I know I'm lucky, but.....

[NorYug]

I was diagnosed as Stage 4 three years ago with a PSA of 65 (after radiation treatments 7 years earlier). I've been on Erleada / Lupron since then and PSA dropped to 1.74 in one month and fell below .1 four months later and has held steady at .01 - .02 for two years. Minimal side effects.

I got a bone scan and DEXA scan with follow-ups a year later. MO said they showed excellent improvement.

I consider myself very lucky.

My MO and a second opinion MO both say the same thing....things are going great, just maintain the status quo. I feel like there must be something I should/could be doing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for something to do just so that I'm doing something, but i keep thinking maybe I can cut my dosage of Erleada....maybe that would stretch the amount of time it would be effective. Maybe repeat bone and DEXA scans? (MO says it is highly unlikely they would show anything actionable.) Maybe get some other test? (PSMA PET/CT? Maybe only to serve as a base line for the future?) Maybe get a 3rd MO opinion? (I've seen a second MO at Univ of Maryland Medical Center a couple times, who echoed what my primary MO has been saying.) Maybe get a 3rd MO opinion? (I live near Johns Hopkins, which is supposed to be excellent, but it's hard to get into see them, and I don't know which doctor I'd see, but I'd be open to traveling to see someone else.)

I don't think I'm overthinking this. I don't worry about my situation (except for the 24-48 hours between my quarterly blood draws and the receipt of the results). I know how serious my condition is, and I'd rather be taking some sort of action.

I like and respect my MO. Should I just stop wondering and listen to him? He couldn't be happier with my progress, as am I....I don't want to just wait if there's something I could be doing.

Thanks.

Ron

[Tall_Allen]

"but i keep thinking maybe I can cut my dosage of Erleada....maybe that would stretch the amount of time it would be effective. " That would do the opposite. Less effective dose decreases the amount of time it would be effective. Resist the urge to tinker.

[tango65]

You are doing great. Your PSA is very low and stable. The most senstive tests are the PSMA PET/CTs, but they should be done when the PSA is around 0.5 or higher, very far away from your actual situation.

Othe treatments may be indicated only when radiographic progression is present,

[NorYug]

Thanks for the responses.

I guess I'll try to just set aside the impatience and focus on other QoL things I can be doing.

Ron

[Boywonder56]

Just wonder ..how many mets you had...

[NorYug]

I just have two mets....hip and rib.