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User
Posted 24 Jul 2022 at 15:27

Hi people new to this site, been having prostate problems for past couple of years and with the onset of covid had not really been sorted out until now(ish).

I have a fluctuating PSA, and have finally been diagnosed with BPH (64ml) 3 months ago, pirads 2, psa density .05, mpMRI clear. Consultant (specialist nurse) gave me the good news and stated before being referred back to GP another PSA in 3 months. To my horror it jumped from 3.8 to 8. Just prior to the blood test I had a very heavy cold (not covid) which I had just recovered from. Consultation with consultant in 2 and a bit weeks time to discuss.

I know you guys are mostly about post diagnosis, but has anybody been through a similar situation to this and what to expect.

thanks for reading

User
Posted 16 Jun 2023 at 10:32

An update for those interested…..

October 22 had an episode of AUR, very very painful and a short stay in hospital followed by a catheter for a week and instruction on how to self catheterise a couple of weeks later, a get out of gaol free card as it was described! Thankfully I haven’t had to use them as yet. Also prescribed Doxasozin which works very well dispite the occasional dizziness.

December 22 psa came back well within limits and ‘that’ consultant was encourage with this result and now go back to 6 monthly tests (awaiting result as I type).

Urologist on ward round in Oct 22 recommended that I thought about prostate reduction surgery and was referred to a surgeon who explained the procedures (laser) open to me and am now on waiting list.

Still a little nervous every time I have a test, but now getting used to it as it is the new normal and I have no control on the result……I was told by a friend ‘control that which is controllable’.

Hope this is relevant to some people.

Have a great summer

Edited by member 16 Jun 2023 at 10:40  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 26 Jul 2022 at 00:38

Hi Firefox, just bumping your post up it seemed to get lost.

That seems a rather large jump. But with a bigger prostate a PSA of 8 might be reasonable. We have had much higher PSAs which have been all clear. I guess you will need an MRI to try and get a better idea. You might then need a biopsy, to get a better idea.

Dave

User
Posted 26 Jul 2022 at 09:21

Hi Firefox,

Back in 2012, my PSA was all over the place following a UTI and I was referred to urology. I had the usual flow tests and DRE etc but no scan. 

It dragged on for several months before I was discharged back to my GP with a letter stating that I should continue with regular PSA tests. In my case, the regular PSA testing didn't happen, and as my urinary problems went away, I didn't chase it up. 

Roll on 2019 and another bout of UTI's ultimately led me back to urology and my cancer diagnosis. 

I think in my case, ups and downs in PSA were driven primarily by infections and it would be pure speculation if it were cancer back in 2012.

I would say that what ever happens, regular PSA testing is the way forward even if it means pushing a bit. 

Hope this helps. 

Kev.

User
Posted 26 Jul 2022 at 10:18

Firefox, I worked with a guy who had very fluctuating PSA with levels far higher than yours after several biopsies they found nothing.

I was diagnosed with a PSA of 7.7 , following some checks it was found my GP missed a PSA of 6.9 three years earlier.

Be vigilant and keep getting checked.

Thanks Chris 

 

User
Posted 26 Jul 2022 at 12:24

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi Dave

Thanks for your reply. 
Had a standard MRI 2.5 years ago which was ‘normal’ and a mp MRI 3 months ago which was also normal!

It’s the yo-yo ing of my psa that ……I’ll say it…….frightens me and I guess like a lot of people totally consumes my day to day life but thankfully I’m in the system now.
 
The letter from the consultant said it was difficult to explain but she may decide to put me on antibiotics before any biopsy so I’m guessing I may have a dose of prostatitis. Until then I’ll just have to man up and wait.

Thanks again

David

Try to trust your consultant and not be frightened- if you had cancer your PSA simply would not go up and down like this or gave such sharp rises. Your PSA readings strongly indicate infection / inflammation and your mpMRI is very reassuring  

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 26 Jul 2022 at 15:56
A yo-yo-ing PSA is a good thing, in the sense that it's certainly not cancer. If you have prostate cancer, your PSA just goes one way: upwards.

Best wishes,

Chris

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User
Posted 26 Jul 2022 at 00:38

Hi Firefox, just bumping your post up it seemed to get lost.

That seems a rather large jump. But with a bigger prostate a PSA of 8 might be reasonable. We have had much higher PSAs which have been all clear. I guess you will need an MRI to try and get a better idea. You might then need a biopsy, to get a better idea.

Dave

User
Posted 26 Jul 2022 at 07:07

Hi Dave

Thanks for your reply. 
Had a standard MRI 2.5 years ago which was ‘normal’ and a mp MRI 3 months ago which was also normal!

It’s the yo-yo ing of my psa that ……I’ll say it…….frightens me and I guess like a lot of people totally consumes my day to day life but thankfully I’m in the system now.
 
The letter from the consultant said it was difficult to explain but she may decide to put me on antibiotics before any biopsy so I’m guessing I may have a dose of prostatitis. Until then I’ll just have to man up and wait.

Thanks again

David

 

User
Posted 26 Jul 2022 at 09:21

Hi Firefox,

Back in 2012, my PSA was all over the place following a UTI and I was referred to urology. I had the usual flow tests and DRE etc but no scan. 

It dragged on for several months before I was discharged back to my GP with a letter stating that I should continue with regular PSA tests. In my case, the regular PSA testing didn't happen, and as my urinary problems went away, I didn't chase it up. 

Roll on 2019 and another bout of UTI's ultimately led me back to urology and my cancer diagnosis. 

I think in my case, ups and downs in PSA were driven primarily by infections and it would be pure speculation if it were cancer back in 2012.

I would say that what ever happens, regular PSA testing is the way forward even if it means pushing a bit. 

Hope this helps. 

Kev.

User
Posted 26 Jul 2022 at 10:18

Firefox, I worked with a guy who had very fluctuating PSA with levels far higher than yours after several biopsies they found nothing.

I was diagnosed with a PSA of 7.7 , following some checks it was found my GP missed a PSA of 6.9 three years earlier.

Be vigilant and keep getting checked.

Thanks Chris 

 

User
Posted 26 Jul 2022 at 12:24

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi Dave

Thanks for your reply. 
Had a standard MRI 2.5 years ago which was ‘normal’ and a mp MRI 3 months ago which was also normal!

It’s the yo-yo ing of my psa that ……I’ll say it…….frightens me and I guess like a lot of people totally consumes my day to day life but thankfully I’m in the system now.
 
The letter from the consultant said it was difficult to explain but she may decide to put me on antibiotics before any biopsy so I’m guessing I may have a dose of prostatitis. Until then I’ll just have to man up and wait.

Thanks again

David

Try to trust your consultant and not be frightened- if you had cancer your PSA simply would not go up and down like this or gave such sharp rises. Your PSA readings strongly indicate infection / inflammation and your mpMRI is very reassuring  

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 26 Jul 2022 at 12:36

Hi LynEyre

thanks for replying, I must admit I have spent the past couple of hours going through this website and have found comfort in other peoples journeys.

I totally understand what you are saying, and I thank you for those encouraging words. I am prone to knee jerk reactions but reading the information on here is most definitely reassuring and helped get my head in order.

 

David

Edited by member 29 Jul 2022 at 23:57  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 26 Jul 2022 at 15:56
A yo-yo-ing PSA is a good thing, in the sense that it's certainly not cancer. If you have prostate cancer, your PSA just goes one way: upwards.

Best wishes,

Chris

User
Posted 11 Aug 2022 at 06:37
Consultation a bit later today, feeling a little apprehensive but positive, will report back anything of significance.
User
Posted 18 Aug 2022 at 17:32

An update for those interested, really good consultant with them for over 45 mins explained everything to a pin point, nothing hurried very professional.

Not sure what has caused the ‘sudden spike’ but does not think it to be PCa. My scans etc show nothing just a large(ish) prostate producing a small amount of PSA in relation to its density

Could be anything from an infection/inflammation to strain bought about by stress, coughing from a cold etc etc etc or a combination of them all.

So….3 weeks ciprofloxacin, wait a week, psa test, then see what happens.

Edited by member 18 Aug 2022 at 17:59  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 12 Sep 2022 at 08:18
Ciprofloxacin finished (zero side effects), blood test after a week, and now we wait with fingers crossed!
User
Posted 16 Sep 2022 at 08:24

So an update for those interested, PSA returned to normal levels consultant will keep me under observation for a while to make sure things ‘stabilise’. I’m happy, consultants happy, even my cats happy!

Also since taken the meds, stream has become stronger and night time visits down to once and sometimes not at all, maybe been living with an infection for the past few years!? I believe it’s possible.


Quite relieved to say the least….PSA….Provider of Stress and Anxiety.
Keep testing guys, and bucket loads of thanks for advice and support.

Edited by member 16 Sep 2022 at 08:27  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 16 Jun 2023 at 10:32

An update for those interested…..

October 22 had an episode of AUR, very very painful and a short stay in hospital followed by a catheter for a week and instruction on how to self catheterise a couple of weeks later, a get out of gaol free card as it was described! Thankfully I haven’t had to use them as yet. Also prescribed Doxasozin which works very well dispite the occasional dizziness.

December 22 psa came back well within limits and ‘that’ consultant was encourage with this result and now go back to 6 monthly tests (awaiting result as I type).

Urologist on ward round in Oct 22 recommended that I thought about prostate reduction surgery and was referred to a surgeon who explained the procedures (laser) open to me and am now on waiting list.

Still a little nervous every time I have a test, but now getting used to it as it is the new normal and I have no control on the result……I was told by a friend ‘control that which is controllable’.

Hope this is relevant to some people.

Have a great summer

Edited by member 16 Jun 2023 at 10:40  | Reason: Not specified

 
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