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Firmagon continued...new blog from Medcomglen
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Feb 11, 2012 - 12:48 am
Sorry I haven't been on this board since May '11 due to a technical difficulty (long story) so I'm going to try to start a newer "Firmagon continued" thread since I now have insomnia again from Firmagon. Hope Wayne is still with us! Yes, I'm still kicking and had a great run since my last 80mg. Firmagon injection in May 2011. My PSA dropped to 1.8 and rose (remember I'm stage 4) to 7.7 last month so I had my fourth 80mg. Firmagon injection January 20th. I'd forgotten all about the injection site pain and what Bull's must feel like after they leave the chute. I can tell from my sudden loss of libido that my testosterone dropped and I will post my PSA reading in about one month to see that Firmagon is still working. I will be receiving Medicare in April so I'm curious if any one can share their experience with their approved drugs and if Lupron or Firmagon is paid for. In the meantime I hope all the old posters are still with us and I look forward to hearing from you if you discover this post. Zzzzz, Zzzzz, Zzzzz |
Joined: Nov 2010
Medcomglen
You do not need to apologize for your “hibernation”. Some comrades go to sleep and do not get-up again.
I am glad to know about the long vacations off Firmagon. I wonder what’s your Gleason and if you had any other treatment previous HT.
Wishing you a continuous success in the control of the beast.
VGama
Joined: Nov 2009
Hi Medcom,
I was very smart to wait to be diagnosed with prostate cancer until I was of an age where Medicare picked up the tab for Firmagon.:-) Let's hope there will be no change under forthcoming changes in healthcare regulations.
Jack
Joined: Apr 2010
I also had some problems accessing the site and then got Lazy. I'v been checking to see if you are back . Great to see you writing again !!!!
I haven't had a shot of firmagon since July, 2011. My psa has been holding at 0.1 for a year now.........another test soon, but it was still down last month:-))I feel very blessed.
....and medicare has paid for all the shots. I hope bammycare doesn't change that. The reviews on firmagon are getting better and better. Hope you find a "cure" for the insomnia.....ZZZZZZZ.
BEST REGARDS..............WAYNE
Joined: Sep 2010
Hi Guys,been off this forum for a while now and im glad to see this thread is updated. Im doing great and hope you are too!! I will be checking in and updating shortly. Take care, Wardy
Joined: Nov 2009
Hi Guys,
I'm glad to be back to this forum. It's good to see familiar names. I have a question about re-starting Firmagon after a 'vacation' from it, which was necessary because of a rise in PSA during the vacation. My urologist had me take the double injection, as if I had not taken it before. Has anybody had that experience?
Jack
Joined: Nov 2010
Jack (Jogger) my friend
It is nice to read another of your posts.
Regarding the need of the double injection to initiate the treatment is just for precaution of an explosion of cancer activity. Antagonists (Firmagon) and agonist (Lupron, Eligard, etc) cause a surge in testosterone levels when initially taken known as “flare”. This is like a feeding frenzy for the cancer and that causes cancer spread and elevated PSA.
Antagonists are quicker in stopping the testosterone factory (about 4 days) but LHRH-agonist take longer (about 8 to 15 days) which requires to take previously an antiandrogen (such as Casodex) for two weeks to avoid the increased testosterone from being taken by the cells.
Flare is problematic in patients with skeleton metastases because the sudden surge in cancer activity may cause bone compression with a result in nasty pain or still worse with a compression of the locomotion nerves.
My doctor also indicated that my restart of HT in future would require me to take two weeks of antiandrogens before the agonist shot. I am hopeful of defeating his comment if the cancer allows me to keep the “vacations” forever.
What is your present PSA level?
Any symptom?
Regards.
VGama
Joined: Nov 2009
Hi Vasco,
I had to start the Degarelix after my PSA went from its starting level of 800, to its low point and back up to 32 during the 'vacation' period. Your question about symptoms refers, I suppose, to the side effects, which include hardening (induration) and redness (erythema)at the injections sites. It takes two weeks for this to subside. I did not get the 24-hour flu-like symptoms this time, possibly because I took Benadryl and 8-hour Tylenol. There is no other symptom, such as fatigue, muscle ache, etc., but the belly expands and I still have enlarged breasts from the first cycle. I have to exercise as much as I can to ward off possible after-effects such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.BTW, I think it's more correct to say the testosterone count comes down quickly, 'without' any flare, as with the agonists.
Thanks for your continued contribution to this forum.
Jack
Joined: Nov 2010
Jack
You are right. Degarelix do not cause flare. My mind was already at the sprinting tracks of the London Olympics, (probably) thinking of you.