PSA climbing again after RRP and then Rad.

 

I know that I had a Gleason score of 7 before my RRP about 18 mo later PSA started slowly climbing. I elected to have radiation treatment. This was directed to the bed area. That was 2 years ago and now my PSA is on the rise. My oncologist did a bone scan and also a ct scan. Both showed nothing. However my PSA has hit the doubling stage, and the oncologist has recomended HT. I went internet and found this site. Happy to have read some of the posts. That helps make my decision to do the HT a little easier. Im not looking forward to the side efects of HT, but who is. My biggest fear right now is that the PCa will eventually resist the HT. I guess I had better make the call today and schedule the shot.

Welcome to HW lots of great guys to give you support. I sure hate to hear the news that brought you to us but welcome.

Cajun Jeff

Welcome Blueduck,

We are about in the same boat but my post SRT bottomed out at .19 at 18 months and the first rise was .27 and then my two year was .40. So your PSA is higher than mine and as you mentioned your doubling time is also quicker than mine. Good to have a plan and then when your ready pull the trigger. Hopefully we will be around a long time.

Michael

Blueduck, very sorry about the recurrence of PSA. If you haven't already, it's time to add a good medical onocolgist to your treament team. Also, I would like to recommend that you read Mr Myer's book, Beating Prostate cancer with hormone therapy and Diet. I found it very helpful when I was deciding on whether or not I should combine HT with SRT. Bb

Bluebuck:

I have followed the same path as you, surgery, radiation, and now HT. I just had my 4th-6month, and hopefully my final shot. All my scans have been negative, no mets, but my PSA continued to climb after the radiation. Went on HT in October 2010 and have had all the classic side effects, but, as my wife keeps saying to me, "what alternatives do you have? You are still here with me!". When I started the HT my PSA immediately went down to <.1 and has stayed there. My Oncologist and Urologist both agree that stopping after two years is recommended for me as long as the PSA stays undetectable. One word of advice is: if you start HT, watch your diet especially the first couple of months, because your metabolism goes down and your appetite goes up - hence.. Weight gain, I am up about 15lbs and it is tough to get off. I go to the gym regularly and do eat less but now I have not gained any weight since I began to carefully watch my diet. The HT road is tough, but with the support of my wife it hasn't been too bad.

Good luck,

Joe