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Posted 3/2/2018 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Over the last year:
Lab #1 VA Spokane Jan 2017 6.47-Feb 2017 5.75-June 2017 6.01-Jan 2018 5.56
Lab#2 PAML Spokane Oct 2017 6.07-Nov 2017 5.56-

The big news is......................PAML yesterday 3/1/2018 ten weeks post TX DRUM ROLL PLEASE

XXXXXXXXXXX 1.83 XXXXXXXXX

I will get another test at the VA in two weeks as part of my standard Urology care.

I have been very happy with my TX and the way Urinary issues are working out and now with the 1.83 PSA I am extra very happy.

I took several meds for urination issues for a month or so after TX but am now only taking a supplement called "PYGEUM" recommended ( go figure ) by my VA Uro. He says it will help shrink the prostate and relieve some of the BPH type symptoms. Whatever is causing it, I don't know but I am peeing quite well and am satisfied for the present. I have flowmax in the med cab just in case as I know those issues could return.

May all beings be well always free from animosity.

Roger
Posted 3/2/2018 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats, Roger. In the spirit of Cajun Jeff, let me say, "Laissez les bon temps rouler!"
Posted 3/2/2018 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations!

Andrew
Posted 3/2/2018 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Good result. But pygeum artificially lowers PSA. The last thing you want now is to mask your actual PSA. If you are having trouble peeing, an alpha blocker (like Flomax) or Cialis would be better. Your prostate size will decrease over time on its own (mine is a svelte 25 cc now).
Posted 3/2/2018 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations! Such good news!
Posted 3/2/2018 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
TA: Thx for the info on Pygeum. I am having no trouble peeing, of course that could just be good news or brought about by other means.

If Pygeum "artificially" lowers PSA does it do any harm other than masking the true PSA? There are side effects to flowmax as well? So should I just stop the Pygeum because it lowers the PSA? Does it lower it beyond what I have just seen as a drop? PSA 5.5 to 1.8. I am not really enthused about ANY drugs or herbs for that matter.

What should I just not take anything and see what happens? I have two weeks before I do a PSA for the other lab. Would that be enough time, if I stopped the Pygeum, to get a better, more accurate reading?
Posted 3/3/2018 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
If you aren't having trouble peeing, why not stop all meds (other than ED protective meds) and see what happens.

I have no idea how long pygeum has a residual effect for, or what its PSA-lowering effect has been for you. I'm sure everyone is different. I think you want to understand the true PSA pattern based on your SBRT treatment. Why cloud the issue? In the long run it won't matter. Did Meier recommend pygeum?
Posted 3/3/2018 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
No that reco came from my VA Uro who has nothing to do with the SBRT other than he was the first one to suggest a BX.

Definitely some food for thought, as usual, from you. Hadn't considered the PSA effects of herbals. I will say that based on some of your comments and others about slow PSA vs fast PSA drops I was a bit elated/disconcerted by the drop from 5.5 to 1.8. Not complaining and certainly happy that it is going down.

Not taking any ED protective meds???????
Posted 3/3/2018 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
Excellent news!! Nice to see a significant drop to start you on the pathway to cured.

Sponge
Posted 3/3/2018 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
Most encouraging news on all fronts, 3 5's. Stay away from Flomax if you can. It can have some nasty side effects. Good luck on that next PSA test.

How's the snow storm? smurf
Posted 3/3/2018 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
Roger, that's great news!! Here's to many more low readings!!

Larry
Posted 3/3/2018 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for posting your results. Looks very good. Best of luck going forward and think you are
on the way to being cured.
Posted 3/3/2018 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Roger..... Definitely looks like your headed in the right direction. Even if the pygeum has lowered your PSA a little, it sure looks like you must be doing fantastic. Congratulations on your success and best wishes for continued progress toward your nadir.
Posted 3/4/2018 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Yes I am happy with the way things are right now. Even with the 2 feet of snow over the last several days. We are now at 8 feet for the season and winter here doesn't end until April. It is known to snow here in May. Matter of fact several years ago I was coming home from Spokane ( 125 miles away ) on the 3rd of July. I have to go over Sherman Pass on White Mountain. Elevation 5575ft. At 2pm it was snowing so hard up there that everything was white. The next morning here at home, the 4th of July, at sunrise it was 33F asI was standing on my deck drinking the first cup of coffee.

Thanks all for the well wishes. May all of you and all of yours be well.

Roger
Posted 3/5/2018 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Roger - Glad to hear that your PSA is moving in the right direction post TX. I will be joining the SBRT brothers soon so I follow all you guys closely and wish everyone, whatever treatment they chose, success and good life. Mark
Posted 3/16/2018 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
No need for a new thread (I Think). Got another PSA test today. I have two labs running my tests. They use the same, Roche Cobas, method and in the past their numbers have been very close as in identical once and others like 6.01 vs 6.07. So anyway I had my first test two weeks ago as mentioned above....1.82 also as mentioned above by TA the Pygeum I was taking might have skewed that number so I stopped it and 12 days later had another test today at the other lab. Results 2.04.

I am happy and will probably not go back to taking Pygeum, not because of the PSA but because I don't seem to need it. Urination is OK not great but OK. No drugs or herbs for now.

I do suggest the Pygeum as it definitely was effective in improving flow and reducing frequency by way of reducing prostate size.

May all be well.

Roger
Posted 3/16/2018 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
That's good to hear, Roger! PSA declines after radiation treatment may be unpredictable, but as long as the trend is mostly downward, and you have some patience, then you're going to do just fine.

I, too, have had some temporary urinary discomfort after SBRT, but for me it is more episodic. Often, after a good workout at the gym, I will experience a bit of burning at urination. This only happens the first time I urinate right after exercising, so I believe that it is related to the activity itself and the flexing and straining that muscles may experience. As long as it doesn't last, I don't worry.
Posted 3/16/2018 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Paxton: Looks like you just hit 1,000 posts. Usually my urinary issues, low pressure and very mild discomfort, are steady. The times they do get worse are after riding in the car for 3-4 hours or after being on my tractor for several hours then the flow is less and the discomfort greater but both return to "standard" within an hour or so.

Roger
Posted 3/16/2018 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
3-5s- Good news for you. I will be getting my psa draw today for my post 2yr SBRT and a visit with my RO on tues. Ive had a bounce and hoping a downward trend is in the works. PSA anxiety ? Yes. But it is what it is. Wishing you the best. SemperFi, John
Posted 3/16/2018 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
John I hope the PSA is back on the downward for you. Based on reading the latest post by TA about PSA bounce and slow progression down it seems you are doing quite well. I was a bit surprised how far down mine jumped on the first 3 month test. No complaints on my part I will take what I get.

May all beings be well.

Roger
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