T3b1 N1 M0 ( Radiotherapy Completed )

Hi Grigor,

 I completed 37 sessions of radiotherapy on 1st July & my Oncologist didn’t want a blood test until 8 weeks of treatment. 
I surprised that you had a blood test the week after. My PSA has dropped to 0.01 and my next test will be in 6 months time. 
Still on Prostap 3 for another 2 years.

Tyler 

Tyler,

Thanks for the post

I only had the blood test a week later as the tablets i am on Abiraterone ( my bloods need check every 2 weeks to make sure liver and kidney are functioning okay.)

That's great news your PSA is down at 0.01

Cheers

Grigor

Tyler 

forgot to say did you have your prostate removed prior to radiotherapy 

i could not get the surgery 

Cheers

Grigor

Hi Grigor,

Like you I was unable to have surgery as it had broken out of the prostate. The issues I now have is hot flushes but nowhere near as bad as some on here. Since being on H/T I have put on 4 inches around my waist. My local GP has put me on a 12 week lifestyle course monitoring diet and exercise.

Tyler

Hi Grigor

In my neck of the woods, the lowest the PSA test will register is 0.03. In some areas, the tests are more sensitive and give a lower reading. My PSA dropped to undetectable, soon after I started in 2019, but as I had also started the RT, it's difficult to know which was causing the drop.

You didn't say how long you have been on HT, but your PSA shouldn't start rising until after your course finishes. Mine finished 9 months ago, after 2 years of Prostap and I'm having my first 6 monthly review early October. 3 months after my last hormone injection, it was still <0.03.

Regards

Stuart

Hi Tyler

I, too, have put on inches round my waist. Can't seem to shift it. Sounds like I went on the same course as you, and, without being negative it didn't help. My personal view ( and hope) is that, until the Prostap is finally gone, no diet will work - more than happy to be corrected.

The lifestyle course I went on, wasn't prostate cancer specific, more generic, so doesn't address the particular problems we have. 

I have been off Prostap for 9 months and still get hot flushes - CNS said they may last 18 months after - oh joy! 

Regards

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

It does seem like a generic course monitoring calorie intake. I suppose the only thing to take out of it is to stay motivated. 
It’s strange that the oncologist doesn’t recognize the issue or maybe they do and know that there’s nothing they can do about it.

Tyler

Hi Tyler 

Not sure what HT drug you were on, but the Prostap side effects are well documented and include weight gain. 

So, based on this, I reckon you are spot on - the oncologist knows there is nothing they can do!

I take your point re staying motivated. Also you will learn something and most likely some will stick, which can be no bad thing!

Regards

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

I have been on HT since January 2022 which was reducing my PSA ( dropped from 88 to 2.9) but by June it has started rising ( up to 4.8 ) The urologist only explanation was some of the cancer cells were self fuelling which was a concern to them.

That's why they got Abiraterone tablets approved for me, This reduced my PSA down to 0.3 just before radiotherapy started.

The urologist said to me the lowest the PSA goes to is 0.1 ( but you and others have mentioned levels of 0.03, 0.01 etc which is interesting )

Thanks for the thread and keep safe

Cheers

Grigor