HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

End of a trend!

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/27/2010 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Should I be nervous? My recent PSA came back .05. The previous three, since surgery, have been:

.04 at four weeks post op
.03 at three months
.02 at six months

.05 at nine months

I realize it's still low, but should I be concerned that it went up at all?

thank,

john
Posted 7/27/2010 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi John.

I was told by my Dr that I shouldn't be too worried about slight variations in PSA reading until an upward trent is evident (3 consecutive increases). Your latest increase may just be a bump in a long string of low PSA readings. Try and relax until your next test.

All the best to you.

Magaboo

Posted 7/27/2010 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Your doctor, who sees lots of results from the same lab, is the best one to advise you on this.
Posted 7/27/2010 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
Your stats are very good. Your chance of reoccurrence are very small. Relax and don't worry about it..
Posted 7/28/2010 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you to those who responded. I really appreciate the reassurance. I am awaiting my doctor's advice and councel. This is definitely one of the drawbacks of having the super-sensitive PSA test done. Otherwise, I'd be zero, zero, zero, zero and I would be a clueless and happy camper. However, if something IS going on here, this kind of test will give me a year or two heads start on treatment, if I ever get to that stage.

Thanks again and may the wind be at your backs.
Posted 7/28/2010 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
Red

I am following mine like you are. Mine went from <.01 to .01 and I started thinking just like you. Then it went back down to <.01.

We probably are a little paranoid, and we cetainly can't certify that the lab is that close on their calibration, but I have decided in my own private battle that I am going to strike early in my next skirmish.

Most likely the 3 consecutive rises, be they .01 increments or .05 increments is the better part of wisdom. I guess if you can't stand the guessing, have another one drawn in 30 days. Might be worth the stomach acid.

Good luck !
Posted 7/29/2010 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Red Nighthawk
How consistent were you?
Was the blood taken at the same time? Did you either eat the same food or fast for all tests? Did you refrain from having sex for at least 48 hours? Did you have the same amount of exercise before all tests.
If you want to demand consistency you need to be consistent too. You are a part of the equation.

Here is my PSA routine: I eat nothing after midnight. I refrain from sex for 72 hours. I always use the same lab. I have the blood drawn first thing in the morning.

Keep us posted.
Jeff
Posted 7/30/2010 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Jeff, those are very good points to keep in mind for now on. I think I was fairly consistent, using the same lab, basically the same time of day, no sex before (I should be so lucky!), but one thing I didn't do that I have done in the past is consume some tomato sauce a few days before having blood drawn. I have a feeling the ingredients in the sauce lowers PSA a tad, so maybe that explains it. I'm not worried--yet. Thanks for the reply.
Posted 7/30/2010 7:37 AM (GMT 0)
Red,

Red Nighthawk said...
I'm not worried--yet.


I'll worry for you. It's my job. ;-)
Jeff
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply