PSA Doubled +

My psa has been undetectable since August of 2014. In March it went to .297 and today it is .656. I still haven't had Taxotere, Xtandi or Zytiga. I would like to try Provenge if insurance will go for it. Xofigo would be another option. Any clinical trials I should be aware of?! Might be time to look into ssdi and the VA also. Kind of thinking out loud. Any comments or suggestions to look into would be welcome!!

Your oncologist should have a sequential plan. Talk to them about what is next. My urology group keeps the high risk guys in a data base to fast track them into Provenge when they first qualify. Your oncologist should also know of all the PCa clinical trials that you can qualify. I would be talking to the oncologist quickly.

SSDI is tough as you basically have to be very disabled. If you are currently on HT, it looks like you may be hormone resistant. Is that the case? If so, you might be able to use the Compassionate Allowances in the application. It doesn't guarantee that you will get SSDI, only that you go to the front of the line with the application. Go immediately to your social security office and get the process started. To correct Fairwind, you become Medicare eligible after two years on SSDI. Are you working now? If so, you will likely be denied SSDI.

Definitely speak with the VA if you are eligible for benefits. I wouldn't expect them to provide you any access to treatment or drugs that your insurance doesn't, it just might cost you less. But you have to use their doctors and treatments. Find out how good they are with high risk cases like yours. At your stage the experience and successful results with high risk PCa is most important.

I guess I am surprised that your PSA is trending up, but you haven't had a discussion with the oncologist yet. That is the starting point, in my opinion.

I have stage 4 which qualified me for ssdi but I did not pay ssi for 5 of the last 10 years so I was denied. Going to retire will get reduced ssi but will have a PERA retirement. I have appointment with VA with the Urologist in Denver on 8th of July will post how they treat me, United Health care probably paid $200,000 on me last year only had to pay $3,000 but all the other costs transportation _ lodging _meals. Cancer is an expensive issue. Bills from MD Anderson 2nd Opinion local treatments tests 45days Imrt all paid. Now will hope my PSA stays down. wish me LUCK

You qualify for lots of clinical trials. Here are a few of my favorites. Some will disqualify you if you start other drugs first, so you might want to check them out before you try the available prescription drugs you mentioned.

Probably the hottest new hormonal is ARN-509 (Apalutamide):
/clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02703623 -- My top pick!

Docetaxel + DCVAC - /clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02111577
Docetaxel + Cabozantanib - /clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01683994
Xtandi + Everolimus: /clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02125084
Xtandi+Zytiga: /clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01949337
Xtandi+Prostvac: /clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01867333
Provenge+Yervoy: /clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01804465
Immunotherapy: /clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01140373

UW Carbone Cancer Center usually has a few good ones going.

- Allen

Did you discuss those trials with your Medical Oncologist? What did he say?