There is no doubt that ADT increases the risk of depression, deep vein thrombosis and can increase kidney failure. That is among the reasons we chose to defer using it as treatment. However if your...
Jerryo You might also try to find a radiologist as your next move might be some form of radiation treatment. I was referred direct from a urologist to a a radiologist....
I was surprised when 8 years after surgery my psa started to move up. It was only .2 when I started radiation therapy. My psa was never at zero, still isn't....
This has been a very interesting discussion. Earlier in this thread, I stated that surgery for prostate cancer is an out dated procedure. I still believe that to be true. I understand, that every man...
I am of the opinion that prostatectomy is not a proper treatment for prostate cancer. Before high intensity radiation was available, surgery was about the only option. But we longer use leeches or...
Thanks for all the good suggestions. I meet with my doctor next week. I hope the Gallium-68 PSMA-11 PET will be an option for me. I have been followed around by this prostate cancer thing for more...
UCSF / University of California San Francisco has invited me to participate in their ongoing trial of the Gallium-68 PET. However because I am in an HMO, my out of pocket costs might be too much for...
Thanks Pratoman. Actually I had the salvage radiation three years ago. Information regarding the viability of a PSMA scan and trials is helpful. I am located in northern California so could have...
I have not logged on to this board for quite a while. Sorry to see the discord from such a good long time source of prostate cancer help. I would like some opinions on my rising PSA. As you can see I...
For some people (men and women)...cancer is the most interesting thing that has ever happened to them. So they wear tee shirts, join groups, get bumper stickers and get cancer license plates. If it...
Don't know if it is true...but I was told that the term "cancer survivor" was coined by the American Cancer Society to collect more money......
Good to know.. I remember when my "after biopsy".. radiology reports came back... the radiologists said my spine and hips lighted up like a "broadway musical" (I can't remember the medical terms)"....
Great comments...Despite surgery and radiation and more than a decade of treatment, I know my journey is still in progress. I am not a survivor, I'm just moving on down the road. If the term...
I think this post points out a serious problem with treatment options. Like many of you, I am years deep in the prostate cancer fight. BUT I do not keep aware of the many different treatment options...
I don't know your story BUT...If it was me ...I would STOP EVERYTHING...and get more information. Unless there is a lot of information about your treatment plan that is contained in other posts, that...
Even the very best surgeons are still surgeons. So they want to do surgery on you. You will be very unhappy with the Side effects of surgery....
12 years ago surgery was still being touted as the "gold standard" (I haven't seen that term used lately) for treating prostate cancer. Fortunately we have also moved beyond blood letting and leeches...
These comments are very important for anyone considering surgery for prostate cancer. After dealing with this issue for 12 years, I am convinced that prostate cancer surgery (prostatectomy) is no...
Most of the studies I have seen tell us that "most" men suffer significant erectile impairment after prostate cancer surgery, both open and robotic. A strong minority retain good function if they are...
Penis pumps after prostate cancer surgery are mostly useless. They will help introduce more blood and thus promote healing, but are usually not helpful for sexual intercourse. By that I mean, you can...
Hey folks...I hate to be a skeptic..But I ate well, controlled my weight, rode more than 5000 miles a year on my bike, ran 15 miles a week and did triathalons. I was diagnosed with gleason 8 prostate...
Thanks folks..I admit to being a bit grumpy at times.. It is mostly curiosity about the difference between my ultra sensitive and regular psa tests results. The ultra has always been 3 decimal points...
Portland zip 97201. Go to Medicare.gov. many options....
Since the end of radiation, my psa has waffled around +- .2 which my oncologist suggested was not typical. The .2 number is the same that it was at before radiation. Over the past 27 months (since...
Thanks logo Just noticed I was math challenged...77 not 78 this year. I am disappointed that my post has mostly been ignored. I hoped to get some real opinions...Oh well I guess the board quality is...
I have been around this site for almost 12 years. Biopsy in 2006, surgery in 2007 radiation in 2015. After salvage radiation (no HT) in November 2015 my PSA of about .2 (+-) has not decrease but not...
Thank you..I am just trying to confirm or eliminate possible cause. BP is well controlled but looking at recent med change. The parathyroid came up only because of the new test numbers. Is it unusual...
Recently I had a test that indicated that my PTH was 15. For the previous five years it had been about 50. My doctor said it was not a problem. I am now experiencing significant heart palpitations...
I have been taking statins for more than 25 years. First pravastatin then atorvastastin Yes, I was almost a beta tester. It sure didn't prevent prostate cancer. But I haven't had any heart disease,...
Many prescriptions for 30-1 bimix start at 40 units. You should be able to increase up to that quite easily. Increasing 5 units at a time is a very prudent approach. I started at 40 units years ago...
Hey...I have a great idea...Why don't we ask our government to set up a universal medical plan. Then everyone would have access to equal medical coverage and pay for it equally based on their...
Eleven years ago, when I started on this prostate cancer odyssey, I was already familiar with the medical community. I had been dealing with an early diagnosis of extreme hypertension and high...
Once again, excellent advice given here. Here are a few things to consider when making a Medicare plan choice. 1) The most flexible plan is an F supplement . It will cost much more per month, but...
I have used the same 30-1 Bi mix since it was first prescribed. It has always worked for me. It is not as powerful as the tri mix but never causes the pain I felt with the alprostadil. Never a...
My surgery was more than 10 years ago. I have suffered the consequences of that decision for all that time. When asked for my opinion, I say avoid surgery if you can. There are many better treatment...
Tri mix contains alprostadil which causes pain in most men. I have been using a BIMIX which does not have the alprostadil (prostaglandin) in the mix. I have used it for more than 10 years. If bimix...
My concern with regular users of opiates is knowing they are out there DRIVING CARS. About a year into my oxycodone use (which was very regulated), I found myself nodding off on longer driving trips....
You have been given much good advice here. Some people have no problem with an MRI. I do... I am very claustrophobic and after an aborted attempt with my first MRI I have found what works for me. I...
Speaking from experience, it is important to understand the chemical addiction that prolonged use of opiates causes. Anyone who takes oxycodone or fentanyl regularly is addicted. When pain is severe...
There are some experts who are saying that prostate surgery is a dead horse. Because of newer and better treatments, surgery should no longer be considered. If a man has a higher Gleason he will more...
I think we all understand that the practice of medicine is not an exact science. Since my diagnosis in 2006 prostate cancer treatment and screening have gone through a roller coaster ride of changes....
I was hoping to find out about the different type equipment used and if the ultra sensitive tended to give lower results than the regular. I hope to convince both doctors to request the ultra...
What is the difference between ultra sensitive and regular test besides the decimal? Two different docs two different tests, same lab. The ultra sensitive test over past two years is always .05...
I have been on an Advantage plan for years. So far, it has covered me ok. I did have to pay my out of pocket maximum ($4900) for radiation. However I would suggest if possible you change to a...
Even here you are being given conflicting information. I can only speak for myself. I had salvage IMRT without any HT in November 2015. So far it has been working. I avoided HT because I was already...
This is excellent advice. Remember there might be some differences in different states. I have been on a Medicare Advantage plan for many years. Before that I was on a Medicare plan with a supplement...
I do not have the same information that you and your doctors do. Over the past ten years I have become a NO Surgery advocate. I blame the limited diagnostic techniques available 10 years ago for my...
Surgery January 2007. PSA.01/.02 for years. started rising after five years. 2015 psa up to .2, IMRT one year ago Oct 2015. Waiting to see what psa does now. No HT...
Glad to hear that caverject works for you. I tried years ago. Not many users get the dry form and mix it themselves. I would guess that it is much less expensive that way. One of the problems with...
I am so disgusted with the pharmaceutical and medical company television ads that I have decided that as a matter of principle to not patronize any of them. I understand that this is a case of...