Newbie not Diagnosed but concerned

Wow, Scared concerned, nervous.

Went to my primary care doctor a few weeks ago for a routine check of blood pressure and other minor issues. My testosterone had tested very low in some previous blood work and I wanted to discuss TRT with him. In the prior blood work about 6 months ago my PSA was around 3.5. It has been in that range for at least 7-8 years with no real change or upward trend. (same Dr. blood work every 6 months or so). He dis additional blood work at that point and my PSA had risen to 7.8. He referred me to a urologist and I visited him about 2 weeks later. He did another PSA blood test and a DRE. Found some left side firmness and my PSA was now 9.6. Scheduled biopsy for 3/21.

I am now in that waiting period that so many have mentioned with my head spinning. I just cant help or stop myself from trying to be as informed as I can and that has brought me here. After a lot of reading, I am much better informed but still have questions as I anxiously await the biopsy to be more definitive.

1. Know its not a good sign that my PSA has jumped so quickly but have to await the biopsy. Just how much of a negative is it?
2. Is the change from 7.8 to 9.6 possible thru lab testing protocol? If not, how much of a negative indicator is this?

Hardest part for me is not the possibility of bad news but the waiting

Semper Fi

Thanks Andrew. I have never been noted for my patience . I did put my info in my signature when I registered and thought it would have shown up by now.

I am 64

Thanks RobertC. I should have mentioned I will also have a ultrasound at the same time as biopsy

Thank you Geetarman.

I agree with PeterD , except, and I see others mention these as factors, but do not believe sex, prostate exam, etc ,the last ones mention, will affect a psa other than marginally. Something you would notice only on an ultra sensitive test and something you would want to avoid if you were sweating out a recurrence post primary tx. It has recently be come a blanket instruction from some medicos, not all, to abstain from thos mentioned. The infection , prostatitus and thos mentioned earlier are definitely big time psa risers. A course of antibiotics is way standard procedure before a biopsy based on psa rise.
I would ask your doctor about it and watch his eyes and body language, if he pooh poohs ithe concepts, consider a second opinion. The biopsy is fairly benign, and if you have one, hope the results are as well.

logoslidat said...
I agree with PeterD , except, and I see others mention these as factors, but do not believe sex, prostate exam, etc ,the last ones mention, will affect a psa other than marginally. Something you would notice only on an ultra sensitive test and something you would want to avoid if you were sweating out a recurrence post primary tx. It has recently be come a blanket instruction from some medicos, not all, to abstain from thos mentioned. The infection , prostatitus and thos mentioned earlier are definitely big time psa risers. A course of antibiotics is way standard procedure before a biopsy based on psa rise.
I would ask your doctor about it and watch his eyes and body language, if he pooh poohs ithe concepts, consider a second opinion. The biopsy is fairly benign, and if you have one, hope the results are as well.

is that a sudden rise in PSA like mine or a more steady rise over time? I haven't read where a course of antibiotics is routine. I have seen where a prophylactic dose just before a biopsy is common. Am gonna ask! I think the combination of firmness on side found with the DRE and the rise prompted the biopsy. Also he did a urine test to check for infection I believe.

Hi Strategy,

Glad you found us. You'll get lots of good advice and support here.

Biopsy is the right next step. It's not a pleasant experience, but not horrible either, and it is over pretty quickly.

Once you have your results, your Uro will be able to give you guidance. Post the results (as much detail as you can) here, so we can also help you interpret.

-Gedman

hi dowstrategy,

 hopefully your visit here is short, just wanted to say for me what you are going thru now was the hardest part. And as others have said the biopsy is not dignified but over quickly (I had my uro prescribe valium) and it was no big deal.

good-luck

carl  

A quick, high, rise is a reason for antibiotics as well as any initial high psa relative to age. A urine test may not pick up a prostate infection and even a course anti bioptics may not reach it. Also the infection can be asymptomatic. The firmness is the more likely catapult for the biopsy and why you were not given antibiotics. I forgot that data point in your post. I had a positive DRE and no antibiotics. My psa was 8 and never changed from diagnosis to treatment. RPP. though Gleason went fro 6 to 9 with the newer classification std. What, me worry? cheshire grin. My edumacated guess is PCA , but you will have caught it early and will not die from it. QOL is a personal decision. You know, ' not what happens, but reaction to that' You will be fine.

No problem, former squid, who barracked {pay day Poker} with the marines in ATC "A" school 1961 NATTU Olathe Ks. Best chow in the world , ceptin sub service.

Great work, much respect, I was pre vietnam, only casualty I suffered was a 3 months extension after Tonkin. Got 1 year of gi bill of 100/month, which was actually a lot of money in the early 60's, plus a great profession based on mos.