It's still there; now what?

[Cramlingtonboy]

After a few undetectable PSA readings following a prostatectomy, 15 months of Eligard and salvage radiation, my latest reading is 0.03. The oncologist suggests waiting until the next PSA test in November to see the rate of change and once it hits a threshold, I will have another PSMA scan. Is there anything I can do in the meantime to slow progression? Dietary, exercise or any other suggestions are welcome.

[Justfor_]

Our cases show a number of similarities, but apart from my GS that came out as 4+5, my post RP trip has been milder. A year and a half ago I started experimenting with an adaptable dosage of Bicalutamide, as IMO the cost-benefit of salvage RT doesn't pay off. Well, I am not suggesting that you take the same route now, but you may have the curiosity regarding my doings, documented here:

healthunlocked.com/prostate...

[Cramlingtonboy in reply to Justfor_]

That's fascinating. Thanks for documenting your efforts. How did you get your doctors to buy into your plan and what side effects are you experiencing from the Bicalutamide dosages?

[Justfor_ in reply to Cramlingtonboy]

Bicalutamide is the first step to hormonal treatment around here. The "kitchen sink" approach isn't popular at all. Dosage adjustment is my own thing. Doctor prescribes standard dose at one box per month. I have a cupboard full of unopened boxes. Only side effect is the danger of developing gynaekomastia that Tamoxifen takes care of. Funny thing, I tried once to cut the 10 mg of Tamoxifen by half and in a week's time I felt tenderness in my sternum. This is an additional proof that my dosage does its job. I am also on Avodart since 3 months post RP.

[Tall_Allen]

0.03 is nothing to react to and a PSMA PET will probably show nothing and is a waste of money.

[Cramlingtonboy in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks TA. That's what I was told by the oncologist and I'm ok with that. I was looking more for lifestyle choices to slow down the rise rather than second guessing the onc.

[London441 in reply to Cramlingtonboy]

While you decide what further treatments you may or may not take, your most important lifestyle choices by far are cardiovascular and weight bearing exercise.

Hopefully you are doing this already. If so, increase the frequency and intensity if you can safely do so. If not, start. If you can afford it, a trainer can be very helpful.

Strength and cardiovascular fitness are the 2 metrics most associated with longevity and the quality of it, regardless of the presence or absence of disease.

[mperloe]

0.03 is very close to the low end of many assays and may not truly indicate a rise. Strongly agree that PET CT at this point is not helpful. Any rise may simply be related to discontinuing ADT.

[j-o-h-n]

Pray...........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 06/14/2023 10:42 PM DST