PSA- How low can you go?

Hi Rory,

Really sorry to hear you’re struggling a bit. Lyn can answer your question much better than I can, and I agree with her. I get a little upset(but pleased for them) when the guys in my Maggies Group on the same treatment come in and say they are <0.1. (I’m currently 0.1). However they’re starting from a much lower PSA than I was (36) so I just have to accept that I may never reach that level…and just getting on with my life as best I can.

I do feel so sorry that you don’t have anyone to talk to. Talking to family is good, but TBH talking to other men(and women for that matter) who have had cancer is so much better….they just get it! They understand what you’re going through. Do you not have a support Group such as Maggies you could join? I’m just back from the weekly meeting….we had a fascinating discussion about terminology when it comes to prognosis and how it’s affected us, especially if we suddenly find out we’ve been classed as Terminal. There are guys in the Group with a FAR worse prognosis than me but we support each other…and we make friends and have a lot of laughs as well. If you don’t have a support group but would like to chat with me about anything, PM me and we can maybe WhatsApp. I’ve made really good friends with another member on here and we chat regularly and we find it really helps us both…we even met up on holiday and it was just so nice.

All the best,

Derek

I have been fairly sanguine about this whole prostate cancer thing, from the start I have realised that since I had high grade and most of the cores were 100%, my chances of cure must be very low indeed. Added to that the fact that they did not radiate my lymph nodes does not fill me with confidence. My expectation is that the cancer will progress and that at some point I will need further treatment, my prayers are that it will be later rather than sooner. 

I have tried to be stoical but my upcoming quarterly PSA test on 14th February really has me agitated. 15 months on HT and almost a year after RT, the PSA has been 0.34, which compared to others on here is disappointing, it seems to be heading in the right direction but not as low as I would have liked. A lot of my research suggests that less than a nadir of 0.3 has a better prognosis than above that seemingly magical number.

Now all of a sudden I am fearful that next weeks result might show a rise. I don't have anyone to talk to about my situation as the wife is supportive but copes better by not discussing it  and there isn't really anyone else. Anyway, I don't know why I am posting this as it wont change anything but it makes me feel a bit better. 

I had prostate removed 6 years ago followed by 33 sessions of radiation. Am now on Bicalutamide 150mg per day for last 4 years.

My PSA checked every 3/4 months with visits to Oncoloogist

Last 4 visits were

Jan23 1.08

March23 0.64

July23 1.02

Dec23 1.26.

Still using 3 pads per day never been in full control since removal, leakage traumatic at times. Now there's a shortage of Viridal. grrrrrrr.

Seem to always be angry at moment, is it me or are others feeling the same, a little deflated. Oncologist says if PSA rises in March another scan beckons.

Is there no end to this uncertainty.