Extending visits

i think you did the right thing.

Six months sounds about right. For my situation, except for one day every 12 weeks, PSA tests reduce my anxiety. Had my curative treatments cured me, I would still be reluctant to go to annual PSAs, but that's just me.

I think this is a "win-win" plan!

You've made a fair, informed, and reasonable decision. Visiting the lab will give you that peace of mind that you need.

Each case is different ~ I have been on a once-a-month PSA lab schedule since diagnosis in 2013.

It's what was needed, as my team and I monitored results following the "early chemo plan" ~ a nine-week series of radiation treatments mapped out by Mayo Clinic ~ worked through three different forms of ADT injections to find the kind that helped eliminate PSA "spikes and flares" ~ and then started ZYTIGA.

I was the first patient at my treatment center treated with the "early treatment plan" and the first patient at my treatment center to try ZYTIGA (Abiraterone Acetate).

Both have helped me, and my oncologist later shared this led them to use these approaches with other prostate cancer patients.

I also underwent two new genetic tests, along the way.

All of my medical treatment data has been entered into a data pool, with my permission, used by Mayo Clinic.

Just recently, I went to an "every two months" testing schedule. For me, this was a BIG STEP. My oncologist and I agreed upon this together.

Each case is different, as we all can attest.

You have found a testing schedule that works well for you, to be sure!

Here's to kicking the can down the road, Pratoman!

C-Y-C-L-O-N-E ~ # Iowa State University

I agree with the proposed testing schedule (not that it matters)...

DjinTonic said...
Personally, I like getting the good news of a low PSA. You are a moderator on a PCa board--there is no way that you are not thinking about it for long periods.

I guess you have to weight the short period between testing and waiting to ... just waiting. It's not the test that makes one's PSA go up.

Djin

I really think, for ME, every 6 months is better. Lots of stress around test time, but more peace of mind between tests. Sadly, optimism was never my strong suit, i'm a glass half empty guy, something i work on constatnly, with mixed results.

Cyclone-ISU said...


Each case is different, as we all can attest.

You have found a testing schedule that works well for you, to be sure!

Here's to kicking the can down the road, Pratoman!

C-Y-C-L-O-N-E ~ # Iowa State University

Thanks Cyclone, you get me. Actually i think you get everyone here. I love your encouraging words and concern or others that shows through in every post you put up

Prato - Everyone is different. My Uro’s practice follows the first 2 years at 3 mos, the next three years at 6 mos, and worry about 5 years plus when we get there although annually is listed in their instructions. My guess is when you get to 5 years, you are not worried about a quickly rising PSA so much.

My question would be: What are you going to do with PSA information after primary and secondary treatment regardless of timing, sensitivity, or precision? If I found out I had a 0.15 PSA someday, I would not go crazy or rush to do anything. I have had plenty of time to think about it for 3+ years already and I will slowly move to Phase III when the time comes. That time does not need to come one month earlier in my opinion and ruin the fun.

After 3 years of 3-month testing, my uro/surgeon said he was comfortable going to every 6 months, but I should choose whatever interval I was comfortable with, 3, 4 or 6. I chose 4 months (thinking we'd go to 6 after a couple of good tests), but my PSA then went up a very slight amount, we went back to 3, and my PSA then returned to baseline. When I asked if we could do one 8 month interval, to get me back on a 6 month schedule matching my surgery anniversary, he said 8 months was too long an interval for me. We're testing every 6 months as long as things stay good.

I believe that each uro picks an initial scheduled based on the patient's post-RP risk: Gleason score, any adverse pathology, and PSA value/trend. The interval expands as the PSA trend permits, keeping the post-op pathology in mind. My case and schedule are clearly different from a G6 guy with no adverse RP findings.

Djin

I switched to once a year in November 2021.

Urologist mentioned 1 year in November 2020, but I waited and continued 6 month appointments/PSA tests in 2021. Wasn’t quite ready then.

Prato, it's been 12 years since my prostatectomy, and I'm now on a once-a-year PSA test schedule. I guess I'll be there for the rest of my life (and at nearly 77, who knows how long that might be!)
Even though I've always had undetectables, and even though 12 years have passed, I still get nervous waiting for the results, and the paranoid part of me expects bad news.
I agree that checking results on the patient portal before talking to the doctor can present problems. I had an echocardiogram last week, and the notes on the portal mention moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension, yet I've heard nothing from the cardiologist regarding that. Is it serious? What are the ramifications? I've even messaged him and have gotten no response. So, I put it in the back of my mind, but I'd have better peace of mind if I didn't know about it.
Your plan sounds like the right one for you.

Ken knowing you this is clearly a great decision!

Jim

I go to the portal right after the blood test. If I had to wait for my doctor to call, I would still be waiting. Even though some of you say you are not doctors, you all are a collective source of what choices I can make. You all have the most current research on treatments and testimony as to the effectiveness of each treatment. Your track records of what works best is a blueprint to help all here make good decisions. A case in point is the answers given to McKinley on her dads journey. What doctor is ever going to give in great detail what she needs to hear? My suggestion as always is, live the life you have now to the fullest and keep a positive attitude. My best to all.
Jack