PSA Test came back high

[Dirtdeere]

Hey. I figure there's probably some older guys on here that have had this problem. I'm 55. I had a routine PSA test done and just got the results back today. I have a 5.9 score. It went up to 5.9 from normal in about a year. I go back to the dr on Friday. I've had prostititus before a few years ago. I don't feel the symptoms like i did from the prostititus. Hopefully that's it. But if not, are there any
key things I should be asking about? the biopsy doesn't sound like a fun thing to have done. Thanks.

 

[jinman]

Have the biopsy done if needed. There is no way anyone should have fatal prostrate cancer anymore. It's very controllable, but I'm gonna hope that PSA was just a fluke.

 

[CanuckPT]

PSA tests haven't proven to be very valuable for diagnosis. Here's hoping that proves true for you!

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[rekees4300]

Hey. I figure there's probably some older guys on here that have had this problem. I'm 55. I had a routine PSA test done and just got the results back today. I have a 5.9 score. It went up to 5.9 from normal in about a year. I go back to the dr on Friday. I've had prostititus before a few years ago. I don't feel the symptoms like i did from the prostititus. Hopefully that's it. But if not, are there any
key things I should be asking about? the biopsy doesn't sound like a fun thing to have done. Thanks.

A biopsy isn't fun but it's a necessary step to determine whether or not you have prostate cancer. It feels like being stung by a bee. I would categorize it as discomfort rather than significant pain. Ask your urologist how he can make the biopsy less painful. Explore options like "conscious sedation", "prostatic block" and "anesthetic jelly".

If it is cancer, there is no need to panic and make hasty decisions. It didn't start today, this month, or even this year - most likely its been there slowly growing for at least ten years. Take a few weeks to be sure you have enough info to make the right decision for you. There is no one size fits all solution. There are many variables that need to be considered.

I recommend buying a book called "Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer" (3rd edition) by Dr. Patrick Walsh. He is the world's foremost authority on prostate cancer. The book is comprehensive and covers all aspects of the disease. It's available from Amazon.

 

[grnspot110]

Do the biopsy if needed!

If you need to go further, get second opinions, preferably from an Oncologist!

I've been through prostate cancer just over 10 years ago, at 52. With the advice of a Urologist, I had surgery & over a year of hormone treatment. The hormone treatment can have long lasting effects & (in my case) I don't believe was necessary! Each case is different, DO your own research along with the Dr's advice!

I now see an Oncologist once/year for followups. ~~ grnspot

 

[TripleR]

What they said, but a PSA really isn't an indicator of cancer, just possibly something going on with your prostate, my dad died of prostate cancer, so I began having regular visits to my urologist in my 40's and have had a couple of high PSA's. Follow up PSA's showed normal. Before doing a biopsy, my doctor requires a series of high PSA's and will follow up with a "free PSA" screen, a little different than regular PSA.

As mentioned, do some research, get the book and don't panic. My first high PSA scared me to death and I allowed it to ruin my vacation, I am now much better prepared through research and discussions with my urologist. Let us know how it turns out and best wishes.

 

[Gary Fowler]

PSA tests need to establish a baseline. One high test is insignificant most of the time. MY PSA runs up and down the scale for some reason. I have had 2 biopsies and found nothing other than what the finger wave established (enlarged / hardened prostate). I still do the yearly exam and testing but so far no super rise in PSA numbers. If this is your first test then it may be normal for you. Some folks have a low normal number and others get a bit high. Just sit back and wait till the next test comes in and see what it is. An infection can raise the PSA numbers also and it doesn't have to be a prostate infection, had one of those - man you don't want that. I went from feeling well to deathly ill in 3 hours. High fever, chills, body aches, nauseous. I had to have someone drive me home from work it was so bad.

 

[dirt ditch]

In my late 40's started having a little trouble going. Went to a urologist who treated me for an enlarged prostrate. over a 3 year period my PSA just keep rising a little at a time. When it hit 3.5 urologist wanted me to get a biopsy. Did not do it. 6 months later PSA was 4.0. Urologist had nurse come in and make appointment for biopsy. Not fun but it saved my life. Turned out to be a fairly fast growing cancer. Had a robotic radical prostatectomy (best treatment for us younger guys). One of the anterior lobes was 60% cancer but still contained in the prostrate so he got it all. That was a couple years ago. It took a couple months to heal up but life is back to normal with no side affects. I still see my urologist every 6 months now. Your 55, don't wait until it's too late. Go see a good urologist and listen to him. I kept thinking it can't be cancer I'm too young and put it off almost too late. If it is a really bad cancer the earlier you take care of it the better. My :2cents:

 

[MossRoad]

A lot of guys with prostate cancer will tell you they waited too long to get checked. They had the symptoms, but just couldn't believe it was cancer, especially younger guys. If your doctor recommends a biopsy get it done. As others have mentioned, and my doc just told me, PSA test isn't a good test anymore. PSA should be done, just to see, but my doc said you could have a high PSA and no cancer or a low PSA and raging cancer. Its very confusing. In my opinion, get a second opinion. And a third if possible. Dr., oncologist, urologist, a bunch of 'ists and make sure they concur. My dad had prostate cancer and surgurey got it before it was too late. I watch for symptoms, get checked and keep on it just to be safe. Good luck to you. :thumbsup:

 

[grnspot110]

PSA is what found my cancer! Dad was diabetic, so I was having annual blood work done to watch for it. Dr. at the time (I was 51 at the time) suggested PSA test also, he had to tell me what it was, I'd heard of PSA, but didn't remember what it was for! Number was "on the high side of normal", lets check again in 6 months! After 6 months, the number was over 6, had the biopsy. Urologist's nurse called a few days later "there's some cancer there". After talking to the Urologist & an Oncologist, I opted for surgery just after my 52nd birthday. At that time average age for Prostate cancer was 72. Urologist also put me on a hormone treatment, @ $2750 for a 3 month shot, when the 3 mos. were up, he put in a one year implant (about $5000). I later found out the hormone is for "advanced Prostate cancer, mine was not advanced. Since then, I've talked to several other cancer patients of that Urologist who were put on the same hormone treatment, in a word "GREED!

I talked to a well known Oncologist in our area, got off the hormone & no longer see that Urologist! Nearly 11 years now with no sign of cancer recurrence! I see the Oncologist once/year. ~~ grnspot

 

[rekees4300]

in a word "GREED!

Oh yeah, cancer is big business involving big bucks. The big bucks coupled with fear of lawsuits often result in unnecessary treatments. For the average guy, it's impossible to determine what is necessary so it's important educate oneself and also get multiple professional opinions.

 

[JPRambo]

At the beginning of this year I had to renew my life insurance policy.
The carrier said before I could renew I would have to have their nurse come to the house and do a physical with blood work. The appointment happened and I received a letter with the results. The PSA was slightly above normal. With this the policy costs increased.
My sister has had cancer twice and seeing what she goes through I did not want to do this.
I saw a local oncologist for a second opinion. His results were higher than normal also. He referred me to a robotic prostatectomy specialist. During the initial visit all types af treatment was discussed and I scheduled the robotic type. This was done 3 weeks ago. I have 3 more weeks off work and have been going crazy trying not to do too much or too lift too much (no more than 15 lbs. this week, 10 lbs. last 2 weeks). The end of next week I am allowed to start to get back to shape for work, slowly. I almost want to go back to work. And to be able to use the tractor to do things myself.

 

[kidr]

I would go somewhere else and repeat the test. A mistake was made on mine.I went through the biopsy and later found that the PSA was actually normal. Measure twice cut once.

 

[cmore]

Hey. I figure there's probably some older guys on here that have had this problem. I'm 55. I had a routine PSA test done and just got the results back today. I have a 5.9 score. It went up to 5.9 from normal in about a year. I go back to the dr on Friday. I've had prostititus before a few years ago. I don't feel the symptoms like i did from the prostititus. Hopefully that's it. But if not, are there any
key things I should be asking about? the biopsy doesn't sound like a fun thing to have done. Thanks.

The biopsy did not bother me. It came back with 5 out of 20 locations being + for cancer.

Last April I had Robotic Prostrate surgery, that did bother me a little. The most worrisome was the catheter. I am 67 and do have a couple of issues but the PSA tests have come back great, so far.
They seem to have gotten it early enough.

 

[daugen]

my older brother got prostatitis from using a new exercise bike, it was discovered
during a life insurance exam, and it took a year to get the insurance company to
stop charging him extra.

it's not only the number but the speed of increase of the number. Most men I believe get elevated PSA as they get older, and as long as it is a very slow rise, my understanding is that slow rise is much less worrisome than a quick one. Makes sense. I have a complete blood workup done every year, sometimes more often, and I always check the PSA carefully.
I'm 63 and I'm still in the low 2's.

 

[RalphVa]

I never had prostate cancer, but started with high PSA somewhere around age 55. Think it was 4. Moved to Singapore. Repeated the test. It had gone up to 7. Didn't bother the Chinese urologist there. When I got back to the States about 9 months to a year later, it was still up around 7. They did a PSA II test here. It's supposed to be high. Mine was low. So, they did a biopsy, consisting of 4 shots like a rubber band hitting your butt (they go at the prostate through the ****). Negative. Doc started me on cardura. This was in Baton Rouge. Moved to Charlottesville, Va 6 years later. Urologist here did another biopsy consisting of 12 shots to the butt. Negative. Had some blood clots that plugged up urine flow had to go on a catheter. Put me on Proscar. About 4 years or so later, Proscar seemed not to be working. Put me on Avodart which I was on (plus cardura) when I started having heart problems. The beta blockers for the heart work against beta blockers for the prostate. Something had to give. I managed to get the prostate TURPed out, but I went into congestive heart failure 2 days later. The pecker works great now. Still working the heart problem.

 

[RoMad]

I had the robotic prostatectomy three years ago at 55. My PSA was climbing and urologist did biopsy and it was negative. He told me he wasn't happy with results and did a second biopsy. After a lot of reading I scheduled the surgery at the Florida hospital global robotics institute. They were great and I am glad I went there. Just had a follow up with urologist today and all is well. Whatever you do, stay after it and do something.

 

[MossRoad]

my older brother got prostatitis from using a new exercise bike,....

My doctor also asked me if I ride a bike. I told him yes, but only once a week. I ride along slowly next to my daughter about 3-4 miles when she runs on Sundays. His response: "You can't run?" :confused3: :laughing:

 

[JPRambo]

RoMad is this the hospital in Celebration Florida that is where my robotic surgery was done. GREAT people there.

 

[mostly_gas]

My doctor also asked me if I ride a bike. I told him yes, but only once a week. I ride along slowly next to my daughter about 3-4 miles when she runs on Sundays. His response: "You can't run?" :confused3: :laughing:

I spent a lot of bike time this year, 2500 miles total and 800 miles in 2 1/2 weeks has not been an issue for PSA. Tried running in high school to start conditioning for swimming, knees said NO !! :shocked: