Guest guest Posted December 3, 2008 Report Share Posted December 3, 2008 Just got my latest PSA in the post – my user friendly lab now complies with the legislation and sends me each test directly, as well as sending a copy to my doctor. It’s up, which is a bit of a disappointment. Was 0.17 ng/ml three months ago, now 0.25 ng/ml. Not really surprising, since I stopped ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) – Zoladex in May after three shots and a good reduction from 42.0 ng/ml to the said 0.17 for six months, but not what I had hoped for. Interestingly enough, in complete contrast to the advice that so many men get, my urologist will not be bothered about this upward flick. He said, when we agreed to intermittent ADT that if my PSA level started to rise after we had stopped the therapy, he wouldn’t worry about starting again until if got back to 40.0 ng/ml! MY GP is not quite so sanguine and was reluctant to let me stop in the first place, so I guess he’ll be on my back to get another shot now. Such is the maze we face. My decision will be to leave it another three months before another PSA to ensure that this is not just a bounce/error etc – I have had a bad dose of ‘flu and have been on antibiotics – and see what, if anything has happened. All the best Terry Herbert in Melbourne Australia Diagnosed ‘96: Age 54: Stage T2b: PSA 7.2: Gleason 7: No treatment. Jun '07 PSA 42.0 - Bony Metastasis:Started ADT Aug '07: May '08 - stopped ADT. Nov '08 PSA 0.25 My site is at www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za It is a tragedy of the world that no one knows what he doesn’t know, and the less a man knows, the more sure he is that he knows everything. Joyce Carey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 > Just got my latest PSA in the post – my user friendly lab now > complies with the legislation and sends me each test directly, > as well as sending a copy to my doctor. It’s up, which is a bit > of a disappointment. Was 0.17 ng/ml three months ago, now 0.25 > ng/ml. Not really surprising, since I stopped ADT (Androgen > Deprivation Therapy) – Zoladex in May after three shots and a > good reduction from 42.0 ng/ml to the said 0.17 for six months, > but not what I had hoped for. .... Hello Terry, I've just gotten back from vacation and was going through two weeks of emails when I discovered this posting. I'm sorry to hear that your PSA is rising again but, as you say, it's not surprising. At least the increase is very small. I'd like to advise you on what to do but I don't know any more about it than anyone else, and probably less than you. I know that any decisions you make are going to be well thought out and intelligent, and right for you. I hope that you get many, many more years and that thing work out well for you. Best regards, Alan Meyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Hi Terry & Alan; Alan, your post to Terry was right on, I couldn't have said it better or as well as you did! Terry and Support group: I got my latest PSA results, and my PSA went from 3.15 to 5.2 in five months after being between 2 to three for 7 years after IMRT and conformal beam. I was taking 8 oz of Pom Wonderful for 2 years, and my PSA was between 2.50 and 3.50. About 7 months ago I stopped the Pom Juice and started to take the Pom tabs. one a day, and that's when my PSA jumped from 3.15 to 5.2 in about 7 months. Coincidence?--- I don't know, but I have started back on 8 oz. of POM wonderful juice per day, and my next PSA is in 3 months, so we'll see at that point what is going on, if anything. The one thing I do know, is that this insidious disease of ours, can and does cause a whole lot of anxiety, and no matter how much one studies it or researches it, and no matter how strong mentally or physically or how well off or how intelligent one may be, when it's time for the next PSA, most of us are scared stiff! And the question (at least for me) still remains. "When and should I go on hormones"? I'm thinking when and if the PSA goes to 10, then maybe that will be the magic no. But Terry waited a lot longer, and it seems that he made the right choice in his particular case. I really don't want to, because of all the known, (and unknown) side effects. What a dilemma! Well, that's my "RANT" for the month, hope I didn't bore all of you with my slightly longish post. BOB "G" Re: Darn it! > Just got my latest PSA in the post – my user friendly lab now> complies with the legislation and sends me each test directly,> as well as sending a copy to my doctor. It’s up, which is a bit> of a disappointment. Was 0.17 ng/ml three months ago, now 0.25> ng/ml. Not really surprising, since I stopped ADT (Androgen> Deprivation Therapy) – Zoladex in May after three shots and a> good reduction from 42.0 ng/ml to the said 0.17 for six months,> but not what I had hoped for.... Hello Terry,I've just gotten back from vacation and was going through twoweeks of emails when I discovered this posting.I'm sorry to hear that your PSA is rising again but, as you say,it's not surprising. At least the increase is very small.I'd like to advise you on what to do but I don't know any moreabout it than anyone else, and probably less than you. I knowthat any decisions you make are going to be well thought out andintelligent, and right for you.I hope that you get many, many more years and that thing work outwell for you.Best regards,Alan Meyer No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.9.18/1849 - Release Date: 12/15/08 9:01 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 On December 15, Bob " G " wrote, in pertinent part: (snip) > And the question (at least for me) still remains. " When and should I > go on hormones " ? > > I'm thinking when and if the PSA goes to 10, then maybe that will be > the magic no. But Terry waited a lot longer, and it seems that he > made the right choice in his particular case. > > I really don't want to, because of all the known, (and unknown) side > effects. > > What a dilemma! I think that a huge dilemma is understanding the consequences of declining ADT (androgen deprivation therapy) and of permitting the tumor(s) to develop while delaying treatment (tx). Here's a couple of essays on the side effects (SEs) of ADT: http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/andind/Guess_TestosteroneSideEffects.ht\ ml or http://tinyurl.com/2ymb8f http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/sidefx/Strum_ADS.html or http://tinyurl.com/g6fzp I'm unsure what Bob refers to as " unknown " SEs. Seems to me we have plenty enough to concern us without fretting over something that's unknown even after years of clinical experience with ADT. And I recommend bearing in mind that any particular patient might experience some, none, or all of the possible SEs and that those that are experienced could be of varying intensities depending upon the individual and the luck of the draw. > > Well, that's my " RANT " for the month, hope I didn't bore all of you > with my slightly longish post. > > BOB " G " > > > > > * Re: Darn > it! > > >> Just got my latest PSA in the post – my user friendly lab now >> complies with the legislation and sends me each test directly, as >> well as sending a copy to my doctor. It’s up, which is a bit of a >> disappointment. Was 0.17 ng/ml three months ago, now 0.25 ng/ml. >> Not really surprising, since I stopped ADT (Androgen Deprivation >> Therapy) – Zoladex in May after three shots and a good reduction >> from 42.0 ng/ml to the said 0.17 for six months, but not what I had >> hoped for. > ... > > Hello Terry, > > I've just gotten back from vacation and was going through two weeks > of emails when I discovered this posting. > > I'm sorry to hear that your PSA is rising again but, as you say, it's > not surprising. At least the increase is very small. > > I'd like to advise you on what to do but I don't know any more about > it than anyone else, and probably less than you. I know that any > decisions you make are going to be well thought out and intelligent, > and right for you. > > I hope that you get many, many more years and that thing work out > well for you. > > Best regards, > > Alan Meyer > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: > 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.9.18/1849 - Release Date: 12/15/08 9:01 > AM > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 On December 15, Bob " G " wrote, in pertinent part: (snip) > And the question (at least for me) still remains. " When and should I > go on hormones " ? > > I'm thinking when and if the PSA goes to 10, then maybe that will be > the magic no. But Terry waited a lot longer, and it seems that he > made the right choice in his particular case. > > I really don't want to, because of all the known, (and unknown) side > effects. > > What a dilemma! I think that a huge dilemma is understanding the consequences of declining ADT (androgen deprivation therapy) and of permitting the tumor(s) to develop while delaying treatment (tx). Here's a couple of essays on the side effects (SEs) of ADT: http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/andind/Guess_TestosteroneSideEffects.ht\ ml or http://tinyurl.com/2ymb8f http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/sidefx/Strum_ADS.html or http://tinyurl.com/g6fzp I'm unsure what Bob refers to as " unknown " SEs. Seems to me we have plenty enough to concern us without fretting over something that's unknown even after years of clinical experience with ADT. And I recommend bearing in mind that any particular patient might experience some, none, or all of the possible SEs and that those that are experienced could be of varying intensities depending upon the individual and the luck of the draw. > > Well, that's my " RANT " for the month, hope I didn't bore all of you > with my slightly longish post. > > BOB " G " > > > > > * Re: Darn > it! > > >> Just got my latest PSA in the post – my user friendly lab now >> complies with the legislation and sends me each test directly, as >> well as sending a copy to my doctor. It’s up, which is a bit of a >> disappointment. Was 0.17 ng/ml three months ago, now 0.25 ng/ml. >> Not really surprising, since I stopped ADT (Androgen Deprivation >> Therapy) – Zoladex in May after three shots and a good reduction >> from 42.0 ng/ml to the said 0.17 for six months, but not what I had >> hoped for. > ... > > Hello Terry, > > I've just gotten back from vacation and was going through two weeks > of emails when I discovered this posting. > > I'm sorry to hear that your PSA is rising again but, as you say, it's > not surprising. At least the increase is very small. > > I'd like to advise you on what to do but I don't know any more about > it than anyone else, and probably less than you. I know that any > decisions you make are going to be well thought out and intelligent, > and right for you. > > I hope that you get many, many more years and that thing work out > well for you. > > Best regards, > > Alan Meyer > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: > 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.9.18/1849 - Release Date: 12/15/08 9:01 > AM > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Thanks Alan. A number of people mailed me on and off Lists about my post – expressing sympathy and some suggesting that I get onto treatment as soon as….. It was nice to know that people cared enough to mail me – that is the value of these Lists – but, as I said it was not really surprising that there was an upward movement because when all is said and done I still have my prostate gland, and it is a very large one, probably about 100 gm, so I have to expect to see some PSA being generated from the gland itself – possibly up to 6.00 ng/ml or higher, depending on which formula is used. It was just wishful thinking to hope that the PSA might have stayed at the very low level when I stopped ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy). One of the weird features about PSA anxiety is the differing levels at which people become anxious. As most people on the List will know, my YANA – You Are Not Alone Now at http://www.yananow.net site has more than 550 stories of men who have been diagnosed with PCa so there is a constant stream of entries as they update their stories and new experiences are uploaded to the site. In these entries you will see men very concerned about a changed from, say 0.03 to 0.05, while another man is happy that his PSA is down to 2.50 and yet another that his has only risen to 45.0. Of course each of these men has probably had different treatment – the man troubling himself over the minuscule rise in his ultra sensitive test result probably had surgery; the man content with the 2.5 reading would likely have had radiotherapy and, like me, would not expect that his PSA would ever be undetectable; the man with the high PSA may just be grateful that his ADT has slowed down his disease. It is issues like these that have to be taken into account when offering information or advice to men – we are all different; we all have differing outlooks on life. All the best Terry Herbert I have no medical qualifications but I was diagnosed in ‘96: and have learned a bit since then. My sites are at www.yananow.net and www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za Dr “Snuffy” Myers : " As a physician, I am painfully aware that most of the decisions we make with regard to prostate cancer are made with inadequate data " From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of Alan Meyer Sent: Tuesday, 16 December 2008 6:51 AM To: ProstateCancerSupport Subject: Re: Darn it! > Just got my latest PSA in the post – my user friendly lab now > complies with the legislation and sends me each test directly, > as well as sending a copy to my doctor. It’s up, which is a bit > of a disappointment. Was 0.17 ng/ml three months ago, now 0.25 > ng/ml. Not really surprising, since I stopped ADT (Androgen > Deprivation Therapy) – Zoladex in May after three shots and a > good reduction from 42.0 ng/ml to the said 0.17 for six months, > but not what I had hoped for. .... Hello Terry, I've just gotten back from vacation and was going through two weeks of emails when I discovered this posting. I'm sorry to hear that your PSA is rising again but, as you say, it's not surprising. At least the increase is very small. I'd like to advise you on what to do but I don't know any more about it than anyone else, and probably less than you. I know that any decisions you make are going to be well thought out and intelligent, and right for you. I hope that you get many, many more years and that thing work out well for you. Best regards, Alan Meyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Thanks Alan. A number of people mailed me on and off Lists about my post – expressing sympathy and some suggesting that I get onto treatment as soon as….. It was nice to know that people cared enough to mail me – that is the value of these Lists – but, as I said it was not really surprising that there was an upward movement because when all is said and done I still have my prostate gland, and it is a very large one, probably about 100 gm, so I have to expect to see some PSA being generated from the gland itself – possibly up to 6.00 ng/ml or higher, depending on which formula is used. It was just wishful thinking to hope that the PSA might have stayed at the very low level when I stopped ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy). One of the weird features about PSA anxiety is the differing levels at which people become anxious. As most people on the List will know, my YANA – You Are Not Alone Now at http://www.yananow.net site has more than 550 stories of men who have been diagnosed with PCa so there is a constant stream of entries as they update their stories and new experiences are uploaded to the site. In these entries you will see men very concerned about a changed from, say 0.03 to 0.05, while another man is happy that his PSA is down to 2.50 and yet another that his has only risen to 45.0. Of course each of these men has probably had different treatment – the man troubling himself over the minuscule rise in his ultra sensitive test result probably had surgery; the man content with the 2.5 reading would likely have had radiotherapy and, like me, would not expect that his PSA would ever be undetectable; the man with the high PSA may just be grateful that his ADT has slowed down his disease. It is issues like these that have to be taken into account when offering information or advice to men – we are all different; we all have differing outlooks on life. All the best Terry Herbert I have no medical qualifications but I was diagnosed in ‘96: and have learned a bit since then. My sites are at www.yananow.net and www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za Dr “Snuffy” Myers : " As a physician, I am painfully aware that most of the decisions we make with regard to prostate cancer are made with inadequate data " From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of Alan Meyer Sent: Tuesday, 16 December 2008 6:51 AM To: ProstateCancerSupport Subject: Re: Darn it! > Just got my latest PSA in the post – my user friendly lab now > complies with the legislation and sends me each test directly, > as well as sending a copy to my doctor. It’s up, which is a bit > of a disappointment. Was 0.17 ng/ml three months ago, now 0.25 > ng/ml. Not really surprising, since I stopped ADT (Androgen > Deprivation Therapy) – Zoladex in May after three shots and a > good reduction from 42.0 ng/ml to the said 0.17 for six months, > but not what I had hoped for. .... Hello Terry, I've just gotten back from vacation and was going through two weeks of emails when I discovered this posting. I'm sorry to hear that your PSA is rising again but, as you say, it's not surprising. At least the increase is very small. I'd like to advise you on what to do but I don't know any more about it than anyone else, and probably less than you. I know that any decisions you make are going to be well thought out and intelligent, and right for you. I hope that you get many, many more years and that thing work out well for you. Best regards, Alan Meyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2008 Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 Bob, this is certainly the question that doctors debate all the time. Since no one has proven that hormone therapy prolongs survival, but it does delay progression, almost any answer is reasonable. That is part of the enthusiasm for intermittent therapy ( a video is on the website) because it keeps the PSA from rising to high numbers while limiting the side effects of the hormone treatment. I also think that doubling time is helpful; those doubling rapidly are likely to be on it much sooner so then why wait, but for those doubling slowly, it seems much less urgent.Gerald Chodak, M.D.To: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 2:49:48 PMSubject: Re: Darn it! Hi Terry & Alan; Alan, your post to Terry was right on, I couldn't have said it better or as well as you did! Terry and Support group: I got my latest PSA results, and my PSA went from 3.15 to 5.2 in five months after being between 2 to three for 7 years after IMRT and conformal beam. I was taking 8 oz of Pom Wonderful for 2 years, and my PSA was between 2.50 and 3.50. About 7 months ago I stopped the Pom Juice and started to take the Pom tabs. one a day, and that's when my PSA jumped from 3.15 to 5.2 in about 7 months. Coincidence? --- I don't know, but I have started back on 8 oz. of POM wonderful juice per day, and my next PSA is in 3 months, so we'll see at that point what is going on, if anything. The one thing I do know, is that this insidious disease of ours, can and does cause a whole lot of anxiety, and no matter how much one studies it or researches it, and no matter how strong mentally or physically or how well off or how intelligent one may be, when it's time for the next PSA, most of us are scared stiff! And the question (at least for me) still remains. "When and should I go on hormones"? I'm thinking when and if the PSA goes to 10, then maybe that will be the magic no. But Terry waited a lot longer, and it seems that he made the right choice in his particular case. I really don't want to, because of all the known, (and unknown) side effects. What a dilemma! Well, that's my "RANT" for the month, hope I didn't bore all of you with my slightly longish post. BOB "G" Re: [ProstateCancerSupp ort] Darn it! > Just got my latest PSA in the post – my user friendly lab now> complies with the legislation and sends me each test directly,> as well as sending a copy to my doctor. It’s up, which is a bit> of a disappointment. Was 0.17 ng/ml three months ago, now 0.25> ng/ml. Not really surprising, since I stopped ADT (Androgen> Deprivation Therapy) – Zoladex in May after three shots and a> good reduction from 42.0 ng/ml to the said 0.17 for six months,> but not what I had hoped for.... Hello Terry,I've just gotten back from vacation and was going through twoweeks of emails when I discovered this posting.I'm sorry to hear that your PSA is rising again but, as you say,it's not surprising. At least the increase is very small.I'd like to advise you on what to do but I don't know any moreabout it than anyone else, and probably less than you. I knowthat any decisions you make are going to be well thought out andintelligent, and right for you.I hope that you get many, many more years and that thing work outwell for you.Best regards,Alan Meyer No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.9.18/1849 - Release Date: 12/15/08 9:01 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2008 Report Share Posted December 20, 2008 Terry,Interesting data. One thing that many never think about is ways the PSA can be altered. I would advise men to abstain from strenuous exercise and sex for 48 hours prior to the PSA. I asked for a retest the first time my PSA jumped. The retest was the same. I had been getting the PSA and DRE ever since I was 45 as several uncles and my Dad were diagnosed with PCa. I am not one to take chances - especially with my health. My PSA in Feb 07 was 1.3. Not bad for a 55 year old. In Dec 07 I had a lumbar fusion. In Feb 08 I started peeing blood. My PSA was 2.5. Not bad, but again, not good as it almost doubled in a year. After 2 rounds of antibiotics, the PSA showed to be 3.78. I had the test confirmed by another lab. My DRE showed nothing abnormal. The urologist scoped my urethra and to;d me that there was an abnormality where the prostate was and he wanted to do a CT and biopsy. Needless to say, the CT showed a small mass and a slight enlargement to the prostate. The biopsy was simple. They told me to hang my butt over the side of the table. Next thing I knew it was 20 minutes later, I woke up in a recovery stall and was told I could go home after I went to the bathroom and had something to drink. They prepared me for the bloody urine. I passed it for a few days. It passed quickly. It came back positive in 1 of 12 with a gleason 6 (3+3).Keep up the good work of informing people and sharing. I will be updating my YANAnow when I get the latest post-op results (on vacation and mail on hold). First was 0.0 and the doctor told me that if this and the next stayed down, I would be on a 6 month schedule.Steve S in ArkansasTo: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 9:09:33 PMSubject: RE: Darn it! Thanks Alan. A number of people mailed me on and off Lists about my post – expressing sympathy and some suggesting that I get onto treatment as soon as….. It was nice to know that people cared enough to mail me – that is the value of these Lists – but, as I said it was not really surprising that there was an upward movement because when all is said and done I still have my prostate gland, and it is a very large one, probably about 100 gm, so I have to expect to see some PSA being generated from the gland itself – possibly up to 6.00 ng/ml or higher, depending on which formula is used. It was just wishful thinking to hope that the PSA might have stayed at the very low level when I stopped ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy). One of the weird features about PSA anxiety is the differing levels at which people become anxious. As most people on the List will know, my YANA – You Are Not Alone Now at http://www.yananow. net site has more than 550 stories of men who have been diagnosed with PCa so there is a constant stream of entries as they update their stories and new experiences are uploaded to the site. In these entries you will see men very concerned about a changed from, say 0.03 to 0.05, while another man is happy that his PSA is down to 2.50 and yet another that his has only risen to 45.0. Of course each of these men has probably had different treatment – the man troubling himself over the minuscule rise in his ultra sensitive test result probably had surgery; the man content with the 2.5 reading would likely have had radiotherapy and, like me, would not expect that his PSA would ever be undetectable; the man with the high PSA may just be grateful that his ADT has slowed down his disease. It is issues like these that have to be taken into account when offering information or advice to men – we are all different; we all have differing outlooks on life. All the best Terry Herbert I have no medical qualifications but I was diagnosed in ‘96: and have learned a bit since then. My sites are at www.yananow. net and www.prostatecancerw atchfulwaiting. co.za Dr “Snuffy” Myers : "As a physician, I am painfully aware that most of the decisions we make with regard to prostate cancer are made with inadequate data" From: ProstateCancerSuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com [mailto:ProstateCan cerSupport@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Alan Meyer Sent: Tuesday, 16 December 2008 6:51 AM To: ProstateCancerSuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Subject: Re: [ProstateCancerSupp ort] Darn it! > Just got my latest PSA in the post – my user friendly lab now > complies with the legislation and sends me each test directly, > as well as sending a copy to my doctor. It’s up, which is a bit > of a disappointment. Was 0.17 ng/ml three months ago, now 0.25 > ng/ml. Not really surprising, since I stopped ADT (Androgen > Deprivation Therapy) – Zoladex in May after three shots and a > good reduction from 42.0 ng/ml to the said 0.17 for six months, > but not what I had hoped for. .... Hello Terry, I've just gotten back from vacation and was going through two weeks of emails when I discovered this posting. I'm sorry to hear that your PSA is rising again but, as you say, it's not surprising. At least the increase is very small. I'd like to advise you on what to do but I don't know any more about it than anyone else, and probably less than you. I know that any decisions you make are going to be well thought out and intelligent, and right for you. I hope that you get many, many more years and that thing work out well for you. Best regards, Alan Meyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2008 Report Share Posted December 20, 2008 Terry,Interesting data. One thing that many never think about is ways the PSA can be altered. I would advise men to abstain from strenuous exercise and sex for 48 hours prior to the PSA. I asked for a retest the first time my PSA jumped. The retest was the same. I had been getting the PSA and DRE ever since I was 45 as several uncles and my Dad were diagnosed with PCa. I am not one to take chances - especially with my health. My PSA in Feb 07 was 1.3. Not bad for a 55 year old. In Dec 07 I had a lumbar fusion. In Feb 08 I started peeing blood. My PSA was 2.5. Not bad, but again, not good as it almost doubled in a year. After 2 rounds of antibiotics, the PSA showed to be 3.78. I had the test confirmed by another lab. My DRE showed nothing abnormal. The urologist scoped my urethra and to;d me that there was an abnormality where the prostate was and he wanted to do a CT and biopsy. Needless to say, the CT showed a small mass and a slight enlargement to the prostate. The biopsy was simple. They told me to hang my butt over the side of the table. Next thing I knew it was 20 minutes later, I woke up in a recovery stall and was told I could go home after I went to the bathroom and had something to drink. They prepared me for the bloody urine. I passed it for a few days. It passed quickly. It came back positive in 1 of 12 with a gleason 6 (3+3).Keep up the good work of informing people and sharing. I will be updating my YANAnow when I get the latest post-op results (on vacation and mail on hold). First was 0.0 and the doctor told me that if this and the next stayed down, I would be on a 6 month schedule.Steve S in ArkansasTo: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 9:09:33 PMSubject: RE: Darn it! Thanks Alan. A number of people mailed me on and off Lists about my post – expressing sympathy and some suggesting that I get onto treatment as soon as….. It was nice to know that people cared enough to mail me – that is the value of these Lists – but, as I said it was not really surprising that there was an upward movement because when all is said and done I still have my prostate gland, and it is a very large one, probably about 100 gm, so I have to expect to see some PSA being generated from the gland itself – possibly up to 6.00 ng/ml or higher, depending on which formula is used. It was just wishful thinking to hope that the PSA might have stayed at the very low level when I stopped ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy). One of the weird features about PSA anxiety is the differing levels at which people become anxious. As most people on the List will know, my YANA – You Are Not Alone Now at http://www.yananow. net site has more than 550 stories of men who have been diagnosed with PCa so there is a constant stream of entries as they update their stories and new experiences are uploaded to the site. In these entries you will see men very concerned about a changed from, say 0.03 to 0.05, while another man is happy that his PSA is down to 2.50 and yet another that his has only risen to 45.0. Of course each of these men has probably had different treatment – the man troubling himself over the minuscule rise in his ultra sensitive test result probably had surgery; the man content with the 2.5 reading would likely have had radiotherapy and, like me, would not expect that his PSA would ever be undetectable; the man with the high PSA may just be grateful that his ADT has slowed down his disease. It is issues like these that have to be taken into account when offering information or advice to men – we are all different; we all have differing outlooks on life. All the best Terry Herbert I have no medical qualifications but I was diagnosed in ‘96: and have learned a bit since then. My sites are at www.yananow. net and www.prostatecancerw atchfulwaiting. co.za Dr “Snuffy” Myers : "As a physician, I am painfully aware that most of the decisions we make with regard to prostate cancer are made with inadequate data" From: ProstateCancerSuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com [mailto:ProstateCan cerSupport@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Alan Meyer Sent: Tuesday, 16 December 2008 6:51 AM To: ProstateCancerSuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) com Subject: Re: [ProstateCancerSupp ort] Darn it! > Just got my latest PSA in the post – my user friendly lab now > complies with the legislation and sends me each test directly, > as well as sending a copy to my doctor. It’s up, which is a bit > of a disappointment. Was 0.17 ng/ml three months ago, now 0.25 > ng/ml. Not really surprising, since I stopped ADT (Androgen > Deprivation Therapy) – Zoladex in May after three shots and a > good reduction from 42.0 ng/ml to the said 0.17 for six months, > but not what I had hoped for. .... Hello Terry, I've just gotten back from vacation and was going through two weeks of emails when I discovered this posting. I'm sorry to hear that your PSA is rising again but, as you say, it's not surprising. At least the increase is very small. I'd like to advise you on what to do but I don't know any more about it than anyone else, and probably less than you. I know that any decisions you make are going to be well thought out and intelligent, and right for you. I hope that you get many, many more years and that thing work out well for you. Best regards, Alan Meyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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