I’ve had a spa reading of 24.4. I got in with a very good urologist. Done the mri and the biopsy and he called and said it was cancer. Odd thing I’d I’ve had swollen ankle for a while and this morning I couldn’t walk on my left. Got a pet scam scheduled for sept 12. I have a doc and on the 11. I’m totally by myself meaning now wife and kids are grown. It’s messing with me bad now. Any advice or notes please

I have one of these and would like to get rid of it. Please contact me privately.

Just got my two year test and I remain undetectable. Of course I am thrilled and my recovery has been great. No incontinence or impotence. My urologist follows standard, not ultrasensitive PSA. So undetectable for me is <.1. I believe the test they use actually goes to two decimal points but the lab either rounds up or down to one. So if that's the case I should really be <.05 since a .06 I'd think would be reported 0.1 without the less than sign, although I'm not 100% sure that's the case. My testing schedule has been every three months year 1, every 6 months year 2 and it's my understanding they will now move to yearly tests. I believe my risk of recurrence is low 3+4 (10%4), all contained, negative margins, 20 lymph nodes removed all negative and no adverse path like intraductal. So what has been your testing pattern post ralp.

I’m 3 weeks out from surgery - recovering as expected-slow and steady. I would love to start returning to my pre surgery regular workout 🏋️ routine but only with 10lb or less weights/dumbbells. That means doing my normal body part routines but with extremely lightweight. Had catheter out last Wednesday the 20th. Still drip 💧 city when I’m up and around - doing Kegels 3-4 times a day. Really hoping to see some sort of change in dripsville soon-I am self admittedly and impatient little bastard but in a good way. It’s just that I have high energy (usually) and look forward to the day I can run and lift again. But I don’t mind at all if it’s baby steps.

Btw - my doc was like your ok to return to regular activity / just what you can tolerate. 😳

Thanks to all of your Warriors in the fight … 💪

A year out from ADT my testosterone is still below low normal (250) and I'm starting to develop metabolic syndrome (cholesterol just crossed over into HIGH by a couple points, and blood sugar hit 101 which is one point over normal.

The dilemma: some say supplementing testosterone could cause a relapse of prostate cancer. Others say supplementing won't do this but will help get my cholesterol and blood sugar back to normal, as well as make me feel better (still having some issues from low-T ranging from osteopenia, body image and embarrassment at the gym with how little weight I'm lifting compared to other guys my age, periodic depression, lack of energy, body hair not returning, difficulty reaching orgasm half the time).

My PSA one year after ADT and 18 months after radiation (I did not have a prostatectomy) is .05 which is very good.

Thoughts on whether or not to pursue testosterone supplementation. I'm probably going to have to make this decision on my own since the wait to see an endocrinologist is more than 8 months.

Is there anything I'm missing here?

Thanks

Sooooo not going to miss that daily drive to the hospital!

I (m59)had my RALP procedure 16 months ago. On one of my regular blood tests my PSA went to 0.1, a month later 0.2, a month later 0.3.

Now we're looking at radiation and hormone therapy. There will only be 5.5 weeks of radiation and 1 shot of Lupron that the Dr. says will last 4 months.

I've been doing some research on hormone therapy and don't like what I'm reading. So, my question to y'all is this: Does that one shot of Lupron really have that many side effects? I'm really worried about lethargy and loss of testosterone as I'm a heart and neuro patient also and am already lethargic most of the time and have considerable muscle loss due to high doses of prednisone over long periods of time. I've just recently been able to regain my quality of life, walk my dogs regularly and work out a few times a week.

Thanks!

Sex question.

My husband is nearly 20 years past his RP and although he had several years of decent erectile function, age and post-surgical nerve damage have gradually taken their toll. Even tri-mix isn’t working anymore. We haven’t successfully had any form of penetration in probably a year.

He is very good at meeting my needs in other ways - that isn’t my question. Unfortunately, his sensation has gradually dwindled to the point where it can take 20-30 minutes of a vibrator applied directly to the glans for him to climax - and sometimes even that doesn’t do it.

He is working with his urologist so I’m not seeking any form of medical advice. Just maybe tricks that might have helped other men in the same situation. Right now we are considering whether an implant or a Blissful Creations support sleeve would be of any use.

I don’t need either; as I said, he keeps me satisfied. So I am looking for perspective about what would help increase his enjoyment of intimacy. My concern with the implant is that any risk of additional nerve damage might be too much. And I don’t like the idea of him undergoing any unnecessary surgery at his age. My concern about the support sleeve is similar except that it doesn’t seem to involve any risk - it’s just that he has already lost so much sensation I can’t fathom how he would feel anything at all while wearing it.

He is interested in trying the sleeve and if that doesn’t work out, discussing the implant option further with his doctor, it but I hesitate because I’m afraid the sleeve won’t do much for him.

Are there any good toys out there with strong stimulation at the glans that would help? He doesn’t get anything from a vibrating ring because that area is so badly affected by the nerve damage.

Guys who have experienced profound loss of sexual function - what has worked for you?

I am considering brachytherapy treatment and I consulted with a doctor this week who has lots of experience. He has scheduled a 35-core saturation biopsy on 11/27 -- 3 months from now -- treatment sometime in 2026. I am getting concerned about my rapidly rising PSA though. I realize that there can be multiple reasons for the relentless PSA rise, but one of them is rapidly growing cancer.

Multiple doctors and my own research indicated for my favorable intermediate case the cancer grows very slowly and takes years. So, I expected that my PSA would also very slowly rise over the years. Certainly not the rapid rise I have actually had in a short time. My PSA has about doubled in 16 months (2024/4 to 2025/8) and has increased 65% since 2025/4/8.

Date -- PSA

2023/1 — 4.85

2023/10 — 5.22

2024/4 — 7.03

2025/4/8 — 8.219

2025/7/4 -- 8.65

2025/7/28 -- 9.3

2025/8/27 -- 13.564

I have a 14-core transperineal biopsy (random + targeted) based on an MRI that was done in May. I had the biopsy slides examined by 2 pathologists at different locations to get a 1st and 2nd opinion. I got the info from my urologist about what the first pathologist found:

#1 pathologist - May 2025:

Gleason 3+4=7

2 positive cores:

1 core: 10% grade 4 in 6/15mm

I had a very good consultation directly with the second pathologist and he even showed me my actual biopsy slides on his microscope connected to a monitor and explained things:

#2 pathologist - August 2025:

Gleason 3+4=7

3 positive cores:

1 core: 10% grade 4, 6/15mm

1 core: almost all grade 3 and a very small amount of grade 4

1 core: 3+3=6

no cribriform

Of the catheter that is. 3 1/2 years ago I was diagnosed with a low risk prostate cancer. PSA was around 9. Gleason score of 6. Tumor was well confined to the right side of the prostate. I started Active Surveillance. Semiannual PSAs and annual biopsies. In 3 years my PSA gradually climbed to about 20 and the Gleason increased to (3+4) 7. I elected to pursue HIFU. Last Friday I had the procedure and came home with a catheter. One week later (today) the catheter came out. I expelled the full amount of water the nurse put in my bladder with no burning, no leaking, no issues at all. I return to the urologist in 3 months, but this should be the end of the story other than regular PSA tests.

I would highly recommend HIFU to any man in a similar situation to me. Granted HIFU is not for everyone. It is not for higher risk or cases where the cancer has spread, but if you have a lower risk prostate cancer, I would encourage you lot look into HIFU.

I feel absolutely awful, I realised today that I hadn’t taken my dad for his Prostap injection and not just by a few days or weeks, he was due late May so I’m 3 months late. He’s been on Prostap for 5 years for advanced prostate cancer which is spread to his bones and we’ve never missed before as it’s something I’m usually very aware of.

I’ve managed to book in for Monday morning, but I feel so bad about it as I’ve always done so well with these appointments. He recently changed doctors and unlike the last one, the next appointment couldn’t be made in advance and I was supposed to call early May to book in. I took him for a short holiday in May and I’ve been really busy with work since and it totally went out of my head until it hit me today.

Has anyone else been so late for treatment? I’m terrified now that this will be detrimental for him or stop future treatments working.

No question or specific concern, but the waiting is brutal. Gleason 7 (3+4 / 10% 4) + a pretty favorable Prolaris assessment from the biopsy. I am hoping for the best (duh), but I have been on the wrong side of the odds to date, so I am concerned.

Ugh

So I was on testosterone for 13 years prior to RALP. I had decent size shaft and tiny balls. Post RALP 5.5 months ago now I am opposite - tiny shaft and big balls. I’m still getting used to the change. Hopefully pumping will help the shaft return to size.

I’ve found that a really high quality probiotic is also very helpful. I makes the bowels happy and then there’s one less troubling thing with which to deal.

Due to my family history (father diagnosed at 52 and Grandfather died of prostrate cancer) went to urologist after finding out my PSA was 4.67. Urologist wants me to get a biopsy (scheduled in Sept).

What questions should I be asking? Anything I should be doing now?

Is it common to have a second transperineal biopsy, a 35-core saturation biopsy, before brachytherapy? I already have a 14-core transperineal biopsy (random + targeted) based on an MRI that was done in May. I had the biopsy slides examined by 2 pathologists at different locations to get a 1st and 2nd opinion. I got the info from my urologist about what the first pathologist found:

#1 pathologist - May 2025:

Gleason 3+4=7

2 positive cores:

1 core: 10% grade 4 in 6/15mm

I had a very good consultation directly with the second pathologist and he even showed me my actual biopsy slides on his microscope connected to a monitor and explained things:

#2 pathologist - August 2025:

Gleason 3+4=7

3 positive cores:

1 core: 10% grade 4, 6/15mm

1 core: almost all grade 3 and a very small amount of grade 4

1 core: 3+3=6

no cribriform

This week I met with a very experienced doctor who does brachytherapy (he has done about 1700) and has a very good reputation for long-term non-recurrence. He has all my medical data (MRI, 2 biopsy pathology reports, etc.). While there he did a new PSA check, did a DRE, and used a rectal ultrasound probe to check also. He scheduled a 35-core saturation biopsy for 11/27 -- 3 months from now. He said he needs this before brachytherapy. He said the results would be available at the end of December. Treatment sometime in 2026.

Is a 35-core biopsy common for this case? From checking it seems that he does this for everyone because he wants a much clearer picture of what is going on inside the prostate before treatment. Previously I had never heard of this sort of thing before though.

66yo overall good health. So this is driving me crazy because I keep over analyzing and did another AI search on velocity ( it seems bad according to AI search results ) Historically PSA numbers from logs:

1.3 - 3/2017

1.3 - 11/2018

1.88 - 9/2021

2.13 - 1/2023 (63 yo mark)

2.54 - 3/2024

3.17 - 5/2024 ( second test in ‘24)

4.01 - 2/2025

4.3 - 6/2025

4.7 - 7/2025 ( Free PSA 17% function health - Quest )

4.3 - 8/2025 ( Free PSA 18.8%)

4.3 - 8/2025 ( Free PSA 21.9% - second test in August )

Most of these were done by quest, but the newer ones are from Labcorp except the one from Function Health.

Have an MRI scheduled for this coming month ( 12th ) my PCP will only refer to a urologist after the MRI results are in. But this seems like a classic overlook thru the years right?

Really upset here - thanks as always for your input

I can't understand why doctors are unable to explain simply but clearly. What I understood from my readings... • To reproduce, prostate cancer cells need testosterone and this is produced by the testicles, adrenal glands and the cancer cells themselves. • Three possible and cumulative modes of action for androgen deprivation therapy (otherwise called chemical castration): - block testosterone receptors, - block the synthesis of testosterone, - block receptor signaling. • As for testosterone, it is responsible for the development of our genital system and specific masculine characteristics (hair, beard), it strengthens the power of our muscles (my wife tells me that I now have the strength of a menopausal woman, nothing to worry about), it gives us juvenile acne, participates in the production of blood cells and protects us from osteoporosis. Hence the possible (but not certain) side effects. • Is ADT curative? Not sure, there may still be dormant aliens that would force us to take it back if they develop. And then there may be resistance to treatment (resistance to castration) forcing us to consider another one. • When should ADT be considered? A priori as soon as the cancer passes the prostate barrier because the probability that all the cancer cells will not be removed by Ralp is high. Hence the interest in performing PSA, MRI, biopsy (transperineal), bone scintigraphy, Petscan psma for the most precise diagnosis. We will get through this ✊.

I had my RALP in 2013 and a solid ten years thereafter with undetectable PSA. Two years ago, the PSA became detectable and slowly growing until this last one, which had increased from its perevious 0.15 to 0.26. We decided to start 35-40 week course of RT to kill this bugger. I will first have a PSMA PET-CT in a few weeks and proceed with the course of treatment.

I have what may appear to trivial concern. The doctor explained I need to arrive at each treatment (arguably scheduled in advance for a consistent time) with an empty rectum. My bowel movements do not take place at the same time every day. The intervals between BMs may range from 8 hours to 35 hours. How can I get more regular?

I rarely eat breakfast. If I do have breakfast, I do not eat lunch. I'm assuming I need to get a more gegualr diet. I have stopped drinking alcohol. Thre days in, but I think I will be successful wit this. I have started mixing a heaping tablespoon of Metamucil with about twelve ounces of water and downing that each morning.

Is there anything else others could suggest? Thanks.

Edit: Format for readability.

Been on ADT since June 5th. Finished my 11th session of IMRT today. Getting the routine down, such as timing water consumption before radiation.

Feeling more fatigued than usual and just started to have a slight burn after peeing. Weak stream and not evacuating all the way, so I asked to go on Flomax, which I started today.

All in all, still very happy to be getting the radiation done. That's it, just an update.

Talking to daughter today. She read up on prostate cancer and has seen a lot of guys saying vegan diet can reverse cancer.

Apparently, my fault having prostate removed and all the side effects.

🤦‍♂️

In 2022 it was 1.7. In July 2025 it was 4.1. August 4.3 down from 14 due to taking Amoxicillin for a UTI. This is considered within the normal range in the UK (0 - 6). I am worried about the rate of rise. I was going to be put up for a scan but as it had risen due to UTI was told they would not do it for that reason (false positive I suppose). Thinking should I see Dr again to push for scan? I have no other symptoms I can detect. I do catheterise once per 10 days to treat a stricture which is right up there in the prostate and wonder if that has caused the rise over the last few years due to a TURP in 2019. Any views appreciated.

my insurance is balking on that. He also suggested a PHI test. I like the idea of the ExoDx test since it has a very high true negative result. PHI looks like it might have similar results but it is all PSA based rather than genetic based for ExoDx. Just want to be sure there isn't something lurking before being more aggressive with the BPH.