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What should I be hoping for?

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Posted 6/20/2015 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
I will have my second PSA on July 20 following my Proton treatment which ended in January. The results will be faxed to my RO and I will see him on July 23. My pre-treatment PSA was 11.2 in November and ending PSA in January was 6.2. The RO told me just before I had the end-of-treatment PSA that it might rise and if it did not to be worried, that many men had a rise immediately after treatment. Some do show declines, some do not; it is of no consequence either way, we do it only for the record he said, not to measure any kind of success or failure. On my last day he told me mine had fallen to 6.2 and I should be pleased with that. I basically ignored the number since he had said earlier it was meaningless.
July 20 will be 6 months since my last test. From the signatures of a lot of men who had radiation as primary treatment, it appears many had rather large percentage declines after 6 months, some 50% or more. I wonder if I’ve had my big drop already or should I “expect” another nice drop. Maybe to 3 or 4. Of course, the RO will let me know what he thinks of whatever the number is when I see him, but I will know the number on the afternoon of July 20 and sure would like to see another meaningful drop. Just not sure what meaningful really ought to be.
Posted 6/20/2015 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Don't become a PSA slave ! It takes radiation TIME to work ! Radiation does not "kill" cancer cells. It damages their DNA so they can not reproduce...It takes about 2 or 3 years before all the prostate cancer cells die an unnatural death and your PSA will reach "nadir". So it's a waiting game at this point...But don't drive yourself crazy worrying about every little fluctuation in your PSA.. I would use the standard test (0.0) and not the ultra-sensitive (0.00) test to monitor your PSA..Much less stress and anxiety that way.

Best of luck to you, get on with your life and don't look back !
Posted 6/20/2015 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hr: although I had BT, I sincerely believe that most every RT guy on this forum would vote fo "Down is Good"!

There doesn't seem to be many Proton guys on HW but their journeys all seem to be favorable. Best to you and be sure to keep us posted.
Posted 6/20/2015 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
HR, I have no earthly idea what your post-PBT should be at 9 months; Dr. Google could probably give us an estimate. But, just for fun my guess is 3.0. In any case with your stats I'm betting on a cure for you!

Jim
Posted 6/21/2015 11:39 AM (GMT 0)
As was said before it generally takes 18-36 months to reach a nadir, though some find their PSA continuing to decline after five years. That you have dropped by half in less than a year tells me you are probably doing fine.

Once you are out some 24-36 months it is usual to have a bounce upwards for a few months then a return downward. Again, perfectly normal, yet not all men experience it. Also, it is not unusual to continue to have a detectible PSA as you still have a prostate and expect it to continue to function. You should experience continued decline to at least under 2 and then long term stability. If you do not get under 2 and then start climbing, or you get to a lower number and start climbing , it may signal a recurrence.
Posted 7/9/2015 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
As I said in my initial post, I had planned to have my 6 months PSA check on July 20, 3 days before my UFPTI checkup. I've had some gallstone issues recently and my liver enzymes were elevated as a result. My doctor suggested I have them checked this morning to see if they've come down.

While in the lab today for the blood test I reiterated that today was only liver test; no PSA. I didn't mention it to the technician, but I had sex the night before and know that PSA is often higher for at least 48 hours afterwards. I usually avoid sex for 7 days usually before a PSA test. My doctor's nurse walked in and asked me if I was still having the PSA on the 20th. I said yes, please don't do it today. No worries she said, just liver today.

An hour ago the doctor's nurse called and said please hold for the doctor. He got on the phone and I said this has to be bad for you to call me in the afternoon. He said I know you're anxious about your PSA so I thought I'd give you a call. ***, I said. What does it take for you people to get your instructions straight. How many times do I need to tell you the same thing?
He apologized and made some complicated explanation about putting in lab orders in advance and they misunderstood them as applying today.

Anyway, he said I could ignore this PSA and take another on July 20 as originally planned. I had to know so I asked what it was. 2.5 he said. My starting PSA at UFPTI was 11.2, but had fallen to 6.4 when I finished. I'm thrilled with the 2.5, but wonder if having it taken again with abstinence from sex for 7 days might make it even a little better. Of course, PSA is funny, it could be up for no reason in a week and then I'll wish I had left well enough alone. What do you guys think?
Posted 7/9/2015 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
I think you should groove on the 2.5, until the 20th. Be happy, 2.5 after sex is a good thing in your case.
Posted 7/9/2015 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
hrpufnstuf,
Congratulations on a continued downward trend. Don't get too wrapped up in the numbers. You are doing great. Radiation takes time. Good Luck.

Regards,
Kris
Posted 7/10/2015 3:22 AM (GMT 0)

Pratoman said...
I think you should groove on the 2.5, until the 20th. Be happy, 2.5 after sex is a good thing in your case.

Does that mean you would retake the test on July 20th?
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