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New to this group and in total panic!
I will start out by saying I am 58 years old, in great health. I have been seeing my GP every 6 months for hypertension for the last 5 years or so. Shortly after starting meds for HBP, things down south started slowly fading away (ED) and I attributed this to the BP meds and age. My PSA 5 years ago was around 2, and last year it was 3. GP mentioned the bump up from 2-3, but wasn't concerned due to the 5 year gap in testing. This week I went in for my 6 month checkup, and they didn't do a PSA test. I mentioned that 6 months ago you noticed it went up, and wasn't concerned, but I would like to know since my father was diagnosed with PC at age 77.
Did another blood draw and PSA came back at 4.3 and free PSA came back at 16.5. Dr said she was pretty sure I am fine as the majority of higher levels are enlarged prostate, but referred me to a urologist for further testing.
Needless to say I am totally freaked out by this, and have been getting very depressed waiting a week to see the urologist. Like anybody else, I have been scouring the internet and though my numbers are just on the edge of normal, I am seeing signs like the ED pointing in the wrong direction. I needed to vent to someone today as I have nobody other than my wife to talk to, and she is getting tired of me worrying to the point of depression,
Are my numbers concerning? I feel like I have just been told my life is over
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@englishjea
Was anything else found in his biopsy? Just high Gleason score is not enough information.
He is a Gleeson 9 the 8’s don’t count medically, only the highest score.
Were any of These items found in his biopsy extra capillary extensions, intraductal, Cribriform, EPE or seminal vesicle invasion
Any of those can make the cancer much more aggressive. In many cases, surgery is preferred if these are found.
If he has large cribriform Then surgery is preferred to get it completely.
Is he going to have a PSMA Pet scan? That should be done to find out if the cancer is spread anywhere else in his body. If it has then radiation is what is used. You really need to ask the doctor when he’s going to have this test done. It really is essential.
I know people who have been treated properly, and they are still alive 20 and 30 years later, even though they are a Gleason nine.
You might want to have him have a Prostox test done. That can show if radiation is going to cause him problems.
Your life isn't over, but it might look different. We are only alone with this if we choose to be. While this site is truly a great resource, being able to sit down with male friends or a PC support group face to face has huge value. It's perfectly normal to have anxiety during this part of your process. Are you in the US? If so, where? We have guys from all over the states and international that might be able to refer you to a provider that they've had a positive experience with. And those they can't recommend. I'm in Virginia.
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1 ReactionHBP meds like Olmesartan should have little effect on your PSA, but if you happen to be taking a statin for cholesterol it's my understanding that your PSA will drop as a result.
@englishjea 73 myself with original Gleason 3+4 on active surveillance until this year PSA escalated with Gleason 4+5 on repeat biopsy. MRI unchanged; PSMA localized disease (one equivocal regional lymph node. Current data, as explained to me, documents equivalent outcomes (disease-free interval and mortality data) with RT + ADT vs RARP. Both approaches have potential long term side effects. Neither the Surgeon nor the Radiation Oncologist will make the choice for you; if you are confident in your treatment center and providers the choice will be up to your husband and yourself as to which approach is best for him.
I chose 5-treatment SBRT protocol after a Prostox test showed risks of longterm radiation side effects were low. Will continue ADT for 12-18 months per Rad One pending clinical course.
As mentioned before "Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer" (newest edition 2023) will review the data and help you and your husband understand your choices.
https://www.amazon.com/Patrick-Walshs-Surviving-Prostate-Cancer/dp/1538726866/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kvU1FpHOYx2iDPi7WeLlHkWqly5-EpCwIWz1Pyi_Oh3KHdBEzGPNUNRHJdZ5_KvjO4Yi8Ew-voWla6P5wtlqwyI_C_jj7MjE3C1xZp1d1NY.MdMWJ-h8aRPRzwdaaWV5BGdkSjSECKpPjVHYoe8WBTA&dib_tag=se&hvadid=694089841191&hvdev=c&hvexpln=67&hvlocphy=9031397&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=17494748654977838153--&hvqmt=b&hvrand=17494748654977838153&hvtargid=kwd-374528287585&hydadcr=15544_13657488&keywords=dr+walsh+surviving+prostate+cancer&mcid=a75a85296a1039e990dd0f08c2d9b222&qid=1760283907&sr=8-1
Remember all of us here can only share are own experiences. Rely on your doctors and their advice; seek a second opinion if you are questioning your team.
First: Don’t Panic. That is the natural reaction and I panicked when I found out. But what you will learn from this group is that you don’t need to. Besides PC being slow growing, it looks like you got it early. You have several tests you need to go through, to even find out what your situation is really. MRI first, then a targeted biopsy using the MRI images. Until then you don’t know if you have anything worrying. After that a PSMA Pet scan if the above shows anything concerning. My experience was an aggressive form (Gleason 8). But localized. I went on ADT and took my wife to Portugal for 3 months. From first diagnosis to treatment, I learned everything I could. This is critical as the decision, should it be necessary, is yours to make. Don’t be rushed.
Last month, finished 5 sessions of Proton therapy and am in the middle of planning for my trip to France with the grandchildren and to Turkey with friends. Good Luck, I’d be surprised if it was much.