I am a Survivor of Prostate Cancer

[jpmcwjr]

I hope humor —an attempt, that is— is welcome.

I've got it pretty good, as I missed my annual check up the year before my most recent one, which was in February, 2020. My PSA level had jumped to 15 from just under 3. Annoyed at the Dr.'s staff, as they usually hounded me to make an appointment, but bottom line, I failed to make the appointment two years ago.

Many tests, change of doctors, more tests, and finally started active treatment, first with bicalutamine, then Lupron, brachytherapy (radioactive seeds implanted around the prostate) and then five weeks of external radiation, followed by—rather continued with—more effing Lupron.

Lupron stops the production of testosterone, with my main side effect is extreme fatigue in the afternoon.

I am trying to get some numbers on stopping that treatment now instead of another year which is what the radiologist recommended.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Thanks for sharing. And @edger you’ve probably still got at least half a foot on the rest of us, so I wouldn’t worry about an inch or two.

 

[mawnansmiff]

I've noticed something recently that might be connected and that is some mornings (and it only is mornings, never during the day) though desperate for the first pee of the day it takes an age to arrive and when it does instead of the gush one would expect it's a mere gentle trickle and it takes an age to empty the bladder.

Just turned 59 so perhaps I ought mention it to my GP but reading this thread has me a tad worried so will do some reading up in the meantime.

Regards,

Jay.

 

[Fiddlepiper]

Thanks for sharing your story @edger and everyone else . It's vitally important to make sure subject like this don't become taboo or aren't spoken about.

Men can be particularly bad about dealing with their health issues early enough. Threads/stories like this help as a reminder to keep an eye on your health and do what is necessary when it deteriorates/changes.

 

[Reggie]

You are a Beast @edger ! Own it and thanks for sharing ! We all need to keep track of health issues as we age. Sometimes it takes a brother to remind us.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I've noticed something recently that might be connected and that is some mornings (and it only is mornings, never during the day) though desperate for the first pee of the day it takes an age to arrive and when it does instead of the gush one would expect it's a mere gentle trickle and it takes an age to empty the bladder.

Just turned 59 so perhaps I ought mention it to my GP but reading this thread has me a tad worried so will do some reading up in the meantime.

Regards,

Jay.

Do you not get an annual anal probe? PSA test? If not, it's high time!

 

[krizzose]

I'm 46 with no family history or symptoms, and I've been getting the PSA test in my annual blood work for many years now. Why not?

 

[tbradsim1]

Because you’re at the age for it. Worked for Exxon for 31.5 yrs, they used to supposedly do the blood work for that, only found it during a goose hunt. My Son who works for Exxon says they don’t do it anymore, check for prostrate, told him, don’t rely on them, go to your own Dr. simple PSA TELLS YOU A LOT. Now they probably have more sospisticated tests. The advice I got from relatives, Just leave it Alone. YEA!

 

[mawnansmiff]

"Do you not get an annual anal probe?"

No John but I did once have a camera shoved up my bum....incredibly painful, then a week later one down my throat.

I just hope they washed it between my appointments ;-)

Regards,

Jay.

 

[edger]

"Do you not get an annual anal probe?"

No John but I did once have a camera shoved up my bum....incredibly painful, then a week later one down my throat.

I just hope they washed it between my appointments ;-)

Regards,

Jay.

Damn photojournalists always looking for a story.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Jay-

No PSA either?

 

[mawnansmiff]

"No PSA either?"

Never heard of PSA until reading this thread. I do give a blood sample several times a year so I suppose anything would show up there. Indeed, I gave a blood sample two weeks ago and was promptly told I had anaemia (again) and they now need a stool & pee sample

Regards,

Jay.

 

[gamzultovah]

"No PSA either?"

Never heard of PSA until reading this thread. I do give a blood sample several times a year so I suppose anything would show up there. Indeed, I gave a blood sample two weeks ago and was promptly told I had anaemia (again) and they now need a stool & pee sample

Regards,

Jay.

They have to be looking for PSA numbers for the labs to check them. Here’s a great company that offers Lab packages where YOU choose the test and YOU get the results, not your doctor: www.LifeExtension.com .... I don’t know if what they offer works outside the USA, but I would drop them a line to find out. You must be an advocate for your own health and in this day and age, it is easier than ever to do. Good luck.

 

[gamzultovah]

"No PSA either?"

Never heard of PSA until reading this thread. I do give a blood sample several times a year so I suppose anything would show up there. Indeed, I gave a blood sample two weeks ago and was promptly told I had anaemia (again) and they now need a stool & pee sample

Regards,

Jay.

Here is a direct link to there labs testing page: Lab Testing Services – Unlock Better Health - Life Extension - https://www.lifeextension.com/lab-testing

 

[mawnansmiff]

"You must be an advocate for your own health"

This is so true.

Regards,

Jay.

 

[mikethompson]

Both my father and father in law have had prostate cancer. Both treated and no issues now, but it can happen to any guy.

 

[RonB]

The PSA test is a lifesaver. I had zero symptoms but a tumor the size of a walnut. It would not have been discovered without the PSA blood test.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

It's good to get the PSA tests on a regular basis, especially when "younger" so the docs have a baseline of your average value. Then when there is a change, they will take notice (and you should follow it too) and look closer.

 

[danimalia]

Thanks for sharing this, @edger ... I'll be turning 40 next year, which is when I think it will start coming up for screenings by my provider. Obviously, I'm not looking forward to it, but after the good example set by a lot of other guys, I will man up and do what the doctor recommends. Glad you and the other survivors in the thread made it through!

 

[Rockyrepose]

Congratulations Ross, glad you are in the survivor side of the statistics.

I'm 60 and have had annual PSA testing with a low score so far. Richard Pryor had a funny bit about pee streams in one of his stand up routines.

As men age there are several factors that impact urination. I'm not a doctor but I play one on TV. I ended up in urinary retention due to enlargement of the prostate. My urologist said I had a normal sized prostate for my age but it was constricting inward and affecting my urethra.

I'd noticed a decrease in pee stream strength, volume and increased frequency particularly in the past two years.

I'm cancer free as far as I know but am really pleased with the medical management of my issue. The down side was coming to terms with living 60 years free of medication needs and now I'm on daily meds.

There are several treatment options for non cancer enlarged prostate. Medication, Photo-vaporization with a green light laser, trans urethral resection of the prostate and some newer chryo treatments that freeze tissue to name a few off the top of my head.

Bottom line is don't delay being seen by a professional. Do your research but annual checks are a good thing when you get older.