Continually high PSA (52 years old), for a year

User

Posted 29 Jul 2024 at 19:25

Hi All

I am looking for a bit of advice. I am 52 years old for the record and my father has had a prostatectomy at 65 due to prostate cancer.

I had bad prostatitis in Summer 2022, had a PSA of 4.0 and had biopsy all came back negative, prostatitis was deemed, but I got better from it.

All seemed ok until about September 2023, I was getting some stomach cramps, but the discomfort was different from 2022. Though peeing duration normal every 3 or 4 hours or so. I went to the GP who just said might be some light Prostatitis, though the GP seemed a bit clueless if I was honest, urine test was negative, did a rectal examination, prostate all smooth etc. GP wanted to place me on a 6 week course of antibiotics saying it would be worth a shot. I disputed the worth a shot, because I did not want to take antibiotics needlessly, especially after being floxed with Ciprofloxin in 2022.

About 10 days later I did a PSA test came back at 4.2, though as it was on file from Urology in 2022, anything under PSA 5 don’t refer. I just plodded on did another PSA in January 4.5, again same comment nothing to be concerned about. At this point I did a private semen test for infection and that came back clear,

I would say my symptoms have slightly overall improved, but I still get this pain after I have finished peeing, it feels like it is coming from behind my Penis, gets worse for about 10=15 minutes then eases, the flow is fine, my testicles are still sensitive, I sometimes find car journey painful like cramps.

I want to go back to my GP for another 6 monthly PSA, if it’s still 4.5 or so, surely prostatitis should not be lasting this long, should I be concerned about this?

I have to say it’s start to get me a bit down now and a bit miserable; any advice just want to be a pre armed when seeing the next GP, as I reckon it will be another high PSA and they will just fob me off.

User

Posted 29 Jul 2024 at 19:25

Hi All

I am looking for a bit of advice. I am 52 years old for the record and my father has had a prostatectomy at 65 due to prostate cancer.

I had bad prostatitis in Summer 2022, had a PSA of 4.0 and had biopsy all came back negative, prostatitis was deemed, but I got better from it.

I want to go back to my GP for another 6 monthly PSA, if it’s still 4.5 or so, surely prostatitis should not be lasting this long, should I be concerned about this?

User

Posted 31 Jul 2024 at 16:48

Hi Nesty,

I believe that I, too, have prostatitis. It hasn't been diagnosed, but I get a pain in my perineum when sat down on hard surfaces.

When I researched this, and spoke to some nurses on this site (PLEASE DO THIS AS WELL), I was told a few things

1) Prostatitis is hard to diagnose

2) It can last for years.

This isn't a replacement for advice that medically qualified people can give, but I suggest asking nurses about prostatitis and symptoms.

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User

Posted 31 Jul 2024 at 16:48

Hi Nesty,

I believe that I, too, have prostatitis. It hasn't been diagnosed, but I get a pain in my perineum when sat down on hard surfaces.

When I researched this, and spoke to some nurses on this site (PLEASE DO THIS AS WELL), I was told a few things

1) Prostatitis is hard to diagnose

2) It can last for years.

This isn't a replacement for advice that medically qualified people can give, but I suggest asking nurses about prostatitis and symptoms.

User

Posted 31 Jul 2024 at 22:14

Hi Ady

Many thanks, sadly it could be CPPS, in 2022 I did see a Private Urology clinic, they did what called a Stamey test, which showed no bacterial infection, though pointed to CPPS.

I was offered some treatment, which consisted of shockwave and a daily drug called Cialis, which is an ED pill at a cost of £2,200. I declined, as I wasn't sure if going to be successful (ie a waste of money) and feared the side effects of a daily drug.

Fortunately, things have overall improved since 2022, but I am still having another episode, but don't know what exactly this is.

User

Posted 12 Nov 2024 at 16:44

I’m so sorry you’re going through this – getting a PSA that high can be incredibly stressful. As worrying as it sounds, most of the time there are actually many many reasons PSA can spike. I can relate to how exhausting it is to be repeatedly tested and waiting on answers. I went through the same cycle with the NHS and eventually tried one of the newer private blood tests. I got the EpiSwitch PSE which has been all over the newspapers recently, which is like a very accurate PSA with extra things they look at in blood. Much more precise, and while it comes at a little bit of a cost, I found the peace of mind was worth it, especially in helping me decide whether a biopsy was needed. I did end up needing one, and while it was nerve-wracking, my cancer turned out to be a slow-growing type, which was a relief. Hang in there. — Tom

User

Posted 12 Nov 2024 at 19:41

I definitely would keep tracking your PSA. I too had prostatitis early on and my first MpMRI showed evidence that they reported as appeared from prior prostatitis, which reassured me. However my vague symptoms continued and I continued to get my PSA’s and although still relatively low never over 4, was on an overall increasing pattern. I was put on long term Cipro for 8 weeks believing it was prostatitis after the results of the first MRI that showed I had it previously significant enough to show on MRI. Fortunately or unfortunately my PSA did not drop and my persistence over the next 18 months after my first MRI I was able to get another MRI and fortunately that showed an abnormality and led to my cancer diagnosis. I would have liked my PSA to drop after the Cipro but in that it did not it definitely ruled out the prostatitis theory and I got the 2ndMRI. I would push for an MpMRI based on your increasing PSA and symptoms with no evidence of infection.

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