Hi everyone. New to site but plenty of years living with my J-pouch. As with everyone else its an up and down expierence. I find I'm in good shape most of the time if I watch my P's & Q's. Get into trouble when I over eat, try to sneak in a beer or mixed drink, forget and induldge in caffine, etc. I have a question for the men, sorry ladies but be glad this doesn't pertain to you, since you've had your J-pouch have you experienced a elevated PSA number. My number remains high unless I take Finasteride. This keeps the number incredulously low. I've had the old biopsy and everything else is normal. Don't like the side effects of the drug. Any thoughts or coments? Thanks

Bob

Hi Bob,

I just went for my annual physical and my PSA numbers are constant the last 3 years as follows:

2010: 1.3
2011: 1.6
2012: 1.3

What they look for is big jumps. I have prostate cancer in my family and my uncle, who is 65, just had a prostatectomy. He was getting PSA tested every 6 months and his numbers went from 2.5, to 3.4, to 4.6 and after that last jump they biopsied him and found the cancer in his prostate. After the prostatectomy he was checked again and it was 0 meaning they got all the cancer.

If you are having jumps get checked every 6 months and see what happens. If it is high but constant you may want to get a second opinion or a biopsy.