PSA Fluctuations

After having PSA numbers at or below 0.01 for a year in March my PSA went up to 0.04 and last week again 0.04. I realize these are still very good numbers but my thoughts/questions are: Before a PSA blood test it is advised that you abstain for any sexual (ejaculation) and strenuous activities for 48 hours, does this pertain to those of us who have had a prostatectomy?

After a year and a half (and a few pounds) of inactivity I joined the Y and started playing racketball again, bought a new bike (petal power) to get back in shape, all this after my PSA test (0.01) last November, can this cause a PSA rise. Also can there be a bounce from adjuvant radiation treatments or is that only from primary radiation treatments?

My oncologist said he was a little concerned about recurrence, my GP said it's too early to worry about it.

Ken,

NO, you can have sex any ole time you want to these days !!! It will not influence your PSA but it will make your day much better :>)

I agree with your Doc's...both of them. Too soon to be worried yet, not far enough out to relax. It's all aobut trends Ken. Is there one?? Well, not yet anyway. A positive margin says hey..be extra cautious. Your Doc is doing just that in checking. He'll check a bit more often (as he should) to see if there is an upward trend. May be nothing more than your own nadir. It isn't unusual for a man's PSA to ping a up and down a little or go up slightly and stay there forever. Let's all hope this is all it is. Robotic assisted and Lap. procedures sometimes leave behind a smidge of prostate tissue. I'm guessing any surgery could leave organ tissue.

Be Well, Swim