Concerns on PSA etc

New here, but have some concerns over symptoms and PSA results etc. Will apologize up front for the lengthy post.

For several years, I've had urinary issues occasional ed, along with back and pelvic pain etc. Although I consider them somewhat mild, they do cause me concern. (even though all the new ED and BPH commercials make one feel that its a normal process for aging etc!!.) I'm 49 years old, in great health and run 25+ miles a week and other than my Coors Light, I maintain a good diet and very active. I had several bouts of symptomatic prostatitis over the years, but never had a PSA during the symptoms, but from 2001-2012, all PSA tests hovered around 1.5-1.6.

I retired after 27 years in the US Military in 2014 (maybe the cause of my back pain and I have several jacked up discs between L3/S1), and thought I had a PSA test on my exit, but cannot find any records. Fast forward to Feb 2017, I had a PSA of 2.24. My PCM recommended waiting 6 months and I went back on 20 Sept 17 and found my PSA had climbed to 8.53, which resulted in immediate referral to the Urologist. The Uro put me on two weeks of Cipro, but wanted to repeat the PSA just in case. One week later (after starting Cipro) I got my results back at 7.79 on 26 Sep. We waited until 23 Oct 17 and did another PSA which was 6.15. A small decline over the course of the month, but my Uro wasn't impressed, so he scheduled a biopsy for 17 Nov 17, but asked me to do yet another PSA, this time including a free and total. So on 7 Nov, we drew blood again and the results were a PSA of 5.9 with a free/total of 9.3%.

So besides from being quite worried about all of this, especially with my high PSA and low free/total %. I'm hoping someone here can help explain this rapid rise and very small decline after antibiotics. I've scoured the internet over the past several months and see a lot of conflicting information. On the one hand. my PSA shot up rapidly and the antibiotics seemed to stop the rise, but on the other, the drop seems insignificant to me.

Summary:
Baseline PSA over many years of 1.5 (last checked in 2012)
3 Feb 17: PSA 2.24
20 Sept 17: PSA 8.53
26 Sept 17: PSA 7.79 (after starting Cipro)
23 Oct 17: PSA 6.15
7 Nov 17: PSA 5.9
Biopsy completed today, 17 Nov 17
Prostate size 31cc
Normal DRE
Thanks to all of you up front.

Thanks for the response Andrew.

Yes, definitely concerned with PC and the PSA rise and % free has grabbed my attention for sure, and I think the Uro is a little concerned as well. As others have said on this forum Google doesn't help!!

The biopsy itself was pretty uneventful. Not something I'd describe as enjoyable, more annoying than anything else. Hopefully I'll have my biopsy results next week.

biopsies are annoying, uncomfortable and undignified. Most tolerate it fine.

Waiting for answers is often the most difficult part of the process.

Sadly googling PC often leads down dead-ends and to the cancer scam of the week.

Great bunch of folks here.

Ask all the questions you want, we're here most days,
Andrew

Thanks to you as well Pratoman. Just trying to keep my mind right as the waiting sucks.

I was honored to serve as long as I did. Was an absolute blast.

Crazy all the different PSA readings and how it effects people differently. Looks like you've been through a lot and I appreciate your insight.

Certainly taking your advice in hoping for the best, preparing for the worst and praying.

If you have PC then PSA never goes down significantly it always creeps up namely because cancer cells divide. Good luck

Joe, my biopsy was done yesterday. Absolutely uneventful and painless, done in no time.

Still learning all I can but reading things about free PSA is enlightening, yet a little concerning on my end with a 9.3. Time will tell I suppose.

Best of luck to you on Monday and we all look forward to hearing good news.

hunter - First, Thank you for your service. I greatly respect those who serve or have served, for they do so much to keep us safe.

On the PCa front, your PSA results are somewhat troubling, but your free PSA percentage is more worrisome. My case was somewhat similar, with rising PSA, ultimately showing a relatively low free PSA ratio. Mine ended up being "just a bit" of prostate cancer. Heavy sigh. . .

That was the bad news. The good news is that prostate cancer, when caught early and when it is relatively low-risk, is usually completely curable. There are many cases that are cancer, but do not even warrant treatment for a long time, if ever. Others of us have cases that do warrant treatment, and there are many high-quality/high success treatments available to us. Don't panic yet. In fact, don't panic ever. Just develop your plan, work your plan, and you'll get through it in fine shape.

Keep us posted. It may be nothing significant, but if it is, come on back and the folks here will be able to help you through the decision process toward treatment, if it is warranted.

Update:
Got a call just now that my biopsy came back negative for PC. Will schedule follow-up in 6 months to see where PSA/fPSA stands.

Thanks to all of you for your responses and hope you all have a great Thanksgiving. Regardless of where we all stand, I think we have a lot to be thankful for.