NHS - truly amazing service

Had an issue - bleeding and blood clots in urine. Day 1.
Told doc (friend) on day 2, she saw me that morning.
Blood tests on day 3.
Referred to consultant on day 5.
Saw consultant on day 8.
Internal investigation via camera tube on day 10.
Haematology consultant appointment on day 12. (I knew her as it happens).
Pre op assessment on day 14 (today - took an hour), along with 13 blood samples. Zero hanging about.
Operation booked for 30 July or earlier if there is a cancellation (likely). Will include a precautionary chemo shot. Which will be within a month start to finish. I think this is amazing.

Message from the medical team is men are generally very slow at reporting problems. If you have an issue guys, tell your GP pronto. They get you onto the pathway very fast.

I was going to say...."good to hear"......but no. It's not good to hear that you've got issues. I hope you are dealt with well and the operation goes to plan. Best wishes from us both.

We can’t be reminded too often about early diagnosis nor of how good the NHS can be.

Hope it all goes well Adrian.

Adrian, I do not know what your diagnosis is but on Radio 4 today they were talking about an incredibly safe way of dealing with Prostate Cancer. no surgery, no radiology, no Chemo. The problem was not sufficient people (Doctors) know about it. A charity called Prost8 are trying to spread the word.
Very pleased to see the NHS at its best again. Without doubt they are incredibly fast when needed.
I totally agree talk to your GP they will move you along fast.
That said I have just signed up to a third operation to try and sort my problems. Nothing serious just annoying and when they operate they then say no woodworking for x weeks.
Best wishes

Mike G said:

I was going to say...."good to hear"......but no. It's not good to hear that you've got issues. I hope you are dealt with well and the operation goes to plan. Best wishes from us both.

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It will delay our visit Mike. Apologies.

PAC1 said:

Adrian, I do not know what your diagnosis is but on Radio 4 today they were talking about an incredibly safe way of dealing with Prostate Cancer. no surgery, no radiology, no Chemo. The problem was not sufficient people (Doctors) know about it. A charity called Prost8 are trying to spread the word.
Very pleased to see the NHS at its best again. Without doubt they are incredibly fast when needed.
I totally agree talk to your GP they will move you along fast.
That said I have just signed up to a third operation to try and sort my problems. Nothing serious just annoying and when they operate they then say no woodworking for x weeks.
Best wishes

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Thank you. It's not prostate with me (we think - but same area), though I heard the same interesting programme on R4. They said they will struggle with the hot and cold treatment over 10 years as few men will take the risk in blind trials. Understandable.

I am good friends with my GP and she says that many men just tolerate issues for a long time before finally speaking to a doctor. This makes outcomes worse. The only reason I posted this is to encourage men not to delay when symptoms appear. Luckily for me my wife is very sensible and supportive.

I wish you well and hope it's a quick and successful outcome.

The vast majority of people however are lucky to get an appointment quickly with any available doctor never mind their own nominated GP and I know many in exactly that situation. It's a postcode lottery. Not an issue of course if your GP happens to be a personal friend.

Personally I have no issues at all with our practice and do get a fast response because I don't insist on our own GP though I did manage to have a telephone conversation with him on Wednesday.

I agree that men in general don't rush to seek medical advice but I think that's changing because of all the media exposure.

Hope all goes well Adrian. My experience with the NHS and Prostate Cancer wasn't quite as rapid but from the initial discovery of a 'raised' (or enlarged) prostate by my GP (the same one I saw today ref blood pressure) to a Radical Prostatectomy to remove it was approx six weeks - Rob

AJB Temple said:

Had an issue - bleeding and blood clots in urine. Day 1.
Told doc (friend) on day 2, she saw me that morning.
Blood tests on day 3.
Referred to consultant on day 5.
Saw consultant on day 8.
Internal investigation via camera tube on day 10.
Haematology consultant appointment on day 12. (I knew her as it happens).
Pre op assessment on day 14 (today - took an hour), along with 13 blood samples. Zero hanging about.
Operation booked for 30 July or earlier if there is a cancellation (likely). Will include a precautionary chemo shot. Which will be within a month start to finish. I think this is amazing.

Message from the medical team is men are generally very slow at reporting problems. If you have an issue guys, tell your GP pronto. They get you onto the pathway very fast.

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No biggee TBH. Blood in urine always a red flag = uber fast treatment.

Hope all goes well

Sorry, but also glad that things are moving fast and you seem to be in good hands.
Chin up and the best of luck.
Ian

Best of luck and speedy recovery.
My buddy a few days after retiring peed some blood. Went to his doctor who sent him to a specialist. He got a heavy ten courses of high dose chemotherapy after which the specialist operated and removed his Prostrate and Bladder. At the same time made a Neobladder from a section of his small Intestine to replace the old one. He has had some healing problems (scaring in the Neobladder) but is alive three years after and going strong. He says no matter how minor it seems get it checked out.

Pete

CT scan today - to check kidneys mainly. I could have had it a few days ago if I didn't have other appointments.

Thanks for well wishes. Chin is very much up. Posting was simply to encourage people not to hang about. I have been guilty of that in the past. My parents generation are of the "don't trouble the doctor" school.

Good luck Adrian, I hope all goes well for you and you make a full recovery.

I had a scary episode like yours this year, blood everywhere. Like you, I had a fast response from the G.P.'s. "Prostatitis" in my case, and it cleared up, but yes, God bless the N.H.S..

Hope all goes well and you make a quick recovery.

Same expressed here as by others Adrian - and a speedy recovery from whatever procedures you have to go through. Good to hear you have an NHS service, and doctors, that act pretty quickly - unfortunately not the same for everyone.

I've had issues myself in the 'nether' regions but shall I just say *speed* after a first appointment was not forthcoming... a number of other appointments - and different doctors - finally got the ball rolling to find a cause... ans some treatment. The treatment not having cured the problem after some time on the medication for. A return visit is intended soon.

That said... about three weeks ago I spat out a small bit of blood. Not over concerned but decided to contact the medical practice. Had to complete an online form, available for filling in *from* 7am... various tick box questions to go through before submitting.

Because of mentioning the blood, I feel, I had an appointment with a doctor I'd not seen, or heard of before, that morning. Took the spital/blood sample along - he was interested! Used his stethoscope to check my chest/breathing, prescribed amoxicillin (3 x5 days) and an appointment for a chest x-ray. I had the x-ray yesterday...

Another instance... blood sample/low iron count... *my* doctor prescribed iron tablets (3 month period) and a FITs test (similar for bowel cancer screening). Apparently they found a trace of blood... NHS Bath contacted me for further checks - colonoscopy - to be done at Sulis hospital. Told: "Should be contacted very soon - within 2 weeks"!

Three weeks later I received a phone call to discuss when to go in to Sulis. I mentioned during that call that I was getting concerned that I'd not been contacted sooner and was told that they (Sulis) had received the referral that morning! I was asked when had been contacted by the RUH, said the date, the nirse I was talking to went to check and thrn came back to tell me "the delay woulbe mentioned"... Thankfully the outcome was nothing ominous found but... NO contact from my doctor about this!

Apologies for the long post regarding my experience with the NHS in my area.

Hope all goes well for you Adrian

Very sorry to hear that Frank. I know it is a postcode lottery. I hope it all turns out well for you. Positive attitude helps a lot I think.

I'm exceptionally fortunate in that my very straight talking female doctor is a good friend (so she doesn't soft soap me and I am nt coy with her) and my haematology consultant (also female) is good friends with my GP (they trained together) and now with me. They are both coming to dinner with husbands soon. Plus NHS Kent (Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone) is superb. Brand new CT and MRI facilities 15 minutes drive away.

Hope things continue well for you. Just posting to add my positive NHS experience..

A couple of months ago i had some gut pains that were relatively mild but went on too long. Contacted the doctor and had the appointment and nothing obvious wrong. Blood tests were suggested and i was asked when I last had a PSA test - I said never - so I had one of those too. Tests were 2 days later. Next day doctor calls and says my PSA is a tad high. Normal range (from memory so could be wrong) was a low number like 2 to a maximum of 6.5. i was 6.75. Meanwhile my original problem had gone away on it's own. About a week or 10 days later I was in a MRI machine at the local hospital. Another week after that and the all clear - age appropriate enlargement and no lesions. Struck me as all very efficient.

I now think my original pains were wind!

I'm of a mind that when you get to over 45 then blokes should have a routine PSA test - whether there are symptoms or not. And the petition for this to be done should be signed for it to happen - just as the ladies get tests for their 'bits' and all for as Bowel Cancer.

I went with symptoms (time before PSA testing!) but not taken further. Some time later went again... Probably about the 4th time (could have been 5th? ) I eventually got the PSA testing. High reading, MRI/CT scan eventually, enlarged prostate, prescribed Tamulosin - interfered with BP meds (Losartan). Eventually the Losartan stopped because Tamulosin had a similar BP control factor... My doctor/PB nurses can't help get my BP under control! Now on Tadalafil and Finasteride... - part of the reason I'm needing to discuss meds with my/a doctor at the medical practice...

@Robert - I did nearly laugh out loud at your closing line... I thinking your glad for those 'wind' pains... . Hopefully your doctor will be getting you to have an annual PSA testing

Accipiter said:

I'm of a mind that when you get to over 45 then blokes should have a routine PSA test - whether there are symptoms or not. And the petition for this to be done should be signed for it to happen - just as the ladies get tests for their 'bits' and all for as Bowel Cancer.

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I have a different opinion Frank as the test is unreliable and I understand that something like 70% of men with an enlarged prostate don't have prostate cancer. Everyone is going to have an age related increase in prostate size eventually, if we live long enough. General screening with an unreliable test doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Hopefully the more reliable tests being researched will come on board before too long.

I have 2 friends who both had invasive tests and have suffered because of it. Another neighbour who had his prostate removed two years ago only to discover it wasn't malignant and he has suffered badly post opp, He was back in for a repair only 3 weeks ago.

As an aside, what issues did you have with Losartin and Tamulosin? I take both together without any apparent problems.

Hi @Lons

Understand what you mean Bob and can see both sides re testing. I'd still like to see something being done to find prostate cancer sooner with it being, so I'm seeing mentioned, the main cancer in men leading to deaths.

It could be a test is done on a two year basis as with bowel cancer? Or even an initial one at around 45+ and, depending on the result, then 4 or 5 years if the 1st test comes back as zero at that time?

Of course... the main hurdle probably would be those not going for the test when notification of appointment given - as with many women for screening of breats or cervical cancers... Many men put of getting tested when the initial 'known' possible symptoms arise... mind, not every doctor seems to want to go further - as in my case when I started with symptoms . Recently been hearing of a new treatment (Focal Therapy) for those diagnosed with prostate cancer that will be used by the NHS - already being used in *some* NHS areas... so, that's good news.

The issues with the two meds... as you'll know, Losartin is for BP control. Tamulosin - in treatment for the prostate - also has an affect on lowering BP. It also has a side affect, as it seems does the Tadallafil, which is rather unpleasant in the morning: wrenching... trying to clear the throat... quite unpleasant and off putting for others - understandably.

I was taking the Losartin in the morning and Tamulosin before going to bed/sleep - to lessen the *possible* affect of these lowering my BP too much. Sadly, taking both - even as I'd been advised - lowered it too much and I was having dizziness when getting up from the bed in the morning or from a sitting position, crouching and rising .

Over a period of time, the last two years, I've seen a number of BP *nurses* at the medical practice and each time of them testing me they've said my BP is too high. I've taken my own tests, at home, and presented the readings, to again be told "too high".

Before coming off (having it removed) the Losartin, I'd offered to reduce that dosage by taking half a tablet - so 5mg instead of 10mg *for example*... made no difference. I even suggested trying a quarter dose (2.5mg) but was told such a small amount wouldn't have any affect at all - even with the Tamulosin affecting!

When I asked one of the BP nurses for some guidance for what to take or do she said "Take more SALT"..... I wasn't taking/adding any additional salt to my food - if I had, for example, a take away of fish and chips I'd not have them add ANY salt or vinegar and only add vinegar when at home. Always being told no salt, butter, full fat milk, bacon etc., etc... to lessen a heart attack or stroke!

I no longer get the dizzy spells when getting up from a laying or sitting position or if I crouch and stand - as I was before. I add salt - more than I used to BUT not overly - to the meals. I also now have full fat milk on cereals and in tea and butter on toast at the weekend.

I had a blood test on Thursday and two results received so far are that my cholesterol is fine and the test for diabetes shows blood sugars in normal and below the pre-diabetic range. About 3~4 years ago I was told I was pre-diabetic...

Sorry... more than you asked for but feel it all goes hand in hand with the BP and meds .

Robert said:

..............I now think my original pains were wind!

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Oh I was so tempted to post a cartoon or two but resisted. Not at all funny for you but it was difficult to read without a small chuckle.