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Post operation PSA climbing

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Posted 12/24/2011 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
First, "Hello and Happy Holidays to all my PC brothers here"

I jsut received my sencond post operation psa results and

yes it is going up, the first test at six weeks out was 0.390

now at twelve weeks out i am at 0.650, ouch...

i want to hear from guys that are in my situation or know something

about what to expect for my upcomong journy on the Luperon highway.

please someone tell me it aint that bad, because i am not happy with this

I changed my diet, and i still have climbing psa, so i guess at this point

i am will to submit to Lupron, otherwise known as chemical castration.

Hi my name is jack i am chemicaly castrated how are you

i ak not looking forward do loss of labido and no more sex

please someone tell me something positive about this

other than "your alive"

 thanks

 

Posted 12/24/2011 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
You STILL have a chance for a cure...As soon as you have recovered completely from the surgery, especially being continent, in high-risk cases like ours, the standard treatment will be a round of salvage radiation which may or may not be accompanied by HT...There is powerful evidence that suggests HT when added to the RT, improves the results by 30% or so...So now what gets debated is HOW LONG will this HT be used?? In my case, my R-doc recommended 2 years..I have survived the first year, not liking it, but......
Posted 12/24/2011 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Jack,

You have not said what your doctor is advising. Mine had me scheduled for RT on general principle, after my pathology report came back.

If the PCa is still localized (that is possible), salvage RT may be a valid path for you.

It is too early to write yourself off (it's always too early to write yourself off), but don't panic because diet didn't help. Whatever keeps you healthier than you were before helps the cause in general.

I'm doing a few diet changes with serious exercise, and my doubling time is just at or a bit less than 90 days. Question is - Diet/exercise is doing nothing? or Without change, would doubling time be 45 days? Who knows. Pick the more positive answer and run with that.

And yes, HT is on the horizon for me as well.

Posted 12/25/2011 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Jack, The positive margins are encouraging for successful SRT, counterintuitive to a novice , but true. seminal vessel is not encouraging, but no lymph node invasion is, so it is a mix bag here. Merry Christmas, Jack, to me, you are still ahead of the power curve here. Logo
Posted 12/25/2011 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Ho,Ho,Ho
I'll share with jack my expierence on lupron (4mo) so far. For me loss of libido has been the most significant side effect so far. Alot depends on your function upon starting hormone therapy. I am still able,however,the desire just slowly disappears. Like others have mentioned,its still possible,just takes some concentrated effort.I tell myself to keep it going so during off cycles the equipment wil still function properly.
On a positive note...so far,it has been going very well. Like you,I dreaded this stage more than any tx so far. I can say loss of libido has been the only s/e I've noticed. If this continues to be the only s/e,I'll be a happy camper. Note to the others here looking at H/T: it hasn't been anything like I expected. Just get it started and enjoy the other positive effect....psa tanks like like your testosterone. It's a great relief of the stress associated with a rising psa :=}
Posted 12/25/2011 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jack

I'm on Lupron like treatment. Loss of libido, yup. And Hot Flashes - otherwise all is fine.
For the Hot Flashes I took the attitude the hot flash is a signal the treatment is working and I just put up with them.

This is a interesting article by Dr. Meyers

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/andeprv/Myers_HormonalTherapyDiet.html

Well worth the read.

Bud
Posted 12/26/2011 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Guys, i appreciate your input,
Posted 12/27/2011 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Question: Do men who take Lupron still take ED meds like Cialis and Viagra ?
is there any sense in doing this?

jack
Posted 12/27/2011 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
Turner:

I sent you an email

Mel

Posted 12/27/2011 9:06 AM (GMT 0)
In March 2010, my PSA rose after surgery (from 0.1 to 0.4). When the uro had finished chatting to me he went with me to reception to make an appointment with the RT department. I saw the RT docs had a CT scan and began my SRT in April 2010.
My first PSA test after SRT had me below 0.1 and I've been there for 18 months.
I think you might be advised to see an RT doc sooner rather than later. As there's a good chance this can still be caught.
Alf
Posted 12/27/2011 11:05 AM (GMT 0)
Jack,

The lymph node involvement is the most concerning component of your signature. However, by utilizing sophisticated imaging (Feraheme contrast scans or equivalent) the nodes can be targeted for spot radiation. An aggressive round of hormone blockade therapy in this setting can still indeed be curative.
Set aside your concerns about a temporary loss of libido and focus on the bigger picture. Death has a much more severe effect on one's sex drive. Discuss this treatment concept with your medical oncologist. If you initiate the HT before targeting the offending nodes they can shrink into obscurity and you may close an important window of cure. Get several opinions .. you have time. Good luck.

Jim
Posted 12/27/2011 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Jack,

You have been getting a lot of good info here and from a bunch of guys who are very knowledgeable.

I thought I would chime in from the standpoint of someone who is walking your same path. As you can see from my signature line, my PSA has continued to climb all through out my journey.

My PSA never reached a zero after surgery and at a little over 3 months post surgery I underwent SRT.

At present my last PSA test registered 9.64 and as of yet I have not started HT. I am enrolled in a Diagnostic Clinical Trial with the National Institute of Health and received 2 very comprehensive scans in September to look for METS. Nothing was found. I am going back for another scan in February (6 months) and another at 12 months.

I will be meeting with my ONCO in March following the scan and we will determine the next step.

I know that Conventional Wisdom seems to call for HT early in the PSA rise scenario, but I and my ONCO are working with the concept of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." To date my rising PSA does not show any evidence of creating any physical issues with me.

There are a lot of other issues in my life that contribute to my current stance on this, however they are mine and my own personal scenario. I am not advocating this path for any one, but just thought I would provide you with this info.

Good luck in your journey and whatever decisions you make going forward,

Sonny
Posted 12/27/2011 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Jack,

You asked about ED meds while on HT.

I asked my uro that question. Remember I am a "no nerves spared" case, so the purpose of the pills is realistically only blood flow, not erection. He says I would continue them, as going on HT for a period of time does not mean we give up all hope that Willie will ever rise again. Keeping the poor guy as healthy as possible for the future makes sense. Whether we care or not is another discussion.

And to add to the argument, I've read a recent book by a couple of surgeons that proposes that nerves can, even over years, retrace and regrow in cases where they were only severed, but very slowly, and that hope should not be banished. Can't say I believe it, but it makes more sense that some of the snake oil claims out there on the web.

I'll try to find the book title -

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