Undetectable to detectable
Hi I'm a little depressed is the word it's been a year and a half since my open radical prostatectomy and life with the incontinence and Ed really stinks I'm 51 BTW I've just had my latest psa test and it has come back detectable it's low 0.09 but the last 3 have been undetectable at <0.05
Before you ask Gleason was the low 7 psa was low at 10.3 pre surgery cancer was 26mm and just penatated the prostate.
Anyway I've just lost motivation to do my weight training and feel quite depressed. I know it is not a biochemical recurrence at this stage but it's just mucking with my head a bit. Hand on heart I will not be getting any treatment if this comes back as the incontinence and the Ed just makes me feel so less of a man that any worse is just not worth it. Anyway I just needed a vent thanks for your understanding.
Hi
. Your concerns are certainly understandable and you never have to worry about venting here. You are correct that 0.09 PSA is not quite considered a recurrence yet. The PSMA is considered the gold standard for detecting recurrence and it is generally recommended starting at 0.2 (see: https://prostatecancer.net/clinical/psma-imaging-scan).
You mention your incontinence and ED side effects. Mind if I ask if you were on androgen deprivation therapy? Also, have you seen a pelvic floor therapist? I ask because they have a lot of experience treating these issues. Our contributor Rebecca, who is one, did this video on preventing urinary leakage: https://prostatecancer.net/video/urinary-leakage-tips and Erin, also a therapist, wrote this article on ED: https://prostatecancer.net/living/erectile-dysfunction-now-what. I'm not saying the therapy would solve your issues, each case is different, but just want to share the information. Please feel free to keep us posted on how things are going and to ask questions. Best, Richard (Team Member)Hi thanks for the reply.
Yes I started pelvic floor exercises a month before surgery and did them for 12months afterwards.
Haven't had any therapy.
Tried viagra which had nasty side effects. I have a busy active job. I do weights which I've lost motivation atm.
I think the thing is I've had all these undetectable tests and it should stay that way with the prostate removed so to see it rise ever so slightly is off putting as the way I see it it shouldn't and makes me wonder if it's coming back slowly. It's just a psychological thing that I'm just trying to get my head around. Thanks for the reply.
