HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Hope it's just a bounce...

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/8/2019 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
Finished 39 salvage radiation treatments in August. November PSA was 0.2. Today, February, it's 0.3.
Darn.
Posted 2/8/2019 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
DJ,
I hate to say it but there’s not much, if any, bouncing with salvage radiation. However, I’m not certain the small increase you’re seeing is firm evidence that salvage didn’t work. Maybe it’s within the margin of error. I certainly hope so.
Posted 2/8/2019 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
All you can really do is keep monitoring and see what the PSA does. you need a couple of data points to plot the trend.

but it's not the number you wanted.

Andrew
Posted 2/9/2019 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies. I guess all I can do now is keep saying...darn.
Posted 2/9/2019 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
"darn" - a mild version of what I'd be saying in your case.

Here's hoping the next one is down.
Posted 2/9/2019 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
dj, my old friend

there isn't usually any such thing as a bounce with SRT. My ill-fated SRT was considered failed within 6 months of completion. Big difference, you went nearly 10 years without needing it (if I am reading right) and I needed SRT less than a year after failed surgery.

Good news, I have had no additional treatment post-SRT nearly 10 years later, despite a steady rise in PSA, at levels where mets should be clearly seen. Disappointed for you, of course, but have a feeling you will do well. Don't let those numbers get into your head.

My best to you, keep on keeping on.
Posted 2/9/2019 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Purg, thank you for the kinds words. It's great to hear from you!
Posted 2/9/2019 9:13 PM (GMT 0)

Purgatory said...
Good news, I have had no additional treatment post-SRT nearly 10 years later, despite a steady rise in PSA, at levels where mets should be clearly seen....

That is wonderful news and quite amazing, Purgatory. It must take lots of fortitude, not to submit yourself to additional treatment. Well done!

Would you mind sharing your post SRT PSA numbers?
Posted 2/9/2019 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
garyi:

I need to make a new history here, somehow got lost over the years.

Had SRT late in 2009. Since then, PSA been all over the place. Last reading, late last year, was 26.xx, yes, 26 in whole numbers. Last bone and body scans show zero evidence of any visible mets. So my dr. and I have been doing watchful waiting ever since. So far, no reason for additional treatments, and I agree. Every case of PC is different.

The radiation damage I suffered is a greater source of anguish for me, that I live with every single day. And now, with Stage III Parkinson's advancing quickly, I can't allow myself to stress over PSA numbers. I expect to die with PC, not from it.

If any mets show up, will have to deal with it when/if the time comes.
Posted 2/9/2019 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Purg. Rooting for you. My brother in law has been fighting Parkinson's for almost 15 years. This aging process isn't as fun as I had hoped it would be. ;)

With my chronic radiation enteritis/proctitis after SRT, and ulcerative colitis for most of my life, I may be on the same trajectory as you.

Good luck!
Gary
Posted 2/10/2019 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Purg: You are always at your best when you are posting. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Posted 2/10/2019 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Purg:

Have you done any of the newer scans (c11-choline, ga68-psma, etc.)?

As you said, you have other issues, so not sure if it is worth seeking out these scans

Mel
Posted 2/11/2019 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Dont panic. I completed my radiation in Jan 2018, a month later my PSA had risen to .13, 3 months later, it dropped to .10, three months after this, it went to .08. We test again next week. I was told that it takes these cells a long time to self destruct.
Posted 2/22/2019 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Got another test yesterday, and it was back down to 0.2. So maybe a roundoff error? I'm still worried, but slightly less.

Howard3569, thanks for the news. Hope you're doing OK.
Posted 2/22/2019 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
or it could be less. Error on the good news side of life.
Posted 4/25/2019 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Guys,

Past couple of readings have been back down to 0.2. Wish it were lower, but at least it didn't go up. I'm wondering if I'd get any more insight by getting the more precise test. But I'd have to pay out of my pocket. Any idea how much this would cost? And is it worth it?
Posted 4/25/2019 2:38 PM (GMT 0)

DJBearGuy said...
Got another test yesterday, and it was back down to 0.2. So maybe a roundoff error? I'm still worried, but slightly less.

It's the right direction, and you're doing fine. IMHO a uPSA will not help your unfounded worry (a symptom of all PCa) one bit. Good luck!
Posted 4/25/2019 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Good news.

More precision wouldn't really help. Since you're post SRT, the next trigger point for treatment wouldn't be until your PSA got to something like 2.2.

Go live life!
Andrew
Posted 4/26/2019 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply