Hello all. I love you guys, but I figure while my PSA is undetectable, I’m going to take a break from this forum and try to get back to some level of normalcy, psychologically and emotionally. There will be plenty of time to read up and plan my next course of action when my PSA returns. Hopefully that will be a few years away.
My question is, how often should I test my PSA? I’m 8 months post baseline T recovery, and 14 months post IMRT. My urologist has suggested every 6 months, but that seems too long from what I’ve read here.
Can I get tested every 4 months for the next year, or should I insist on continuing to be tested every 3 months?
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Murph256
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After primary RT, I got a PSA Every 3 months for the first year after RT, then every 6 months for the next year, and then annually thereafter (except for 1 year when I forgot entirely). If you're undetectable post T recovery, it's not going to get away from you.
I would follow an adaptive scheme: For every undetectable test, add one month. The reverse is also useful. If you see an increase by x%, shorten the test period by (1-x)%.
Interesting boundary condition: If you, for example, had 0.02 during the last test and you get a 0.04 or greater at this time, repeat the test as it is either an erroneous reading or something has started moving fast.
There is no right answer, Murph256. There is what you are comfortable with: the right answer for you. I just saw MO and we are on a 6-month schedule. I am undetectable 21 months after RARP. My urol also sees me every six months and that schedule alternates with the MO. So I get PSA every three months. I recognize that this is a security blanket for me and I will need after the two year anniversary o f surgery to decide if I need the security blanket and the added anxiety awaiting results.
As to the forum, I keep reading in part because I want to keep informed for my role as leader of a support group. But I should be in another forum. I feel compassion fatigue at times and really do not understand the "how much time does my Henry have?" questions. I hear and feel the desperation, but is this the best place to unload all of that? A break such as you propose for yourself makes sense. All the best.
PSA is only one of many ways of finding cnacer ..i would go as much as you feel mentally ...but cancer can be their with no PSA showing up...or real low PSA.,,,
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