I was aged 52 when I was diagnosed - I am now 55.

I had four biopsies over three years before diagnosis in 2005. My PSA rose from 1.61 to 5.15 from when I was 46 until I was 52.

I had surgery in 2005, but that failed with a PSA of 0.8 rising to 1.15. I followed with EBRT (External Beam Radiation Treatment) which lowered my PSA to 0.2 over a two year period.

The radiation has now failed and my PSA is now 0.33 with no further treatment.

Update info is just that last 6 month number was 0.4, up from .33 6 months ago. Have now doubled in about 3 years I think, but need to get my history of results from the doctor.

Thanks and take care to all.

My six month PSA was up again, this time to 0.44. This is the lowest percentage increase in over 3 years now I think (4.5 years since surgery). I continue to just exercise and try to stick to the diets we all have heard about (i.e., less red meat, fish, pomegranate juice, soy milk, etc.) and pray.

Next PSA in another 6 months.

Latest 6 month PSA reading was 0.51, up from 0.44 6 months ago. So..... another 6 months, another .07 increase, seems to be the trend for the last 3 years or so.

Not pursuing any other treatment at this time, although there is always the worry about when to start ADT or something else. I do have to say that I have been more disciplined with the POM this last 6 months than in the past-don't drink it every day, but most days drink the eight ozs. Have increased exercise and am now in danger of becoming a fanatical exerciser but as I get older, those odds reduce. Need to cut back on the wine some, so trying yoga now and it seems helpful.

March will note 5 years since surgery. Thanks to all and take care and keep the faith.

Another 6 months, another slight increase to 0.64. Doctor now wants to see me on 3 months tests but I question the need for that. Going up 0.14 vs. going up 0.07 every 6 months for the last 3 years does not seem to warrant increase frequency of PSA test but we will see.

Take care to all.

Just had another PSA as requested by doctor and it was 0.58, down (or same and within variation) from 0.64 a little over a month ago.

Just had another PSA test done for my six month urologist visit coming up this Friday, February 25, 2011. It came back at 0.75, so it continues it's small rising trend of about 0.10 on average which has been going on for the last 4 years or so.

I have not had any other treatments since the initial normal surgery followed by EBRT back in 2005. Not sure when I might have to start ADT (is anyone ever sure!!), but this urologist seems inclined not to be an "early" starter, so we will see on Friday.

Thanks, God Bless us one and all!

August 2011 update, PSA up to 0.81, so the minimal trend continues and remains very consistent from test to test.

Just another 6 month update. Latest PSA reading is 0.87, so another 0.06 rise, which seems to be consistent with the last tests taken over the last few years.

Allen Z.

Latest 6 month PSA is 1.07, up 0.2 from last test and higher than the last few years rise of about 0.1 every six months with no treatment since surgery/radiation in 2005. So...bigger increase than previously, but I plan no further treatment at this time. Uro wants to initiate Lupron @ 4.0 PSA;, but we will have to see about that.

Allen Z

Another 6 month PSA with a rise (I'd like to say predictable at this point) of .06...from 1.07 to 1.13 so the small trend continues.

Take Care All

Latest 6 month PSA level is 1.15, up from 1.13 6 months prior. So my trend of 6 month averages of .07 increases the last few years subsided this interval (of course, the variance in results are not wholly accurate as we all know!)

AllenZ

Another 6 month PSA result and the biggest increase thus far, up to 1.5 from 1.15. Trend had been steady at at .07 every six months on average for the last several tests. Will see urologist next week and have the Lupron debate again I am sure.

Take care,

Allen

Started taking Finasteride 3 months ago and PSA, which has slowly been increasing over the last 7 years, dropped in half to 0.75 from 1.5. That is exactly what my uro doc said would happen and testostarone level went up over 100 points.

Take Care,

Allen Z

Just had 6 months PSA done -- 0.7 so another slight drop while taking Finasteride. Now back to level I had in 2011.

Allen Z

Have been taking Finasteride still for the last several months. Recent PSA was 0.7, so still holding steady after a 50% drop from 1.5. Have no side effects from the drug.

Allen Z

Well, PSA doubled right at 6 months while on Finasteride (0.7 to 1.3) so will see next steps. Have not seen an oncologist since diagnosis/treatment over 10 years ago, but will discuss that with uro next month.

Allen Z

Had PSA done in July after stopping Finasteride for a couple of months. PSA was 2.0 (while on Finasteride it was 0.8 or about half of the previous 1.5 before taking the medicine). PSA today was 1.6 so still watching/waiting before hormone therapy

Take Care All,

Allen Z

3 month update...a return to 2.0 from 1.6 and previous 2.0...no treatment still...onc. wants hormone, but I do not!

Take Care,

Allen Z

Update, PSA is now 1.8, a drop from 2.4. I did take Finasteride for a month and a half but stopped it a couple of weeks prior to test. No other treatment still from original surgery/radiation back in 2005.

Take care all,

Allen Z

Three month PSA drop to 1.4 so small fluctuations continue 11.5 years since original treatments. Thankful that I have another reprieve before further treatment.

Allen Z

Another 3 month test and 1.6 result. Started Finasteride again so the actual level could be 3.2 I guess, so getting closer to 4.0 perhaps -- that is where the onc wants to start Lupron, but we'll see as I really don't want to. My progression has been relatively slow for almost 12 years so I thinking I do not have an aggressive form, at least not yet.

Take care all,

Allen Z

Three month PSA is 1.9, so little change from last time (1.8). Still taking the Finasteride so theoretically it could be closer to 3 something. Oncologist somewhat agrees that 4.0 is the time to start Lupron, but I keep looking for data that would suggest otherwise, i.e, a higher number. I will stop the drug before my June PSA test to see what the "real" number might be--I had done this once before a couple of years ago. I did have a drop last year (I think it was last year) from 2.0 to 1.6 without taking anything so that was interesting.

Take Care,

Allen Z

Latest (3 month) PSA is 2.5. I stopped the Finasteride 2-3 months back so the PSA climbed a bit. So...I have been doing an intermittent course of Finasteride, over the last 2-3 years and it still has the effect of reducing the PSA level by about 50%. I know there is doubt by medical and others about the efficacy of this use. My oncologist will not prescribe it and one uro doc would not either, one did. I am not advocating anything with this post, just stating the facts in my case. For me, even if the medicine is not delaying progression, (or is it?), the psychological factor is a positive one. So in a year or 15 months or so, my PSA (off of the medicine) has gone from 2.4 to 2.5. Still not time for me to make the call for Lupron-and I am thankful for that and feel blessed (mostly, I still have cancer) that my disease progression at 12+ years remains relatively slow.

Take Care All,

Allen Z

Last 3 month PSA (yesterday) was unchanged at 2.5, so progression remains slow and will consider Lupron when (if?) I get to 4.0.

Take Care All,

Allen Z

3 month update...down a tad to 2.1. I took Finasteride for only 1 month prior to test. Last non-finasteride PSA was 2.4. I am encouraged by this result since some data show that Finasteride, which I know masks the true number, takes 4-6 months to obtain the 50% reduction in PSA level. I must be having a low grade growing animal in me and if so, I pray it stays that way. Will stop the pill now and see what the next 3 month result is.

Allen Z

Another 3 month PSA with little change -- 2.3 so still no treatment plans at this point.

Allen Z

3 month update, PSA at 2.2, was 2.3 last time. Anyone interested can see my history under Allen Z. Progression remains very slow.

Take care and God Bless all of us who deal with this animal...

Allen Z

Update and Finasteride

3 month PSA at 2.5, where it was a year ago and on/off over time (see my story if interested). For me, I am now ready to proclaim that Finasteride does have efficatious qualities related to depressing or repressing cancer progression-at least in the medium range of Gleason-I am a 7. I have experimented with taking it several months in advance and obtained the 50% reduction in PSA as predicted. I went off of it and PSA rose to previous levels or a bit lower and maybe a bit higher, hard to state exactly. However, the last couple of years I only took it 2-3 weeks prior to PSA test and the result was good--either slow rise, no rise, or even a decrease. The medical proponents of Proscar (i.e, generic for Finasteride) state that any reduction in PSA for recurrent cancer takes on average 3-4 months to reduce the PSA by the advertised 50%--in my case I do not think it takes that long to be effective at some level. Those who are engaged in the controversy around this drug efficaciousness should check out the pros/cons on the web and in particular a fairly recent quality article based on studies at https://www.verywellhealth.com/avodart-proscar-for-treating-prostate-cancer-2782131. I am thinking that the "masking" results are likely, but only if the cancer is too aggressive to overcome the beneficial effects of the drug. I see no downside to trying it in the right setting; I have no side effects from it at all.

Take Care All,
Allen Z

Latest three month update-PSA lowered to 1.8. I started Finasteride again about 2.5 months ago and so that course of action still seems to be working. The last PSA was stable and I had started the Finasteride only 2 weeks before the test.

Take Care All:
Allen Z

3 month update--PSA @ 2.7. I stopped the Finasteride and had the expected rise in the PSA but am thankful it has really not changed from several months ago.

Take Care,
Allen Z

Three month PSA came in at 2.4; last one was 2.7 so holding steady. Will likely stop Finasteride prior to next 3 month PSA test to see what may or may not change in the trend.

Take Care All:
Allen Z

Three month PSA came in at 2.6 - last was 2.4. Not much change; will stop Finasteride for a month then restart. Still no plans to start the hormone treatment at this time.

Take care,
Allen Z

Another 3 month update and no change--2.5 PSA. Heard from some folks that I am really 5.0--I'll take it either way. If interested you can see my story under Allen Z.

Take Care,

Allen Z

Latest 3 month PSA is 2.5, so holding steady. I did find out my provider does now have the Axumin scan available but the onc. did not ok use at this time-wants to continue to watch the trend since it is holding steady.

Take Care,

Allen Z

3 month PSA update=2.6, so steady as she goes. It is the same as it was a year ago and does not seem to progress past that value. It's been 15 years since diagnosis and treatment with surgery and radiation. I have not taken any other treatment other than Finasteride which I take off and on. I took it for about a month prior to this latest test and I have no idea if it has an impact or not but I am a creature of habit!

Take Care all and God Bless all us warriors!

Allen Z

3 month lab result 2.5 PSA. So steady as she goes once again. I took my Finasteride for 1 month prior this time and it is likely not having much effect but I continue to take it out of habit. I will stop the pills and wait till next lab work in three months without taking it, which I have done several times in the past without an increase. So...another potential break from the possibility of hormone therapy one again!

Take Care,

Allen Z

Latest 3 month PSA was 2.8-so remains stable at the 2.5 to 2.8 range (last 3 month was 2.7). So still no hormone therapy at this point.

Take Care,

Allen Z

Big jump in 3 months; almost doubled so likely be recommended to hormone.....we will see

So I went on the Finasteride again for the 3 month period between the usual PSA check and it did it's usual 50% reduction effect once again--PSA down from 4.8 to 2.5: guessing it could have been a 5.0 without it but who knows. At any rate will decline the Lupron suggestion from onc once again should he make it.

Take Care All,

Allen Z

3 Month test came in at 3.4 so up a bit from last test. Will continue waiting and see what November test brings.

Take Care All,

Allen Z

I had a PET/CT scan done recently with the oncologist and my expectation to find "something"...my scans were clear all the way around. I have had cancer for 16 years now without any subsequent treatment from surgery, which failed, and radiation which did some good getting me down to 0.2--I have never seen anything close to "zero" (now 3-4 range, pretty high in my case) in the last 16 years. For now I will go with the scan results which, on the surface (pun intended), indicate no metastisis detectable at this junture. Time will tell my friends but we must persevere!

Take Care All,

Allen Z

One month PSA check just to "test the waters" to see if ADT now warranted and a fairly big incease of 1.2 (last was 3.4) so it's feeling like decision time for me now for sure.

Take Care,

Allen Z

Started Casodex 3 weeks ago and will have Lupron April 29, 2022. After 17 years it feels like the real journey is about to begin. This libido increase is contrary to all I know about ADT; it won't likely last I know, just strange to me.

Take Care,

Allen Z

I had my first ever Lurpon infusion about 9 weeks ago and results today are PSA <0.1 (down from 5.0 prior to shot) and testoserone is 24. Handling the side effects well in my estimation. After 17 years of slowly rising PSA, decided it was time to take action.

Take Care All

Allen Z

Oncologist cancelled my second three month shot and will reasses in October - good news I think.

Allen Z

I went ahead and had my second infusion on Oct. 13, 2022. My PSA was at 0.1 after 6 months but Testosterone was 267 or something like that, so concologist suggested the shot. So my first Lupron shot, which as a three month dose, lasted 6 months so we'll see in 3 months what occures.

Take Care All:

Allen Z

Latest PSA 0.2, T is 26. So after initial Lupron back in April I have seen <0.1, 0.1, 0.5 (yikes!), and now back down a bit. My testosterone went as high as 268 after 6 months (when I hit 0.5), but has dropped again-hard to figure. I see the oncologist in three weeks and will see if we can skip the shot scheduled for then.

Take Care All,

Allen Z

So, another 3 months with this stuff and T is 34 and PSA back down again to what they say is undetectable, but we all know that is medically correct, but inaccurate in the long haul.

Take Care All,

Allen Z

I had my 3 month check up and blood work was all good and PSA back down to <0.1 so that was great. Exercise is a bit of struggle but absolutely necessary to fight the fatigue. I declined the Lupron shot this time and will see what June brings.

Take Care All,

Allen Z

I had a 3 month shot 6 months ago and it seems to still be working..PSA <0.1 so in over a year I have taken the stuff twice and seem to doing being ok, IF the PSA is the thing to go by. My T hit 270, down from 720, but who knows!

Take Care,

Allen Z

I omitted my T score in yesterday's updayte-it is currently 27, so still low 6 months after the 3 month shot-I was pleasantly surprised!

Allen Z

Three month blood work shows testosterone at 388! and PSA 0.5. It has been 6 months since my last 3 month lunpron shot, so I guess it wore off during the last three months when I was at 26 T and <0.1 PSA, so next week will likely go back on the juice. My hot flashes stopped entirely about a month or so, betting that is when the T started to return.

Take Care All,

Allen Z

PSA went 1.2,1.3, then 1.4. Worrisome about the 1.4 as I had started Lupron again after a hiatus; however the PSA and testosterone labs were done by mistake (I think) when I was checked for kidney funtion test--T was down from 600+ to 89, but no decline in the PSA-maybe to early to see results. Will talk with oncologist next week.

Take Care All

AllenZ

Recent response from 3 month Lupron shot is PSA 0.1, T 23. Doc wanted to give another shot but I declined, re-evaluate next 3 month visit in July.

Take Care All

Surprise lab results from yesterday. I did not take the three month lupron last time so it has been 5 months since last shot which got me to .1 at the three month mark with 27 T. I was figuring this latest result would show a substantial rise in T and some increase in PSA-however, my T is at 30 and PSA decreased somewhat to <0.1-unexpected as I have noted.

Take Care All

Allen Z

3 month blood work shows T at 267 (so its rising) but PSA at only 0.1-the last time I did not take the 3 month injection and the T rose to a similar level the PSA rose also from undetectable to 1.2-so this latest result is somewhat of a surprise. I see the onc next Friday and expect to have the back and forth a bit on him wanting to use the T number to justify the Lupron...not sure what I will do.

Take Care All,

Allen Z

Had my onc dr. appointment Friday July 12, and as expected he pushed fairly hard for the Lupron injection (I canceled it two days before). He is just following the T based protocol (i.e., shot if T is over 50-I am close to 300 now, but respectfully declined the treatement-wait and see at next 3 month appointment.

Take Care All,

Allen Z

PSA today is 1.4-have not had a Lupron injection for 7 months-see oncologist next week and will have the discussion about Lupron shot-he will want it but I do not-might wait till I hit 4.0.

Take Care All,

Allen Z

Allen's e-mail address is: kzwicky AT bak.rr.com (replace "AT" with "@")