I went for another PSA test this week in advance of my (almost) three-month follow-up appointment with my radiation oncologist next week.
My PSA came in at 0.05 ng/ml. That’s the same that it was in September shortly after finishing the radiation on 26 August 2022.
The fact that it didn’t go up is good. The fact that it didn’t go down is, well, I don’t know. I do know that I would have liked to seen it go down. I also know that, with radiation, your PSA may never get back to undetectable and you have a nadir value that becomes your baseline for future PSA tests.
Two data points don’t necessarily make a trend, so I suspect it will take a few more PSA tests to do so.
It will also be interesting to see what happens as the Eligard begins to wear off. It was six months ago today that I was given the six-month dose.
My appointment with the radiation oncologist is on 10 November and my appointment with the urologist is on 13 December. It will be interesting to get their perspectives.
Be well!
Header Image: San Juan Mountains near Trout Lake, Colorado
Dan's Journey through Prostate Cancer 
Just wondering when of if you’re planning to go back for another PSMA testing too at some point. It seems like you’re doing all of the right things. No one asked for this situation, but here we are. As always, best of wishes.
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Thanks, Jack.
Going for another PSMA PET scan isn’t likely to happen for two main reasons. First because the scan couldn’t see anything when my PSA was 0.23 ng/mL, I doubt it would see anything with my PSA back down to 0.05.
The second reason is quite simply the cost. My health insurance wouldn’t pay unless my PSA was 1.0, and the VA wouldn’t cover the cost at that point, either. Between the scan, hotel, and travel, I spent about $3,600. I wouldn’t spend that again unless my PSA was higher (>0.5 ng/mL?). But I go on Medicare in January and I’ll have to check to see if they may cover the cost (or if the VA changed its policy).
With luck, my PSA stays low and there’s no need for another scan.
Best,
Dan
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Well, you and I are at the same level 0.05. I’m do for another test at the end of November and hope mine stays at 0.05. It had gone up from <0.04 last May so I'm just a little apprehensive about it going up at all (although I do still have my prostate so I guess it may wobble some). I was on Lupron for 6 mo. and it took me a full 6 additional months to come off so you may have a bit longer to go. It's good that you don't seem to have too many SE from the Eligard. Generally, I'd say you're on the right track so just keep at it. Good luck!!
Charles
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