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12 weeks post surgery PSA

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Posted 7/7/2015 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
I need some expert advice and from past experience this is the place I have found it. Five weeks after my prostatectomy I had my first psa test which unhappily came back at .3 My surgeon didn't seem too concerned about this and subsequently ordered another psa test 12 weeks post surgery and told me to see him again in September. Yesterday my psa reading was .2 I know these numbers are not good even though I was relieved to see that it did decrease. My question is this: Should I wait until my next psa test and September appointment, or should I be looking for a good radiologist or oncologist right now?? I'm thinking that after 12 weeks my psa should be undetectable and something is going on that I should investigate immediately. Otherwise, recovery is coming along well. I am totally continent now, work out daily and walk 3-5 miles each morning. I want to thank you guys in advance for your advice. This forum has been a God-send to me. This is a crazy disease and you guys offer me sanity.
Posted 7/7/2015 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Baltimore This is my first post here and I want to give you hope. I think is too early to concern about. I think you are doing well. Wait for your next blood test.
Posted 7/7/2015 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
Where was your surgery performed? I posted questions last week before my husbands 3 month appt. and most of the responses mentioned getting an oncologist if the PSA was detectable. I'm a newbie to all of this but I'd be getting a second opinion...
You are in So. Cal-what about City of Hope, UCLA or USC?
Posted 7/7/2015 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
You should be >0.1 anything above that means potential problems. It is good that it went down to 0.2, but that still his high. Typically the first year you get a psa test every 3 months. You can always wait a few weeks and get another test. With one positive lymph node and your psa and Gleason 4+3 chances are you will have to go for salvage therapy.

For my I was >0.1 on my first psa and 0.1 for the next 5 test (20 month post RP).
Posted 7/7/2015 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3446242

This is the link for the advice given to me.
Posted 7/7/2015 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
baltimore,
You are quite right that you should see a radiation oncologist immediately and not wait any longer. Your urologist is exactly the wrong person to talk to about this - you should have been seen by an RO as soon as you were diagnosed with a positive lymph node. Metastatic spread can occur very quickly with a positive node and a PSA that is that high.

I highly recommend my RO, Chris King at UCLA, as he has experience in treating the pelvic nodes and the prostate bed simultaneously - it can be a tricky business. If driving into LA every day for 7 weeks is too daunting, ask him to recommend someone closer - he won't mind.

- Allen
Posted 7/8/2015 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Baltimore,
Please get yourself to a radiation oncologist as soon as possible. Speaking from experience, my urologist insisted that I receive ART but was declined on two ocassions. I am now faced with a rapidly rising PSA am am now undergoing chemotherapy. Hitting yours soon will offer you a greater chance of survival.
Posted 7/8/2015 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for the advice you passed on to me. Teacher Lady, yes my surgery was performed at City of Hope in Duarte, Ca and the care I received there was extraordinary. Thank you for the thread you passed on to me. lapilot, your advice is pretty much what I thought I would hear and I appreciate it! Tall Allen and Almost a 10, thanks again for chiming in. You guys have responded to my previous posts and I can't thank you enough for the excellent advice and for taking the time to help me out. I have an appointment next week with a radiology oncologist and hope to get some answers. I can't imagine waiting until September for my next urology appointment and I know that you are all correct in advising me to seek another opinion before then.
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