New PSA results, even more troubling

I was going to wait until my next 3 month reading in May for the PSA,  but considering that my PSA rose from .06 to 1.24 in 6 months time, I decided last week to have a new reading  (same doctor, same lab).  My last reading was in February, and this one was done 6 weeks later  (approx).  It came back at 3.81.  This was the last ultra sensitive test done, as there is no point.  So its hard to believe, this is my 3rd rise since the SRT has failed, that my PSA tripled as a whole number, not a .xx number, in six weeks time.  My own opinion, I have a total runaway situation on my hands, with both surgery and SRT failing.  It must be a very aggressive strand, and at this rate of acceleration, I could easily be in met stage before the end of the year.  Don't you just love this disease?

Now back to the think tank, still in shock.  I thought mabe a doubling at the 3 months mark in May, but not a tripling in just 6 weeks.  Almost like I am racing for the finish line.  Next PSA will still be the original May date.

David in SC

David:
So sorry to hear the higher numbers in such a short time - there have been postings about looking at the biopsy samples and poorly formed cell structures that point to odd strains of PCa - can your doctors re-examine the original slides or new bloodwork to see what the cells are up to and possible create a scenario to slow the progress down - sorta like the BONKHOFF link that was on HW showing different cell slides?
-I went to one PSA doubling site - nomogram - and punched in your numbers and it looked like it was leveling off instead of just exponential - and the other site - the sloan kettering PSA doubling chart does not allow your original numbers which were less than <.10
www.mskcc.org/APPLICATIONS/NOMOGRAMS/Prostate/PsaDoublingTime.aspx
-hope I am making sense - just want the best for you.
-gentle hugs, BRONSON

Post Edited (tatt2man) : 4/4/2011 4:23:41 PM (GMT-6)

Sorry to hear that news David. Not much I can say except some of us are not far behind you. I told someone that I needed to look at the Michael Milliken book about his PCa. Keep us posted.

Michael

 

That sucks David, I'll keep you in my thoughts and hope for the best.
Dave in Durango CO

Hi David. So sorry to read about the less than stellar test result
You are in my thoughts. And yes, this disease sucks big time.
One of your many friends here, Mag

Can't offer much except support, and wishes for a next reduction or leveling off. For what it is worth, I'm taking a short list of supplements.. Fish oil, D3 and pomegranate pills... just in case it helps.

No matter what stage we are in, we are all walking together in support of each other.

Only the best for you and the rest of the gang,
Jake

David,
I am sorry you are going to have to make a tough decision. I know that you know what the doctors will likely suggest as the next direction. And unfortunately the decision will need to come fairly quickly.

Alternatives to hormonal therapies are few but there are some variations that you can consider. None are without side effects but some are more manageable than others. It's way too early for chemotherapies so that would probably wait. Another option is to look at clinical trials. At this point you need someone well versed in the available options, too.

Good luck in the coming weeks. You know we'll be here for you.

Tony

David,

I know I haven't known you all that long, but I appreciate the input
you have given me and we all have this lousy cancer in common. I'm sorry to hear the news.

Sorry bout the news, David.

My boss had HT treatment and once he finished it, got back to normal pretty quickly. His PSA is 0 now. I'm positive yours will be too.

So very sorry to here this news!!!  Cooper

Thanks for the replies thus far. I was almost, for once, just going to keep this to myself. I hope now, that for some here that haven't bought into the danger of High PSA Velocity in the year prior to dx, my case will make a believer out of them now. My readings told me from the start, that with my initial pre-dx velocity issues, I was anywhere from 5 to 10 times more likely to die from PC, regardless of any treatments. So far, my case has been textbook perfect on that viewpoint. Trust me, it doesn't make me feel any better being right.

My uro's original suspicions on my case have held true, and his worry and concern has been dead on accurate.

He did say, and there's no way of proving this accurately, that with massive a rise in this short a time, again, that the PSA is being produced in any number of locations away from the prostate bed, anyone of the areas too small to show up on a scan at this point (remember, I just had a clear bone scan a month ago), but collectively, these multiple micro-metatisis are mutilplying quickly and producing these amazing fast rises in the PSA. Makes sense to me.

Yes, still shopping for a good medical oncologist, been following mutiple leads.

Just had a thought, what I have going on is like a nuclear weapon with multiple warheads. If so, this may be very difficult to slow down at best.

Part of me, and no, not in particular a death wish, but almost content just to let its run it course, it may just be my ultimate fate. Nothing has worked so far, and at the local level, the docs aren't putting much hope on HT lasting for long with a case like mine. They may or may not be wrong.

As we all say, it is what it is. This has been a journey from hell right from the start. I am not saying a deserve a break, just another smuck with PC, but I certainly haven't had any breaks with my treatments and side effects. Oh year, I forgot that I still have no evidence of ED. But right now, I don't even care about that.

Meanwhile, I will continue to help as many people as I can, for as long as I can. PC is a vicious, mean-hearted disease. No one has it easy, some just have it harder. I know there are brothers here much worse off than me, I am very aware of that.

Thanks for the support.

David in SC

"the docs aren't putting much hope on HT lasting for long with a case like mine. They may or may not be wrong."

Whether they are right or wrong does not properly compensate them for being idiots. You're going to need better doctors that that. Pardon my harsh wording but to doctors that say " You have so long to live", or the like, they can kiss the derriere's of many long living patients well past their predictions...

There is no doctor, repeat, no doctor that can predict the efficacy of HT on an individual case. And no doctor should make such comments. Doctors should "Do no harm"... and taking away hope is doing exactly that.

Tony

David,

I, as well as all others here, put a great deal of stock in what you have to say regarding the numerous issues brought to this table.  You have helped many. I feel certain that there will be many more that you will help in the future.

My prayers and best wishes are with you.

Bill