HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Unpredictable PSA

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/12/2012 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
So, after about a year of my PSA hanging at around 0.05, 2 years after surgery, it suddenly jumped to 0.13 three months ago. I was spooked, and mentally ready to enter SRT and ADT (with a G 4+3). Today I went into my urologist for the latest PSA and, surprisingly, it didn't rise much, just 0.139 (he used a more sensitive test). He thinks it may be benign tissue left behind from my nerve - sparing robotic surgery, and I hope he's right.

This PSA is very unpredictable. Just when you feel comfortable that it's stable it can jump up and hit you over the head. Then when you're ready for the next punch, it can be easy on you. I'm still mentally prepared for the next step, but at least for the next 3 months I'll try to just relax and enjoy life. I feel like I've been given a 3-month stay of execution.
Posted 6/12/2012 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
yes, this is good news, and with that ultra sensitive test, will be a bit easier to see if there is any real upward movement in your numbers. hope you do feel relieved, and for those next 3 months, put it on the back burner and go back to enjoying that thing we call life.

best wishes to you

david in sc
Posted 6/12/2012 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
That's great news and I know how you feel.

When you read about PSA doubling time studies post RP, at these low PSA levels it can scare the crap out of you.

Enjoy

Jim
Posted 6/12/2012 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
I was thinking, did I do something wrong to make my PSA nearly triple in 3 months? I'm on a low fat, no dairy, no red meat, lots of soy diet. But then I remembered that in those three months (around the holidays) I had several dinners of juice charcoal grilled steak. At the time I thought just a few of these wouldn't hurt me. But now I'm thinking mmm ... I guess no more steaks for me :(. Maybe it was the shock of eating grilled beef after a couple of years of not eating it. Bet the cancer cells pigged out.
Posted 6/12/2012 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Been down that road, my best advise is not to freak out....as my oncologist says we need more data points to see what is happening.....I still get all worked up, but my doc is right....for now you don't know what is happening. The difference between .13 and .139 can just be statistical noise.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply