PSA went from 600 to 3.8

This post is not about me. It's about my father-in-law. He was diagnosed with stage 4, prostate cancer, metastasized into bones. Diagnosed in Austin. Went to MD Anderson. Told the same thing and sent home to die. Was given maybe 6 months without treatment. Possibly a year with treatment.

He went to a Chinese doctor and started an alkaline diet. After a few weeks of being on this diet, he had another PSA test done (regular scheduled test ordered by his first doctor) and it was 3.8.  The chronic pain he was having has stopped. The doctors and nurses were amazed. But, when my father-in-law was excited about this, they immediately told him nothing had changed and that PSA didn't even mean anything anymore at his stage. (Then why did he order another PSA test????)

First off, I don't like the fact that the doctor told him bluntly - "You are going to die of prostate cancer". I think most of us appreciated honest assessments by our doctors, but that seemed to be pretty "in-your-face" reaction to what seemed like good news.

Second - this is the part I don't understand because I have dealt with PC from the angle of having  no prostate in my body anymore. So, I'm under the impression that if my PSA ever goes up it's an indicator that cancer is causing it and nothing but cancer could be causing it to rise. My father-in-law hasn't had his removed. Does that change the situation to where PSA reading doesn't really matter anymore since he has bone scans that indicate he has cancer in his bones? If so, why would they order PSA testing to continue? I would appreciate any thoughts on this. By the way, I set up an account here for him.  His name is Papa Jim, but I noticed he has not posted anything. He's not real good with computers.

Sparky, I personally don't think it's crazy, the mind is a powerful thing. The Chinese are a couple thousand years ahead of the West in medicine also, so, why not.

One thing that did pop into my head was; "could the Alkaline diet change the body's chemistry, resulting in "masking" PSA in the blood?" Just a random thought!

As for the PSA monitoring, that's a decision your father in law should make. Me personally will shoot for QOL, no extraneous testing, he seems to be feeling good about himself.

Cheers, Doug

"was given six months without out treatment and possibly 1 year with treatment." " was sent home to die "

These statements make no sense to me re. context of the thread or even juxtaposed in the same paragraph. To answer your question with my perspective, I'm sure the psa testing is stopped at some point in the process. Though it would not surprise me if it wasn't. I won't go into that point as it is so rampant in our society, it should be obvious.

Much more crass sparky. "Rum and Coca Cola, Rum and Coca Cola, working for the Yankee Dollar." great song by the Andrew sisters, back in the day.

Sparky,

I can't tell you how good it made me feel to read your post about your father-in-law's's case. Say what you will, but the proof is in the putting. He put down his cane, his pains have subsided, and his PSA is down. That spells success to me, no matter how you read it.

I have a high PSA, and thus far have refused treatment. I went on a very strict alkaline diet, which initially resulted in a PSA drop of over 50%, but still quite high. Since that time (9/1), I have not had further progress, it's been up and down. But I had to back off on the diet, which was so extreme (low carb, low protein, no dairy or grains) that I lost way too much weight and look anorexic.

I think I will consult a Chinese doctor or herbalist .Too bad I'm not in Texas. What I like about TCM is that it is wholistic.

BTW, I just want to say that prior to the advent of chemo, radiation, and RP surgery, there were doctors who treated cancer patients, and sometimes got very good results. Yet most doctors will not concede that there is any other treatment that could be effective, aside from what they currently offer. Rather than be happy, if a patient has success with an alternative therapy, they seem upset about it. Which really makes you question their motives, does it not?

Post Edited (Jaybee_007) : 1/7/2015 3:37:06 PM (GMT-7)

Hey Sparky,
I'd be very curious to know the results of the bone scan. That's a huge drop in PSA. Also it seems his Dr is rather negative. If his scans are showing a decrease in cancer activity, I'd be encouraging him to look for a new Dr to keep open the possibility of western med in addition if he so chooses. Best wishes and keep us posted!
Beth for Gary

Sparky:

I don't know how to respond. Usually this type of post is somebody's first post, often followed by a web-site link where we can purchase the dubious wares.

Sorry -- this just doesn't pass my smell test!

Mel

Just another greatest thing since white bread post
Mel

At this point,ING, I would have to agree

Sparky:

Sorry you are going through that crap.
As one who has walked in those shoes (I failed surgery and then radiation) I understand that frustration. Life is now different. HT and never-ending tests await. I understand.

Nevertheless, I stand by my remarks.

Yes, you made no real claims. You just heard this or that.

This is no different than someone who says coffee enemas can cure or merely knock out PC, because it did for so and so. Sorry -- smell test alert. Those kind of claims, sans plenty of back-up research, should not go unchallenged.

Nobody is banning anybody

Again, sorry about your situation.

Feel free to whine and vent at will. Many of us have and there is no shame in doing so. In fact, for many of us, this is the ONE PLACE we can.

Mel