So sorry but what is PED?

typo should be PET

I think that is may be time to get a new doctor or a new medical plan. You should be able to visit with your doctor face to face and not just text. At the least a video conference that allows you to have a decision. Also, a full body pet scan is a test to see what is going on and where and help to properly determine the best treatment. I think that something is definitely going on in your cancer department and addressing a new small problem before it gets big is best. Best of Luck.

I agree. I am searching for a new Dr

Thanks

Your numbers are low, so you fall in the category of early detection = many options. Definitely do your research and self-education and put focus into biochemical recurrence. Generally speaking, at least one prostate cell (or already cancerous prostate cell) remained in your body and it is slowly growing and shedding the antigen to give these PSA results. With this new found knowledge, you will be much better equipped to make an informed decision as to whether you need a new doctor, but in general you will need a health team.

Depending on the pathology from your surgery, Gleason score, decipher test, and genetic testing, that will create a solid foundation for next steps. Usually next steps would lean into imaging (bone/mri/ct), and while a PSMA PET scan will certainly give you the best input, your insurance may require a sequential approach. Some online videos of PSMA PET scan indicate doctors like to wait until the PSA is higher so that the test has more of a marker to find.

The cancer cells could be in the prostate bed area, it could have spread to one or a few regions elsewhere. You are in an excellent position to go the route of education, advocate, and make a decision, remember, you are at the point of many options, and the most important option is to live life to the fullest.

Sending all good thoughts.

You may find a webinar helpful from the Prostate Cancer Foundation PC f.org go to the website click on the menu top right patient resources click on the arrow go to patient webinars and January 17

Rising PSA after treatment

I had BCM at the end of 21' of .2, then .3 by the time of PET scan and prior to that that relatively new Versa system. I'm presently 63, but had RP at 53 yo and Gleason 9. My PET scan read inconclusive? (Level/grade 3), but they all seemed to believe that was it. I haven't asked, but had it been too small to catch, they may not have extended the treatment area as they ended up doing. It's a double edge sword for me. I wish they had acted quicker, but i waited a few weeks to retest and it had risen to a ,3 when they did the PET scan. My Oncologist suggested there was about of 40% chance of them seeing it. So, it has recently been a year of completing the radiation and Orgvx last month, and extremely grateful to get an undetectable on the sensitive one. One thing I see that does concern me sometimes, is not using a well credentialed Institution, seems like they have the most cutting edge technology. Forgive me, I digress, but these community hospitals scare me. I can understand if there's nothing within a hundred miles or something, but I believe these institutions have local help with temporary housing for the patient. I personally had a friend recently diagnosed with a cancer, I suggested JHH because only 60 miles way, but they chose local. I say no more because I don't want to get in anyone's business, but they approached me, I shared it once. There may be components I'm just unaware of. Best wishes to you!!!

Cryptic isn't for everyone, but my MD already told me that's what I could expect, and it hasn't happened yet. (I ask a lot of questions, but I prepare them ahead of time because I know his time is very tightly scheduled. I also know it is the charge nurse who will handle any out-of-appointment questions, so I'm guessing she is sitting there with the MD once a day, going through the questions as quickly as possible, and he's answering as quickly as possible.
So what I'm saying is you got the answer to your question, and nothing else is needed since it's still early to either radiate or test further.
It's early to radiate because it's expensive, you can't go back and do it willy-nilly, and you want to radiate at the time it will make the most difference in the progress of the cancer. (But if you ask for it, they could still do it now, they just focus where they think the cancer might be. And it will affect quality of life.)
It's early to do a PET scan because they are notoriously poor at finding the cancer until levels rise as your MD specified. Of course, they are also expensive, so you want to do them at the best time, especially if you're planning that insurance (or medicare) will cover it.

I drove 10 hours to Mayo Rochester. Best decision ever. My doc’s approach was to go at the cancer aggressively so that you get ahead of it and stay clear for 10 years +. My University docs wouldn’t do this. I went from stage 4 to clear. Do your homework and ask lots of questions.

My wife asked our university doc why he wasn’t doing a PSMA PET scan instead of a regular PET scan. He agreed it was better but since the insurance generally won’t cover it, they don’t mention it. (We called the insurance and paid the $300 premium. My life is worth it.)

Good luck.