THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2016 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

In July 2012, my PSA was 4.5. My physician said my digital exam was fine and that I did not need to worry. I went to an oncologist in Oct 2012, who said the same thing. In July 2013, my PSA rose to 5.2. My digital exam was fine. I had my PSA tested without the doctor requesting it and it came to 5.9 in October 2013. I self-referred myself to Dr. Shinohara at UCSF. He felt a lump and wondered why my physician and previous oncologist did not find it. I had a biospsy. My Gleason score was 3+3=6.

I am currently evaluating my choices for treatment. Also I am currently experiencing a dull pain in my right side and abdomen.

On 1/14/2014, I spoke with the radiation oncologist. Though one doctor wanted me to monitor the PSA, the other suggested getting radiation. After discussing the options of monitoring, radiation, or surgery, my wife and I decided on brachytherapy.

Monitoring was too iffy for us. What happens if the cancer suddenly becomes aggressive between the PSA testing. Surgery had too long of a recovery time. I could not justify being away from my job for two weeks. Also the thought of a catheter for several days did not seem appealing.

On 2/24/2014, I had an MRI of the prostate. It confirmed that the cancer was still within the prostate.

On 3/26/2014, I had the brachytherapy procedure using general anesthesia. I went home the same day with no catheter. The staff at UCSF were excellent.

I take .4 MG daily of tamsulosin (flomax). There has been no pain. But almost dry ejaculation is disconcerting. Also not knowing if I need to urinate or have a bowel movement also disturbs me. So I sit and make sure nothing goes wrong.

Tamsulosin (flomax) made my hands shake, where even my wife commented to me about it. Therefore I stopped its use and switched to 300 mg of saw palmetto. Now I don't have involuntary hand movements and my urinary flow is still good. My bowel movements are looser than before the procedure, but not diarrhea. When I first have the urge for a bowel movement, I better find a restroom quickly. I usually know that I will have a bowel movement because I will experience flatulence a few minutes before. I still have dry ejaculation. I now only get semi-hard when having sex, which is different than last year.

Bill's e-mail address is: weaverhunt AT gmail.com (replace "AT" with "@")

NOTE: Bill has not updated his story for more than 15 months, so you may not receive any response from him.