Live coverage: VA’s national summit on preventing Veteran suicide

7 Factors can lower PSA levels (which mask PSA elevations):
1. Herbal mixtures (but not saw palmetto): review supplements with your care providert (Not taking)
2. Drugs used to treat enlarged prostate glands or treat urinary symptoms such as Proscar or Propecia or Avodart. Your doctor has to adjust the PSA level interpretation values if are on these medications.
3. Obesity causes lower PSA levels
4. Aspirin may lower PSA levels especially in non-smokers (Was taking daily
5. Statin drugs (cholesterol lowering medications like Lipitor, Crestor, etc.)
6. Thiazide diuretics are sometimes called “water pills” (such as hydrochlorothiazide) can lower PSA levels and if taken with a statin drug (#5), may result in even lower PSA levels
7. [redacted]

PSA labs were run every year by the VA clinic in Lufkin TX ordered by [redacted] using 4 as a reference guide. He should have used up-dated information taking into account PSA lowering drugs and life style and the fact that I could have been exposed to Agent Orange as I am a VIETNAM Vet. I think the VA may not have provided Primary Care Doctors with updated training and it is possible these PC Dr. received a bonus for not referring patients to specialists. I should have had a Prostate biopsy at a lot lower value than 4.
[redacted] has never had a conversation with me about PSA levels or prostate cancer. He had stopped the Manuel prostate exams some time ago.
In late Jan. or early Feb. 2014 I was having server pain in groin, passing blood and no bladder control I called the VA clinic to see if they would see me and was told to come in. I was sent to x-ray and lab The Dr. did not see me, his nurse [redacted] came to the waiting area to tell me they could not find anything wrong with me and was suggesting I see my Mental Health Dr. Another nurse interrupted and told me my blood work showed that I had an infection and[redacted] had ordered an antibiotic for me. After a few days’ symptoms had not cleared up so I decided to seek help outside the VA.
The VA was giving me a false feeling of security that after several years of treatment for enlarged prostate, urinary infections and loss of bladder control that I was cancer free. These conditions with my enlarged prostate placed me at very high risk of prostate cancer. The [redacted] outside the VA after testing informed me, I had stage 4 aggressive prostate cancers. My PSA did not reach the 4 the number [redacted] was waiting to see. If my PSA had reached 4 my chance of surveille would have decreased by 80%. I filed for a disability benefit with the VA for malpractice by [redacted]. After a year the VA turned down my claim. I found my VA medical records were incomplete, not showing my non-routine visits to the Lufkin VA clinic, which is a crime and a violation of my civil rights.
I went to the clinic after being told I had prostate cancer and requested a follow up PSA test and was refused.
This is not the first time I had to have emergency surgery after seeing [redacted]. Dr. also did not refer me to a specialist. His nurse [redacted] did tell me if the pain gets worse to go to Emergency Room.
His test showed an infection when in fact a sack had ruptured in my colon, I now have an ostomy. After arriving at VA Emergency Room I was in surgery within 30 minutes. I was only hours from dying.
As far as visit for prostate my VA medical record does not show this visit their response is the records does not exist. Could not have been deleted, destroyed or have been charted wrong or hacked, the visit did not happen It appears to me they are all telling the same tale, with is a flat big lie
MY wife was with me for this visit she did the driving as I was in too much pain.
The VA, IG refuses to investigate or tell me, or put anything in writing as to why. I am sure I know why, that if became known it would cause major damage to the VA that they could not survive but they do know I am telling the truth.
Bob McDonald knows and willing to let this lie stand
My bladder problems are getting worse, I have an appointment with [redacted] this week. I think damage to bladder cause from years of untreated enlarged prostate.

Editor’s note: Portions of this comment have been edited by Vantage Point staff per VA’s social media policy https://vaww.blogstest.va.gov/VAntage/social-media-policy/. A full copy of the unredacted comment has been provided to VHA for follow up.

One thing about suicide is that at the point where we think no one cares … the VA should be a place to get caring treatment.
A promise to care for us is barely that …

Much of the care is great … unless we live in an area where it isn’t.
When VA doesn’t care then vets punch out… at a high rate.

Careing and good care don’t cost much compared to a life.
Lowes takes care of the vets. And
says it …plus a discount.

Where would we be without non va care ?