Psa anxiety

Hey there I hear you’re pain. No it will never go away if you’re looking forward to it with an anticipation of dread.

My story is not yours but I’ve become recalled about the next PSA test in two months time. But that’s because I’ve got beyond the normal thresholds for good PSA. Mine is so high I am now at peace with it as a method of checking how I am, or rather how the cancer is.

Yours really matters is what I hear from you. It should too. The PSA is a great indicator of how strong the cancer is. But you don’t need to worry about it. It is what it is and your sweat and headaches are not going to change it.

you’re not so much worried about the dammed PSA but you are worried about the knock-on effect that tells the story of you and how you are.

I can’t soothe your soul but I can tell you should just let it be and wait patiently for the whole picture when all the rest of the markers are considered.

I really wish you good luck.

Hi Simon,

Congratulations, you are on a winning streak!

This anxiety is a real thing going by my own experience. If you could  state your Gleason score I would be happy to give you my take on your situation. 

Hello Simon

no, I don’t think it really goes away ! For us, we are on 6 monthly PSA tests via remote monitoring. My husband was diagnosed in Autumn 2022 and had RT and HT ( the latter for 18 months). His next PSA is due in February and we are just beginning to think, ‘what if?’ again after a few months of peace of mind.

However, if you think about it, we have, possibly, many checks and tests as we go through our lives - mammograms, bowel cancer checks, dental checks, annual checks if you have a long term condition ( eg  raised blood pressure),? All these tests are designed to identify and treat problems early and to  prolong our lives. The extra anxiety at testing time can be looked on as the price we pay for the hoped for reassurance at best or the earlier treatment, better quality of life and extra years if our fears are founded?

Hi Simon 

PSA anxiety never really goes away but does fluctuate obviously, if levels stable then no problem.

When u get onto yearly PSA then as long as doesn't start an upward trend then you can relax

All the best

Steve

Hello Simon (Simon64 ) 

You sailed through surgery, you have made an amazing recovery and life is good. A regular PSA test for you should be like a Rolls-Royce having an MOT - you will sail through it.

You and I have met over a beer and chatted about Prostate Cancer, football, beer and life in general and you know my attitude, I am unfazed by my tests - my next PSA test is Monday and a meeting with the Consultant on Thursday and no I am not worried - the title of my own thread says it all - Que Sera Sera.

You can't change or influence your results - so to me why worry about them. Of course that's just me and the way I am-and it works for me!

You will be fine.

Kind Regards - Brian.

FWIW, my experience strongly suggests that, particularly if high psa and Gleason at outset, annual is insufficient. Had I had psa tested 3 or even 6 months after 1st rise, rather than 12 mths, I might well not have been in the bad place I am right now.

Good luck all.

Dave.

Good advice thanks Dave

Thanks everyone.  Your messages have let me put it into perspective    I think I was just having a bit of a bad day yesterday    Post Xmas blues I think.   Keep up the good work everyone.    Cheers 

Hi Simon64,

I can understand that many people get anxious as the build up to their next PSA gets closer, however, the warped way my brain looks at it takes a different perspective.  I look on it more as professional confirmation that all is going as planned & that the fact that I'm able to live life the way I want to is my most important indicator.

Funnily enough, I had my latest PSA test just over a week ago, but now have to wait up to 4 weeks for a letter with the results (unfortunately hospital test results don't appear in the NHS app where we live).  Until such time as I get them, to my mind it's a case of no news is good news & if not then I will deal it at that time.  The older I get (70 is looming) the more I think the saying ''Live life to the fullest & focus on the positive'' is correct.

Best Wishes

Brian 

I have my PSA checked every 3 months and rightly or wrongly I have never asked for the results and I chose not to be copied in on the oncologists reports.

My only question on my 3 monthly check ups is “Are we heading in the right direction?”

I know that this differs from many others and it is not that I am at all blasé about my health.

It’s just my way of pushing things in to the background because I know that I can be triggered by reading too much into the results.

That is not to say that I don’t suffer the same tensions as most others when the 3 monthly check ups checks come around,but usually in between times I can get on with a more normal life.

All the best to everyone.