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Posted 4/25/2012 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, everyone. I am wondering when the FDA will approve the more "sensitive" testing being conducted at Northwestern University. This procedure, now available overseas, is said to be 200 times more sensitive in detecting psa levels after surgery. I found this thru a genetic study I participated in at Northwestern and immediately notified my URO. He said the FDA is months from approval. Also on another note, does stress have any affect for us PC survivors? The reason I ask is I am going thru a divorce after 24 years and find myself stressed and very depressed. I just want the divorce to be final so I can go back to making myself the #1 priority. I have the same constant worry ,right before my psa appointment, all the time. This is too much to deal with and I am considering therapy.
Posted 4/25/2012 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
I found that my stress level was very high post surgery because of PSA testing and my job ( and a move to Europe). Can' imagine getting divorced after this whole ordeal.

Post traumatic stress and depression are pretty normal after wht we go through. I imagine that a divorce can independently produce those two things so watch out.
Posted 4/25/2012 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
about a month after I finished radiation treatments I found myself very depressed and my blood pressure rising. and I got a low stress job, a loving wife and workshop to escape to. I went to the doc to get my BP checked out and she ignored my BP at first and started a conversation about depression - she said about 80% of prostate cancer patients get it after treatment (don't know where she got that number). Stress and depression aren't just in the mind they do affect the body. I am not sure how much it affects PC but there has to be some effect.

Adding a divorce on top of PC is just hard to imagine what effect that might be causing.

Given all that I'd encourage you to do the therapy - even just a couple of sessions might be very helpful. Maybe talk to your URO and see if there is one in your area that works with cancer patients.
Posted 4/25/2012 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies. I recently went for a check up with my doctor and he ordered blood work for cholesterol and a stress test as I have experienced some chest discomfort. 6 years ago I had high cholesterol and was put on Lipitor which had an affect on my "fatty" liver. After my PC surgery, I dropped 50lbs and thought I had a new chance on life and hopefully reconciliation on the marriage, as she was there beside me thru the entire event. I even moved back home for the recovery. So now I find myself thinking about my marriage and nothing else till I joined this excellent forum. So the results came back from my doctor's visit. Diagnosed with Hypertension, and high cholesterol. I have been on a health kick after the surgery and very active with Raquetball and cycling. It seems the harder I fight, the more obstacles I come across and I have always been the type of person to do it on my own. I know I am not alone here.
Posted 4/25/2012 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
 It seems the harder I fight, the more obstacles I come across and I have always been the type of person to do it on my own. I know I am not alone here.

boy ain't that the truth.  i recently went back on anti-depressants and am seeing a therapist.  the toughest battle so far for me has been between the ears.  i just want to feel better and get some of my passion back.  i'm confident i will too.

ed

Posted 4/25/2012 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Another guy here where the mental aspect is proving to be a challenge. Managing PCa and the side effects of treatment can be a handful, especially when going it alone because there is no local PCa support group. Add a spouse returning to school full time over fear that PCa could cause loss of income, parents in their declining years needing assistance, constant churn at work, and recent diagnosis of hypertension plus high cholesterol. It is way too easy to lose perspective, given all the changes in only a year.

HealingWell has been a wealth of insight on the PCa front. Seeing the story of too many others here also reminds me that I am fortunate in early detection, and so far, successful treatment.

Grab every chance to celebrate a win, whether small or large. I just got the satisfaction of completing a hard fought deliverable at work, so I'm celebrating by heading by the uro office in a few minutes and picking up a few samples. Got to keep trying for that next win over the down side of an otherwise successful treatment plan.

Explorer
Posted 4/26/2012 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
I've had some health problems most of my life, gout, hypertension, gallbladder, headaches, hearing loss and last year my eye doctor is concerned I am moving towards glaucoma.

But all that seemed manageable until I heard the words PC - then it just all hit me. The mental and emotional aspects of this PC has been the biggest problem for me to over come. And there is the fact that I will have to adjust many things in my life.

Since I finished radiation and am waiting my first PSA test I've been trying to do things to improve my mental health, hiking, working in my shop, writing in my blog, reading here and a few good long talks with trusted friends. It's helped a lot. Still I get concerned that the PC has changed my body chemistry and that might require anti-depressants to get over but so far my doctor and wife don't think that is needed.

Do whatever you need to deal with the mental side of this disease.
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