May be a bit early but...

The Water Guy said...
Hi Cindy,Sounds like you are caught between a walnut and a hard place on the MRI or ultrasound biopsy. I also have BCBS in Alabama and they would not cover Color Doppler Ultrasound nor MRI type screening unless a needle biopsy is first positive for PCa. The continued rise in PSA is suspicious and you may need to enlist your docs help in a appealing to BCBS on coverage.

Good luck

Terry TWG

Water guy,I guess BC/BS covered my MRI because I did pay a $75 co-pay and my urologist said he would talk to BC/BS before the MRI.
My urologist said that inflammation can cause the PSA to rise too.Maybe that said to help me mentally.I don't know.

Cindy,

Inflammation and BPH can both elevate PSA. My grandfather had PC but it was so long ago we do not have any details other than he took hormones for it and his bad heart killed him first. My 85 year old father has suffered with BPH for over 40 years with corresponding higher PSA  in the 2 to 3.5 range but his 5 past biopsy's have all been negative.

In my case I had a steady rise over 18 months in PSA from 1.5 to 3.5 which sent me to the URO and he gave me 3 weeks of Cipro to see if I had a prostate infection and then my PSA shot up to 5.25 in 2 months and the rest is now history.

Terry