How often are PSA scores 'wrong'

hopeful and optimistic

worriedabouthubby said:

I WILL be there- and a other question
Oh- I most definitely plan on being with him for every appointment from this point on. I'm going with him Tuesday. When I told him that he said "Why? I can go by myself." I said "But I have questions- and I want to hear exactly what the doctor says". He has always relied on me to be the one with the answers, so I don't think he will object at all. The main problem will be dealing with his fear of needles. A doctor broke one off in his arm as a child. Just thinking about getting blood drawn shoots his blood pressure up WAY HIGH! Like 180 / 90 range. scares the doctors!!! I really hate the wait. I wish we could go tomorrow.

He told his brother and my borhter-in-law today. We figure his brother might want to get tested soon- I don't think he's ever had the test before either and he is 55. He told my brother-in-law because they are running our family business and I felt that he deserved to know why hubby was having to leave work so often and so he could help him make plans about his 'duties' in the near future. Hubby is CFO- lots of banking, check writing, meetings, etc. Brother-in-law is COO. I may have to step in and help there too. We are going to hold of on telling our 2 kids (ages 25 and 33) and our moms until we know a bit more. Probably after the appointment Tuesday.

Thanks for listening and letting me ramble on. No one else to talk to. Thanks for the suggesstion about the support groups- but hubby will nix that- he is SOOOOO private.

Now- a question. If we see the doctor on Tuesday, is it possible to have the biopsy done before the end of the week? Is that done in a doctor's office or outpatient at a hospital? I know it done through the rectum so I see the need for the antibiotics and a fleet enema someone mentioned- I assume that means at least 1-2 days "prep" time? If I could, I'd have him start that stuff NOW!! Just so I wouldn't have to wait so long.

It all depends on what medications are being taken..some of them need to be stopped in advance. The doctor will discuss this with you. The urologist needs to first examine your husband, and then make a decision to do one...it will be based on the urologist schedule. Prostate cancer is very slow growing so it is not urgent.

The biopsy is generally done in the urologist office. However, if your husband has other major medical issues a hospital can be considered

If, and I say if he is diagnosed, you need to contact blood relatives since they are also more likely to be diagnosed...this will hold true for breast cancer as well since I believe that there is a correlation.

support group: my opinion, not going, less knowledge and worse outcome, or going, better outcome....your decision.

laserlight

worriedabouthubby said:

I WILL be there- and a other question
Oh- I most definitely plan on being with him for every appointment from this point on. I'm going with him Tuesday. When I told him that he said "Why? I can go by myself." I said "But I have questions- and I want to hear exactly what the doctor says". He has always relied on me to be the one with the answers, so I don't think he will object at all. The main problem will be dealing with his fear of needles. A doctor broke one off in his arm as a child. Just thinking about getting blood drawn shoots his blood pressure up WAY HIGH! Like 180 / 90 range. scares the doctors!!! I really hate the wait. I wish we could go tomorrow.

He told his brother and my borhter-in-law today. We figure his brother might want to get tested soon- I don't think he's ever had the test before either and he is 55. He told my brother-in-law because they are running our family business and I felt that he deserved to know why hubby was having to leave work so often and so he could help him make plans about his 'duties' in the near future. Hubby is CFO- lots of banking, check writing, meetings, etc. Brother-in-law is COO. I may have to step in and help there too. We are going to hold of on telling our 2 kids (ages 25 and 33) and our moms until we know a bit more. Probably after the appointment Tuesday.

Thanks for listening and letting me ramble on. No one else to talk to. Thanks for the suggesstion about the support groups- but hubby will nix that- he is SOOOOO private.

Now- a question. If we see the doctor on Tuesday, is it possible to have the biopsy done before the end of the week? Is that done in a doctor's office or outpatient at a hospital? I know it done through the rectum so I see the need for the antibiotics and a fleet enema someone mentioned- I assume that means at least 1-2 days "prep" time? If I could, I'd have him start that stuff NOW!! Just so I wouldn't have to wait so long.

worried
my biopsy was done out paitent in the doctors office, I was fully awake, now I had 19 needles and this will be a bit on the side of pain. I can see that you need information and this helps. The biopsy is done using ultrasound, the doctor will enter thru the rectrum wall and locate the prostate with ultra sound and then will insert the needles into the prostate and extract the samples. This process is for the most part very uncomfortable. The first needle sample is a pain killer. Keep in mind that the more sample taken will help in determing the type of cancer and the stage. The main focus here is to get a very good accurate sample. Now the next step in the process will be the Gleason score and the amount of cancer cells present in each sample. This is very important information, as this will for the most part set the stage for treatment options. My advice is to go with it and just work thur it. I did not like it, but it was needed, so enough said. Right now you are in the drivers seat on this, input, put your self back in a classroom of 20 third graders and I tihnk that you will understand. Stay with you husband and follow thru, good luck

Kurt

worriedabouthubby

laserlight said:

worried
my biopsy was done out paitent in the doctors office, I was fully awake, now I had 19 needles and this will be a bit on the side of pain. I can see that you need information and this helps. The biopsy is done using ultrasound, the doctor will enter thru the rectrum wall and locate the prostate with ultra sound and then will insert the needles into the prostate and extract the samples. This process is for the most part very uncomfortable. The first needle sample is a pain killer. Keep in mind that the more sample taken will help in determing the type of cancer and the stage. The main focus here is to get a very good accurate sample. Now the next step in the process will be the Gleason score and the amount of cancer cells present in each sample. This is very important information, as this will for the most part set the stage for treatment options. My advice is to go with it and just work thur it. I did not like it, but it was needed, so enough said. Right now you are in the drivers seat on this, input, put your self back in a classroom of 20 third graders and I tihnk that you will understand. Stay with you husband and follow thru, good luck

Kurt

Telling relatives- and more questions- and more sharing/venting
He told his brother today so he can go ahead and get a PSA. We will tell our kids next week after seeing the urologist. Son is 25 daughter is 34. He mother had a mastectomy in 1995. My sister had double mastecomy (her choice for the double) about 4 years ago (she died from an accident 2 years ago)- so they get it from both sides- God help and bless them. We even had a breast cancer scare with my mom this past spring- but it turned out ok.

As to hubby's biopsy- he isn't on any prescription meds. He stopped the zinc,DHEA and L-arginine immediately and only takes omeprazole and a multi-vitamin each night. He usually has one drink each night. Easy to stop that if needed. How long will he most likely be taking the antibiotics before the biopsy (and how long after)? He is allergic to penicillin and can't tolerate mycins and cyclens for too long or he gets mouth and throat ulcers. Is the enema like the stuff you drink before a colonoscopy? Or more like a "regular" enema?

Oh- and I didn't work with elementary (except for 2 years teaching 4,5,6th grade behaviorally disturbed)- I worked with middle schoolers. I was a mmiddle school (7,8,9)Learning Disabled teacher for about 17 years and a middle school (6,7,8)assistant principal (vice principal) for almost 15. I don't twitch too often anymore (LOL). I've been retired for almost 5 years. Seems my full time job now is taking care of others who had/have major medical problems. I've actually goteen pretty good at it. I am even in the process of writing a book to help cargivers! Maybe this experience will help me in that. Always have been a 'life-long learner'.

Hubby doesn't handle pain too well. I will have to encourage the doc to give him something that will help with that during the biopsy. He broke his ankle about 12 years ago and was begging me to take out the staples a few hours after the surgery! I've tried to teach him some deep relaxation techniques (I use those and self-hypnosis for my own pain) but he just can't seem to do it. He is also allergic to codine! So that limits things somewhat, too.
Oh well, I'm rambling..... time to stop for now.......

laserlight

worriedabouthubby said:

Telling relatives- and more questions- and more sharing/venting
He told his brother today so he can go ahead and get a PSA. We will tell our kids next week after seeing the urologist. Son is 25 daughter is 34. He mother had a mastectomy in 1995. My sister had double mastecomy (her choice for the double) about 4 years ago (she died from an accident 2 years ago)- so they get it from both sides- God help and bless them. We even had a breast cancer scare with my mom this past spring- but it turned out ok.

As to hubby's biopsy- he isn't on any prescription meds. He stopped the zinc,DHEA and L-arginine immediately and only takes omeprazole and a multi-vitamin each night. He usually has one drink each night. Easy to stop that if needed. How long will he most likely be taking the antibiotics before the biopsy (and how long after)? He is allergic to penicillin and can't tolerate mycins and cyclens for too long or he gets mouth and throat ulcers. Is the enema like the stuff you drink before a colonoscopy? Or more like a "regular" enema?

Oh- and I didn't work with elementary (except for 2 years teaching 4,5,6th grade behaviorally disturbed)- I worked with middle schoolers. I was a mmiddle school (7,8,9)Learning Disabled teacher for about 17 years and a middle school (6,7,8)assistant principal (vice principal) for almost 15. I don't twitch too often anymore (LOL). I've been retired for almost 5 years. Seems my full time job now is taking care of others who had/have major medical problems. I've actually goteen pretty good at it. I am even in the process of writing a book to help cargivers! Maybe this experience will help me in that. Always have been a 'life-long learner'.

Hubby doesn't handle pain too well. I will have to encourage the doc to give him something that will help with that during the biopsy. He broke his ankle about 12 years ago and was begging me to take out the staples a few hours after the surgery! I've tried to teach him some deep relaxation techniques (I use those and self-hypnosis for my own pain) but he just can't seem to do it. He is also allergic to codine! So that limits things somewhat, too.
Oh well, I'm rambling..... time to stop for now.......

Worried
The doctor needs to know about drug reactions, this is important. If he has brothers they need to know about this. As far as pain goes it will be there, you have to work thru it. Keep us posted all of the men on this site with PC have went thru the same stuff you are going thru, we know where you are comming from and are here to help. Right now for the most part the doctors are in control and will know what to do, but keep asking questions and donot let them off the hook, PC is slow growing for the most part. But stay on top of this. Your hubby is entering the Phase out stage and it is important to stay one step ahead. Good luck we are all behind you.

hunter49

worriedabouthubby said:

Telling relatives- and more questions- and more sharing/venting
He told his brother today so he can go ahead and get a PSA. We will tell our kids next week after seeing the urologist. Son is 25 daughter is 34. He mother had a mastectomy in 1995. My sister had double mastecomy (her choice for the double) about 4 years ago (she died from an accident 2 years ago)- so they get it from both sides- God help and bless them. We even had a breast cancer scare with my mom this past spring- but it turned out ok.

As to hubby's biopsy- he isn't on any prescription meds. He stopped the zinc,DHEA and L-arginine immediately and only takes omeprazole and a multi-vitamin each night. He usually has one drink each night. Easy to stop that if needed. How long will he most likely be taking the antibiotics before the biopsy (and how long after)? He is allergic to penicillin and can't tolerate mycins and cyclens for too long or he gets mouth and throat ulcers. Is the enema like the stuff you drink before a colonoscopy? Or more like a "regular" enema?

Oh- and I didn't work with elementary (except for 2 years teaching 4,5,6th grade behaviorally disturbed)- I worked with middle schoolers. I was a mmiddle school (7,8,9)Learning Disabled teacher for about 17 years and a middle school (6,7,8)assistant principal (vice principal) for almost 15. I don't twitch too often anymore (LOL). I've been retired for almost 5 years. Seems my full time job now is taking care of others who had/have major medical problems. I've actually goteen pretty good at it. I am even in the process of writing a book to help cargivers! Maybe this experience will help me in that. Always have been a 'life-long learner'.

Hubby doesn't handle pain too well. I will have to encourage the doc to give him something that will help with that during the biopsy. He broke his ankle about 12 years ago and was begging me to take out the staples a few hours after the surgery! I've tried to teach him some deep relaxation techniques (I use those and self-hypnosis for my own pain) but he just can't seem to do it. He is also allergic to codine! So that limits things somewhat, too.
Oh well, I'm rambling..... time to stop for now.......

Sorry to hear about your
Sorry to hear about your husbands situation. A few things to know stop any asprin , fish oil now to prevent bleeding. You will probably need to get clearence from health care for the biopsy and that can take a day or two. He will need to start an antibiotic a day before surgery. Most important ask for sedation which thay can do. It will take anywhere from 3 to 5 days to get a result back and be ther with him in the doctors office. He wil need to take it easy a day or twio after the procedure. Good luck and keep the faith.

VascodaGama

hunter49 said:

Sorry to hear about your
Sorry to hear about your husbands situation. A few things to know stop any asprin , fish oil now to prevent bleeding. You will probably need to get clearence from health care for the biopsy and that can take a day or two. He will need to start an antibiotic a day before surgery. Most important ask for sedation which thay can do. It will take anywhere from 3 to 5 days to get a result back and be ther with him in the doctors office. He wil need to take it easy a day or twio after the procedure. Good luck and keep the faith.

Keep the faith
Worriedabouthubby

Though it is premature to say it but Hubby’s biopsy may be positive for prostate cancer (PCa) because of the high PSA. In any case patient positive for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) can also present high PSAs in the 100th. However, you have mentioned that your husband is symptomless which may rule out such disease. Wikipedia described well about the matter here;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benign_prostatic_hyperplasia

I see from your posts that you are already prepared to confront a positive result. Even though, the news will still fell hard on you both. Knowing how to deal with the situation in advance can provide you some relief from this stressful occasion and so I would recommend you to get a book on PCa with complete details on the biopsy/diagnosing procedure and how to treat cancer. A list of questions to the doctors will be helpful when consulting.
Here is a link of some questions you may adapt to your list;
http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Newly+Diagnosed/Questions+to+Ask+the+Doctor

A compendium on Prostate cancer and care;
http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-138.shtml

High PSA is indicative of voluminous tumour, if BPH is ruled out. This is not a good diagnosis so that you may add to the list an item regarding the size of the prostate gland. The doctor performing the biopsy can do the measurement and such information will help you in decisions for future prognosis.

I know it dificult to accept but I still think you should go ahead with your plans for the rock concerts. It will be good for both of you.

I wish you the best of lucks.

VGama

mrspjd

worriedabouthubby said:

Telling relatives- and more questions- and more sharing/venting
He told his brother today so he can go ahead and get a PSA. We will tell our kids next week after seeing the urologist. Son is 25 daughter is 34. He mother had a mastectomy in 1995. My sister had double mastecomy (her choice for the double) about 4 years ago (she died from an accident 2 years ago)- so they get it from both sides- God help and bless them. We even had a breast cancer scare with my mom this past spring- but it turned out ok.

As to hubby's biopsy- he isn't on any prescription meds. He stopped the zinc,DHEA and L-arginine immediately and only takes omeprazole and a multi-vitamin each night. He usually has one drink each night. Easy to stop that if needed. How long will he most likely be taking the antibiotics before the biopsy (and how long after)? He is allergic to penicillin and can't tolerate mycins and cyclens for too long or he gets mouth and throat ulcers. Is the enema like the stuff you drink before a colonoscopy? Or more like a "regular" enema?

Oh- and I didn't work with elementary (except for 2 years teaching 4,5,6th grade behaviorally disturbed)- I worked with middle schoolers. I was a mmiddle school (7,8,9)Learning Disabled teacher for about 17 years and a middle school (6,7,8)assistant principal (vice principal) for almost 15. I don't twitch too often anymore (LOL). I've been retired for almost 5 years. Seems my full time job now is taking care of others who had/have major medical problems. I've actually goteen pretty good at it. I am even in the process of writing a book to help cargivers! Maybe this experience will help me in that. Always have been a 'life-long learner'.

Hubby doesn't handle pain too well. I will have to encourage the doc to give him something that will help with that during the biopsy. He broke his ankle about 12 years ago and was begging me to take out the staples a few hours after the surgery! I've tried to teach him some deep relaxation techniques (I use those and self-hypnosis for my own pain) but he just can't seem to do it. He is also allergic to codine! So that limits things somewhat, too.
Oh well, I'm rambling..... time to stop for now.......

DANGERS OF DHEA OTC SUPPLEMENTS
WAH,

Welcome here. I noticed you mentioned that your husband was taking DHEA. DHEA and similar type over the counter (OTC) endogenous type hormone “supplements” have many dangers. We know from personal experience: my husband took OTC DHEA supplements for several yrs prior to his T3 PCa dx in 2010. He discontinued DHEA use immediately after dx. We may never know for certain if they contributed to his high risk dx but, as far as we’re concerned, they may have. Doctors we asked, just didn’t know. It is what it is. Like most things, hindsight is often 20/20. Unlike Rx drugs, OTC supplements are not subject to strict FDA review, regulations and approval.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dhea/ns_patient-dhea "DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is an endogenous hormone (made in the human body), and secreted by the adrenal gland. DHEA serves as precursor to male and female sex hormones (androgens [testosterone] and estrogens). No studies on the long-term effects of DHEA [supplements] have been conducted. DHEA can cause higher than normal levels of androgens and estrogens in the body, AND THEORETICALLY MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF PROSTATE, BREAST, OVARIAN, AND OTHER HORMONE-SENSITIVE CANCERS. Therefore, it is not recommended for regular use without supervision by a licensed health professional."

"Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a steroid hormone, a chemical cousin of testosterone and estrogen. It is made from cholesterol by the adrenal glands, which sit atop each kidney." "In men, the increased levels of testosterone seen with daily DHEA pills could stimulate the growth of a tiny prostate tumor that would otherwise have remained dormant. Excess testosterone could also cause the prostate to enlarge, making urination difficult."

IF YOU KNOW ANY MEN, YOUNG OR OLD, TAKING OTC DHEA SUPPLEMENTS, OR IN OTHER FORMS SUCH AS STEROID INJECTIONS, PED's, ETC., PLEASE WARN THEM OF THE RISKS THEY ARE TAKING IN REGARD TO PROSTATE CANCER!

WAH...Worried About Hubby, as a wife, I am too. As a mother of three and a care manager for my 95 yr old mother (who recently was admitted to Hospice care), I also empathize and understand all too well your worry/concern for your children and parents. My husband and I have three grown sons whose risk for PCa is higher than most young men their age due to our combined familial risk factors (my brother has PCa & family history of hormone sensitive cancers). As a teacher, no doubt you are already aware that knowledge is power and can be empowering. This holds true for a PCa education also. You and your husband will be your own best advocates as an informed educated PCa patient and wife team.

Best wishes and good luck on your PCa journey together.

mrs pjd
wife of a PCa survivor, T3 stage