Phenom, While RRP has certainly given me a good outcome, it is still major surgery, and I was not one of those guys "on the golf course the next day." The idea of getting a definitive prostate...
I just got my yearly PSA test result back, and it is still <0.1. I have to say that the PSA anxiety is nearly gone, and I am feeling confident that I have beaten this thing. Looking back and thinking...
I had similar stats to yours after RP but still had anxiety over the PSA tests, especially the "ultrasensitive" variety. I was fortunate to have no side-effects and do not need ED meds. My PSA has...
I had robotic surgery, can my case was deferred to OK. However, I had to wait weeks, not months, for a special issuance of my 3rd class medical. The yearly requirements are not that stringent,...
Thanks for all of the positive feedback. I have also felt that the good outcomes are generally underweighted here for the same natural reasons. For the guys who are about to go through surgery, I...
Latest PSA remains <0.1 - undetectable. My uro will probably allow me to start yearly tests as opposed to every 6 months when I meet with him next week. The odd 2.5 year switch in test frequency...
Greg, Good luck with the biopsy results. If I had to live my journey over again, I would try to do a better job not worrying about things that have not, or never will, take place. Even though my...
I thought that the risk of tumor at the bottom (apex) had more to do with typical surgical margins in that area as opposed to anything inherently different in that part of the gland. In other words,...
rhb47, Dr. Patel was my robotic surgeon back when he was at OSUMC. Although I can't comment about the Global Robotics Institute, I can say that I was extremely pleased with the staff and the surgical...
41diagnosed, I would dismiss much of the last post. Although I disagree and question several things mentioned there, the "systemic" comment is not valid. Even if (and this is a BIG "if") you were on...
Casey59, Thanks for the explanation. My reference to the "lowest point" was after the PSA decay that you describe, and after the surgeon's recommended waiting period. What I was trying to describe...
An interesting comment for us "low risk" guys: " Of particular significance, however, is the ability sensitive PSA measurements have to identify patients who are certainly not destined to have...
Scott, I haven't posted in awhile, but your similar stats compelled me to chime in. You have gotten some very good advice here. I ultimately chose robotic surgery, but had I to do it all over again,...
Thank you everyone for the kind and encouraging words. This forum has been a tremendous benefit to me, and hopefully my occasional posts have helped others in some small way, too. In addition to...
It's been two years since I was wheeled into the O.R. on a gurney for robotic surgery. I was 44 at the time but had been fighting a rising PSA for five years prior. My father was diagnosed (and...
Assay measurements at or near the detection threshold are still not very reliable due to variance, i.e. the fluctuation in the reported value between successive tests in a controlled environment....
As I have posted before, I have been strongly considering a switch to the "standard" PSA test. I was fortunate enough to have an excellent pathology, but this ultrasensitive test has caused me mild...
I'm not sure that I follow this story completely, but there is no such thing as a "0.0" from any PSA test. If that is what you were told or what was written, someone is distorting the true lab...
Yes, please provide your stats following surgery. There are various nomograms online where you can plug in your numbers and get the probability of a recurrence x number of years after treatment. That...
I wish it were that simple. One one of the last visits, I called the doc's office and was told by the nurse "Sure, we can do the the standard test. I will fill the form out for you to request the...
I am particularly looking for a doc that can use the "standard" PSA sensitivity threshold of 0.1, instead of the ultrasensitive variety. Thanks in advance. CaPCa...
I agree with what others have said. I also think that your post-surgery pathology should also enter into the equation. Your Gleason is 6 - this is good. Do you have negative margins and possibly no...
I'm glad to hear you had a good experience with Dr. Patel. I couldn't be happier with my choice in him a year and a half ago. Other than the loss of ejaculate and some very small scars, neither my...
In the medical papers and abstracts I have read, a distinction is made between "biochemical recurrence" (BR), "local recurrence" (LR) and "distant metastasis" (DM). LR and DM are a subset of BR. I...
I have noticed, after following a number of signatures from other members, that the lowest ultra-sensitive level is achieved on the first test after surgery. This assumes that sufficient time has...
I am sorry to hear the recent news. You are on my mind and I am wishing you the best. Although I have no experience with salvage treatments (yet?) I would agree with Tony's recommendation, based on...
I, too, have had to deal with PSA anxiety issues. I am also a math and numbers person, and I keep going back to the statistics to help me out. Your good pathology means that the odds are very much in...
Jon, It may be my ignorance on the terms, but I don't understand how one can have a positive margin yet no extraprostatic extension - maybe someone can clarify this. If you truly have no cancer...
Jon, Your signature mentions "T2c" and "no extraprostatic extension", yet there is a "margin involved". Can you elaborate on what this means? With your low Gleason score, if the final pathology is...
Danielle, I saw a previous post recommending Dr. Patel for robotic surgery, and I wanted to let your friend know that I was 44 when diagnosed and had a tremendous outcome with Dr. Patel. I was about...
This is great news. As you can see from my stats, I had a very similar diagnosis and early recovery. A year and a half out, I still take a bit of Cialis, 5mg every three days, because I am having too...
All good points. I would summarize my concerns and comments as follows: 1) Preserving the ability to produce semen should be low in priority. Quality of life issues should take high importance in...
Bob, It's good to hear that you are carefully weighing all pros and cons to each treatment. PBT is an especially interesting alternative to radiation or surgery. Since I was only 44 when diagnosed...
Bob, I did not consider targeted focal therapy, but I have a concern with any treatment that leaves "healthy" prostate tissue. I welcome differing opinions on this. My concern stems from the fact...
This is, indeed, good news. I ran across a study indicating that achieving such a low level post surgery was the strongest predictor of relapse-free survival. (Search on "Using PSA Intelligently to...
Looking back over the last year and a half, I would have to say that I have been more anxious than average. However, it does get better each time. The first couple of times are by far the worst. I...
I was 44 when diagnosed and treated. I had (and still have) a very healthy lifestyle and diet, with almost no red meat. I did all of the "prostate friendly" foods and supplements. Unfortunately, my...
What is your reason for changing labs? Are you concerned about seeing fluctions in the ultrasensitive test, or do you need to change labs for insurance or geographical reasons? If you search my...
Thanks for the words of encouragement - it really, really helps. It is especially helpful to see the PSA numbers of others. I have posted on this before, but I may again consider searching out a...
It's been almost a year and a half since my surgery. As shown in some of my previous postings, I have anxiety over follow-up PSA tests. I had tried unsuccessfully to find a urologist in my area (not...
I have posted a number of times on my travails with the ultrasensitive tests. Your numbers are very similar to mine. You can search for my earlier postings, but I have concluded that there is nothing...
Congratulations - it's a great feeling to throw away the pads, huh? You'll have something extra to celebrate personally on Thanksgiving. I, too, am a Dr. Patel "alumnus". Having had a great outcome...
I was also told to use the pump at least once a day. It is a definitely a time commitment but I was determined to do everything possible to ensure a good recovery. Yes, nocturnal erections are a very...
My doc prescribed the pump and 10mg Cialis every other day. I asked how long this should go on, and the answer I got was "until you are back to normal". Although the pumping is time-consuming and the...
Ask your doctor for a copy of the written report from the lab - say it's for your records. My personal experience has been one where often doctors and nurses misquote the number. I have had this...
It's been one year since my robotic radical prostatectomy. I couldn't have asked for better results, and I hope that my experience will give hope to those going through the same procedure, especially...
I've posted on this before, since I have decided to switch to a lab or doc that uses the "standard" PSA test which results in a report of "<0.1" when "undetectable. Thanks for any suggestions on...
Bill, It's good to hear your PSA is still "undetectable". As I have posted before, I have also had a few issues with the reporting of my PSA results, but not near the level of issues you have had....
I don't have the most recent edition of Dr. Patrick Walsh's "Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer." Does anyone know if he still is against the ultra-sensitive version of the PSA test after surgery?...
Thanks to everyone for their opinions - I really appreciate the advice. I have also read about three consecutive readings in the ultra-sensitive range as a possible trigger for adjuvant therapy. This...