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Prostrate cancer PSA

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  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama CSN Member Posts: 3,752 Member
    #22

    😄😄

    Yes that is right. Let's hope for a treatment without any event or incident worth noting.

    Best

    VG

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  • Stephens1961
    Stephens1961 CSN Member Posts: 18 Member
    #23

    I completed radiation May 12, I continued to have lower bowl inflammation during the treatments with relief from over the counter drugs. My second shot of Lupron was on May 25. I was informed that during my next Lupron shot is 90 days they will draw for my first PSA since starting this path.

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  • Old Salt
    Old Salt CSN Member Posts: 1,693 Member
    edited June 2022 #24

    I fervently hope that the docs were correct with their hypothesis.

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  • Stephens1961
    Stephens1961 CSN Member Posts: 18 Member
    #25

    My PSA results after 3 months of treatments <0.1 PSA

    and <0.01 free PSA. I think I made the right decision for treatment. Have to meet with both teams soon.

    Lupron was stopped after 6 months waiting on testosterone levels.

    still fighting the good fight

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  • Richard61950
    Richard61950 CSN Member Posts: 2 Member
    #26

    what stage cancer

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  • Stephens1961
    Stephens1961 CSN Member Posts: 18 Member
    #27

    Stage 2 with positive margins

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  • Stephens1961
    Stephens1961 CSN Member Posts: 18 Member
    #28

    My PSA after 9 months is <0.03 total.

    Meet with urologist next week to cover my numbers. I am not cured but am cautiously confident. The radiation treatment and Lupron effects still linger on but able to do many things I could before the surgery as well. Urination is doing well as long as I am only drinking water, no coffee or a cold beer or soda. I do take a bladder spasm drug daily. Keep fighting the good fight others have larger battles.

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  • Old Salt
    Old Salt CSN Member Posts: 1,693 Member
    edited April 2023 #29

    Looking good; hoping for more such (low) scores in the future.

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  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama CSN Member Posts: 3,752 Member
    #30

    Hi again,

    Moraly speaking, it is nice seeing the numbers as low as undetectable, but low PSA is expected to occur due to the biochemical castration effects of the Lupron.

    You need to confirm the levels of the testosterone to "validade" any level of the PSA when using this marker to check successes. T should be higher than 250 ng/dL.

    I wonder why did your doctor test the free PSA. It has no practical meaning in guys without a gland in place.

    Great to hear that the side effects are subsiding. It all gets better once T increases. Your newer you has almost "arrived".

    Best of lucks in your journey.

    VG

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  • Stephens1961
    Stephens1961 CSN Member Posts: 18 Member
    #31

    My most recent PSA Oct 2, 2023 was again <0.03 my/ml , I will continue with my urologist and a testing cycle of every 6 months until I hit 2 years from the salvage proton treatment. I can not say that I am cancer free but for know I am in a remission.

    Don’t let the old man in.

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  • Old Salt
    Old Salt CSN Member Posts: 1,693 Member
    #32

    Great report.

    Thanks for posting.

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  • Stephens1961
    Stephens1961 CSN Member Posts: 18 Member
    #33

    Haven’t posted in awhile about this journey so a quick update.

    April 2024 PSA is still non detect, meet with urologist and the plan stays as is, PSA every six months, yearly physical appointment with urologist and if I am lucky enough after 5 years and non detect results we will talk about yearly PSA.
    I feel good have some nerve damage in lower back from radiation and lasting bladder pain from radiation as well. All treatments have side effects you just keep moving forward.

    Don’t give up

    Don’t ever give up

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  • Old Salt
    Old Salt CSN Member Posts: 1,693 Member
    #34

    Thanks for the update (with largely good news).

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  • Stephens1961
    Stephens1961 CSN Member Posts: 18 Member
    #35

    well year 3 my PSA test from a new assay performed by the same lad results 0.08. First time it’s raised from <0.03. My urologist has recently left the practice but my surgent was kind enough to give me some direction before I can schedule an appointment. Do another PSA in either 3 months or at the schedule 6 months.

    So the journey continues, is this PSA bounce or the start of the next treatment?

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  • Old Salt
    Old Salt CSN Member Posts: 1,693 Member
    #36

    One can't tell from just one data point what is going on. I fully endorse the idea of doing another PSA test in three months. Good luck in the meantime!

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  • Josephg
    Josephg CSN Member Posts: 544 Member
    #37

    Yes, for sure, get another PSA in the near future, to start to determine if an unfavorable trend 'may' be developing.

    I STRONGLY recommend that you find yourself a Medical Oncologist specializing in PCa, to be the new leader of your medical team. They are best equipped to manage your case going forward, and they will bring in other medical experts as needed, to recommend and deliver specific treatments/therapies.

    And remember, for most of us, recurrence is a reality and part of our PCa journeys. While truly disheartening at times (I went 30 months undetectable before recurrence for one of my recurrences), we continue to push forward in our PCa journeys.

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