Prostate advice

[carlislemike]

Lots of accounts of people cycling with prostate cancer or post treatment. Looking for advice: just had an MRI to examine for Prostate Cancer and was told not to cycle before it. Am I correct in assuming I can ride now that bit is over. Obviously have to wait until post Christmas for results but I’ll go stir crazy if I stay indoors. Obviously I can’t get a GP appointment before Xmas so ?????

[Jdsk]

Have you already had at least two separate measurements of PSA?

Who requested the MRI, and to whom will the report be sent?

It would be much better to ask this of the practitioner with whom you're going to agree the plan of what happens next. That probably wouldn't require a face to face consultation... could be by 'phone or email.

But if there's nothing planned within the next fortnight you could ride as usual, and check with them at least a week before the next consultation.

Jonathan

PS: Other forms of exercise are available... it's a great time of year for walking.

[carlislemike]

Thanks for the advice. Next appointment 27th December by phone. As for walking, I’ve put in a fair few miles in the last two weeks but have missed the cycling big time. I guess mental health vs physical health conundrum!

[toontra]

I only found out by chance the other day that it's not recommended to cycle immediately before a PSA test. No-one told me this! I cycled for days in advance and actually to the GP's for the test.

Results were slightly raised but within the normal range for my age (2.7 if I recall). They want to re-test in 6 months. I'll lay off for a couple of days next time and walk to the surgery!

[carlislemike]

Good for you. 2.7 sounds low but if cycling didn’t raise it then that persuaded me.

[VinceLedge]

When I looked it up for when I had my PSA checked, the suggestion is not cycling for 48 hours before the blood test.

[Pebble]

so does cycling give a higher or lower reading ? I got a low reading but I would of cycled there too

[AlanW]

I also cycled to my first PSA appointment and also did a 70 miles ride the day before. My PSA reading was abnormally low, so the GP requested another a few weeks later. While I didn't stop riding 100% prior to the test, I did reduce my mileage quite considerably that week.

But that reading was in line with the first one, and still lower than what the GP was expecting. But he didn't seem overly worried with the results.

But to be on the safe side, I had the old curly finger treatment. Which indicated a oversize, yet "smooth" prostate. Which I knew would be the case as a I had a bladder neck incision operation 7 years ago for the very same reason.

Given my symptoms again at night, i.e. the usual many night time trips to the toilet, he has since put me on Finesteride. Some nights I think that its working, other nights its simply business as usual

But ones things for sure, no way am I having another bladder neck op again!!!

[VinceLedge]

so does cycling give a higher or lower reading ? I got a low reading but I would of cycled there too

It can increase the PSA level, bit it only seems to in some people.

[a.twiddler]

So, if cycling can increase PSA readings, is that due to the interaction between the saddle and the perineum, or is it related to the physical exercise, in which case can any strenuous activity raise PSA readings? Just curious, as a mostly recumbent rider I don't use a saddle very often.

[Pebble]

so does cycling give a higher or lower reading ? I got a low reading but I would of cycled there too

It can increase the PSA level, bit it only seems to in some people.

thats good, so my low reading (less than 1) was not just because i cycle too much.

[tim-b]

It can increase the PSA level, bit it only seems to in some people

I don't know whether it increased mine, but also having been guilty of cycling the day before, it didn't cause a problem with my PSA

Given my symptoms again at night, i.e. the usual many night time trips to the toilet

Drinking less after 4pm and not drinking after 7pm cut my visits to one per night. YMMV

[Cowsham]

Exercise prior to full blood count tests seems to cause the nurse to mention my liver count but no exercise for the week before and all is normal. Might have something to do with Gilbert's syndrome which the doc said I might have but so does a large section of the population. Never had any psi issues but I do ask about it each time MOT comes around.

[AlanW]

Just found my PSA results, 0.30 ug/L on the second test and 0.27 ug/L on the first one. Which is weirdly very low?

[tim-b]

Never had any psi issues but I do ask about it each time MOT comes around

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