Confused

[MsHope]

UPDATE: April 5, 2024

Yesterday was very disappointing as my husbands PSA increased again by 183 points, last month his PSA was 1546 and now it is 1730. All his other CBC results were good. His Alkaline Phosphatase increased 6 points, last month 127 and now 133 but still in range of 40-150. Questioned why PSA was increasing each month. Only explanation was maybe his 6 month Lupron injection had worn off. Yesterday was his time to get Lupron injection. I have a hard time believing that is the cause. He feels good, has gained weight and no significant pain since starting chemo. I asked about the post chemotherapy syndrome and was told that was not the cause, as it only last the first couple of chemo treatments.

Wants him to have another PMSAT scan. Ask it that would tell us why PSA is increasing and was told it would show any active cancer cells. That didn't answer our question. We will decide on that after next chemo treatment.

Any insight to this issue would greatly be appreciated.

UPDATE: April 3, 2024

I made a mistake on this comment "This week will be his 4th chemo treatment." Tomorrow will be his 5th chemo treatment.

Update April 1, 2024

I am confused and once again very worried concerning my husbands PSA increases. I do not understand why his PSA continues to rise. His other CBC results are improving and most are normal. It was our understanding that the chemo treatment would lower his PSA. This week will be his 4th chemo treatment. His oncologist has not answers our questions to satisfaction and just says he needs to have another PSMAT. On the upside, he is not having the horrible bone pain, gaining weight and actually feeling good most of the time. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

He started chemo with Taxotere in January. Below are his blood test results since starting chemo.

PSA

Mar 14, 2024

1546.711 NG/ML

Feb 22, 2024

1377.071 NG/ML

Feb 01, 2024

1307.241 NG/ML

Jan 18, 2024

1688.624 NG/ML

> 1000.000 NG/ML

alkaline phosphatase

Mar 14, 2024

127 U/L

40-150 U/L

Feb 22, 2024

9:57 am 156 U/L

40-150 U/L H

Feb 01, 2024

9:22 am

152 U/L

40-150 U/L H

Jan 18, 2024

10:22 am

203 U/L

40-150 U/L H

Jan 11, 2024

9:59 am

377 U/L

40-150 U/L H

Jan 04, 2024

11:34 am

573 U/L

40-150 U/L H

This was my previous post.

Thursday, my husband had his follow-up appointment with Oncologist. I was very alarmed at some of his blood test results. His PSA went up to 1600. Doctor said other blood work was to be expected. I researched surged in PSA and found this, The PSA flare is a well-known phenomenon. The post chemotherapy increase in serum PSA could reach more than twice the baseline value. I can't believe that his PSA went from 600 to the 1600. Has anyone heard of anything like this?

His White Blood Cell count was 8.55 now it is 2.75, red blood cell count was 3.90 now 3.75 and his Hemoglobin was 9.3 now 9.0.

The one good result was his Alkaline Phosphatase was 377 and went down to 203.

His Oncologist said he was okay with the blood test results, it was to be expected.

As I stated, the results were very alarming to me.

I would appreciate any information that could be provided.

Thanks in advance

[Yokohama2023]

I’m confused that he doesn’t post anything and it’s only you .. here I am posting for myself.. you are very sweet and nice I wish you the best ..

[MsHope in reply to Yokohama2023]

He is not very computer savvy, so I do all the research and posting online. Thank you for your reply.

[quietcorner in reply to Yokohama2023]

some men are reluctant to post (speaking for my partner here) because it makes the PCa very real, creates a lot of fear. ignorance can be bliss.

[PELHA in reply to quietcorner]

Yes I read this blog every day but my husband doesn’t want it to be a constant conversation topic so I just take notes if new things to discuss with his MO and to try to support other daily habits that are helpful. I get that a person would not want this to be all-consuming. QOL each and every day is so important. So like the OP who is a wife, we tend to keep fears to ourselves if we can!! I can totally relate!

[HikerWife in reply to Yokohama2023]

Many wives/partners are the active members here. This is a personal decision.

[hopeful1956 in reply to Yokohama2023]

What difference does it make who posts? I'm not sure why that would make you confused.

[Yokohama2023 in reply to hopeful1956]

Confused is the wrong word.. I guess surprised. The love shown by spouses is amazing .. while my wife worries all the time she has never made it to a site or forum on my behalf .. I’ve spent a lot of time sifting through the information here to get a better understanding and never considered that some guys wouldn’t and their spouses would. It’s been particularly difficult for me as I’m in a different country with a foreign language and the information doesn’t flow from a Japanese doctor like it may in another country.. cultural differences. I didn’t mean to offend anyone and wish everyone the best.

[hopeful1956 in reply to Yokohama2023]

I totally understand and thank you for responding. Knowledge is power.

[Brendan1904]

Not sure from your post what stage your husband is at? If chemo is like mine, palliative, then appears excellent, as alkaline phosphatase has reduced to almost normal. Mine got down to under 1000 for 2nd chemo. As far as PSA it depends how extensive cancer is and how aggressive. If he is not in much pain and able to get around a little then enjoy and don't worry about anything if oncologist is pleased with results. Time is too short to worry unnecessarily. Let him enjoy his time and you enjoy it as well. Probably not what you want to hear but my thoughts. We all want more effective treatment than we are getting but realise it probably doesn't exist.My aim is for 6 chemo cycles and if successful then can continue to a max of 10. Will worry about next stage when we get there.

Hope you get some better news soon.

[MsHope in reply to Brendan1904]

Thank you for your reply. My husband has Stage 4 (CRPC) metastatic cancer, diagnosed in June 2018.

[LearnAll]

Only time will tell if it is "PSA flare" or progression. Need to monitor labs evry 2 to 4 weeks and see the trend.

[MsHope in reply to LearnAll]

Thanks so much for reply. In researching that is what I was thinking and hoping it was PSA Flare. Especially since his other CBC have been improving.

[PELHA]

Such as today I’d never heard of Decapeptyl that one poster has been taking so looked up what it was and then to see how it compared to Lupron which my husband is on. New thing learned!!

[j-o-h-n]

Hope rhymes with Cope.............(that's it)...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n