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0.1 PSA 3 months after RALP

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Posted 8/5/2014 5:54 PM (GMT 0)

3 months post RALP and just got my first PSA results, 0.1.  The lab I went to only does the "normal" test and not the ultra sensitive so it sounds like I have not quite made it to the "zero club" yet.  I know there are a lot of you who would trade places with me, but right now, I am not feeling so hot.  I have a follow up visit with the doctor this week, so we will see what he says.  I am guessing he will say don't worry, we will get another one in 3 months and see what that one looks like.  I made it through the surgery fine, still have moderate ED that appears to be improving but I am not really excited about the potential future treatments if it comes to that.

I searched the forum (and did previous research) about the differences between 0.1 and <0.1 and do believe there is a difference.  So, any advices from those who came back as a 0.1 after RP?  What were you thinking at the time and where are you now?

Posted 8/5/2014 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry, belay my last. Another point for the almighty medical consumers (us). When the person called me with my results, I asked her 2 different times was she sure that it was a 0.1 and not a less than 0.1. "0.1", she said to both times I asked.  I asked her to fax me a copy of the lab report (I heard her ask in the background, "can we fax results?".  I go the fax and it read <0.1.


I very well may have a 0.1 (or higher) on my next test, but for now, I have made it to the zero club! Time to celebrate!

Post Edited (Turp54) : 8/5/2014 1:34:02 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/5/2014 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you got that clarified. Some like the less sensitive tests, I prefer more sensitive for my own knowledge. Good luck.
Posted 8/5/2014 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Whew.

Now I can stop trying to figure out how I would have told you how worried you shouldn't have been without totally lying to you.
Posted 8/5/2014 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
Good to get that cleared up.

and congratulations on the zero.

Andrew
Posted 8/5/2014 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Fantastic news. Congrats!

Gedman
Posted 8/5/2014 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thank God that electronic medical records are being phased in and in a few years, everyone will be required to have them. Then we won't have to rely on the stupidity of strangers.
- Allen
Posted 8/5/2014 8:03 PM (GMT 0)

PeterDisAbelard said...
Whew.

Now I can stop trying to figure out how I would have told you how worried you shouldn't have been without totally lying to you.

Sorry to have almost tempted you into a white lie, but I would have probably preferred it so, no worries.

Posted 8/5/2014 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
That's awesome. It always pays to ask for copies of all of our documentation in this process or any other medical process.

It just shows that the people on the other end have no idea how important that tiny little detail is to us.
Posted 8/5/2014 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Great news. My medical center finally rolled out secure on line access to test results and records. It is a great relief to no longer need to go on hold, wait for a call back, etc. from my uro's front desk. As for your <0.1, if you had the ultra sensitive test you'd probably see that
you are way below 0.1.
Jim
Posted 8/6/2014 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Good for you!
Bob
Posted 8/6/2014 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
Turp54 -

Have you seen your doctor yet? (You said some time this week). When you see him (her), please do mention the incident of the miscommunication of the staff person re your question about "less than 0.1" versus a "0.1" value.

I get the feeling that what may have happened was that person may not have known that the "<" symbol right there in front of her on your report stood for "less than." When you asked about "less than" she may have literally been looking for the words "less" and "than" on the report which of course were not there. The "<" symbol may have been meaningless to her, and all she saw was the "0.1" number.

Worth a clarification with the doctor, who can bring her up to speed on what the symbols appearing on reports mean, if that was indeed her problem.

Might save some other patient from going through the same thing if she's the one responding to their information requests.
Posted 8/6/2014 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
think about getting the ultrasensitive test so you know more precisely where you are. There are pros and cons of having more detailed info, but it's an individual and personal decision. I prefer to know more accurately.
Posted 8/6/2014 4:59 PM (GMT 0)

81GyGuy said...
Have you seen your doctor yet? (You said some time this week). When you see him (her), please do mention the incident of the miscommunication of the staff person re your question about "less than 0.1" versus a "0.1" value.

I get the feeling that what may have happened was that person may not have known that the "<" symbol right there in front of her on your report stood for "less than." When you asked about "less than" she may have literally been looking for the words "less" and "than" on the report which of course were not there. The "<" symbol may have been meaningless to her, and all she saw was the "0.1" number.

Worth a clarification with the doctor, who can bring her up to speed on what the symbols appearing on reports mean, if that was indeed her problem.

Might save some other patient from going through the same thing if she's the one responding to their information requests.

 

Yes, I am planning on doing this in person, I have already sent the office a socially correct email about this.

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