PLEASE ADVISE I JUST GOT BACK RESULTS AND VERY NERVOUS

Hi DrBill:

Yes, I would suggest you repeat the test. A dramatic rise in PSA like you experienced is usually not associated with prostate cancer - rather an infection or prostatitis - or even a lab error. Abstain from sex and bike riding for a couple of days before the test and consider some antibiotics in case this is an infection...though that might or might not work as these infections are sometimes hard to cure immediately.

And of course see what your urologist says. Let us know also and we will try to help you thru this. Being a doc doesn't make you an automation PCa expert and I'm sure you know we have lots of knowledgeable men and women here who can assist.

Jim

thanks for the advice. My uro called and advised me it is quite unusaul for less than one year for PSA to take such a spike and it be PCA He suggested retaking on Tues. The strange thing is I dont feel like i have a prostatitis/infection. I actually feel the same as i always did when my past Psa taken. Is it possible I still have Chronic prostatitis w/o feeling any lower discomfort/ pain on urination etc. I feel same as i always have but have had over the year the same BPH symptoms- weak flow, frequency, nocturia, polyuria?

thanks i am seeing Uro tomorrow - btw, he said he wants to retake PSA/phi tomorrow but wouldnt it be similar number- high- if a prostatitis or infection still present after 5 days??interestingly enough i started having much more frequent urination- like every hour or so thru the nite and slight tingling at tip of penis after peeing. I am being told very rarely does PSA go from 3-4 to 20 in 12 mos if it is PCA.

UPDATE- went to URO yesterday and DRE normal no sign of irregularities but enlarged. Urinalysis normal and he just called w my new PSA reading dropping significantly to 13 ( 21.3 on FRI) tOLD ME WOULD NOT DROP LIKE THIS IS pca and most likely inflamed or Chronic Prostatitis. told me to see him 6 mos....i am so relieved but curious what i can take for chronic inflammation...Thanks to all for the support

Hi everyone. I need some advice on my part. Happily, my PSA went from 23 to 13 in one week and as most noted more likely to be a inflammatory condition seconday to BPH. However should i repeat the test again in one month or 3-6 mos. Also is it possible that it can stay in the low teens indefinitely due to BPH . Thanks again

Good news! With prostatitis, a see-saw pattern of PSA is typical. Of course, a 6-month test is prudent, preferably a PHI test. It's possible to have both prostatitis and PC.

A useful metric is "PSA density" which is = PSA/prostate size. The average PSA density for a healthy man is 0.15. If it is markedly higher than 0.15, it's an indicator that the prostate is putting out PSA disproportionately for its size. That corrects for prostate size but not for prostatitis or prostate cancer.

I don't know of any way to permanently get rid of prostate inflammation. Antibiotics seldom work. Anti-inflammatories don't work. It tends to be relapsing and remitting, so one can usually wait it out. I doubt if it ever goes away entirely. It is treated symptomatically.

Purgatory said...
Always exceptions, so keep an open mind.

I always had normal DRE's. Never any infection, no urinary infections, etc.

My PSA went from 4.0 to 12.3 in 12 months. Had my 3rd biopsy, 7 core, all positive, most were at 90% or above cancer. PSA then went up from 12.3 to over 16 in less than 2 months.

There is no normal when dealing with PC.

Good luck on your retest

after you shot up to 12.3 did you retest and did it stay high or did it go down like mine

Purgatory said...
Started PSA testing at age 50, it went up every year. First 2 biopsies showed now cancer, they were 12 core, doctor thinks needles simply missed. After the 3rd one at 12.3 PSA, only 7 core, he went into a shadow on the scan and hit pay dirt. Had no other indications or symptom's other than a fast rising PSA.

This is why 12 core biopsy's scare the hell out of me. And do not put my mind at ease! And my moronic Healthcare provider will not allow us to have an authorized (paid) MRI!