Sharing a very helpful website and service

[Philly13]

directlabs.com/mobile/Home/...

The above link is for Direct Labs. I have been buying blood tests from them for about a year. They use Quest Labs which is a a very reputable diagnostic laboratory. I got the test every month while I was trying to avoid heavy pharmaceutical treatment. The email results directly to me within 24 hours. PSA is one of the tests of the month for June. $29 instead of the normal $44.

It helped me respond quickly when PSA rose gently as 2019 started after 6 months hovering around 1. After Auximen PET my PSA took off like a rocket ship as I started to investigate treatments. 2.4 in Feb, 3 in March, 5.8 in mid-April as I took PET scan, 47.3 on May 6 at MSKCC.

Insurance was approving 3 months. I wanted every month and It is really easy and convenient and I think remarkably cheap.

It is not available in a few states. Notably, NY and NJ. Pa is where I live and it is available here.

I believe Direct Labs saved me time responding.

[pjoshea13]

Some (in the U.S.) may be closer to a LabCorp location.

Life Extension offers LabCorp PSA tests for $31. I purchased a bunch of reqs during their annual blood test sale (just ended) for $23.25 each.

Either way, I agree with Philly - convenient, fast & inexpensive.

-Patricl

[George71]

Hi Philly13,

I am interested in your rapid PSA rise. Why do you think it took off so fast. Are you on ADT and if so -- how long and what type of ADT. how long since you were first diagnosed and what initial treatment did you have, if you don't mind.

[George71]

Philly13,

some thoughts --- I had a rising PSA post surgery starting from 0.03 in April 2016 to 0.6 by Oct, 2017 -- I started Avadart only -- my PSA dropped 33% to 0.4 and is currently 0.5 -- nearly 20 months.

Avadart will likely lower PSA (on average 40 to 50 percent) and slow the doubling time.

See the post about synergistic combining of Avadart and Zytiga -- if you decide to add Zytiga -- (don't stop the Avadart)

Last thought-- I would talk to Dr. Bob Leibowitz - He does short (triple blockade) ADT + low dose chemo with anti blood vein forming drug then -- puts you on continuous high dose testosterone for life.

compassionateoncology.org/v...

[Philly13]

The rapid rise was discovered on May 6. I started ADT on May 8. Started with Firmagon loading dose. Added Zytiga+prednisone on June 6th. Diagnosed early November 2017. RP on December 19th. 90 days after surgery PSA was .58. 120 days after 1.1. Tests in April 2018 included CT and MRI which showed no reason for poor PSA numbers. I requested the Auximen PET scan and the radiation oncologist fought for it with United Healthcare. Took it in May of 2018. PET revealed 3 lesions. 2 in my pelvis and 1 at T11 vertebra There was no evidence of activity in my prostate bed or lymph nodes. There continues to be no evidence of organ or tissue involvement. The PET scan changed the radiation treatment plan dramatically. I decided to have radiation therapy on the hot spots to see what happened and not begin hormonal therapy right away. 45 days after RT my PSA had dropped to .6. I wanted to try and avoid destructive treatments and took the risk of avoiding ADT on my own. It seemed to work for about 5 months and then PSA started to increase gently. I had a second Auximen Pet scan in Aoril and PSA rose from March. 2 to 5.8. Went to MSK on May 6th for consultation and they took labs. PSA spiked from 5.8 to 47.3 in 3 weeks. Testosterone in January was roughly 500. In May it had risen to 987. it is now 1.

Diagnosis of Gleason 9 Pca occurred when my PSA was 2.5.

A lot of information here. Feel free to reach out on the board or privately. I don't know the reason for why my cancer turned into a fireball. it is obviously aggressive but the details seem unique. Due to my experience my definition of active surveillance is different than most others in this community as well as the scores of people that I know with Pca.

Regards and Happy Fathers Day to all.

[Philly13]

Just saw your second post after mine. I am too tired to read it now. Thanks for sharing and I will look at it tomorrow.

[JimVanHorn]

In my case my doctor checked my blood every three months which saved me money. My PSA did not change that quickly that we needed monthly tests. I wish you well with the new lab.

[j-o-h-n]

Thanks for the tip.... I'm in NY but no need to use them anyway... all of my blood is already taken from my blood sucking ex-wife....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 06/16/2019 10:30 PM DST