1. < Men's Health

High PSA Levels: What is the cause?

Posted by harley52 @harley52, May 26, 2021

I have been fighting raising psa levels for past two yrs now. My urologist has done several psa and testostrone test done for possible ED problem . My first test was like at 7 or 8 when it is suppose to be between 0 and 4. He checked prostate and found it is enlarged . So he keeps monitoring psa. Still having sexual problems refering to ED. Test again before next appt . On appt date test was 12 for psa testostrone was like 200. He recomeded biopsy to check for prostate cancer so he did a ultrasound biopsy. Results neg for cancer. Has me test again before next visit psa 14 testostrone 192. He then tries some testostrone injections to bring up testostrone levels to try to help sexual problem test before appt psa slightly elevated testostrone 406. Still sexual problems so he sends me in for MRI to verify for sure i Dont have prostate cancer. Results still neg . Got frustrated no answers doc will not give me any meds to bring down my numbers. So he put me on bi mix injections to help with ED. Tries it out on me first then sends me home to suffer with a 6 to 7 hr errection and had to go back for emergency drainage of blood to bring it back down . Now really having ED problems even with bi mix prescription . Went back for test again psa 18.1 testostrone 204. Now he still refuses to give me meds to bring numbers down . Mri results found no sign of cancer they just showed i had a enlarged prostate. Which we already knew. Is my numbers going to keep going up and still test neg for cancer? What can i expect can the numbers just be high due to prostate enlarged and never have cancer? Where do i go next? What do i do next to get answers

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tonyinmi | @tonyinmi | Mar 7 6:31am
In reply to @nathandavid "I am 66 year old with prostate “infections” at least 5 since I was 27 years..." + (show)
@nathandavid

I am 66 year old with prostate “infections” at least 5 since I was 27 years of age. I have learned so much about the prostate and these damn PSA levels. So many things can cause a rise in that level anything from enlarged prostate, chronic prostate infections, infections and of course yes, cancer. Due to my Family History of prostate cancer, i.e. my Dad, his brother and my brother my Urologist pushed for me to have the biopsy which I finally did after putting it off for 4 months. Prior to that he did 4 procedures involving prostate, bladder and obtaining urine samples after prostate massage. I did some reading and ALL of those procedures could push the PSA up as they are stimulating and irritating the prostate. I had a negative MRI but I still agreed to the biopsy given my family history. I am awaiting results. The procedure went well. I had 2mg of Ativan in me which I took about 1.5 hours prior to the procedure and had no pain what so ever. Ativan is not for pain but I needed to have less anxiety and it did the trick. He did numb the prostate through the rectum with Xylocaine but I didn’t feel that either. I felt slight pressure from the “bites” of the biopsy tool but no pain. It was over before I knew it, hence the Ativan. Ask your Urologists if they will let you have Ativan or Valium or something similar, i.e. Benzodiazepines on board prior. Dont give up asking questions guys.

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@nathandavid Please provide an update when the biopsy results are known. I realize that the PSA may be a crude measure of prostate health but at least it's not invasive. Do you know if a DRE can miss cancer? This is the reason I see the urologist instead of relying on my primary care doctor for the DRE.

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nathandavid | @nathandavid | Mar 7 11:38am
In reply to @cekkk "I have read quite a little bit here, but still want to ask this question. I'm..." + (show)
@cekkk

I have read quite a little bit here, but still want to ask this question. I'm 81. Recent PSA test was 6 points something. My urologist would like to conduct a biopsy. And he said there is a 75% chance that I'm good, but that leaves at 25% chance that I have a cancer. And of course, without the test there's no way to tell if it's aggressive or not. My question is this. Should I proceed with the biopsy?

I'm 81, have minor kidney and liver problems, more concerning is nerve problems that have resulted in foot drop four years ago in one leg and in November, a few months ago, nerve/muscle weakness in the thigh of the other leg. And along with that is moderate but constant discomfort. I really don't need to undergo any procedure that is not clearly necessary. Comments and or advice, please.

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Sir, I would speak with your GI specialist and Neurology about the procedure and after effects. Urologist MUST know what medicines you take, dose and how often. I think like you, although I am 66. Given your other medical problems you want to make sure that a- it’s necessary and b- what your other specialists feel about your going through this procedure or any procedure for that matter. I put my biopsy off for 7 months due to other minor medical issues. Never feel pressured into a procedure until you have all answers. Not pushing religion here but…………. pray, it always helps me.

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nathandavid | @nathandavid | Mar 7 11:44am
In reply to @tonyinmi "@nathandavid Please provide an update when the biopsy results are known. I realize that the PSA..." + (show)
@tonyinmi

@nathandavid Please provide an update when the biopsy results are known. I realize that the PSA may be a crude measure of prostate health but at least it's not invasive. Do you know if a DRE can miss cancer? This is the reason I see the urologist instead of relying on my primary care doctor for the DRE.

Jump to this post

Hello Tony. I certainly will. Friends tell me different things, that if there was cancer I would have been told by now and that sometimes it takes longer than 9 days to hear back. I this point I am involved in my fun things and not that worried about it. Had to be done again, given my Family History. Dad had prostate removal along with removal of some lymph nodes during the removal and Lupron monthly injection for I believe 8 years or so and some type of oral chemo as well. Had side effects but from I remember the worst was “hot flashes” from the Lupron since it messes with a man’s hormones. He passed in 2016 but not from cancer. In fact he used to see Oncologist only once yearly from 2008 until his death. My Uncle had prostatectomy as well, no chemo etc, no radiation. Passed from something else, not cancer. My brother had prostatectomy at age 53 and nothing else and is doing very well at age 67. His and Uncle’s were caught early, Dad’s a bit late.

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