Barry
Litchfield lives in Victoria, Australia. His story is a little different because
he has not actually been given the diagnosis of Prostate Cancer at this stage.
It is worth reading his story, because it does allow us to show that high PSA's
do not necessarily mean that surgical intervention should automatically follow.
Here
is his story:
Age
at Diagnosis 64. Date of Initial Diagnosis Oct 2000 Initial PSA
= 7.3. Initial Gleason = Not known. Treatment decided = watchful waiting.
I don't fill the category yet of having PC, but have a high PSA reading which
has been creeping up since Oct 2000 from an initial reading of 4.3, when it was
first taken. I am of the opinion that, seeing that I don't have any problems with
my system, I wait and see.
I
am not really that impressed with even a biopsy being taken as that is not conclusive
and will irritate the prostate and open it up as well. In my mind that is not
the way to go. It could, in my opinion, be a backward step to make.
Instead
I have, since March 2001, undertaken a series of supplements which I take regularly
every day. I am, you might say, taking a punt. Having read many books on the subject,
and in the last 2 weeks, pursued the Internet over a variety of sites, I am of
the opinion that my course of action is, at least in the short term, the best
one.
It
is reassuring that in June 2001 my PSA dropped to 6.3, the test being done by
the same pathology firm. This I think is most important.If this continues then
I will be satisfied. If not, then I may have to look at other options. But at
this stage I will not consider a biopsy or any other form of invasive surgery.
Maybe
my case is one that should be included in the list just to see what happens down
the track. I have not read of other peoples' experiences in your website yet but
will do so over the next few days. If you are interested, I will keep you posted.
[Update
15 March 2002] Since last in contact, I have had 2 further PSA's. In November
2001 it was 6.4 and in early March 2002 it had risen to 8.1. Not so re-assuring.
I have decided to add to my supplements and increase others I have been taking.
Another installment should follow in 3-4 months. All the best to the Yananow site.
[Update
15 March 2002]. Current Age = 65. Current PSA = 5.6. Current Treatment = watchful
waiting. Initial treatment? = no treatment except natural medicine.
Owing to taking natural medicines my PSA has dropped from 8.1 to 5.6 and I hope
will continue to drop over the next 3 months. I have not changed my bad habits,
still smoking 30-35 cigs a day and drinking maybe 4 to 6 stubbies of beer at night.
The only thing that has changed is I purchased a jug to purify the water I drink.
Will update in 3 months.
[Update
January 2004]
Barry
is now 67 years of age and his current PSA is 5.6 ng/ml. He has still not had
any diagnosis or formal treatment.
It
is now early January 2004 and I am still having blood tests every 3 months. My
PSA is not moving but is controlled with the medicines I am taking. I don't expect
this to change this year but will keep Yana informed if there are any changes.
[Update
September 2004]
It
is now August 2004 and went to the Doctor for a PSA test. This time it is still
going down and now is nearly normal 4.7 ng/ml (initially from 8.1 in 2002)
[Update
March 2005]
I
was tested in January 2005. My PSA reading 4.5 was 4.5 ng/ml, down a little on
my August reading. I am taking Saw Palmetto (3200 gm), Grape Seed (Helen Hemmes
only12,000 gm), Selenium 400 mcg.
[Update
January 2006]
Blood
test 14 October 2005 showed PSA at 5.4 ng/ml; July it was 4.9 ng/ml. Taking Saw
Palmetto only 3200 mg/day. Another test is due late February and will inform the
results.
[Update
January 2007]
It
is now January 2007 and I find things are very static. I have gone up slightly
in my psa (5.9) and am taking Epilobeum and Selenium as a prevention. Also have
come across a product that has reduced my glucose from 8.3 to 6. I have never
taken diabetic pills. It is called Sucro Balance and is produced by Natures Own.
[Update
June 2007]
Barry
is now 70 years old and says:
It
is now June 2007 and have not had any medicines since February 2007. My PSA is
currently 5.7 ng/ml and I notice on the pathology report that they have increased
the "normal " rate to 6 and under. A large change to 2000 where I think everyone
who was over 2.0 ng/mlwas worried.
[Update
August 2008]
My
update is that in the last little while since updating my journal is that I am
no longer on any medication and test my PSA every 6 months. It is stationary at
5.0 and has not changed in the last year or so.
Cheers
Barry.
My
Email Address is bl.2468@hotmail.com
