Prostate

**zaggahamma** · 10-06-2006, 03:54 PM

mobligator should be posting soon it's the weekend

**Mobligator** · 10-06-2006, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by Kale

OK just got back, the news is still not great. My free PSA is 11.9% the range is from 0-10% pretty conclusive for malignancey, 10-25% Inconclusive, 25%+ no tumor. So I am pretty close to being sure that there is something there. The Dr recommends biopsy. I have decided I am going back to Oz in a month and a half and I am going to have the whole thing redone there and the biopsy as well if necessary. They just cant explain the big jump and I am not confident in the Urologist. If I have cancer, six weeks wont make much difference as they arnt fast growing anyway. I am happy with that decision and I am resigned to the fact that whatever will be will be, and there isnt a whole lot I can do about it. I am comming off HGH, I stopped on Monday anyway but I am staying on 50mg Test E a week until the biospy if I need one. Where is Mobligator when I need him !!!

Mobligator is right here! Sorry I didn't know about your problem sooner but I've been real busy this past week doing some work outside on the house. Sounds like you could have cancer but don't panic and worry yourself to death, like I almost did. It's a devastating diagnosis to receive but even if your biopsy is positive, remember this; "you are not going to die from it". You will live to be an old man like me but you won't be taking any testosterone injections for awhile, maybe never.

But you could very well have an infection too, "prostatitis". I had chronic prostatitis for about 12 years before I was diagnosed with PCa and my PSA went up to 9.4 once and was up around 6.9 -6.6 several times between 1994 -1996. When I finally got the PCa, my PSA shot up to 12.7 from 5.2 in 3 months. I took a course of the antibiotic Bractrim for two weeks and it went own to 9.3, at which time I knew I was in big trouble. That was in Dec of 2001. In Jan 2002 I got a biopsy that came back positive. Scared me half to death but I'm still here and you'll be alright too, regardless. They normally Rx Bactrim or Cipro for prostatitis.

If you do have cancer don't be too quick about deciding which way to treat it. A Radical Prostatectomy (removing the prostate) is a very serious and invasive operation and it's only as good as the doctor who performs it. I wouldn't let any doctor touch me with a ten foot pole unless he had already performed at least 200-300 operations successfully.

There are several very good treatments now besides prostatectomy and much less invasive. A friend of mine just had Cryrosurgery last December and he's fine now and doesn't have any side affects. At Stanford U in CA they recently used "Cyberknife" on four PCa patients, a new procedure utilizing radiation. If I had it to do over I might consider the Cyberknife. In Canada they are using Ultrasound, not yet approved in the U.S. I had the same treatment that Rudy Gulianna had but I had my treatment in Atlanta, GA at RCOG (Radiotherpy Clinics of GA) It consisted of the implanting of radioactive iodine seeds first, followed by conformal beam radiation 3 weeks later, using IMRT. IMRT is the most advanced form of conformal beam radiation and has far fewer side effects, esp on other organs. I never has any side effects! My advice would be to check out all of your options before making any decision.

I'll tell you more about these procedures later but one thing you can take to the bank, "You are going to live through this!" Your PSA is still low as an indicator for the agressiveness of cancer. In the biopsy they will do a "Gleason" test on the samples they take. The Gleason score also shows how agressive the cancer is growing. You can look up all this information on the RCOG site and you can contact them to send you an information packet. Go to: www.rcog.net
I'll be getting back to you real soon. Hang in there.
Bob W.

**Kale** · 10-07-2006, 08:10 AM

Thanks for the response mate you are a great friend. Its weird I dont even know if I have got PC but I am already thinking of the consequences. I spoke to my Dr ia Australia today and she was all doom and gloom and said I should get a biopsy asap because it could be aggressive because of my young age.

As for no test, well I might as well give up now. No sex life and turn into a woman, who needs a life like that, seriously.

My Dr is going to call a firend of hers on Monday and see what can be done. A lot of the treatments you suggest are not available in Australia I suspect and I just cannot afford to go to the USA to have this treated if that becomes necesssary so I will have to take stock of what is available here.

I dont understand why none of the Dr's here have even mentioned Prostatitis. Are there symptoms for that. I feel nothing right now, nothing except fear that is

**Mobligator** · 10-07-2006, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Kale

Thanks for the response mate you are a great friend. Its weird I dont even know if I have got PC but I am already thinking of the consequences. I spoke to my Dr ia Australia today and she was all doom and gloom and said I should get a biopsy asap because it could be aggressive because of my young age.

As for no test, well I might as well give up now. No sex life and turn into a woman, who needs a life like that, seriously.

My Dr is going to call a firend of hers on Monday and see what can be done. A lot of the treatments you suggest are not available in Australia I suspect and I just cannot afford to go to the USA to have this treated if that becomes necesssary so I will have to take stock of what is available here.

I dont understand why none of the Dr's here have even mentioned Prostatitis. Are there symptoms for that. I feel nothing right now, nothing except fear that is

Sometimes there are symptoms of prostatitis and sometimes not. Depends on how severe it is and/or how long you've had it, but eventually you do get symptoms. Also the symptoms are sometimes worst if you already have BPH. One of the first is a burning sensation when urinating, frequent urination, often hard to start urination (esp when getting up at night to go) and when/if it gets real bad, you might have a seepage similar to the clap. I've learned over the years how to detect it before it gets too bad and a rise in your PSA is always suspect for a prostate infection. I don't know why your MD's haven't mentioned it. Remember, mine went up to 9.4 simply from a prostate infection. And once you get an infection they are extremely difficult to get rid of completely. Reason being, the prostate is like a sponge and the bacteria can get in the cracks and crevices hiding there in a somewhat dormant stage and then at some later time, flare up again. You can have a normal sex life again even after PCa. If you are certain all of the cancer has been eradicated you can probably take test again. My Uro told me that when I was in Atlanta but I'm just not that certain yet. I have dabbled in some Andro Gel occasionally and taken a few small injections but everytime I do my PSA goes up and I stop taking it. But right now you're putting the cart before the horse.
I do want to inform you about one treatment that will most definitely ruin your sex life. They call it the Hormone treatment, which is a misnomer. It's actually "hormone ablation" and what it does is stop your body from producing testosterone , a type of chemical castration. It's not even a cure but will only stop the growth of androgen dependent cancer for a period of time, usually not more than 3 years and then when the cancer becomes non-dependent on androgen it will begin to grow again. Ablation will put you through Andropause , the equivalent of a womans menopause, hotflashes, weakness, muscle atrophy, bone mass loss, etc. Bad stuff!

I’m going to do you a favor and give you a comprehensive, all inclusive “source” for information on prostate cancer. Don Cooley is one of the most renowned experts on prostate cancer in the U.S., all (self learned), and if you can’t find the answer on prostate cancer on one of his web sites or from him personally, the answer is most likely not known. He knows more than most Urologists and Oncologists on the subject. I want you to first read his biography and you’ll see what I mean. Then check out his web sites. He can also tell you what and where treatments are available, maybe even in Australia. He has a wealth of information.
Check out his bio at: http://prostate-help.blogs.com/about.html

Here are two of his web sites.

http://www.prostate-help.org/

http://prostate-help.blogs.com/prost...h_cancer_.html

Get yourself educated as much as possible just in case you do have PCa. "A good education is the best cure". It'll also calm your nerves. Bob W.

**powerlifter** · 10-09-2006, 03:57 PM

Great info mobilgator !! I agree it could be prostatitis - get a PSA done just to be sure. Check with your MD.

**Mobligator** · 10-09-2006, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by powerlifter

Great info mobilgator !! I agree it could be prostatitis - get a PSA done just to be sure. Check with your MD.

I Like your Avatar. The ol testosterone structure. The chemical structure of life.

Anyway, if Kale takes a good antibiotic for 10 days to two weeks before he get another PSA, it'll go down if it's an infection. However the best way for the Doc to check for infection is to do a smear test from massaging the prostate and check it under a microscope. They like to do urine tests but I've had them miss infections that way about 50-60 percent of the time.

**Kale** · 10-10-2006, 04:34 AM

Originally Posted by Mobligator

I Like your Avatar. The ol testosterone structure. The chemical structure of life.

Anyway, if Kale takes a good antibiotic for 10 days to two weeks before he get another PSA, it'll go down if it's an infection. However the best way for the Doc to check for infection is to do a smear test from massaging the prostate and check it under a microscope. They like to do urine tests but I've had them miss infections that way about 50-60 percent of the time.

Mate what antibiotic would you suggest ? And by smear test do you mean look at the sperm ?

**Mobligator** · 10-10-2006, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by Kale

Mate what antibiotic would you suggest ? And by smear test do you mean look at the sperm ?

I think the best antibiotic for prostate infection is Bactrim DS or Septra DS. (DS for double strength). They are the same drugs but different brand names. The chemical name is, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and will be less expensive if you have your doc write the Rx for the chemical names or the generic. The first name is a sulfa drug as you probably guessed and the second is a broad spectrum antibiotic that is very effective against bacteria/pathogens of the urinary tract. Most Uro's will prescribe this Rx for prostatitis. Cipro will work but I don't think it's as fast or as effective.

With the smear test they massage the prostate gland with their finger for a few seconds until a couple drops of prostate fluid leaks out on a slide to put under a microscope. Just like the digital exam.

Try it for a couple weeks and then get another PSA done. I've seen mine drop down significantly (3-4 points) in a couple weeks. Good Luck.

**Kale** · 10-22-2006, 09:42 PM

Guys I have some good news I think. Thanks to Mobligator and some research I did I suggested to my DR (not the Urologist) that I may have Prostatitis and I should try some antibiotics before the Biopsy. He appologised for not thinking of that even though I have no symptoms. He put me on Antibiotics for three days. I have since read It should be for at least two weeks. Well I just had another PSA Test done and its gone down from 8 to 5.6 in three weeks. Remember it went from 5 to 8 in four weeks previously. So things are looking a little better. I spoke to the Dr again this morning and I am going back on the antibiotics for another two weeks and we will re test again then depending on that result I will decide if I do a biopsy or not. For anybody reading this in the future who might have the same issue, have a look at this web site http://www.cancer.prostate-help.org/contents.htm it is a god send !!!!

**Mobligator** · 10-23-2006, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Kale

Guys I have some good news I think. Thanks to Mobligator and some research I did I suggested to my DR (not the Urologist) that I may have Prostatitis and I should try some antibiotics before the Biopsy. He appologised for not thinking of that even though I have no symptoms. He put me on Antibiotics for three days. I have since read It should be for at least two weeks. Well I just had another PSA Test done and its gone down from 8 to 5.6 in three weeks. Remember it went from 5 to 8 in four weeks previously. So things are looking a little better. I spoke to the Dr again this morning and I am going back on the antibiotics for another two weeks and we will re test again then depending on that result I will decide if I do a biopsy or not. For anybody reading this in the future who might have the same issue, have a look at this web site http://www.cancer.prostate-help.org/contents.htm it is a god send !!!!

THERE IS A GOD! I am extremely happy for you. If you had prostate cancer it's doubtful the antibiotics would not have lowered your PSA that much in three weeks and I seriously doubt if PCa would have raised your PSA from 5 to 8 in four weeks. Stay on the antibiotics for a couple/three more weeks and try to abstain from ejaculation

and any heavy lifting 3-4 days before your next PSA. And don't let them do a digital exam before they draw blood for the PSA. "And thank the Lord."

**Mighty Joe** · 10-23-2006, 03:16 PM

Great News Kale! ........sounds like your avatar will be pleased for many years to come!!!!

**zaggahamma** · 10-23-2006, 03:21 PM

very optomistic bro...keep prayin 4 u

**Ufa** · 10-23-2006, 03:55 PM

Looking better. Hope things turn out fine.

**clomid222** · 11-29-2006, 05:41 PM

Kale so how are you doing now with your prostate problem? Has everything turned around for the better?

I hope that the antibiotics helped your problem!

**Kale** · 11-29-2006, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by clomid222

Kale so how are you doing now with your prostate problem? Has everything turned around for the better?

I hope that the antibiotics helped your problem!

Great question dude. I finished a four week course of antibiotics last week. I have been traveling ever since though. I will be home tomorrow so I will get another blood test done and see what the result is then. Fingers crossed !!!

**zaggahamma** · 11-29-2006, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by Kale

Get question dude. I finished a four week course of antibiotics last week. I have been traveling ever since though. I will be home tomorrow so I will get another blood test done and see what the result is then. Fingers crossed !!!

wish you well man

**Spyke** · 11-29-2006, 11:00 PM

Kale,

I don't know how the hell I missed this thread for so long! I had no idea what you were going through. Sounds like things are looking up. I am gonna keep my fingers crossed for you. BTW. I just looked at your little girl's site and it literally brought tears to my eyes. I lost my Mom to brain cancer back in 1994. I will keep your girl in my thoughts and prayers.

**fbcoach** · 11-30-2006, 06:29 AM

Hey Kale....my father had prostate cancer at 60. Had it removed and lived another 12 years until passing away this past year (had nothing to do with the cancer) If caught in time, it is usually successful. The weird think about it is his PSA would go up at times..without a prostate. Anyway....good luck and God bless.

**Kale** · 12-06-2006, 05:58 PM

Hey guys thanks for the support I really appreciate it. I had another PSA done yesterday. My Dr is just awesome, he took the blood at 12PM and did a rush order. He actually went to the lab to pick up the results because he knew I was sweating so much.

Well the PSA has gone down from 5.6 to 4.6 after a course of Antibiotics. Originally it was 8. Its still not below 4 which is the top of the range but I am still pretty happy with the results.

I am going back to Australia next week for three weeks vacation so I am going to find a good Urologist and get a second opinion about all of this.

I am not out of the woods yet but its looking a lot better. Interestingly since I have been on the antibiotics my urine flow has gotten a lot better

**zaggahamma** · 12-06-2006, 06:27 PM

glad to hear the positive turn bud

**fbcoach** · 12-07-2006, 06:26 AM

That's great..the best thing you're doing is taking an active role in your health care. Too many put all their fauth in just 1 Dr.
By the way..Thai girls are GREAT..Pinays are pretty nice too

Good Luck!!

**Kale** · 12-07-2006, 06:32 AM

Originally Posted by fbcoach

That's great..the best thing you're doing is taking an active role in your health care. Too many put all their fauth in just 1 Dr.
By the way..Thai girls are GREAT..Pinays are pretty nice too

Good Luck!!

Thanks dude. I learned a lot about taking control when my daughter was sick. Pinays are my second favourite

**Kale** · 12-29-2006, 11:40 PM

OK guys here we go again. I am in Australia at the moment on holiday. I went to see a specialist here yesterday. He is a Professor and pretty well renowned here. He said i should have had a biopsy done two years ago !!! He said at my age that the PSA should be around 2.5 and that he is "concerned". I havnt mentioned that I am on Test or anything as yet. I have the Biopsy done this Wednesday. He said if there is cancer, that at my age the ONLY option is a radical Prostatectomy because of my life expectancy and that I WILL lose my ability to get erections for the rest of my life.

Great Xmas present thats for sure. I seriously dont know what I will do if I have cancer, I doubt I could bring myself to let them turn me into a fvcking woman thats for sure.

**vitor** · 12-30-2006, 05:08 AM

Kale-My father is in the exactly same situvation you are now,(I dont know what hes exact values are, but they was high).

Ime going to pray for both of you,
ALL THE BEST!!

**fbcoach** · 12-30-2006, 10:48 AM

Kale..sorry to hear that. As I said earlier, my father had prostae cancer i 95', then had it removed. I'm not sure about all the details, but I will check into it. I wish you the best, and as Vitor said, we will keep you in our prayers.

**Ufa** · 12-30-2006, 10:57 AM

Make sure you don't have a urine infection first. (Just something I read
from symptoms.) Hope all goes well. Some how I think it will.

**zaggahamma** · 12-30-2006, 05:50 PM

definately hope all goes well and prayin bro

**Mighty Joe** · 12-30-2006, 07:09 PM

Kale my brutha,
Lets do this thing one step at a time bro! We are here for you and yes we are concerned, but lets not get ahead of ourselves! If its cancer why would the PSA come down after a course of anti-biotics? Do the biopsy and lets see where we go next. We are here for you and we'll help in anyway we can!!!!
Also, how soon after Wednesday will the Doc give you the Biopsy report?
Keep us posted.

MJ

**Kale** · 01-01-2007, 10:08 PM

Thanks for the support guys. I go for for the Biopsy tomorrow morning. And just to top off my year my wife had a scan today of one of her breasts as there is a lump in there, so we will both know by Friday if we BOTH have cancer or not, now doesnt that just fvcking suck, especially as my daughter died nine years ago from a Brain Tumor at just three and a half. My 14 yo old son asked my wife if there was any hope for him, last night !!!

**zaggahamma** · 01-02-2007, 04:47 AM

Let God be with you all today Kale.

J

**fbcoach** · 01-02-2007, 06:08 AM

Kale, the good thing is you both are keeping up with your health and taking an active role. If you do find a cancer, it will be caught in time, and this makes all the difference in the world. My sister, just this year had breast cancer. She just had a mastectomy. She is really good right now, and handling it GREAT. Better than I imagined she would. Good luck and again, you and your wife will be in our prayers.

**AnabolicBoy1981** · 01-02-2007, 08:20 AM

kale, im sorry you gotta deal with all this.
hope it turns out.

curious though....why would antibiotics bring down PSA levels? is that a common occurance?

kale, taken *****-3s? they r supposed to help with prostate somewhat.

**Kale** · 01-02-2007, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by AnabolicBoy1981

kale, im sorry you gotta deal with all this.
hope it turns out.

curious though....why would antibiotics bring down PSA levels? is that a common occurance?

kale, taken *****-3s? they r supposed to help with prostate somewhat.

Thanks mate. PSA can be elevated for many reasons not just cancer. One of the reasons is an infection, its called Prostatitis and I definitely had that. I just got back from the biopsy and I get the results in two days. The Urologist spoke to me and he seemed pretty happy that cancer was a small chance, it all looked good in the ultrasound so I now have my hopes up and hopefully for a good reason.

**harveyjblch** · 01-03-2007, 08:34 PM

Kale, I will keep you and your wife in my prayers. I hope everything is OK.
my wife had a lump in her breast years ago and it turned out to be a tumor, they had to remove it and everything is good.
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter.

take care bro.....

**Kale** · 01-05-2007, 01:19 AM

Oh Boy !!! I am I in a happy place right now. I just got back from the Urologist and I DONT have Cancer !!!! Well not yet anyway, there are some cells there that arnt normal. Here is what the found

Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia is believed to be the most likely precursor of prostate cancer. It is a proliferative lesion i.e. it is composed of prostatic epithelial cells that are dividing more rapidly than normal epithelium. However, the cells have not yet become cancerous. Pin can be classified as high grade, medium grade and low grade. Low grade PIN is less worrisome that the other two grades.

Mine is high grade, so there is a good chance I will get it in the future. But for now we just monitor with PSA tests every six months

Man I have been shitting myself for six months since this first started. My wife is OK as well, looks like one her boob implants is leaking, so she gets a new set of tits and I get to live a while longer.

**paulzane** · 01-05-2007, 04:56 AM

Fantastic news Kale ... good to hear ... I have tears in my eyes now (maybe that is because of the CLOMID I am on ....lol)

**zaggahamma** · 01-05-2007, 06:21 AM

big words in there but sounds good so I'm happy for you...big relief, huh? i didn't have to wait that long so it must have been really rough on you all.

do you have to alter your TRT with this news Kale or take anything else?

**onestone** · 01-05-2007, 08:56 AM

Awesome news!

**Spyke** · 01-05-2007, 10:16 AM

Kale, I am so happy to hear this!

So are you gonna cut back on the test? Just stick to HRT doses or does it not matter at this point?

**Mighty Joe** · 01-05-2007, 03:08 PM

I knew it!! You'll be here for a long time with us elders trying to help the younger AR members stay safe and sound. You're an asset to this brd bro!

I'm happy for your wife as well! Its a good day at Kales house!!!!!

MJ