Posted 4/24/2019 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
I just got back from my semi-annual consult with my uro. I see my RO in a couple of weeks. I guess their schedules are more difficult than mine. (They're still working, I'm mostly not.) Had a very comfortable, candid talk with the doc, and he is truly happy with where things are going. I'll update with the RO's perspective after I meet with her.
Here's the thumbnail sketch of history:
07/2016 - Diagnosed G3+4=7; PSA 5.69
11/2016 - Completed CyberKnife treatment, 36.25 Gy
01/2017 - PSA 4.75
04/2017 - PSA 3.03
07/2017 - PSA 2.86
10/2017 - PSA 2.15
01/2018 - PSA 3.02
04/2018 - PSA 3.04
10/2018 - PSA 1.93
04/2019 - PSA 1.42
So, it appears that I have made it through last year's bounce and turned back to my very gradual downward trend. My PSA has now dropped to less than 25% of my pre-treatment level. Actually, I have had only one reading lower than this since I began PSA testing in about 2001.
Through all of this -- before diagnosis, through treatment, and now post-treatment, I have remained on TRT, under the advice of Dr. Morgentaler, and the guidance of my local uro. It appears that, at least in my case, Dr. Morgentaler's "Saturation Theory" does hold, and for low and favorable-intermediate-risk cases in which ADT is not standard of care, there seems to be no reason to withhold TRT if otherwise clinically called for.
I'm doing really well. Almost all side effects are back to baseline, with the possible exception of maybe a bit more occasional bowel urgency, the "usual" ED, and near-total loss of ejaculate. At this point, I'd have to admit to being among the "Happy Campers" who are now doing as well, or better than they had hoped, and are hopeful that this will be their lot in life for a very long time.