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PSA Results (just a little update to older post)

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Posted 2/27/2021 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I Have been posting quite a bit so I was not sure if I should add to my old posts.
Anyway working on getting in shape by losing weight and doing Kegel exercise.
I was nervous about my PSA because if it rose too high my testosterone clinic would halt my injections. him
Well it came back 5.6 which is normal for me with a large prostate.
I Am 99% sure I'll have RP not sure what kind such as robotic or assisted or old fashioned surgery.
I will speak to my family urologist March 4th just to keep him informed but also to see what he thinks. He did say that before radiation therapy I should have TURP because of my BPH. I did not and after the 4th treatment I could no longer urinate which led to catherized and paraphimosis which was horrible.
I Am mostly afraid of anesthesia issues not the surgery per se. I guess I want my usual urologist to assure me that I will get through surgery okay.
I also wonder about advances in cyrotherapy. I know it's not popular but I also know it offers less of a chance of anesthesia issues. I am also not afraid of impotence problems as that ship has sailed.
Anyway glad I'm still getting TRT

Glen
Posted 2/27/2021 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry did not add signature

Also "Him" that was a auto post glitch
Posted 2/27/2021 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Doing T supplements with G7 is nuts IMO.
Posted 2/28/2021 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Okay I understand as that is the accepted opinion of most however not all.
I'd not call it supplemental as I am severely hypogonadal and require injections to have normal levels
I am near castration level without injections
Last blood draw after 54 day's since my last injection was 25.
I'm not the only person in this forum who has been on TRT.
In a perfect situation I'd rather not have to use injections however my quality of life suffers greatly without it. I get no kick or boost from testosterone; What I get is normalcy.
I'd not expect you to understand what I go through without TRT but I do and that's the important thing.
BTW My oncologist is awsre of my TRT and understand's but does not approve.
Thanks

Glen
Posted 2/28/2021 11:12 AM (GMT 0)
Glen, you mentioned Cryo--I don't know of anywhere that is doing whole-gland cryo these days as primary treatment. There have been occasional mentions in here about cryoablation to shrink a prostate prior to radiation, but that's about it.

Cryo is one of those things that hit big years ago....like in the mid-1990's--that was what my Dad had for his primary treatment. In the end, he died of metastatic disease 10 years later (less that 6 months after an RO pronounced him cured). Today, it is clearly a niche treatment. Have you ever made an appointment for an anesthesiology consultation to raise your concerns with a professional?
Posted 2/28/2021 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Halbert. I will speak with the anesthesia doctor before I have the surgery in early Spring. I did not forget your suggestion and I will get the surgery.
I was happy however that my PSA has not risen and do want my regular urologist Dr Rahman in the loop
I also admit grasping at straws over cryothearpy . The "selling " point being anesthesia.
So Thursday I'll run things by him. Monday I get the vaccine, the 10th I see the oncologist radiation doctor armed with my final- final decision which is going to be surgery (I know this but you cannot blame me for searching for alternatives)
I'll get my booster shot in 3 weeks, buy my new used car (current car will not pass inspection)
Have the anesthesia doctor appointment and surgery ln April.
One minor point of good news- my neighbor works as a physical therapist at NY Presbyterian hospital where I'll have surgery and will come visit and bring me items from home if needed or just drop by with moral support. Wife and family cannot visit.
BTW I am urinating better than ever and rarely get up at night to go.
Not sure why it's improved.

Glen Heinsohn
Posted 2/28/2021 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Could you explain the issue or concern you have with anesthesia? Have you had a bad experience in the past?
Posted 2/28/2021 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
I have sleep apnea, am 5 foot 11 inch's and weigh 255 plus I have Afib
I tried an MRI under profolol anestthesia and stopped breathing in the tube so they woke me up and I could not complete the MRI

I know general will be different due to a breathing tube but I still want to lose more weight and strenghten my lower abdomen.


Glen
Posted 2/28/2021 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
The reason for the sedation for the MRI is severe claustrophobia partly due to PTSD.

I am worried about the near upside down Trendelenberg position and all that abdomen weight

pushing down on my lungs

Glen
Posted 2/28/2021 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Given the sleep apnea it makes sense to consult with the anesthesiologist. When I had recent hernia surgery they asked me to bring my cpap to the hospital in case they needed it. But that was not done under a general anesthetic. Under a general, I believe the patient it typically intubated (I was for my RPP) and they hook up a ventilator to keep you breathing, so it may be that sleep apnea is not an issue.
Posted 2/28/2021 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Fiddlecanoe
Yes they will be doing the breathing for me. I thought the CPAP would be useful for the MRI but they would not allow it due to what I'm not sure. I suppose the magnetic field is too strong even if it's in the other room and they use a longer tube-or the machine does not have good enough pressure to travel say 40 or 50 feet to be safe from the magnet's power.
even so I do worry about trusting a person who holds my life in their hands. i've had several surgery's but I was younger I'm 68 now and also much more anxious.
Bottom line is I will take care of this but as is my nature, I want to overturn every stone as I seek to rid myself of this darn Pca
Not really that scared of dying and it may sound trite but my wife needs me and I do not want her to be alone.

My mood and such change so often. I suppose it's the nature of having cancer. One day or one hour I'm gung ho! the next, I'm full of fear.
I do best when i just say to my Lord, " I give it up to you!" that often works as it take control away from me.

Glen
Posted 2/28/2021 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
Check out Rezum Water Vapor. My husband had TURP but a friend is going to have this newer procedure. Done at an office visit. Takes about 15 min and fewer side effects. Sounds promising.
Posted 2/28/2021 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Not sure the Resum would work well enough to allow for radiation treatment to continue with surity that retention will not happen again. I'm actually peeing better than before radiation therapy started. I am afraid of resuming radiation because I just cannot risk that again. If the doctor said 100% that it would work, I'd go for radiation.
Retention is really bad and I worry about paraphimosis happening again if I get retention again

Looks like surgery is 99.9% what I'll have

Glen
Posted 3/1/2021 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
I know there’s a lot of hard decisions. It would be easier if everyone knew beforehand what the outcome to each would be 😊. Husband was dx in 2017 G9. He had radiation and now is doing lupron every 3 months. Had TURP last fall and was able to stop self catheter. He is doing really well right now, and I just hope it continues.
Posted 3/1/2021 10:28 AM (GMT 0)
Mebythesea, thanks for understanding the underlying fear so many have.
Very pleased to hear that your husband is doing well. I am guessing the radiation treatment caused retention in his case.?
That outcome makes my decision to have RP that much easier.
Because of my size and chronic pain, having to catherized myself would be difficult. I can live with leaking but retention is a horror I'd not like to repeat. I have already told my family and friends that I'm having surgery so in a way, I'm the only holdout grasping at straws of some new breakthrough

Glen
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