PSA anxiety

Thought i was done with it but not the case.

I'm overdue for my yearly test and I think I will finally drag myself to Quest today. I can see what I've been doing the last month, I literally pretend to myself that there are no tests to do and no issue to follow up on.

This morning I emailed my surgeon telling him about my disappointment at still being paralyzed like this after 3 years. In typical fashion he emailed me right back, told me it was to be expected and to go get the test because everything will be fine. The guy cares about me and for whatever reason, it gives me confidence. I'm heading over as soon as my wife gets back.

I not only wonder if I can go 40+ years without the cancer coming back, I also wonder for how many more years this sense of paralysis will obstruct me.

I went the first 10-11 months of the year without giving it even a thought and assumed I was over it. The last two months were not like that unfortunately.

I think Buddy Blank is absolutely correct. It's normal to have anxiety over any medical test, but particularly this one.

Still, Davidg, I'll be very surprised if you EVER see any kind of spike in your PSA numbers, even if you live those 40 years. Your cancer was caught early and treated effectively. Realistically, your chances of a recurrence are extremely minimal.

None of which, I'm sure, is reassuring at all, so I wish you good luck, and let us know the good results when you get them.

I also have psa anxiety and it is a part " of the mosaic" As Governor Jerry Brown said back in the day. When someone says they don't, I take them at their word, but am often reminded of the of youths who say they never *********.

Mods,was it the context, me, or the word itself that was the reason for the bleep, as it seems acceptable in discussions on ED, in the sense of therapy?. All of the above will suffice, if it helps the conundrum.

Davidg:

Look on the positive side. SO far, you have had no indication that you are not cured.

Your pathology was good, you had an excellent surgeon, and subsequent PSAs have all been good.

Mel

Hang in there David. The anxiety is real. It takes time to get over.

If I lived closer to you, I'd come over and drive you to the test.

You'll be fine. It's not easy but hang on to the hope.
Andrew

compiler said...
Davidg:
I hear you. It's good you only get a test annually. So, accept the fact that this will be an annual ritual. Some of us are wired that way (I certainly am). Others are not and it is easy for them to wonder why we worry so much.

(Others pretend not to worry, but their constant posts belies that claim)

For me, I am thrilled that it's now a 3-month ritual, rather than monthly.

Mel

A good point, Mel. I now only need to have my PSA tests on an annual basis. A good way to look at this is that it puts a guy back into the "normal" boat with all other guys -- in that everyone should get a PSA test every year.

So, those of us who only need annual PSA tests after a prostatectomy are lucky in that they have been returned to normal status -- just a once a year check to make sure that all is well.

I hope that EVERYONE here is eventually able to go to annual testing. That would be a nice dream come true.

Chuck

Resident of Highland, Indiana just outside of Chicago, IL.
July 2011 local PSA lab reading 6.41 (from 4.1 in 2009). Mayo Clinic PSA Sept. 2011 was 5.7.
Local urologist DRE revealed significant BPH, but no lumps.
PCa Dx Aug. 2011 at age of 61.
Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma in 3 of 20 cores (one 5%, two 20%). T2C.
Gleason score 3+3=6.
CT of abdomen, bone scan both negative.
DaVinci prostatectomy 11/1/11 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), nerve sparing, age 62.
My surgeon was Dr. Matthew Tollefson, who I highly recommend.
Final pathology shows tumor confined to prostate.
5 lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, extraprostatic soft tissue all negative.
1.0 x 0.6 x 0.6 cm mass involving right posterior inferior,
right posterior apex & left mid posterior prostate.
Right posterior apex margin involved by tumor over a 0.2 cm length, doctor says this is insignificant.
Pathology showed Gleason 3 + 3, pT2c, N0, MX, R1
adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
Prostate 98.3 grams, tumor 2 grams. Prostate size 5.0 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Abdominal drain removed the morning after surgery.
Catheter out in 7 days. No incontinence, occasional minor dripping.
Post-op exams 2/13/12, 9/10/12, 9/9/13 PSA <0.1. PSA tests now annual.
Semi-firm erections now happening 14 months post-op & VERY slowly getting a bit stronger.

I have a good friend with PC. His tests have all been undetectable and he is down to one a year. But he gets very stresses at such times. Let's face it -- we sometimes read about someone who has apparently beaten this beast and...all of a sudden... it's BACK!!! I'm sure that weighs on you!

Mel

Just now I don't seem to get PSA anxiety. I have blood drawn for my PSA on the same day as I get my Trelstar shot (every three months.) I am so busy being grouchy about the shot that I forget to worry about my PSA. Occasionally my fretting about the ADT leads me to wonder how I would feel if my PSA were to go up, but mostly I trust the ADT to keep my PSA under control for the duration. Once I am off the ADT I expect I will be sweating bullets every time.

I just had mine done last Friday and was waiting to hear something. I finally emailed the surgeons nurse to get the results. The first time I was called with the results and a letter was sent out. That only was a few days of waiting. I cant stand to wait for a letter to come. The nurse told me that if I didnt hear anything; all is good. Today, all is good <0.1 and now can relax a bit. Good luck to those waiting.

Don

David, just think how great you'll feel when it's done, and it's another zero!

27 PSA tests in 4 years is just not fair. Percy I hate seeing anyone here, but young guys with advanced cases really stops me in my tracks.

I can relate. I just pray that my PSA and my wife's PMS never overlap.

Tom