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PSA Anxiety

swl1956
swl1956 CSN Member Posts: 287 Member
in Prostate Cancer #1

After ADT, and pelvic IMRT earlier this year another PSA test is coming up at the end of the week. Last two were .04 which is great but I've been really stressing these last few weeks about this upcoming test. I guess the worry of recurrence just goes with the territory. Does this worrying diminish somewhat for those of you having been dealing with this longer than I have? Or is going to be this way every time bloodwork is scheduled?

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Comments

  • Josephg
    Josephg CSN Member Posts: 549 Member
    edited October 23 #2

    Nothing abnormal here. We ALL go through it, though some may handle it better than others. I tend to become more detached and introspective, as my PSA test date approaches.

    I will tell you that after 50+ PSA tests, the anxiety really never goes away, but it DOES get a bit less and less pronounced as time moves on, as the number of completed PSA tests increases.

    I wish you the best of outcomes on your PSA journey.

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  • Old Salt
    Old Salt CSN Member Posts: 1,696 Member
    #3

    My experience is much like that described by Josephg.

    BTW, I am about ten years out 😁and have my PSA tested once a year nowadays.

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  • swl1956
    swl1956 CSN Member Posts: 287 Member
    #4

    Thanks guys! It helps knowing I'm not alone in stressing out. I've been experiencing some back pain over the last week which is exacerbating my worries. Hopefully my paranoia will be eased by a low PSA. Well, I'll know soon enough one way or the other.

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  • Marlon
    Marlon CSN Member Posts: 190 Member
    #5

    Oh yes. Definitely stressed out. I used to say it was living 3 months at a time. After 16 months of non detect, it's less stressful up until the day of the test. And fighting the urge to look at test results online before the doctor visit.

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  • Josephg
    Josephg CSN Member Posts: 549 Member
    #6
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724963#Comment_1724963

    Very good point on looking at the results before the consult, and you are not alone. I get my PSA blood draw 1 hour before my scheduled consult, and typically, my phone beeps me in about 1/2 hour, telling me that my PSA test results are available online. I do NOT look at them at that time, and I wait for my Medical Oncologist to personally deliver to me the results (and all the associated perspectives, if needed, when the number is not good) during the consult.

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