PSA up from 18 months ago..
Hi all,
I’m looking for some insight and guidance without knowing myself just yet.. I’m 52 and my PSA is a 5.2. 18 months ago it was 3.6. I have an appointment with a urologist in the near future. I’m not afraid because I just don’t know anything. I’m just a little worried about what may be. My father died of bone cancer at 48. My mother of cancer at 67. Anyway, I have been reading some of the post and I’m impressed at how tough you guys are! I hope if the results are not in my favor, that I’m half as strong as you! I have some upper back pain between my shoulders that feels like it’s burning me sometimes (hoping that’s not related) and my having to pee every two hours is bothering me but, I try to stay active and eat well so.. I guess I’ll see soon enough. That’s my introduction, hoping you’re all healthy and happy, thanks for letting me get this off my chest.
Is the back pain like .. just inside the wing bone?
Yeah, i had that. I used to ski alot. And as i tried hard to get good, i crashed alot. Lol. I got pretty decent for an east coaster. But... my neck. Two disks deteriorated. Had severe nerve pinching and pain at the end. Double neck fusion. Now THAT was a doctor. He fixed me more than 20 years ago, and im pretty much ok still.
I remember they were all telling me it was my neck bones, and i was like... but it hurts down here!So 3.2 to 5.6 in 18 mo. Check me but is that 1 yr doubling time?
Anyway, the way PSA can apparently mislead that i have read is...
- as yor prostate grows, it gets larger, more PSA. With this i would think your PSA would drift upwards very slowly with time as growth happens?
- if you get prostatitis, sometimes its reported that PSA can spike. Do antibiotics and also give it time, and PSA should flatten or come down.But if it don’t..
You better do yourself some studying now. Don’t fully rely on the doctors, they can and often do steer men wrong. You must become expert now.
Also go here and read these charts til they speak to you. Know them.
https://www.prostatecancerfree.org/compare-prostate-cancer-treatments/Thanks I will. Still waiting for the urologist to call. Now the last few nights I’ve been waking up three or four times to go pee. I’m starting to get worried now, I can tell something is off in my body. I realize I don’t have any real information but, starting to feel a little afraid now. Just not knowing, and I’m in my own head now. Think that makes it worse.
Thanks for listening
I hear where you are at this time and while it is easy to say do not worry it is quite natural and normal to do so. What may help initially is to avoid drinking liquids late in the day into the evening. Ditto on adult beverages or caffeine drinks as they can cause you to pee more.
Understand that Prostate Cancer is slow growing and while time moves slowly when you are waiting for MD's to get back to you, it is not a bad idea to follow-up with the office as it just might speed things along. Dennis (ProstateCancer.net TEAM)It is always best to let the MD's fill you in on what is going on.
Been where you are and have been battling an aggressive cancer for 9 years. I will say if you are not sure of your MD - do get another professional opinion. I recently changed Medical Centers and even though I was with a "good regional hospital" - my new one is offering some remarkable insights and treatments - not offered at my former.
You do have do self advocate when dealing with this cancer and by all means follow your instincts Dennis(ProstateCancer.net TEAM)
