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Anyone eats a lot of meat did your PSA rise
Meat - 100.0% - 1 votes
Dairy - 0.0% - 0 votes
Lack of exercise - 0.0% - 0 votes
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Posted 7/19/2017 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all I am new here. My husband has an elevated PSA.
2013-2.5
2014-3.1
2015-3.5
2016-4.43
2017-5.87and 5.7 (two different labs within 20 minutes of blood test.This was March.
he was prescribed doxycyclin for 2 weeks which he took, also prescribed Levaquin, which he did not take.
On April 10 he took PSA test again and it dropped to 5.0, so on July 12 another PSA it went up to 6.2. He eats a lot of meat , hardlyno fruits or veggies, and also has been on a whole lot of prednisone from Back surgery in December of 2016. We told the doctor that he did not take the levaquin , and asked for another precription, which he gave us bactrim this time. I am not sure which one he should take. Doctor said he is leaning towards Prostate cancer and wants to do Biopsy and my husband is terrified. Any suggestions or experienced the same problem.Thank you.
Posted 7/19/2017 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW, sorry you need to be here.

How old is hubby?

What's he afraid of? The biopsy or finding he has PC?

First, PSA is not a test for cancer, just shows prostate activity. Many things can cause PSA it rise, BPH (enlarged prostate), prostatitis, lab error, sex before the blood draw, and lastly cancer. You don't do a biopsy unless you've ruled out all other causes. Doing the meds was an attempt to rule out prostatitis.

Given that didn't seem to stop the rise and assuming the doctor checked the prostate size, then a biopsy isn't unreasonable. He has a steadily rising pattern and if there are other risk factors (family history of PC, diet, etc) then I could see a doctor making that suggestion.

At this point he should be seen by a good urologist. There other blood tests that can be done to gauge the risk of cancer. The PHI (prostate health index) is a good one.

However, a biopsy isn't that bad. It's annoying, uncomfortable, and undignified. Most do fine with just a local and maybe something for anxiety. It's an outpatient procedure with a few manageable side effects and risks. Compared to back surgery, a biopsy is nothing.

Then the big question, what if it is cancer? Well, with a low PSA, likely you've caught it early and have every chance for a cure. It won't be fun to do, normal will change, but PC in the early stages is very treatable with lots of treatment options, and outcomes are generally good.

Others will be by soon with more info or to disagree with me.
Hang in there and ask all the questions you have - we're here most days,
Andrew
Posted 7/19/2017 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for responding. My husband is 47 and his father is in remission from PC. I think he is afraid of the biopsy, not the outcome. Any suggestions on which antibiotic is better levaquin or bactrim, I researched and found out that levaquin reduces your PSA by 40%. The urologist told him that his prostate is normal size . We will try the antibiotic regimen and test PSA hopefully it will go down.Thanks again.
Posted 7/19/2017 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Puppe,

A slow steady rise like that in PSA would warrant a biopsy IMHO. Especially with the family history. Do you know if a measurement of "free PSA" was done in any of his blood tests? That is another data point to consider.

Good Luck,
Paul
Posted 7/19/2017 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
No there were no other tests done. I just made him an appointment with UT Health and Science Center here in San Antonio. Hopefully they will do more testing. But I think if I show him your reply, it will ease his mind. Thank you for responding.
Posted 7/20/2017 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
He can ask for a blood test called Prostate Health Index (PHI). It includes PSA and also some other stuff, so it is more specific for prostate cancer than PSA alone. whatever antibiotic he takes, take the full course. Stopping early can cause resistant bacteria to take over.

I eat a lot of meat. Also a lot of vegetables. Not many grain-derived foods or fruits.
Posted 7/20/2017 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Puppe.....I must make a warning about the Levaquin ....8 years ago I had a ongoing sinus infection and had taken a few antibiotics with no resolve....the doc. said I needed the Levaquin....No ins......and 2 pills cost me $200.....I took the 2 pills and within the day or 2 my hands and fingers cramped up and my fingers started curling inward to my hand .....this all happened while cutting hair at the salon. Took a few days to get my hands back under control. Many posts about it wrecking tendons permanently ........VERY SCARY MEDICINE....avoid if you can. Good luck .........David.......PS ended up having surgery
Posted 7/20/2017 4:56 AM (GMT 0)
Puppe

There are 2 or 3 Prostate Cancer Support Groups in the San Antonio, TX area. If you and your husband drop in on a couple of them, I am sure you will find several men who have had prostate biopsies, and will be happy to welcome you and share lots of information about their experiences before, during, and after their biopsies.
www.ustoo.org/Support-Group-Near-You/United States/Texas

Charles
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