Lost membership in the zero club

Sorry to hear that Allan, that is a bummer. I don't have any answers as to what to expect as I am new to this.
Please do keep us posted,

Not the news you wanted but 9 years to get to 0.2 has got to lend confidence to the future. I think mine took about 20 min. to get there! Best of luck and keep us informed.

Cheers, Doug

that's not the news you wanted.

Still, there might be things you can still do. Some you might not like.

But having been through this before, you know the routine so that is likely adding to your 'being at peace.'

Hang in there and let us know what your doctors say about it.

Andrew

Allan
Sorry about the upturn in your PSA. See my signature. Our trajectories are fairly similar, though I was T3b. I was 56 at diagnosis; had open RP, then went 7 years before hitting 0.2. I had salvage radiation (SRT) a few months later (with a PSA of 0.44) and then went another 4 1/2 years with PSA readings of 0.00. The last two readings suggest the PCa is now reappearing. But all-in-all I've gone 14 years so far since diagnosis and haven't yet had to go on ADT, though I now assume that is coming in the future.

It looks to me like you may be headed toward SRT, but be sure to read the several recent threads about SRT on this board which may give you some points you want to discuss with your doctors. The key thing is that SRT adds some risks and can help only if your PSA rise is caused by PCa cells that are in the prostate bed. If they have already escaped to more distant locations SRT will add risks with no benefit. However, at these low levels it is unlikely you can know if the PCa is local or has metastasized to a distant location. So you and your doctors will most likely have to make decisions based on statistical studies that will show a probability of success based on how your clinical signs compare to other patients. So it will come down to an educated guess.

That said, in my own case I don't know if my SRT will have extended my lifespan (relative to PCa -- I might still get hit by a bus), but it has bought me a few years of not having to deal with the side effects of hormone deprivation therapy.

Jim

Allan,

Sorry to hear about the rise...I have the same question as Michael.  And, what about the bone biopsy?  Did something show on scan years ago?

Jerry

As others have indicated that is a major bummer. Best of luck and keep us updated.
Hero

Allen,

Thanks for the input.  I am going to take a copy of your article with me to the center so I can remember to ask the questions you address.

Allan

Allan
.20 is no longer the zero club, but seems like not that much more. Anyway, still a lot of options right. Tall Allen gives great advice. Mine is Dont worry dont fear, just Keep the Faith. That Huntsman Center looks like an amazing place from what I hear commercials. We will be praying for you and your wife, for many,many more years with your granddkids! Thats what I am planning for, and I'm G7 with some small mets.
Dan and Rose in So Cal.

Post Edited (Wings of Eagles) : 1/30/2015 12:58:21 AM (GMT-7)

Well I start my first of 38 treatments tomorrow.  Once a day Monday thru Friday.  I have done quite a bit of research on side effects and am hoping that I can avoid or at least minimize the side effects.  I've studied what to eat and not to eat but was hoping that some of you who have already been thru this may have some personal suggestions on what worked for you, and maybe more importantly, what didn't work.

I'll keep you posted as I go thru this.

Best wishes to all,

Allan

Allen, Thank you very much for that above link to your article on AS outcomes on another site. Great information and comments.

apacker1950, Best wishes to you. You are taking decisive action which should give you the greatest chance for enjoying many more years.

Allan,

Just to add a couple of things. My RO said no peanuts or popcorn. Don't eat anything with seeds or skins. Tomatoes, cucumbers etc,

Carry a pill box with a supply of Imodium in your pocket. You can take it if you need it. If you are going to eat something that will cause a problem take one ahead of time. This all worked for me. Don't have your bladder too full during treatment they don't want you to squirm.

Good luck. It is mostly an endurance contest. Walk, walk, walk. will help the fatigue.

Will be pulling for you.

Carl

Well, I had treatment #15 today and over the last few days I have been having a lot of diarrhea.  I have been expecting this, maybe not so soon, but I knew it was coming.  What is concerning me is I have been very dizzy for the last few days which makes me nauseated.  It feels like vertigo and I can't seem to get it go away.  Yesterday I got so sick and dehydrated that they had to give me a bag of saline which made me feel a little better but the dizziness is still here.  Has anyone hear had a similar experience, and if so was there something that would clear it up or at least make it more bearable? Any advice would be appreciated.  I wish this was April Fools, but it isn't.

Thanks for all your support,

Allan