Tactics for PSA tests..

Hi again Gus.

Most of us get PSA anxiety. I have had umpteen PSA checks over the past ten years. I had them prior to cancer diagnosis, after diagnosis, whilst on active surveillance, then following surgery.

At each stage they cause stress. At first, its have I got it? Then, I've got it, but will it need treating? Then, after surgery, will it come back again? I'm sick of PSA tests. 🙂

In a couple of weeks, I've got my two year post op, follow up PSA. I'm already keeping my fingers crossed for continued good news.

I vividly remember getting my first post op PSA result. About seven weeks after RARP,  I had a heart attack, and was admitted to hospital awaiting treatment. The wife came to visit and brought in a letter from my urology surgeon requesting a blood test. One of the cardiology nurses kindly said she'd get it sorted. The next day she gave me the PSA undetectable results. I was over the moon! Thank God it was good news. Had it not been, I'd probably had heart failure.😁

I don't think I'll ever eliminate PSA anxiety, but I have reduced it by ensuring I get the results asap. When I had the blood tests at the hospital, it took ages to get the results. I now get them done at my GP surgery who's on Systmonline. I can access the results usually within 24 hours.

I also saw some quote on worrying too much. It was something like 'Worry will only spoil today, and never change tomorrow'. I tell myself that everytime I start to feel a bit stressed.

I hope your results are favourable, mate. I think you'd have to have nerves of steel not to be a bit anxious.

Good luck pal.👍

Hi Gus

My first post...hope it's useful

Like you I worry/sress about next psa result, I 'm sure we're not alone.

I had a career that required constant forward planning for risk/mitigation and I drive everybody nuts with "what if"...

Things that help me:

I recall the charity Penny brohn has videos re dealing with diagnosis (and beyond) and I found the one that covers "Fact not thought" useful re getting perspective on reality rather than letting my thoughts run wild. 

Also, before result/ consultation I prepare two separate pages of questions for health team/Doc.

One for good psa result one for not so good psa result, then put them aside till appointment.

I then feel i've done pretty much all I can and try and park it till my appointment.

(An unfortunate series of events meant I found out I had pca by telephone call.I put down the phone, my mind began racing to all the worst places....I better get that garage cleared out!).

That was 17 years ago, various treatments, about 100 psa tests, I'm still here, cancer still here, and the garage still needs cleaned out!

Regards..

Hi Gus,

PSA Anxiety is VERY real, I’m a couple of weeks away from my next one, and knowing my testosterone is on its way back(well my libido is anyway), the worry is even greater that my PSA will start to rise if they haven’t killed it off during RT.

How do I cope with it? Well I’ve been on Sertraline since ADT sent me into a spiral of severe anxiety. I keep myself active, do lots of nice things, give myself lots of treats and apologise in advance to my OH😉 it do3snt stop the worry but does help put it to the back of your mind.
Also I don’t wait for my GP surgery to get the results..that can take over a week! I call my CNS 2 days after the test and she is able to tell me.

Hope some of this helps.

Derek