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PSA Raise after surgery - concerned

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Posted 6/27/2013 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Juts got the latest PSA test today... 0.007.
This shows two years after surgery PSA seems to get back. It worries me a lot...

I know tests results at these low levels may be wrong sometime but seeing PSA being detectable again is not a good sign.

Anybody out there had similar experience?

PSA tests after surgery:
2months 0.010
6 months <0.003
12 moths <0.003
18months <0.003
24months 0.007

Age: 51, 49 dx, PSA: 4.1
Path Rpt: Gleason 3+4, pT2c, all clear
Incont & ED: None
Posted 6/27/2013 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Mark,

Welcome to the forum. Sorry you have worries.

We have frequent discussions about the super sensitive PSA tests and whether they cause men needless anxiety. That's a very low level and if your lab used a different machine it might have been reported as <0.01 and you'd still be a happy guy. Even if there is something going on you are probably years away from needing to worry about it. Wish there was something we could say that would keep you from worrying. But that won't happen. So, worry as little as you can and keep us posted.
Posted 6/27/2013 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Mark, first off, welcome to our little corner of the world.

Your concern over the uptick in your PSA is why some doctors don't use what we all the ultrasensitive PSA test. While others far more knowledgeable than myself will hopefully stop by to share their wisdom, I wouldn't worry (too much) about this slight rise. Technically, the standard has been not to worry about any fluctuations in PSA until you start to see numbers of 0.1 or higher...that is the technical definition of detectable. So, based on this, you are still fine.

My husband had his surgery 5 years ago...he too was a Gleason 3+4 but his stage was higher: T3a. His last PSA test was 0.02 and considered undetectable...to help you put things into context.
Posted 6/27/2013 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Markkk - please understand that with readings three places to the right of the decimal point the results are off of the super-sensitive PSA testings. A PSA of 0.007 is still a 0.01 - so while easy to say I really don't feel you have anything to worry about.

Continue to stay on top of things as we all need to, but don't let a 0.007 ruin your day!
Posted 6/27/2013 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Mark,

Please don't worry, or think about worrying. Undetectable is anything under .100, you are at .007. Think of the relationship between those two numbers, your .007 is so far from even hitting .100, and that's after 2 years. You should actually be thrilled and happy that 2 years out, you are doing so well.

Most wouldn't think of recurrence until 3 rising readings above .200, think how far you are from that.

Enjoy living, you have a long way to go.

david
Posted 6/27/2013 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
All, thank you for these encouraging words!! I am really glad I found this forum...

I did all tests so far at the same Lab. The reason I am worried is PSA raises from the very bottom of the scale... My next appointment is in December... fingers crossed.
Wish you all the best as well!

Keep in touch.
Mark

Post Edited (markkk) : 6/27/2013 11:37:24 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/27/2013 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW. Those are great numbers.

you owe us a beer. ;)

Hang in there you're doing great.

Andrew
Posted 6/27/2013 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
My first post-surgery PSA was 0.01. Doc told me that it was lowest-possible and undetectable. Another HW guy uses the same surgeon, and his first post-surgery PSA was 0.008. Doc told him that it was lowest-possible and undetectable. Made me scratch my head a bit.

I asked the doc about this. Doc that that the hospital's lab has two different machines with different scoring mechanisms. Best outcome is either 0.01 or 0.008 depending on which machine is used.

-Gedman
Posted 6/27/2013 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Gedman, I did not know this - thanks for pointing it out. My husband's first PSA was .008 and his second was .01. I thought that it might have gone up slightly. He gets another one drawn tomorrow. I am SO NERVOUS.
Posted 6/27/2013 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
My goodness no worries, less than 000 to the nth degree PERIOD. and for goodness sake , uncross those fingers, you have a higher chance you will get a cramp which could kill you, than those numbers indicating anything but fantastic news.
Posted 12/12/2013 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Dear all,

it has been another 6 months... what a great day!! :) I just learned today my PSA level is down, back to undetectable again ie. < 0.003 !!

I have to confess I was really scared 6 months ago when I have seen lab test result... my PSA level started to raise after surgery again... it was a VERY small rise but still it was a rise after quite some time of truly undetectable level.

I was scared to that point that I decided to start with hemp oil treatment 3 months ago. Every night before sleep I took a big drop of hemp oil... all together I consumed slightly more than 10 grams in the past 3 months.

Today's result is simply Great News! Was it because of the hemp oil or because of the God I do not know... all I know I am happy things are getting better!

Simply wanted to share this with you all!

regards Mark

PSA tests after surgery:
2months 0.010
6 months <0.003
12 months <0.003
18 months <0.003
24 months 0.007
30 months <0.003 !
Posted 12/13/2013 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
My surgeon uses the ultra sensitive PSA, but I had him put a note on my chart to just tell me "undetectable" or not. I don't even want to know the specifics unless its not undetectable because, like you, I would worry about every little change even though I know better. Works for me.

Tom
Posted 12/13/2013 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Markkk,
Sounds like you are doing outstanding with no real SE's..I have no idea of what hemp oil is but if you believe in it stay with it! I won't even ask you if it's legal--lol. All the best to you.
Bill
Posted 12/16/2013 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
I have had three psa tests since my operation. The first two were >.002. Now I have a .2 psa. To me that is a big jump even though it is still small.
Posted 12/16/2013 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi markkk,
Congrat!...you are in the double "0"
Keep it going all the way!
Posted 12/11/2014 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
It was yet another day... not an ordinary day though. It was time to do a PSA test again and even more scary... to open an envelope and read the result... Despite of the fact that I am now 3 years after surgery and all my PSA results were really good so far I can not get rid of "PSA Test phobia" which comes and goes every 6 months as I need to do tests.

I wonder how do all of you out there cope with this phenomena? I simply can't. Few days before I can't sleep, I can eat, I can't...

Anyhow, I am glad the result was good today!

Wish you all the best and Happy Holidays Season!

Mark

PSA tests after surgery:
2months 0.010
6 months <0.003
12 months <0.003
18 months <0.003
24 months 0.007
30 months <0.003
36 months <0.003!
Posted 12/11/2014 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
There is a lot riding on the test. I cope by either going into the workshop and running large noisy power tools or I write poetry. Here's one I wrote on PSA: andrewsviewoftheweek.com/2014/10/26/blood-test-this-week/

Glad you got good results.
Andrew
Posted 12/11/2014 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Markk,

As you can see from my signature line, my PSA went up more than yours. I got very worried when I hit 0.23. On the other hand, that was about 2 years ago, and my latest reading is actually a bit lower than 0.23. My doc tells me that this is due to a tiny amount of benign tissue left behind, that probably won't cause a problem. They have other guys whose PSA stays at this low levels for many years.

iamretired--this could apply to you too. But you should talk to your doctor.

As far as how to ease the worrying--I eat dark chocolate and hug my wife a lot.
Posted 12/11/2014 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on your great results!
Posted 12/11/2014 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
I refer you to my post on this thread on 6/27/13. Markkk we got to stop meeting this way. I can see you 40 years from now. Oh dear, Dear, have those blankety blank results come in yet. Oh and could I have another swig of the Pom, please… god I hate this stuff… I hope its working!! Too much fun, Whot??
Posted 10/27/2015 10:22 AM (GMT 0)
Markk,

I was wondering if you still take the hemp oil? I have had a slight increase in psa the last two tests. I was less than .01, now I am at .02 and I having been reading that hemp oil helps. Not sure if it hurts though. By the way it is legal, I bought it on Amazon. just illegal to grow it
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