PSA 0.46 - Chances of PCA? Anyone have it with such low PSA?

Hello,

My PSA came back at 0.46, has anyone had such a low PSA but tested positive (without previously having PCA)?

I have intense pins and needles in legs and arms, horrid back pain, dull, in the shoulders, mid/upper back, ribs and other parts like my legs and arms. Had pain urinating for the first time yesterday, and have been dizzy/vertigo.

Absolutely terrified of small cell PCA especially with the worsening symptoms. No symptoms before these which started 1-2 weeks ago, 32 yo male with no prior surgeries or any conditions.

I have had 2 CTs of the abdomen/pelvis by 2 different places which cleared but my understanding is that CT is not good at showing metastasis or even PCA itself (i read it’s practically invisible on a CT).

Steve n Dallas said...
Where did you get the idea you might have prostate cancer?

A quick google search show that Paresthesia is something to consider.

"Paresthesia is that "pins and needles" feeling that you've probably had at some point. Maybe you fell asleep with your arm pinned under you. Or you kept your legs crossed too long." Apparently sometimes the feeling keeps going...

10 days ago i started having testicular, pelvic and abdominal pain. Went to the doc but ultrasound was clear for the testicles and pain there subsided. Was asked if i had back pain but didn’t have any. 3 days later, excruciating mid/upper back pain with burning between shoulder blades kicked in (still there), from there pins and needles came in the legs and arms, thigh pain, leg pain, coccyx pain, etc., also developed a cough that has not gone away. Pain urinating started 2 days ago, and have been having dizziness as well with lower body weakness. I did a “self” prostate check (i know) and it felt hard (which i read it should not be). Also lost 5 lbs in 1 week.

I had 2 CTs of abdomen/pelvis but were cleared, though CT would not show PCA as i’ve read it’s practically invisible to it.

Rbrk99, what will convince you that you don’t have PCa?

Here’s what argues against you having it…
1. Your age
2. Your PSA
3. All of your other signs
4. All of your symptoms

Nothing in any of what you say the doctors observed suggests you have it. Especially in regards to all of your reported symptoms, and especially how fast you say they’ve come on. PCa is the tortoise of cancers, and sneaky one too. You’ve described a barking hare.

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably not a camel. Maybe the camel stepped on a duck.

We could all be wrong, but it would be malpractice not to think of every possible other cause of your woes first, since nothing you report aligns with PCa.

How is your health otherwise? What is your BMI? Resting heart rate? BP? Are you active? Eat well?

Do go to a PCP and dig into what is making you feel so poorly.

Wishing you the best!

Rbrk99,

I totally get where you're coming from. I truly do. When my husband was first diagnosed, and even subsequently, I was worried sick that my husband had small cell or some other form of aggressive PCa. (Despite the extent of his PCA--about 25% of his prostate--his PSA was only 1.7 at time of diagnosis.)

As others have noted above, your PSA is really, really low--lower than any reported PSA I have seen here. And believe me; I've been zeroing in on the low PSA guys.

Your symptoms ARE concerning so I would follow up with your primary care physician--but I really doubt that it's PCa.

Good luck!

PS. It's my understanding that there are two blood tests that will show your baseline level. Over time, if those two levels go up, that's an indication that there's small cell or other very aggressive PCa--or that your regular ol' PCa has morphed into a more aggressive kind. I'm trying to find the names of those tests. I'll post them if I find them. (Yes, I did convince my husband's dr to order these tests. He's had the baselines done but have never had the follow up blood tests.)

See a urologist to rule that out.
(Self digital rectal? Ouch,) not sure you’d be qualified to make a valid assessment)
like others mentioned, blood work looking for cancer markers and all other basic items.
Your symptoms can be from more than one source
Stress, spinal nerve compression, prostatitis muscle strain non pc tumor, etc,. The list is endless