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Posted 1/30/2015 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
I'm 42.
I went in for a general physical a month ago.
PSA level came back at 8.8
Went to the Urologist.
Digital exam - Half of the back half felt normal, other half felt very firm.
Second PSA level came back at 8.9
Started 3 week treatment of antibiotics yesterday.
Posted 1/30/2015 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Jet! Hopefully your stay here will be short. Looks like the urologist is doing things right, ruling out a probable infection first. No need to panic. Keep us posted, a wealth of support and info here!

Cheers, Doug
Posted 1/30/2015 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Jetshack, welcome, sorry you had to find us, but hope your visit is temporary.

While its not a good thing that your prostate felt firm on one side, there are often reasons for elevated PSA, other than cancer. The two biggest, are BPH, and infection. After the antibiotics, you'll find out if its an infection. Did your Dr comment on whether the prostate felt enlarged?

Its nerve wracking, for sure. We've all been there. Try to stay calm, and not jump to conclusions. No doubt that's tough to do, but right now you have no choice. And keep in mind that in the worst case scenario that it turns out to be Prostate Cancer, its very treatable, more so than most other cancers.

Hang in there.
Posted 1/30/2015 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
I hope the antibiotics will do the job. I know it is shocking news to think you may have cancer but do not put the cart before the horse. I will at it is good that the doctor did test your PSA at your age.
Posted 1/30/2015 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
jet-

Your Uro is doing the right thing. Infection raises PSA, sometimes by a lot.

Perhaps this will ease your mind a bit: Men under 45 represent only 0.6% of people diagnosed with PCa. seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/prost.html. Your young age is on your side here.

(Full disclosure: I was one of the "unlucky" guys who was diagnosed with PCa at age 41. More info about me in the links below, if you are interested.)

Try to stay relaxed for a few weeks until the next PSA test, then come back and let us know how things went.

-Gedman
Posted 1/30/2015 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW, sorry you need to be here.

Going to the URO is enough to freak out most guys. The DRE can be, well, not where we want doctor's fingers.

Right now, I'd say you're not at the need to freak out point. Healthy concern, maybe. First remember what the PSA test does - it's just a measure of prostate activity and size. Many things can raise the PSA level - enlarged prostate, infection, sex a day before the test, some medications, a bad day at the lab. Prostate cancer is very, very low on the list.

Your doctor is doing the absolute right thing by giving your the antibiotics as in a man of your age, infection is the more likely cause of a elevated PSA. Do that and see what happens. Likely your number will drop and this will be just a minor scare.

If it doesn't go lower, your doctor will order more tests, maybe a free PSA or that new fancy PHI test (plus repeating the DRE and PSA).

and if your PSA doesn't go lower, come back and we'll help you freak out properly. ;)

Even if the worst is eventually found out to be true, you've caught it at an early stage where any possible PC is very treatable and within a curable zone.

Hang in there, we're here if you have other questions,
Andrew
Posted 1/30/2015 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Jetshack,

You've gotten lots of good information here and sensible advice not to freak out...

which is impossible...

because we all freaked out when we were where you are...

but we got past it...

our heads did not explode...

not quite.

I hope the antibiotics do their magic and make your high PSA drop. They often do.

Welcome to the forum. Sorry you find yourself here but glad you found us.
Posted 1/30/2015 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you.

The general practitioner (first DRE) said everything felt fine.
The reason he went ahead and did the exam was because of multiple family history.
It wasn't until bloodwork came back that I was scheduled to see the Urologist.
The Urologist (second DRE) said that it did not feel enlarged, just that one side felt very firm.

I am hopeful that it's an infection as I don't see it being a very high likelihood of being any of the other common possibilities; don't ride a bike, wife is 8.5 months pregnant, never had a UTI, no previous medical procedures.
Posted 1/30/2015 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Oh dear lord. Another 42 year old knocking on the door for membership. I hope not.

Welcome to HW jetshack. As others have said, sorry you have felt the need to look us up, but hopefully you will nor require full membership.

I know it is easy to say don't freak out, but it is hard not to. I was there only last year.

I thought it strange that your doctor felt the need to check your PSA at your age, but then I see there is family history, so very prudent of him to keep an eye on things.

So you don't ride a bike and your wife is pregnant (congratulations) so I assume there is no sexual activity between you at this point. That said, just plain old self pleasuring (not allowed to use the M word) can give a raised PSA reading. Do you run? That is another thing. I am also wondering what the time scale was after your DRE that your blood was taken. Some say 7 days, my doctor likes to leave it for 2 weeks.

I am not saying it is but Prostatitis is another thing that can cause a very sharp rise in PSA, and antibiotics will often not fix it. It can be just as difficult to detect and treat as PC. Good thing is it cant kill you.

You have had some very good advice already and we have a whole lot more to offer should you need it, but for now try not to worry yourself and wait for the results of your further tests. Hopefully all will be fine, but we are here ready and waiting if you want us.

My advice to you right now is try and focus on the immanent arrival of you new son/daughter turn
Posted 1/31/2015 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
Answering Casper's 1st question: I don't run as much as I make my kids run (cross country / swimming / track coach) but I do some. Distance running hurts. I don't like doing it. Anything over a mile and my joints start to hurt.

I consider myself fit. I basically workout 4 x a week. 2 days in the water and 2 days on weights. water days are all aerobic and go for about 45 minutes. weight days are all anaerobic but the workouts go for about 2 hours (a lot more breaks in between).

Technically I think I'm classified by the BMI as morbidly obese. That being said I'm not a big fan of the BMI (obviously). I was a fullback in college. My body type is very similar (I wish my running ability had been) to OU's Samaje Perine. Same weight an inch shorter. Not in as good of shape as him. But not too terribly off either. I know aerobically I'm in better shape now than I was when I was 22.

I bring all that up because I haven't been able to google anything up on how I should try to approach working out / fitness.

My freaking out levels have seriously diminished (thank you all), so this isn't me freaking out but idk... maybe trying to exert some control over the situation.

Do I want to stop my heavy lifting days and go to all swimming days? I tend to focus primarily on squats (multiple variations) because of nerve damage in my wrist. Do I want to be putting that much pressure on my glutes and hams? Or do I want to try to cut my weight and muscle mass down? Currently I'm at 5'10" 250lbs. I think I could go effectively down to 235-240 by the end of the antibiotic cycle.

I feel like an idiot, because I know this isn't how it is, but I picture this possible thing being like a puss filled boil of badness, and me trying to maintain muscle mass causes it to explode and spread... I know that's not what it is. I know it's nothing like that. I teach AP Physics. I'm AP Biology and AP Chemistry certified. I have a fairly good generic understanding of how cancer cells operate. But it's like the boogeyman and it's hard to think through it.

Answering Casper's 2nd question: First blood draw was immediately after the DRE. Second Blood Draw was a month after the first blood draw and before the second DRE.
Posted 1/31/2015 10:13 AM (GMT 0)

jetshack said...
Answering Casper's 1st question:


Jetshack. That is a pretty impressive fitness regime. Unfortunately PC is not selective on who it decides to take up residence with. There are some top athletes out there who have or have had PC.

jetshack said...
Answering Casper's 2nd question: First blood draw was immediately after the DRE. Second Blood Draw was a month after the first blood draw and before the second DRE.


Well there is your first problem. Your blood draw should NOT of been taken straight after a DRE examination. I am not a doctor, but even I can tell you that. It should of been left at least 7 days and better still 14. However, the second blood draw sounds like it was done correctly. That said, any form of physical exercise or sexual activity 48 hours before the blood draw can give a raised reading. You did not indicate if this was the case.

It is good to hear that you are managing your stress levels regarding this. There is no point in worrying yourself before you have the need. It could just be a simple case of an enlarged prostate and hopefully your further tests will confirm this, or worse case scenario some kind of infection. At age 42 the odds in that respect are in your favour.

Please update us when you have further news. Until then get back in that nursery and finish the decorating smurf

All the very best to you.
Posted 2/2/2015 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Jetshack, it sucks having this ever come up but especially at your age. The most important thing is your staying on top of it and hopefully its a infection or some type of irritation. Most guys aren't even getting physicals at your age (not my friends). Stay on top of it and what ever happens youll be Ok. All of us have been through the PSA scares and they too suck, hopefully it drops back down. I guess there no way to ease your mind right now so all I can say is hang in there and know your doing all the right things, my guess is based on your health and age your fine. By the way you don't ride motocross or anything like that do you, I do and I had a PSA on a Monday after riding over the weekend and my PSA doubled.
Posted 2/10/2015 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
I went back to the urologist at the halfway mark on the antibiotics (Monday). They drew blood again. No exam. Got the results back today.

PSA was up to a 13.3

He decided to go ahead and schedule me for a biopsy since a) the number had gone up instead of down, b) family history, c) some other reason... I've forgotten my mind has kind of gone foggy.

I go in on Thursday morning bright and early.

Baby is supposed to be due on Sunday. I'll be recovered won't I? If she goes into labor on Thursday that would be bad timing.
Posted 2/10/2015 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
You'll be fine - a bit sore but able to function. The biopsy is annoying and undignified but not all that debilitating. Your backside will be sore and you'll bleed a bit, but otherwise just fine to support your growing family on Sunday or when every baby decides to show up.

When I had my biopsy it was late morning so I went home and worked from home the rest of the afternoon and except for a little bit of soreness while sitting and stressing over see blood while peeing, I was just fine. Likely you will be too.

You've got a lot going on right now, so just focus on what you have to do for now. I know it's a shock to be told you need a biopsy, but for the moment just focus on getting it done and not what it might mean later.

Let us know what the biopsy results are and do stop by with a birth announcement - we love to know that turns out.

Hang in there, we'll be here if you need us,
Andrew
Posted 2/10/2015 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
The biopsy procedure doesn't take long and you won't be particularly disabled afterwards if you need to rush off to the hospital with your pregnant wife. There is usually a bit of bleeding -- in your stools, your urine and your semen -- but you can think of that as a bit of bloody show to add realism to your sympathetic labor pains.

You'll do fine. You'll be fine. Even if you are diagnosed with prostate cancer you will almost certainly live to see your grandchildren graduate from college.
Posted 2/10/2015 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Work hard to find that balance, as well as you can. Breathe deeply....Challenging and more then busy time for you for sure. You have a big team of support at this HW location of the world. Best with everything!!!
Posted 2/10/2015 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Jetshack, I had 8 biopsy's and after the first two I went to John Hopkins, at John Hopkins they actually injected something through a needle that numbed my prostate so I barely had any pain just some discomfort. I had my son when I was your age 42 and then my PSA starting going up. Everything is good now. I guess your freaking out but youll find a different level of strength when your child is born. If your biopsy comes out negative make sure you continue having psa's. I would go every 6 months its a pain in the (you know what) but you have to be strong for your kid now (just advice from an old fart)! Good luck with the birth of your child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 2/11/2015 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
The biopsy isn't the most pleasant thing in the world, but given that your wife will be going through childbirth you probably won't get much sympathy from her.

More important: good luck with the baby and good luck with the biopsy. Please report back what happens, including the baby news!
Posted 3/10/2015 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Biopsy results today

12 cores taken
8 benign
1 hgpin
3 positive: all 3 had a Gleason score of 7. One was 60%, one 70%, one 80%

Healthy baby boy born 2 weeks ago.
Posted 3/10/2015 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
jetshack, that's a heckuva note. I can only imagine the psychological swings you're going through. Hang in there, and there are answers out there.
Posted 3/10/2015 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Jetshack

Sorry your biopsy results weren't better. Your results are not that dissimilar to what mine were, though you are younger than I was. I was 56 at the time of my diagnosis. The good news is that it is now 13 years later and I'm still here. You may do as well or better.

Jim
Posted 3/10/2015 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Jet, sorry to hear this news. Congrats on the baby, please try not to let the diagnosis take away from the joy of a new addition to your family, which is such a precious event.

You'll get a lot of advice and support here as you already know.

My opinion, your next move should be to have the slides sent for a second opinion, to either Dr Jonathan Epsetin at Johns Hopkins or David Bostwick at Bostwick laboratories. Reading Prostate slides and grading them is very subjective, and it's imporant that you get them looked at by an expert specific to Prostate cancer. And it's very important that you know the real GLeason score, as it may affect your treatment.
Also ask for a copy of your pathology report. You want to know if your g7 is 3+4 or 4+3

Meet with a couple of surgeons, who have a lot of experience doing hundreds if not thousands , of RP surgeries. Ask them about their rate of positive margins, among other things.

Meet with a couple of Radiation Oncologists, to explore Brachytherapy (seeds)

Also ask your DRs about active Surviellance. I'm guessing with the high volume cores, especially if your G7 is 3+4, it won't be the best option, but I'm not the smartest guy here

Your most important job right now is to educate yourself

You have options. None of them are fun, but they will all give you a high chance at many years of joy with your newborn. There are some amazing success stories here.

I'm not that far ahead of you, 8 weeks out of surgery, so as I said, you'll hear from other more knowledgeable guys , shortly
Posted 3/10/2015 3:15 AM (GMT 0)

jetshack said...
Biopsy results today

12 cores taken
8 benign
1 hgpin
3 positive: all 3 had a Gleason score of 7. One was 60%, one 70%, one 80%

Healthy baby boy born 2 weeks ago.

Man, sorry about that.

I just turned 49, but I've been working on my fitness hard for the past 15 years. It doesn't discriminate.

I'm nearly three-months post treatment and most people I associate with don't know anything has changed with me.

Sounds like you've got a great workout regimine. Like me, you just need to clean up your diet probably. Try to lose down to the 230 you mentioned and you'll be better for it.
Posted 3/10/2015 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on bringing another Jetshack into the world! A healthy baby is always fantastic news!

Of course your news about biopsy is less than fantastic and I was very sorry to hear it. That said, you have incredibly good odds of doing fine and enjoying a Jetshack grandchild some day.

Pratoman, nailed your next steps. Follow his advice and keep in mind that you have time...PC is not a fast mover at all. Learn as much as you can so you can make a wise decision and make Jr Jetshack proud.

Keep us posted and let us know how we can help! Again, so sorry your baby joy bumped up against the stupid PC thing...
Posted 3/10/2015 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on the baby!

When you can get a little sleep, and something of a routine going, it will be time to get some second opinions going. Then you can decide what treatment you need.

Sorry you have deal with that so soon after such a joyful event.
Andrew
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