Post prostatectomy: What do rising PSA levels mean?

In my case it meant that cancer was left on the margin and remains where the urethra was connected to the bladder. I have been very fortunate in that it has taken 24 years to reach the point where I have started Orgovyx. I had a radical perineal prostatectomy in August 1999 with a preop PSA of 2.6. My PSA went to near zero (.05) after surgery. PSA started slowly rising and I was diagnosed with a recurrence in 2007. It was recommended that I have radiation to treat the recurrence. I had 35 treatments over 7 weeks and my PSA once again went to near zero. However, it once again starting rising, but very slowly, until it doubled in one year (Jan 2022-Feb 2023). My Mayo oncologist recommended that I start hormone therapy which I rejected. In March I moved to Rome, GA and engaged with the Harbin Cancer Center. I had consultations with a Medical Oncologist and a Radiation Oncologist> My PSA was then 3.62, higher than it had ever been. Bothe Oncologists said that if I did not do something to lower my PSA the cancer was certain to metastasize. That was a wake up call. I started on Orgovxy on September 6. I had my first follow-up visit this week and my PSA dropped from 3.62 to 0.42. My testosterone also dropped from 185 to 3, that of a 50> woman. The most bothersome side effect has been hot flashes that occur throughout the day. I hope this gives some insight when making decisions. I probably postponed starting hormone treatment longer than i should have.

As the discussion evolves to talk about hormone therapies and testosterone blocking, you may find the search function of the group useful to discover other discussions on the topic. For example, here are discussions related to:
– Orgovyx (relugolix) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=orgovyx
– Finestride https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=Finestride

To find the Search for the prostate cancer support group:
1. Go to the Prostate Cancer support group page https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/prostate-cancer/
2. Enter your search term in "search discussions"
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I have been on Orgovyx for 13 months. I go to the gym 3 times a week and have an active life. There has been some muscle loss, but the gym helps that. A few hot flashes, not bad, nor awful. The side effect that bothers is pain in my hands. The pinky and finger next have pain that interfers with some things. I use compression gloves, which do help. The pain began 9 months in on treatment. My PSA has been kept at 0.04 following radiation and being on orgovyx.

My psa now.51 fm .24 last December. My second bcr. Rp 2018. Radiation 2021. 8 4/3. Urologist has me on finestride and bicultamide. Thoughts on this approach. Psma pet negative in April. Should I b doing anything else.

I did 90 days orgovyx. Lost muscle mass and energy but no other side effects

Finestride. 7 4/3. Rp 2018. 2 bcr and salvage since

Finestride is a testosterone blocker. I was 7 4/3 in 2018. Bcr in 2020. Salvage 36 in 2021. Bcr 2022.

I would like to know what does it mean s 068 after a radical prostatectomy. First PSA level came back less than 0.1 second one was used at a different lab second one was used at the VA first one was used by Atrium health LabCorp.

@itterac @michaelcharles
Anti-androgens block the use of testosterone. They attach to androgen receptors on prostate cancer cells and prevent them from using testosterone to grow. Examples of anti-androgens are
Leuprolide (Eligard, Lupron Depot, others)
Goserelin (Zoladex)
Triptorelin (Trelstar)
Histrelin (Vantas)
Degarelix (Firmagon)

Here's more info https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hormone-therapy-for-prostate-cancer/about/pac-20384737

What is tes blocking med