Our PSA test experiment

I was researching the cost of PSA tests and stumbled across in-home kits. As some of you know, my husb. had minimal PC according to biopsy that then was upgraded seriously following daVinci and pathology report. We found there was cell migration into fatty tissue. Now, we're waiting for the first PSA test. Our surgeon originally suggested no further treatment - just watchful waiting and re-testing every six months.

So, I have ordered an in-home kit (from the big A-for best pricing). We'll have our first "official" PSA test done tomorrow to be sent to the surgeon for our follow-up visit. In the meantime, we'll perform the in-home test and send it off. This way, we can compare the test results on an even playing ground.

The point is, if these two reports are close, then we can do our own test every month, rather than waiting every six months - or paying for a urologist testing on a more regular basis. (Medicare supposedly covers only 2 tests per year.) Just a more aggressive "watchful wait" that maybe will give us a little advance warning if levels rise.

Of course, it still goes without saying, we're very much hoping that little "migration" is nothing to worry about in the immediate future.

Swim - you, in particular, may have some feedback on the accuracy of these DIY things. But, I'm also throwing this out there for those who might want to consider testing on a more regular basis for less cost (NOT, I might stress, as a replacement for a real doctor visit). I will, of course, be reporting on the accuracy for our particular situation.

As always, thanks, everyone, for being here.

 

Sterd,

Your PSA is still reading in the negative so relax. It would have to rise a lot more to be of any concern. The majic treatment number is .2 to .5 depending on which Doc one listens to. That could take years yet.
My suggestion is to read up on a product called Pectisol or Modified Citrus Pectin. Citrus Pectin is being extensivly tested for its ability to bind to cancer
cells diabling them from bind to each other. No binding and cells will die! Check out Life Extension. They have a couple of very good articles. Entrez Pubmed evn has some abstracts on it. MCP looks promising.

Green Acres,

I have little an no experience with home testing labs. I suspect Quest might be one reliable source but I just don't know..sorry. Check out the local no-appointment walk in place too if there are any near you. They often do them cheaply from what I hear. One guy gets his done at one of those mall places every month...but he's refusing treatment so he's tied himself to test anxiety like a noose instead.
Speaking of....
If you want to do a test because you don't trust the Doc's, doing it once or twice is okay I suppose. Just don't get yourselves all in a panic by watching the level every month. It's bad enough to drive yourselves nuts having to watch his PSA as it is. If ya get all anxious and overly watchful of it, your going to need a really BIG bottle of valium! Be careful...those tests can become an obsession. You will forget to enjoy life if you aren't careful.
See what the first one says and go from there...and check our Pectisol:>)

Paul had to have monthly tests after his testicular cancer treatment for the first year and it slowly tapered off from there. Funny that he doesn't get all anxious over his PSA but he still does that one time a year he has markers drawn for testicular cancer. The trauma of that sudden diagnosis, emergent treatment and follow up really left the my sweetie scarred.

Thanks very much, Sterd, for the reminder of the test sensitivity part. This whole aftermath is one big bummer - but we will carry on, won't we? My husband is of your thinking and is convinced it's just exploding as we speak. He's very upbeat and not breaking down in any way - just, well, convinced until we find out differently. That's why your earlier post meant so much to us.

Swim - this is a BioMedics product. We do - and will - trust the professionals who are testing. This just gave us a little upper for the moment to know we could "control" some of the watchful waiting part. I do understand what you mean about being obsessive about it and every little up would cause a panic. It's just all so fresh for us right now, this was an exciting prospect. We now live near a handful of very small towns and are adjusting to not having the very best facilities a couple miles "down the road." We're basically back to the mentality of "it's all in your head" treatment from the local docs. I know you've been through so much (with Paul and more) and welcome any and all advice. We will look into all your other recommendations as well (plus the pomegranate juice). Not to mention Crown Royal and Diet Sprite as our current panic reducer (that would, um, be in place of Valium).

Thanks!

GreenAcres- I hate that your pathology reports came back troublesome. That was my most recent worst fear (there have been so many, but who's counting). We just saw our doctor today for the surgery follow-up, and he is still baffled at how we came out of this so clean. I can't help but wonder if they didn't mix up charts or something. I probably need to quite waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I had never even thought of looking into home PSA kits. When I first read your post I was eager to get one, just to try to stay ahead and be prepared. But I can easily see my self getting obsessed with it. Let us know how it turns out.
We will be thinking of you both.

I can just see us now, chasing our husbands around the house with a lancet.

Ah... You could always save it for when you get irritated. Tell 'em it's all in his best interest.

Really though, I'm glad you read the fine print before going through the whole test.

Medicare pays for as many psa tests that your doctor orders. It must be coded as ...not diagnostic...but da other word...ya know the. You one that means you got the cancer and are tracking it...sorry the word escapes me....

Guys...a zombie thread from 2006...

Jim