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Husband's PSA is staying at 3.9 and he is having some brief pains

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Posted 9/1/2012 8:48 PM (GMT -5)
I have really appreciated your feedback on my earlier question so here I am again.

My husband had his second Lupron quarterly shot on July 26th. His PSA was 3.9 in May and stayed at 3.9 on Juy 26. His next PSA test is September 13 and the closer we get to the 13th, the more anxious he gets. He is convincing himself that the fact that the PSA didn't move is a bad sign.

In addition, he has been having these little brief bone pains and that is concerning him, too.

Then to add to that, yesterday and today his back kind of "catches" for no particular reason. Yesterday was a very very DOWN day for us.

Has anyone else had similar experiences?
Posted 9/1/2012 10:14 PM (GMT -5)
Depending on how many bone mets he has and where they are located, sometimes they can be treated with spot radiation and eliminated.
Posted 9/1/2012 10:24 PM (GMT -5)
The doctors have been very vague about how many. We were told at first that they were in his ribs, his spine and his right thigh. Then when we were at the oncologist, he had the films hanging on the wall and it looked to us (as laymen) that they were scattered everywhere in the body.

We got really freaked out and the oncologist said that some of the bigger spots that we were looking at were just arthritis. So we are still confused.

When we go for the PSA test on the 13th we will talk to the oncologist about radiation. This is all so scary.
Posted 9/2/2012 12:51 AM (GMT -5)
HI mbisoux, it is possible the larger ones on the films are just arthritis most cancer spots are small dots and grow as the cancer spreads (still look like dots but patchy) arthritis is more solid looking i am not sure how to explain it other then its more of connect the dots when its cancer and more solid when its arthritis I hope this helps you in some way also most arthritis starts near or on a joint so look at the film again if you can and just relax my husband is stage 4 with mets and has been fighting since 2008 :) so keep your head up and smile because there are many drugs and treatments to help now and sooo many more coming in the future
sending lots of prayers and hugs your way
cc
Posted 9/2/2012 12:59 AM (GMT -5)
Wow, thank you so much for the info. You are making me feel a bit better. This is all so new to us still so we get scared easily. When I come to this forum and read posts for an hour or so, I feel so much better. But right now my husband has himself convinced that when we go to see the oncologist on the 13th he's going to be told he needs to start chemo or something just as bad.

He was just diagnosed in March and the oncologist told us that chemo was a possibility but it was way down the road. I've been trying to get hubby to dwell on those more positive comments but he just can't do it yet.

But at least reading posts like yours keeps me calmer so that I'm able to be strong for him. So I thank you very much.

I see in your stats you mention the MDV3100 trial. I believe that drug was just approved by the FDA? I saw the news in the Prostate Cancer Foundation Newsletter and made a note to talk to the oncologist about it on the 13th. Is your husband still on it?

I am sending prayers and hugs your way, too. THANKS!
Posted 9/2/2012 1:21 AM (GMT -5)
Mbisoux,
I agree with cc that there are lots of new treatments to try. My husband has been fighting this Pca beast since 2008 with lots more disease, bone, lymph and lung and is still around and enjoying life to its fullest.

You both will make it through this journey with some rough and smoothe patches. Try to stay calm.

Zimac
Posted 9/2/2012 6:20 AM (GMT -5)
Mbisoux, my husband has been fighting this beast since 2002. You can see his path below in my signature. Like C.C.'s husband, he is on MDV3100 and both are getting very good results. Our next follow ups are in October so you will hear from both of us about those results.
I remember us hearing about chemo a couple of years ago and that seemed to us a bad path. But now having been on it, we understand it is a treatment which usually has good results. Not for my husband but in a way it was good because it led directly to MDV3100.
Hang in there, the more information the better you will feel.
Posted 9/2/2012 10:35 AM (GMT -5)
It has been especially comforting hearing from wives so I thank you.

You say you will report back with results after your next followup visits -- where do you post those?  Do I come back to this thread?  I am relatively new to the whole forum thing.

And I can't tell you how much I have appreciated hearing from all of you.  We've been "on a ledge" these past few days and you guys talked me off of that ledge.  Marshall's brother-in-law died two weeks ago of lung cancer and I think we've allowed that to get under our skin, too.

Posted 9/2/2012 10:58 AM (GMT -5)
mbisoux

Our sisters are wonderful people!

Depends on how people report back they will either update a previous thread or start a new thread. Either way that new information will show on the first page.

So sorry to hear about Marshall's brother in law. Our prayers are with him, his family and you and yours

Hugs!

Bud

We will beat this crap!
Posted 9/2/2012 2:19 PM (GMT -5)
Hello. My psa reading after 30 days of hormone was exactly 3.9 too. (from 44.0) Gleason 9. My next visit is Oct 13th. We counted 10 Bone spots on PET scan when my wife and I last visited my Doctor. I have noticed it being a little uncomfortable sitting for very long due to pelvic spot. Learning what to do about this myself.

Anxiety is a form of fear and, for sure, we all have episodes of it, but as much as is possible we need to come to terms with our fears and learn to find peace and cling to it. There is a TON of comfort here in this forum I have found out.

Seems everyone dies eventually but we cancer victims get to know a little more precisely when which can shake the soul to the core, but can also make the rest of ones life richer than one thought possible with the right attitude. But it aint easy. Will be praying for him too.
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