each needle going into the prostate, but...it was "easy." The needle is spring-loaded. You hear the sort of snap-release trigger click of the needle device, and an ultra brief feeling of a puncture without pain. If you've ever had your finger pricked for a blood glucose test, the biopsy hurts far less than that. I should say that it doesn't really hurt at all. But...we're all different. My only thought related to your A-Fib is that if "you" know that anxiety and/or "anticipation" gets your heart racing, then by all means, have the procedure under anesthesia. Come to think of it...I want to say that the first "puncture" of my prostate was in fact some "local" anesthesia. I actually don't remember now. The procedure is so fast...about 5 -10 minutes "max", that I am not sure that "general" anesthesia is worth entertaining. As about "local" anesthesia, and do some deep breathing before the procedure. There is no pain nor other post-procedure issues to worry about. Good luck!
@dhasper
I am a dentist and I’ve had root canals , crowns , extractions and implants I also had a trans rectal biopsy with only local and a trans perineal with sedation .
I’ll take dental work any day vs trans rectal with only local anesthesia. Yes I survived but not comfortable at all. !!
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1 Reaction@packman7 LOL...I had transperineal so I can't comment.