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Posted 11/13/2013 9:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

Cant believe that I am actually here, been lurking for a few days.

here's my story:

I am 37 years old. I am in the military stationed in Italy. Ever since my last deployment to OEF last year I have been having Erection and lower back issues, so I finally manned up and went to the Doc. After talking for a bit he performed a DRE and said my prostate felt asymmetrical and sent me down the hall for a PSA test and scheduled me for an ultrasound. This was last week. Needless to say, I have been sweating bullets for a week. So, my results came back today. havent spoke with the doc yet. (BTW, I can check results online) Results show that My PSA is 1.8. Now, after reading about a million threads on prostate cancer, i have learned that a DRE prior to PSA is a bad thing. What are your thoughts on my PSA levels? Should I be concerned?

Posted 11/13/2013 10:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there divemaster, glad you found the site, but I am sure that membership will be happily denied after all the investigation shows that you don´t have prostate cancer. This is a testing experience for you for sure, but perhaps you can learn from it and continue to have yearly PSAs, now that you have a baseline. A steady increase in PSA over the months or years points to cancer. One value alone cannot give the whole picture. While a bit high for your age, your PSA is still way below level of concern, much less serious concern. I am pretty sure that everyone here will agree that your lower back problems are not related to your prostate. Take care of yourself and relax. You most likely have a case of prostatitis. I can imagine your doctor will put you on antibiotics and retest your PSA in a month or two.
Posted 11/13/2013 10:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

With your age and 1.8 of PSA, I do not see signals of PCa. I believe erection and lower back issues may come from other origin and not so serious. However there are fellows here with much more knowledge that will reply.
Wish you best.

Carlos
Posted 11/13/2013 10:49 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys, Man I have been on pins and needles lately. I know its one of those things us men have to deal with. Also I have been diagnosed with PTSD and I think some of my issues stem from that.
Posted 11/13/2013 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
hi,

 I've only been a member here since April but I've never seen anybody younger than late 40s on this site, asymmetrical is not the same as a nodule or hard spot and your psa seems within limits (I don't know what a man in his 30s should be but mine was  in that range in my 40s) i'm pretty sure you'll be fine just do what the docs say and try not to worry. hopefully members with more knowledge will chime in soon.

 

Posted 11/13/2013 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
Divemaster,

The usual symptoms of prostate cancer in a guy your age are... nothing. Actually, prostate cancer of any sort in a guy so young is pretty rare but for it to develop to the point where it actually bothers you is almost unheard of. A prostate infection, on the other hand, does happen and that can raise your PSA as can a DRE right before blood is drawn for the test. One of the symptoms of a urinary tract infection can be a back ache. Your doc will probably check you out for that.

You mentioned that an ultrasound was scheduled. Has that happened yet?
Posted 11/13/2013 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, welcome, and I'm fairly certain your visit will be short. The "normal" PSA range for a 40 year old caucasian is 0 - 2.0 - so you're under that. Add to that the DRE immediately before a blood draw and I would bet you're fine. There are also a number of other "don't do's" before a PSA blood draw - abstaining from sex, riding a bike/motorcycle/horse, and in general anything that can jar the netherlands for at least 48 hours prior - did you partake in any of that?

If it were me I'd give it a few days, abstain, and get another PSA draw.

Best to you.
Posted 11/13/2013 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Are you stationed in Naples?

Did you you see an army doctor or an Italian one?

You definitely don't want to do a PSA right after a DRE.

Your PSA is somewhat elevated, but there can be a lot of reasons for that.

If I were in your shoes I'd ask the urologist about doing a round of antibiotics and then re-testing the PSA.

At your age you've gotta go into this thinking the chances of it being PCa are very slim indeed. Best of luck.
Posted 11/13/2013 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Agree psa is a tad high, but would be very surprised if it is cancer. I would test every 6 mos just to see if a trend occurs till you are 40 , then if not, go with yearly. You might want to read up on the sticky notes, specifically Casey 59, good info on the disease even if you don't have . there is controversy about psa testing in general. Its good to no the pros and cons. Have a great future , young man.
Posted 11/13/2013 4:53 PM (GMT 0)

riverunner said...
I've only been a member here since April but I've never seen anybody younger than late 40s on this site.


It is worth noting that davidg and I (and a few others perhaps) are 40-42.
Fortunately, there aren't many of us this young around here, which explains riverrunner's impression.

-Gedman
Posted 11/13/2013 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
I think we account for 0.06% of actual numbers nationally. This is why many recommendations issued recently seem to have everyone but our interest at heart. Nevertheless, we exist.

I think there are up to ten of us under 45 on this site.
Posted 11/13/2013 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
First, welcome to HW.
Now, a first PSA of 1.8 after a DRE, regardless of age, gets this response from me:
I vote for a retest.

PSA is simply a measure of prostate activity, it's not a measure of PC. Before I'd even suggest a biopsy that could confirm PC, I'd say you'd need to see a couple of rises in the PSA test before even thinking about that. As has been mentioned, the symptoms you describe could be from any of a hundred other causes with PC way, way, way down on the list and so unlikely as not to be part of the discussion until you've had everything checked out.

ED, could be physiological (stress and/or fatigue due to military service), heart issues, and so on. The back issue could be an injury or - you don't want to hear this - you're 37, bones start aching for unexpected reasons about then. You ain't 20 no more. Take a couple of Advil and call us tomorrow.

If I take you screen name to be something you do, well, diving puts a lot of stress on the body. You symptoms could be related to that.

You need a full medical workup and likely the answer will come back, "well, at your age..."

But that is just my speculation. Your mileage may vary and you might have a doctor that knows more medicine that I do.

Hang in there, don't panic and get the "C" word out of your brain until there is positive proof, confirmed proof, you got something bad.

Andrew
Posted 11/13/2013 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hello: At your age your PSA should be below 1.0 according to the inventor of the PSA test (Dr. William Catalona, MD) HOWEVER many things could be causing the increase such as infection, BPH, activity/irritation to the prostate prior to the blood test.  You are way too young for Prostate Cancer to be considered as the number 1 cause of your problems and increase in PSA.  Certainly, follow your doctor's recommendations and get to the bottom of why your PSA is slightly elevated though.  Calm down if you can,  the chances of something bad like prostate cancer is very, very slight in my non-professional opinion. And even if by some remote chance it is prostate cancer, you have found it very early indeed!  Good luck.

Bill K. from  New Jersey

Age 58 at diagnosis.

PSA at 50 was 1.5, PSA at 55 was 2.5 , PSA at 58 was 3.3, free PSA 21%, normal DRE.

Biopsy: Gleason 3+4, 1 of 12 cores positive at 30%, prostate size: 67 grams,

DaVinci July 2011, downgraded to Gleason 3+3, 10% involvement, full uringe control, now at 28 months sex is very good! 

All sebsequent PSA's <0.015.

Posted 11/14/2013 11:41 AM (GMT 0)
davidg, No I am at at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza with the Army. I am a Divemaster at a local dive shop.
Posted 11/14/2013 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
to davidg and gedman

 my apologies I should have been reading the signatures better (I thought I was young for this). this disease sucks for everybody but my deepest sympathies are to those of you who have to deal with this while bringing up your children

carl.

 

Posted 11/14/2013 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
riverrunner, don't even think of it, no apologies needed. It's just good to note that although we account for only 0.06% nationally, our presence on forums like this exceeds that number. Probably because our presence online is more significant in proportion to that of the older guys.

Divemaster - Vicenza is lovely, and so close to Verona and Venice. Do you do your diving in the Garda or in the Adriatic? What do you do about a urologist up there? you have one on base or you go to a local Italian one? My friend used Berlusconi's urologist if you need a name. He's supposed to be good and I wouldn't judge him by the character of his patients.
Posted 11/14/2013 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Davidg, We dive Garda sometimes, but mostly we will drive out to Pula, Croatia, Beautiful area and dive spots. I go to the doctor here on post, but for the ultrasound I have to go off post to the local hospital. The Army pays for it and we dont really get a choice of doctors.
Posted 11/14/2013 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
I've heard Croatia is stunning (and that Croatians can be crazy). Let us know what the doc says, i'd think that it's an infection of some sort and that a round of antibiotics and a subsequent PSA not immediately following a DRE would show a lower number.

Follow up on your other issues too but really really unlikely they would even be related to PCa.
Posted 11/15/2013 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
So, I just went to the docs office to check on my referral, I have my ultrasound on the 27th. As I was looking at the referral sheet, the diagnosis was: Nodule felt on left lobe.....Trans rectal ultra sound, biopsy if needed. Well now, I am really freaked.
Posted 11/15/2013 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Divemaster, it is not PCa for sure, could be a bunch fo things.

www.wmfurology.com/pcaprost_nodule.htm

People very often have nodules, cysts and patches that could be cancer but turn out not to be. In fact, probably in a majority of such cases.
Posted 11/15/2013 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks David, I needed that. I admit that I am a bit of a hyperchondriac....lol.
Posted 11/15/2013 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Let me second what David said, all you really know now is that you need to get things checked out. It could be so many things with PC being very low on the list.

Andrew
Posted 11/16/2013 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
I am only sharing this to share my experience and not suggesting Divemaster needs to be alarmed...frankly, I love seeing many are confident that it is not PC...but the young need to be mindful...

I was 41 and 4 months old and was at doc because I had cholesterol checked every 3 months...I felt ok and no symptoms - He requested PSA and I didn't even know...didn't even know what PSA was...mine was 11.

I often wonder how old I was when it started to rise...

Let us know all is good Divemaster...stay close...
Posted 11/16/2013 5:27 AM (GMT 0)

Divemaster said...
Thanks David, I needed that. I admit that I am a bit of a hyperchondriac....lol.

Howdy,

Yup, probably nothing at all to be worried about. For the future whenever having a PSA test, do not: have sex, ride a bike, do any strenuous exercise or have a DRE in the 72 hours prior to the blood draw. Chances are that your PSA is actually lower than indicated by that test.

In closing I'd just like to say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY!

Stay healthy AND safe!
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.
Posted 11/30/2013 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
So I just wanted to give you guys an update. I had my off post ultrasound appointment with the Italian doctor yesterday. After almost a month of worrying, I went into the office scared and very anxious of what he may tell me. So he first did a DRE and felt nothing. Then he did the Ultrasound and says everything looks normal. So I am not sure what the first doc detected. But needless to say that I am relieved. I just wanted to thank each and everyone of you as you really calmed my nerves through this experience. I will say that I have learned so much about PC. But googling symptoms can reak havoc on ones nervous system, but luckily it led me to this site. I really want to get involved in PC awareness. Most men that I have encountered dont even think about PC (or dont want to think about PC). Once again I want to say THANK YOU!
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