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Posted 11/2/2020 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all, been a while as I've been enjoying life not too concerned with my G6 PCa.

As luck would have it, I was unable to get int to see my urologist during the peak of COVID for my regular checkup. No worries I thought. My PSA had been pretty consistent, going up a little but nothing alarming. It went from around 1 to 2 over the course of many years. I lost my sig when this site was upgraded so I'd have to look back in my records which I don't have handy.

I made an appointment with my GP for another matter and had him do a PSA just to check it out since I missed my last appointment with the uro. It's been about a year since my last PSA. Well my result came back an it's shot up out of the blue to 4.79. I have an appointment with my uro today.

My question to the group is what should I expect now? I know that often a rapid rise is not due to PCa, but I'll expect the worst and hope for the best. I would think another biopsy is in my immediate future

One thing I might add is I have been having symptoms of an enlarged prostate recently. Very decreased flow, inability to pee faster, etc. It's been noticeable and happened pretty quickly over the last many months.

I'm concerned but not freaked out.

Mic
Posted 11/2/2020 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi GeetarMan. What have your biopsies and MRIs since 2014 shown? Your last DRE report?

Djin
Posted 11/2/2020 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Mic,
Could be a lot of things including an infection in the urinary system or prostate. Getting a Urologist involved is the best first step. It’s probably time for a second biopsy to get a better handle on what’s going on. If you do another biopsy you may wish to investigate a transperoneal one rather than the TRUS since it has a much lower infection rate. Good luck and keep us posted.
Posted 11/2/2020 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
Just got back from my uro. He just wants to see me again in 3 months. I have not really followed the true AS protocol, a subject we've discussed previously and I'm not going to revisit it because I can't change past decisions. I have not had MRIs or additional biopsies as my PSA was so low.

Having said all of the above, I'm going to make an appointment with another uro.
Posted 11/2/2020 9:06 PM (GMT 0)

GeetarMan said...
Just got back from my uro. He just wants to see me again in 3 months. I have not really followed the true AS protocol, a subject we've discussed previously and I'm not going to revisit it because I can't change past decisions. I have not had MRIs or additional biopsies as my PSA was so low.

Having said all of the above, I'm going to make an appointment with another uro.

OK. Yes, the past is past; however, you'll need a full workup to assess the current status of your prostate and prostate cancer. What was a G6 diagnosis may or may not still be the case. I don't think you'll be able to avoid a biopsy, even if an MRI reveals nothing serious.

Urinary symptoms from BPH are not always proportional to prostate size: growth may be directed inward, impinging the urethra, or outward, with little bother.

Keep us posted and good luck!

Djin
Posted 11/2/2020 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Yup. Totally agree. I'm disappointed that all my uro wanted to do was see me again in 3 months, but I did not want to argue with him. After knowing what I know from being on this forum, I had made the decision going in that if his recommendation moving forward was not what I know to an acceptable course of action, I would seek the advice of a different urologist.

Anybody in Minneapolis want to make a recommendation? I did go to Mayo for a second opinion when I was originally diagnosed.
Posted 11/2/2020 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with your thinking about finding another uro. If your new uro wants to do nothing more than follow your PSA, I'll buy you an ice cream, but i think my money is safe.

Djin
Posted 11/2/2020 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Geetar - I have a guitar, live in the Twin Cities and worked with two doctors at MN Urology if that would be of any interest. Appointments have been difficult during the pandemic but starting to get back to normal finally. The university is also a good option.
Posted 11/2/2020 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
I go to MN Urology. Maybe it would be awkward to ask for a different uro at the same place?
Posted 11/2/2020 11:11 PM (GMT 0)

Mumbo said...
Geetar - I have a guitar, live in the Twin Cities and worked with two doctors at MN Urology if that would be of any interest. Appointments have been difficult during the pandemic but starting to get back to normal finally. The university is also a good option.

Do you want to email me? I think my email addy is in my profile. I don't wanna name names or anything. I actually like my uro a lot, he's just not up to speed on some of the options I should be looking at.
Posted 11/3/2020 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
Sure but your email is missing from your profile. You can send to the email address in my profile and I will help you any way I can.

I am on the St Paul side of town also.
Posted 11/3/2020 12:19 AM (GMT 0)

Mumbo said...
Sure but your email is missing from your profile. You can send to the email address in my profile and I will help you any way I can.

I am on the St Paul side of town also.

Oops. I unhid it. I'll grab yours too.
Posted 11/3/2020 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Just popped up magically, I will drop you a note after dinner or you can go first while I eat.
Posted 11/3/2020 12:24 AM (GMT 0)

Mumbo said...
Just popped up magically, I will drop you a note after dinner or you can go first while I eat.

Just shot you an email. Thanks.
Posted 11/3/2020 12:26 AM (GMT 0)

GeetarMan said...
Hey all, been a while as I've been enjoying life not too concerned with my G6 PCa.

As luck would have it, I was unable to get int to see my urologist during the peak of COVID for my regular checkup. No worries I thought. My PSA had been pretty consistent, going up a little but nothing alarming. It went from around 1 to 2 over the course of many years. I lost my sig when this site was upgraded so I'd have to look back in my records which I don't have handy.

I made an appointment with my GP for another matter and had him do a PSA just to check it out since I missed my last appointment with the uro. It's been about a year since my last PSA. Well my result came back an it's shot up out of the blue to 4.79. I have an appointment with my uro today.

My question to the group is what should I expect now? I know that often a rapid rise is not due to PCa, but I'll expect the worst and hope for the best. I would think another biopsy is in my immediate future

One thing I might add is I have been having symptoms of an enlarged prostate recently. Very decreased flow, inability to pee faster, etc. It's been noticeable and happened pretty quickly over the last many months.

I'm concerned but not freaked out.

Mic

Time to opt out and get treated.
Posted 11/3/2020 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Duck... First need to find out what's going on. There are other things that can raise PSA besides PCa. No matter how likely or unlikely, I'm not going to 'get treatment' based on a PSA number. First need to find out what needs to be treated. Even if it is the PCa, need to find out what beast needs fighting. ;)
Posted 11/3/2020 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hitime to make an appointment with another uro
You are due for another biopsy and mri based on typical AS protocals
Also in the meantime get another psa that kind of jump really might be something else
Me been on AS 3 years psa 3mo
Anual mri and biopsy
Wanting spread biopsy out more nowss
Best of luck and keep us posted
Posted 11/3/2020 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
In a strict AS program like Johns Hopkins, PSA is not as important as PSADensity.

That is because of prostate enlargement, and density takes that into account.

IMHO, way too many men say that they are on AS, but aren’t doing the strict protocol testing of the major center programs. They are playing with fire. Please don’t be one of them.
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