3 Month PSA after RALP

Got my first PSA back today after surgery - 3 months. The number is .006. I am guessing that is pretty good? Didn't specifically ask for the ultrasensitive test but it seems that's what I got and what I will stick with for consistency.

Congrats! I believe that is a good number and bet it gets better going forward. You biopsy numbers are similar to mine, and my PSA has been good too, 1 1/2 year post surgery. Best wishes.
Mack

That's a good number for 3 months. Should decline further at the next test. Try to use the same lab for your tests, the results won't be skewed by differences in the lab.

tennisplayer said...
That's a good number for 3 months. Should decline further at the next test. Try to use the same lab for your tests, the results won't be skewed by differences in the lab.

That's a good point. I will do that. I wonder - given the sensitivity of the test - how much of a number could just be 'noise' so to speak. And I gather PSA can come (in very small amounts) from elsewhere in the body?

Good number, congrats gene.

gene, if you can raise it to half mast, then full height is likely in your future. I'll pass on what my surgeon said to me: If you can get it even slightly firm enough for penetration...then go for it. The female tissue and musculature is the very best therapy there is.

MDNative said...
Congrats Gene. Did you have your PSA test at the JH express clinic itself? Other than your EPE, and with a similar 3+4, I was ordered for the standard test by Dr. Carter. Either way, a .006 is always less than a .1!

Keep up the zeros!

I have to say the JH folks have not been super hands on. I live in Charlottesville about 3 hours away so I basically arranged with my primary care doc to get the test once the date was coming up - no input or guidance from Johns Hopkins. Yesterday I sent a message to JH saying I had the results and did they want them - the nurse said to fax it. Other than the initial consult, surgery and immediate aftermath I haven't had much contact with Dr Han or anyone else - unless I initiate it. They did send a letter asking about study participation. I took the catheter out myself as no doc here wanted to do it.

What I've found locally is once you go elsewhere for surgery they lose interest either due to liability risks, ego or $. Then it is hard to have a warm, fuzzy with the remote docs. So sort of on my own which is fine.

Fellow ex cho resident here.. now in bay area. Had RALP one year ago yesterday! doing great.

If you can't do the PDE5 drugs, did they put you on pentoxphiline for extermity blood flow?

If you haven't already get a pump.. get blood flowing down there artificially, it's very important in the early days of penile recovery. I'm surprised hopkins doesn't have a full PR regimine for that. I met with Dr. Partin when deciding on locations and surgeons and ended up going to UCSF (on Partins recommendation actually).

I also found that when both pumping and playing, massaging the BASE of the shaft is very important, that is where a lot of the vascularization will occur and the faster that heals, the better it will lock in whatever blood you can get into the shaft with the pump. (a ring will also help to hold blood in and work/stretch those muscles).

This isn't really a recommendation for activity, but mostly for recovery at this point.

Hi Gene62. Congrats from another high PSA camp! That's a great post-surgery result - you must be so pleased. Celebrating with you and hoping for evermore zeros in your future!
All the very best, Jaybee&GG