PSA Rising

jvancik · March 2005

Hi...I'm 56 and had an RP 10 months ago and just regained potency...never had any ncontinence...and starting to feel really good again...but the fly in the ointment...I've been getting PSA every 3 months after the first one...they've run 0.19, 0.19, 0.17, and the last one was 0.24...it has risin...the thought of having to get more treatment, losing potency and perhaps developing incontinence is throwing me into a depression...my doctor wants to wait and see...I don't know what I want to do...but I don't want to wait and see....anyone else had experience like this...what did you do?...what was the outcome?....thanks for any feed back!...good or bad...it is my lack of understanding what to expect that is driving me nuts!!...thanks again...Jerry

rogermoore · March 2005

Hi Jerry,

Although the PSA is rising, it appears to be relatively slow and not dramatically. I would have a tendency to go with the Dr.'s suggestion to wait three months for another test. However, If you are still concerned you might want to have the test run through another lab. It is my understanding that the lowest level is determined by the way the test is performed. I.E. the lowest level at one lab might be 0.10 whereas another might be 0.01.

Good luck on your decision.

Roger

Mark58 · March 2005

I'm 59 and had an RP on 3/26/04. My first PSA test was non-detectable. 6 months later it was 0.16. Now 11 months after surgery it has risen to 0.60. It doubled twice in 4 months. I will be meeting with the doctor in 2 weeks to learn what my options are. I don't know what to expect from either the radiation or the harmone treatments. Your PSA doesn't appear to be rising as fast as mine. I would agree with Roger that the doctor is probably correct in waiting 3 months. I'm afraid that will not be an option for me though. I am also interested in what some of the other members have to say about treatments when your PSA is rising after surgery. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted.

jvancik · March 2005

Roger...thanks...I appreciate your comments...it feels better to gain some perspective...I know I'm starting to lose it (perspective that is) when I wish I were back recovering from the RP and I felt that all I had to do was get better from the surgery....Mark....thanks...I'll keep you posted...and please do the same...I hope you get some good news from your doctor...my thoughts are with you...Jerry

nutt · March 2005

As already stated. your psa is not dramatically on the rise, only one spike and a small one.
You can confirm the psa with another lab but be aware that most dr's recommend staying with the same lab as a general rule for regular testing due to minute variances between the labs. Your are looking for consistency in results.
Since you are testing every 3 months, you may want to wait the 90 days to retest?
Regards,
Joe

jvancik · April 2005

Mark58 said:
I'm 59 and had an RP on 3/26/04. My first PSA test was non-detectable. 6 months later it was 0.16. Now 11 months after surgery it has risen to 0.60. It doubled twice in 4 months. I will be meeting with the doctor in 2 weeks to learn what my options are. I don't know what to expect from either the radiation or the harmone treatments. Your PSA doesn't appear to be rising as fast as mine. I would agree with Roger that the doctor is probably correct in waiting 3 months. I'm afraid that will not be an option for me though. I am also interested in what some of the other members have to say about treatments when your PSA is rising after surgery. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted.

Mark...I spoke to my urologist on March 14...he did convince me that the slight rise in my PSA was nothing to worry about at this point...that I could expect to see it fluctuate...he told me that should time indicate that there is still some cancer remaining that as long as radiation is done before the PSA rises above 2.0 there is still an excellent chance for achieving a cure...and at this time there is no real indication that my PSA will continue to rise...and although he discouraged me from getting PSA tests more frequently than every 90 days...I am going to get one monthly for the next 3 months so that I can see the variations that occur from test to test sooner...to get more comfortable with it...how did you make out with your consult?...I hope it went well for you...Jerry

jvancik · April 2005

nutt said:
As already stated. your psa is not dramatically on the rise, only one spike and a small one.
You can confirm the psa with another lab but be aware that most dr's recommend staying with the same lab as a general rule for regular testing due to minute variances between the labs. Your are looking for consistency in results.
Since you are testing every 3 months, you may want to wait the 90 days to retest?
Regards,
Joe

...well it looks like I'm a wiennie...my urologist told be to go ahead and get another PSA if I wanted to...so I waited a month from the one that got me frazzled...got a another and the results were 0.14 the lowest since my surgery about a year ago...so like everyone has said a single increase doesn't tell one much at all....best wishes Jerry

Willx · July 2005

jvancik said:
...well it looks like I'm a wiennie...my urologist told be to go ahead and get another PSA if I wanted to...so I waited a month from the one that got me frazzled...got a another and the results were 0.14 the lowest since my surgery about a year ago...so like everyone has said a single increase doesn't tell one much at all....best wishes Jerry

I experienced a very gradual rise in the PSA result (tested every 6 months) from 0.10 to 0.30 over a period of nearly six years. Since there was a slow but steady increase, the doctor started me on single dose Casodex on May 1, 2004. I am still on it, and the PSA fell dramatically to 0.10 - what it was soon after my surgery. While I don't like the side effects of Casodex, I dislike those less than I did the rising PSA result. I am sure your doctor will follow you closely, and the two of you will come to a decision about the best course to follow.

PSA Rising

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