HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

PSA and AS

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/23/2010 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Guidance please:

   I had a PSA in the high 30's back in Jan. Took Cipro, went down to 10 when tested. Had PSA every 6 weeks after that and I;ve since went to 8, then 6, then 4.4 in May. Just had latest PSA last week and it's 4.18.  No history of PC. Dr recommended biposy and I requested another round of Cipro. Was told I had enlarged prostrate and also BHP?? Think I should have biopsy done? Thanks for all the great info. Dan 

Posted 6/23/2010 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Sure you had prostatitis causing those high PSA's and also some BPH (is a normal enlargement of the prostate gland as men age, can influence psa number some-higher), looks like the Cipro did its thing in bringing PSA down, probably not needed now. It is possible to have PCa and prostatitis at the same time, doesn't mean you do for certain. Why not get the PCA3 test done (somewhat newer test) and fPsa (free unbound antigens psa test) test done: these are possible indicators that could help one decide more wisely on necessity for biopsies. If those look like very probable PCa based upon their numbers, then probably go to get biopsies.

BPH- benign prostate hyperplaysia (means gland got bigger with aging processes, normal for men in general) can end up restricting flow of urine as it pinches the urethra tube going thru this gland, then take Flomax and other things to help that. Notice their ads on TV lately? Others can say more on this thread.
Posted 6/23/2010 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Zufus:

   Thanks for reply. Don't think I've been thinking straight for 6 months now so apologize for lack of clarity. I had infection according to Dr, as sex was painful, I had enlarged prostrate, and have been getting up 2-5 times each night. It's gotten better, only getting up 1-2 times now. I wish I had remembered to ask for the fPSA you mentioned below. Although .22 is not much of a trend down in 6 week, do you think that it's starting to settle, or maybe teh Cipro will bring it down further? I'm pretty confused as to whether have the biopsy after the Cipro, or just more AS. Thanks for your comments. Dan

Posted 6/23/2010 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Dan, what is your age, if you don't mind.
Posted 6/24/2010 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
I think the fact that your psa dove down that well, shows that Cipro did its thing, you likely had prostatitis that is a common infection of the prostate gland, there are 3 different types of them. Some heal on there own accord over time, some work with Cipro and sometimes never work using Cipro, it is kind of a crapshoot. If and when you get biopsies make sure you get the actual copy of the pathology report in your hands.

www.marinurology.com
www.wmfurology.com

More info on such stuff.
Posted 6/24/2010 2:15 PM (GMT 0)

Purgatory:

   Just turned 55. Like so many men I knew I had issues for the past 3 yrs or so, off and on, with painful sex (not the act, just the climax), that and constant trips back and forth to bathroom. I just thought I would deal with it and it was natural part of aging. If I had only educated myself, but then again, as what happens with most, I read here and there about different medical conditions but never paid enough attention.

  I do remember Dr in AF telling me I had enlarged prostrate some 15 yrs ago during routine physical. His only comment was have lots of sex! During examination recently it was very large and that (and PSA) was why I went on Cipro. When I look back, I believe at various times things improved but never really went away. Does anyone believe stress can impact? Been under that lots lately with moving back to states, new job in NM, family medical issues back home--(reason we came back to states etc...) I can trace my health decline (physically) pretty much to a specific time where teh stress all appeared. Thanks for your comments! Dan  

Posted 6/24/2010 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Dan,

So you are just a little younger than me. When discussing PC, helps to know the age frame when considering treatments/options/procedures/side effects.

I agree with you, stress can directly impact one's medical condition. Plenty of studies out there on that subject. I had my first major medical crisis at age 28 at a period of extreme stress in my life. It came in the form of Acute Pancreatitis, involed 10 days in the hospital, a major operation, shortly after starting a new job with a major bank, and when my daughter was only 2 weeks old. Don't know how my poor wife dealt with it all.

In my case, PC related, I didn't have an enlarged prostate, never had any pee problems, could hold for hours and hours, had a stream like a fire hose, etc. All my DRE's came back fine, and the first 2 biopsies showed negative. yet, on the 3rd one, they struck pay dirt with 7 of 7 cores positive with high percent gleason 7 cancer. so you never know sometimes.

good luck to you

david in sc
Posted 6/24/2010 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Purgatory/Zufus:

Thanks for the input. Always suspected stress had lots to do with overall health, but if it impacts PSA level then not too much I can do (but headed to gym tonight!). That's always seemed to help, making me too tired to get stressed! Thanks for the links to various types of prostatitis. It was more informative than others I had read. Along with more than a few of the stated symtoms I've also experienced "unrequested erections" (no other way to put it). Not during sleep or having to urinate-- just random. Has anyone ever heard of this and can it be tied to prostatitis?
I've educated myself as much as I can about issue these last few months and know I could have PC just as well as other conditions and only hope. Dr says I need to be at 3. I've read anything below 4 is in normal range. My thought process is if I can get it below 4, than I'd request AS and get retested every 3-6 months. I know only I can make that decision, but it helps knowing what others that have been through it, think. Thanks-Dan
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply