Treatment options
After dealing with treatment beginning late 2011 I am now at the point that I read about and prepared for many years back, though thankfully treatments have advanced since then. After rapid climbing of my PSA to a bit above 80, notwithstanding my long time various hormone therapies, an axium PET scan and subsequent bone and cat scans showed cancer in my femur, both illiac crest, thorasic and lumbar vertibrae and multiple ribs. I opted for a clinical trial which among other things included Zytiga with a prednisone chaser and a ton of multiple pills through out the day known only by a number. PSA has dramatically now dropped to a bit over 10 and the couple of location of pain I was having in the bones and soft tissue areas of lymph node involvement decreased. As treatment continued with it various side effects scans showed shrinking tumor cells in the bone but multiple additional areas of bone uptake throughout my body. My oncologist believes it might be a result of a phenomenon where on scan the actual healing of the bones appears to be more cancer locations. We discussed whether I should drop the clinical trial and start chemo therapy or stay in the trial and monitor in a month with a bone scan as to if the new numerous uptake are cancer or have dissipated. I opted to stay in the trial. I was informed that the chemo therapy for prostate cancer would not be so bad with side effects. Would any of you going through that or having completed chemo therapy let me know how it is/was for you and the results? I will try to update my treatments, results and other relevant information. Thank you. David
Diagnosed Jan 2019 Stage III gleason score 9 - metatastic - spread to lymth nodes in pelvic area. NOT detected in bones (yet). On life long hormone treatment - started chemo in April - currently round 4 today - round 5 in 3 weeks final round 3 weeks after that - 6 cycles altogether - Docetaxel IV - GCSF for 5 days - strong steroids for 3 days - daily steroids of Prednisone
Reading the side effects before treatment has been my worst side effect!!
I am 62 years old and fairly fit. My worst side effect is from the hormone treatment - massive and quick muscle loss - the only treatment is exercise especially resistance training.
Fatigue (from chemo) is a problem - my consultant has confirmed this and is 'surprised' that I can maintain many on my exercise routines (many cannot but perhaps they are older patients). I have to really force myself to exercise.
Had 5 days of diarrhea last week ...not pleasant but bearable. ok now
PSA before any treatment 38. Hormone treatment got it down to 10 ish.
PSA currently 0.28
Not due to be assessed until my final cycle is complete - end of August - so far so good . PSA less than 1I am in UK so treatment/assessment maybe a lot different.
, appreciate your replying to and very glad to hear you're able to stay active - by sheer force of will it sounds like! You remind me of Simon's perspective on exercise, one article here: https://prostatecancer.net/living/hormone-therapy-exercise/. I also wanted to tag @sam-collins here, because he's had some of these treatments including chemo. - Nina, ProstateCancer.net Team Hi guys,
Sam Collins here. I had chemotherapy in 2007 after failed surgery to remove my prostate and failed salvage radiation treatment. I was in my later 50's. I had 6 sessions of chemotherapy. One session every 3 weeks and was also doing hormonal therapy at the same time. Chemotherapy side affects I'm sure are different for everyone. The first time I went my wife took off work and went with to see how it affects me after that time I drove myself and did ok. I would just come home and rest of take a nap. The first week I had diarrhea, gas and was tired. Also had aching in the the body. The second week was better. Food taste different, thing weren't as good anymore but I ate anyway because I new I needed it. The third week I started feeling better and go to the park and ride my bike on flat ground. If I worked too hard I would run out of breath pretty easy. It's not easy but my PSA kept dropping for year after. I've learned to read about the cancer and treatment. I do what I have to and then trust in God. I have learned to love the day that I'm living and not worry about tomorrow. God will take care of me wether I live of die. My cancer is incurable so I just do what I have to to go live another day. I have made it for almost 14 years now. God bless.
Sam I really appreciated reading your story on failed surgery then follow-up radiation. I may be the beginning of a similar journey.
Initially diagnosed with a Gleason 9 and 3 months later I have my prostate removed. Then I learn my PSA is slowly rising. Before the PSA reaches 0.2 I go in for a shot of Lupron and 4 weeks later I was off to the races with 40 radiation treatments. Anticipating the whole process was scary as I considered the implications of someone "microwaving" my insides. So far so good. Will see what the future holds.
While not putting a negative spin on my future, it was very comforting and inspiring to read about your journey. Hang in there you are offering great support to many of us.
Dennis( ProstateCancer.net TEAM)
Thank you Dennis and I hope you do well. As I say, fight like hell and talk to God. Take it one day at a time and God bless you.
