PSA Test came back high

[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: