1st post op psa

spottydog10
spottydog10 Member Posts: 73
edited March 2014 in Prostate Cancer #1
Happy xmas and new year to all.
Just got my 1st post op psa 0.04.
Should this be 0.01 or am I worrying unnescessary?
Not sure how low the lab goes (UK)and wont be having my follow up
appt with the surgeon for a couple of weeks.
Hope everyones doing well,
Cheers
Mike

Comments

  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #2
    I don't think you need to
    I don't think you need to worry. They told me that if I hit .2 then need radiation. You are long ways from there. But of course follow up and make sure what the doc thinks.
    Larry
  • spottydog10
    spottydog10 Member Posts: 73
    #3
    lewvino said:

    I don't think you need to
    I don't think you need to worry. They told me that if I hit .2 then need radiation. You are long ways from there. But of course follow up and make sure what the doc thinks.
    Larry

    Hi Larry,
    Just disappointed
    Hi Larry,
    Just disappointed it wasnt a 0.01, but anything less than 0.05
    appears to be a 0 as far as I can tell.
    I'll ask the surgeon in Jan.
    Hope your doing well,
    Cheers
    Mike
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #4
    spottydog10 said:

    Hi Larry,
    Just disappointed
    Hi Larry,
    Just disappointed it wasnt a 0.01, but anything less than 0.05
    appears to be a 0 as far as I can tell.
    I'll ask the surgeon in Jan.
    Hope your doing well,
    Cheers
    Mike

    Doing great overall. My next
    Doing great overall. My next check is in Feb. How is that penile rehab going with your girl friend? I've been very pleased that Lavitra works for me. Of course hoping at some point that I won't need it.

    Have a good new year.

    Larry
  • Kentr
    Kentr Member Posts: 111
    #5
    Mike
    You stated "Just got my 1st post op psa 0.04.
    Should this be 0.01 or am I worrying unnescessary?"

    It seems everyone that has their prostate removed is looking for a 0.00 reading. I understand but I'm not sure that objective is as realistic as it should be.

    While you should certainly talk with your doctor about this, you should also slow down a bit. I just saw and old friend of mine yesterday (hadn't seen him in about a year). He's 65 and had his prostate taken out 10 years ago. His current PSA is 7 and his doctors are telling him not to worry. They will continue to monitor his levels as his cancer is likely slow growing. His PSA was something like 5.8 a year ago.

    Again, talk with your doctor but don't whip yourself into a frenzy just yet. In fact, if your doctor thinks additional treatment is needed, get another opinion. As I'm sure you are aware, there seems to be mounting evidence that many doctor's are OVER treating for cancer.

    Best of luck Mike and Happy New Year!

    Kent
  • txbarton
    txbarton Member Posts: 89 Member
    #6
    Post OP PSA
    Mike,

    My post-op PSA lab report said "<0.04 (Undectable)" The doctor said this lab does not report "0.00", the lowest they report is "<0.04 (Undectable)". The important part is "<" and "undectable"

    Maybe your lab is the same?

    I am very pleased with my <0.04!

    Happy New Year.

    VB
  • spottydog10
    spottydog10 Member Posts: 73
    #7
    txbarton said:

    Post OP PSA
    Mike,

    My post-op PSA lab report said "<0.04 (Undectable)" The doctor said this lab does not report "0.00", the lowest they report is "<0.04 (Undectable)". The important part is "<" and "undectable"

    Maybe your lab is the same?

    I am very pleased with my <0.04!

    Happy New Year.

    VB</p>

    Larry, nothing much moving
    Larry, nothing much moving in the ed dept despite regular
    naked sessions with my girlfriend. Still enjoyable though.
    Just have to wait, good for you though mate:)
    VB, yeah, maybe my lab reports no lower than .04, I'll
    ask my surgeon next week.
    Very glad yours is undectable, what we all strive for.
    Cheers,
    Mike
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #8
    spottydog10 said:

    Larry, nothing much moving
    Larry, nothing much moving in the ed dept despite regular
    naked sessions with my girlfriend. Still enjoyable though.
    Just have to wait, good for you though mate:)
    VB, yeah, maybe my lab reports no lower than .04, I'll
    ask my surgeon next week.
    Very glad yours is undectable, what we all strive for.
    Cheers,
    Mike

    Mike,
    If say I plan on sex
    Mike,
    If say I plan on sex for Tuesday night, I'll take a pill Monday night, then take another one about 1 1/2 hours prior to anticipated time on Tuesday night. Also I will skip dinner since it seems to work better for me on an empty stomach. It takes lots of manual stimulation from my wife. I also bought a penis ring at the adult store which helps to keep the blood in once it gets where it is suppose to be. I would estimate that the erections are about 75 - 80% of pre surgery hardness but enough for enjoyement. So hang in there. I know one of these days we will be hearing some screaming and yelling way over here in the states when you have success!

    Larry
  • spottydog10
    spottydog10 Member Posts: 73
    #9
    lewvino said:

    Mike,
    If say I plan on sex
    Mike,
    If say I plan on sex for Tuesday night, I'll take a pill Monday night, then take another one about 1 1/2 hours prior to anticipated time on Tuesday night. Also I will skip dinner since it seems to work better for me on an empty stomach. It takes lots of manual stimulation from my wife. I also bought a penis ring at the adult store which helps to keep the blood in once it gets where it is suppose to be. I would estimate that the erections are about 75 - 80% of pre surgery hardness but enough for enjoyement. So hang in there. I know one of these days we will be hearing some screaming and yelling way over here in the states when you have success!

    Larry

    Well, I got the other psa
    Well, I got the other psa result back (the one my surgeon did to put my mind at rest)
    It came back as <0.03
    Being a worrier, does the < mean the lab only goes to 0.03?
    Or does it mean that there 0.02 of something there?
    Cheers,
    Mike
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #10
    spottydog10 said:

    Well, I got the other psa
    Well, I got the other psa result back (the one my surgeon did to put my mind at rest)
    It came back as <0.03
    Being a worrier, does the < mean the lab only goes to 0.03?
    Or does it mean that there 0.02 of something there?
    Cheers,
    Mike</p>

    I think you need to relax.
    I think you need to relax. I'm no expert but .03 is great. They have supersensitve tests that might go out to another decimal point. I was told with my positive margin I'm fine as long as my psa stays at <.1 So you are a long way from there.

    I believe all consider .03 to be a 0.

    Larry in TN
  • spottydog10
    spottydog10 Member Posts: 73
    #11
    lewvino said:

    I think you need to relax.
    I think you need to relax. I'm no expert but .03 is great. They have supersensitve tests that might go out to another decimal point. I was told with my positive margin I'm fine as long as my psa stays at <.1 So you are a long way from there.

    I believe all consider .03 to be a 0.

    Larry in TN</p>

    Thanks Larry, I think your
    Thanks Larry, I think your right, I guess I'm just a worrier.
    On the ED front my doc upped my cialis to 10mg Mon and wed and
    then 20 in Fridays. Nothing happening despite regular sessions
    but very enjoyable all the same.
    Best wishes to you,
    Mike
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #12
    spottydog10 said:

    Thanks Larry, I think your
    Thanks Larry, I think your right, I guess I'm just a worrier.
    On the ED front my doc upped my cialis to 10mg Mon and wed and
    then 20 in Fridays. Nothing happening despite regular sessions
    but very enjoyable all the same.
    Best wishes to you,
    Mike

    Have you tried any of the
    Have you tried any of the other meds like Lavitra? I take it and having really good results. Last night was FANTASTIC!!! Best yet since surgery 5 months ago.

    If you ever want to chat offline send me email to lewvino@yahoo.com

    Larry
  • Trew
    Trew Member Posts: 932 Member
    #13
    Post Op PSA
    My first post op PSA was .06. It dropped quickly after that once the hormone shots were started. .06 was a bit high I was told at Loma Linda U. Did you have any positive margins?
  • spottydog10
    spottydog10 Member Posts: 73
    #14
    Trew said:

    Post Op PSA
    My first post op PSA was .06. It dropped quickly after that once the hormone shots were started. .06 was a bit high I was told at Loma Linda U. Did you have any positive margins?

    Hi Trew,
    No positive margins
    Hi Trew,
    No positive margins and the latest psa came back as <0.03
    so I'm not as worried as I was and the surgeon seems happy.

    Larry, I have an ED clinic in feb where they give you a pump
    so will try that. I'll certainly mail you if I have any questions, thanks.
    Mike
  • randy_in_indy
    randy_in_indy Member Posts: 496 Member
    #15
    spottydog10 said:

    Hi Trew,
    No positive margins
    Hi Trew,
    No positive margins and the latest psa came back as <0.03
    so I'm not as worried as I was and the surgeon seems happy.

    Larry, I have an ED clinic in feb where they give you a pump
    so will try that. I'll certainly mail you if I have any questions, thanks.
    Mike</p>

    PSA level Post Op
    Mike, anything <0.1 is acceptable for being basically non-detectable. If it goes up over .1 then something is still left in your body to grow....then they see how long the doubling of it is...to determine the rush or not so rushed to radiation. Another fact the doc told me is they like to wait at least 6 months after the surgery to begin radiation...for healing of all tissue prior to the radiation...one other fact I did not like to hear was that once radiation starts you will have no further improvement in the incontinence or ED issues..because they say it freezes the place your at in those two areas at the time of the first radiation. So guess that means ...keggles keggles keggles...and pills, pump and more pump..and oh yes the most important part...partner help!

    Good luck on the recovery all!

    Randy in Indy. OH and GO COLTS!!!!

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