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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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you may also want to figure out your prostate density, velocity, etc. From what I understand 16.5% Free PSA is in the gray zone like the 4-10 Total PSA number. Anything below 10% free PSA or above 10 total PSA is concerning.
@so2315
Just call the Mayo Clinic and make an appointment. Your case is so early and so little has been done you can start from almost the beginning. You may be a lot of better off going to a center of excellence like the Mayo Clinic than going to a urologist. At Mayo, you have the option of many doctors to treat you, Not just a urologist. You want to speak to a surgeon that is usually a urologist, but you also want to speak to a radiation oncologist.
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2 Reactions@so2315, if you need further investigation or a second opinion with Mayo Clinic experts, you can request an appointment or have your doctor request a referral. See all information here: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
Deep breath. One step at a time. 🙂
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5 ReactionsYou don’t have to panic. As many other people here said, it may be unrelated to cancer and if it is PCa, it is most likely early stage and not very aggressive. You’ll be fine.
@jeffmarc FYI. MY friend is on Erleada- cost is 15k/ month. It went to his bones. Plus Trelstar. He’s 77 and lost his gallbladder 4 weeks agony x he s a hurting toad. Had dinner with him and his wife.
Information resources:
Patrick Walsh MDs book Surviving Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer Foundation website PCF.org - frees Patient Guides downloadable or hard copy
Best wishes
I had similar numbers and same situation with GP and local urologist. Urologist just continued PSA and DRE for a year or so and PSA never went above 5.4 Local urologist finally did a TRUS biopsy. Cancer found 3+4. Local urology practice seemed trapped in the 20th century and their office was a scheduling mess. I suggested MRI and they scoffed. I went to Mayo clinic and was amazed. It was huge step up from my local practice. My only regret is not going to Mayo first. I wasted so much time. I would advise to go to Mayo now. BTW, my cancer was actually 4+3 with some 5 and cribriform.
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1 Reaction@ecurb
When cancer continues to be active after both ADT and an ARSI then chemotherapy is usually used. Either that or Pluvicto.. If it has only going to the bones, then radium 223 is frequently used.
Is it possible that this friend needs to get to a center of excellence so they can get treated better? It is well known that the cancer can continue to grow, even when on those drugs. When that happens, further, treatment is needed.