Some advice needed please

I think the two questions I am about to ask will be pretty unanswerable really but if anyone could offer any insight I would be really grateful

Firstly, Rick finds out in under two weeks his PSA numbers after being on HT (Zolodex) for three months. Given that it started off at 17, does anyone have any idea what might be seen as a positive decrease? I know any decrease is positive but we're trying to work out if his PSA drops to, say 12 or 10 or 8 or whatever how encouraged the doctor will be with this. Rick says he wants to know, whether it's an encouraging result or not

Secondly, over the last few days, he has had a problem peeing naturally and has had to use self-catheterising again (he had been able to do without them and pee naturally up until now) We are concerned that this might mean that the tumour on his prostate is growing and that it what's stopping his natural flow

I should point out that this whole thing was brought to a head with Rick experiencing an acute urinary retention episode some months ago and he was given anti-inflammatory tablets to reduce the swelling. The cancer was found incidentally at the time.

We don't know whether to contact the oncology nurse about this new development

I know that particularly for the first question, there is likely to be no definitive answer but any input on either question would be much appreciated

Hoping all is well with everyone

Julia

Thanks Tony, we will be contacting his nurse today to get some advice re the continence.

His doctor didn't seem to think radiation therapy would benefit Rick but it seems in the US it is used more often (we are in the UK) This actually worries me as I believe survival rates are much better in the US so am concerned that here in the UK we are lagging behind.

I read somewhere that the quicker the PSA goes down in the first seven months of treatment, the better the longterm outcome. Has anyone heard this?

Julia

Hi Walt, thanks for your reply

It makes total sense what you say about watching for trends rather than individual numbers. I think this first PSA reading wont really tell us much (providing it has gone down, which I am sure will be the case!) It will be future readings which make up the bigger picture.

I have made a note of the drugs you mentioned and will enquire when Rick has his appointment in November.

Rick called the oncology nurse and I'm sorry to say she was really short with him. Kind of indicated "Well this sort of thing is what your appointment is for - we'll discuss it then"!! His appointment isn't until the 7th Nov - quite a while to wait when you're having this kind of problem.

Thank goodness for this forum. I am going to suggest to Rick that he registers so he can experience the warmth and support of people who pretty much know exactly what he is going through

Hope you have a lovely day :)

Julia