Firmagon (Degarelix) substitute for Lupron

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Comments

  • Bill91101
    Bill91101 Member Posts: 81 Member
    jpmpage said:

    My 3rd injection
    Hi Glen, had my third this morning. Also got a reading on my PSA. It went down from 5.0 to 1.5. Sounds good to me. I have been reading all comments from you ,Bill and Larry (Lewvino). A great bunch. My best wishes to all. I am tracking right along with yours and things sound very good. Until the next time. Carl

    Good work, Carl!
    I've been

    Good work, Carl!

    I've been hitting the pomegranate juice and visualizing my PSA dropping.

    Only bad news lately is that the urologist figures I'll be on Degarelix for a total of three years.

    I'm not real excited about the side effects of my testosterone dropping.

    But, oh, well- my wife commented that I'm a lot easier to get along with.

    Take care!

    Bill
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    Bill91101 said:

    Good work, Carl!
    I've been

    Good work, Carl!

    I've been hitting the pomegranate juice and visualizing my PSA dropping.

    Only bad news lately is that the urologist figures I'll be on Degarelix for a total of three years.

    I'm not real excited about the side effects of my testosterone dropping.

    But, oh, well- my wife commented that I'm a lot easier to get along with.

    Take care!

    Bill

    I've read the visualiation
    I've read the visualiation of the cancer dying is a good therapy! So keep it up!

    Larry
  • jpmpage
    jpmpage Member Posts: 13
    Bill91101 said:

    Degarelix shot number five
    Hi Glen,

    I didn't ask the doc about testosterone level. I'll ask this Friday when I go in.

    I got another Degarelix injection yesterday. I hurt a little this morning. Nothing horrible. And I feel a little 'weird': tired mainly. A bit of a stiff neck. But it is

    Saturday, and I'm normally getting over a week's work. So it's hard to separate normal tiredness from Degarelix effects.

    I asked the nurse who gives me the injections if she gets any complaints along the lines of what I've been reading here. She said no: no infections, no extreme pain, etc.

    The pain from my radiation treatments (IMRT) have disappeared. Urinating no longer hurts.

    I see the radiologist this Wednesday. Looking forward to his prognosis.

    I forget I even have cancer sometimes! LOL. Friends will ask me how I'm doing and I'll think 'oh, yeah... I got PC!'

    Hope all goes well!

    Bill

    4th injection
    Hi Glen, Just a little report on my 3rd injection. I kept waiting for the pain to appear, however, by the fourth day there had been NO PAIN of any kind experienced. What a great thing. I hope that you are also experiencing the same. I have had quite a bit of a little dizziness and weakness but I still take our dogs up the mountain that we live on for a good walk every morning. I read Bills article regarding Pomegranet Juice and am now taking it every day.
    A note, We shop at a Ralphs market and the juice costs $8.99 per bottle, However, We went to
    Trader Joe Market and bought the same thing exactly for $4.95 per bottle. We live on Lookout Mountain in the Los Angeles, CA area. Where do you live? I hope that there are Trader Joe Markets available to you. I will get my 4th injection on the 6th of October. My best wishes to you, and Bill and Larry. I am now going to sit down and read everything from you, Bill and Larry all over again. I don't want to miss any of the correspondence. It is great to read all the information.
    Thats all I can say until the 4th injection is completed.

    My best wishes to you. CARL
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    jpmpage said:

    4th injection
    Hi Glen, Just a little report on my 3rd injection. I kept waiting for the pain to appear, however, by the fourth day there had been NO PAIN of any kind experienced. What a great thing. I hope that you are also experiencing the same. I have had quite a bit of a little dizziness and weakness but I still take our dogs up the mountain that we live on for a good walk every morning. I read Bills article regarding Pomegranet Juice and am now taking it every day.
    A note, We shop at a Ralphs market and the juice costs $8.99 per bottle, However, We went to
    Trader Joe Market and bought the same thing exactly for $4.95 per bottle. We live on Lookout Mountain in the Los Angeles, CA area. Where do you live? I hope that there are Trader Joe Markets available to you. I will get my 4th injection on the 6th of October. My best wishes to you, and Bill and Larry. I am now going to sit down and read everything from you, Bill and Larry all over again. I don't want to miss any of the correspondence. It is great to read all the information.
    Thats all I can say until the 4th injection is completed.

    My best wishes to you. CARL

    Carl,
    Make sure and read the

    Carl,
    Make sure and read the label on the pomegranet juice. I live in Tennesee and some of the brand's that cost less are not 100% Pure. They have other juices added. I've switched to getting capsules of pomegranet at the health food store instead. Its not near as expensive.
    I'm also taking Vitamin D, Acai Berry extract, Green Barley capsules and another capsule called Male Guard which has numerous things in it. I won't know if they are working for some time. Today is 32 days post surgery and I do not get my first psa until Oct. 17th. I'm concerned since I had a positive surgical margin and a gleason 7.

    If you get a chance head out to Loma Linda California (near Redlands) and about 15-30 miles past Ontario airport. They have a large Prostate Cancer support group out there at the medical center. They specialize in Proton Therapy but I understand they promote a very healthy diet for follow up. They might be able to give you some pointers on supplements and foods if you find out when they meet. My dad was treated for his prostate cancer at Loma Linda back in 1996.
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    jpmpage said:

    4th injection
    Hi Glen, Just a little report on my 3rd injection. I kept waiting for the pain to appear, however, by the fourth day there had been NO PAIN of any kind experienced. What a great thing. I hope that you are also experiencing the same. I have had quite a bit of a little dizziness and weakness but I still take our dogs up the mountain that we live on for a good walk every morning. I read Bills article regarding Pomegranet Juice and am now taking it every day.
    A note, We shop at a Ralphs market and the juice costs $8.99 per bottle, However, We went to
    Trader Joe Market and bought the same thing exactly for $4.95 per bottle. We live on Lookout Mountain in the Los Angeles, CA area. Where do you live? I hope that there are Trader Joe Markets available to you. I will get my 4th injection on the 6th of October. My best wishes to you, and Bill and Larry. I am now going to sit down and read everything from you, Bill and Larry all over again. I don't want to miss any of the correspondence. It is great to read all the information.
    Thats all I can say until the 4th injection is completed.

    My best wishes to you. CARL

    Firmagon injections
    Hi Carl,

    I found humor in your comment “waiting for the pain to appear.” The laughter brought back my injection site pain. Thanks! Seriously, you just give me hope regarding my next injection. I still have a raised patch from last injection and I too experienced dizziness for brief moments after last injection.

    Wish we had Trader Joe’s in Sarasota Florida because the cheapest Pom Juice I found is about $9.86 in Wal-Mart so I recently ordered capsules from Swanson’s thanks to Larry’s advise. Yes, it’s great we can exchange our experiences here and I look forward to the positive feedback and advise. Feels like Family for sure.

    I’ll have another PSA test next week and based on results will decide on intermittent therapy. Been doing this on and off for over two years now. My stomach is telling me to go back to the three month Lupron injection in the **** but I experienced terrible exhaustion and mood swings compared to Firmagon. My abbs are looking forward to the Firmagon clinical trial results that Ferring has under way. They want to see if one shot will keep PSA down for three months or more.

    Wishing you great health!
    Glen
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    Bill91101 said:

    Degarelix shot number five
    Hi Glen,

    I didn't ask the doc about testosterone level. I'll ask this Friday when I go in.

    I got another Degarelix injection yesterday. I hurt a little this morning. Nothing horrible. And I feel a little 'weird': tired mainly. A bit of a stiff neck. But it is

    Saturday, and I'm normally getting over a week's work. So it's hard to separate normal tiredness from Degarelix effects.

    I asked the nurse who gives me the injections if she gets any complaints along the lines of what I've been reading here. She said no: no infections, no extreme pain, etc.

    The pain from my radiation treatments (IMRT) have disappeared. Urinating no longer hurts.

    I see the radiologist this Wednesday. Looking forward to his prognosis.

    I forget I even have cancer sometimes! LOL. Friends will ask me how I'm doing and I'll think 'oh, yeah... I got PC!'

    Hope all goes well!

    Bill

    Degarelix #5
    Hi Bill,

    You have the right attitude which as you probably know does more to cure us then any meds will. My ex worked on an Oncology floor for 25 years and always said that's the key to those that survived.

    It's promising to read other patients experienced no injection site pain from Firmagon. Carl and I experienced some dizziness and I had an occasional stiff neck but thought I slept on too many pillows. It's incredible how well you are doing compared to some blog entries not to mention you are still working. Too bad we couldn't bottle this.

    Wishing you all the best... until next time,
    Glen
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    lewvino said:

    I started on the pomegranate
    I started on the pomegranate juice. Read another article that said the pill supplements will provide the same effect so I switched since they are alot cheaper. Also I could only find one grocery store that sold 100% Pure pomegranate juice. Many of them are mixes with other juices.

    I also take Green barley capsules, Vitamin D, Acai supplements, Flax seed oil and another combo vitamin called malegard. My first post surgery PSA will be in Middle October.

    If all these suplements aren't helping I'm at least doing my part to stimulate the economy!

    Larry

    PSA result etc...
    Hey Larry,

    Thank you for your suggestions regarding Pomegranite juice and the alternative supplements. After reading the fine print on some of the Pom juice I was drinking it only contained about 20% extract.

    I recently ordered Pomegranite supplements along with Resveratrol. I've been taking vitamin D3, Vitamin D, B-12 and was taking calcium supplements for bone strength but stopped taking these after reading calcium can actually increase PSA. I guess I will continue to stimulate our economy but save a little pocket change taking only supplements now. You have my prayers for your zero PSA reading in October.

    Best wishes,
    Glen
  • Bill91101
    Bill91101 Member Posts: 81 Member

    Degarelix #5
    Hi Bill,

    You have the right attitude which as you probably know does more to cure us then any meds will. My ex worked on an Oncology floor for 25 years and always said that's the key to those that survived.

    It's promising to read other patients experienced no injection site pain from Firmagon. Carl and I experienced some dizziness and I had an occasional stiff neck but thought I slept on too many pillows. It's incredible how well you are doing compared to some blog entries not to mention you are still working. Too bad we couldn't bottle this.

    Wishing you all the best... until next time,
    Glen

    Hi Glen,
    Thanks for the

    Hi Glen,

    Thanks for the positive comments!

    My PSA crept down to 0.5.

    No urologist for three months, no oncologist for six!

    Other than the lack of testosterone, I feel REALLY good. A bit of injection site pain, but no dizziness. Euphoria sometimes... maybe a hot flash (not sure). My wife doesn't mind the lack of testosterone that much- she says I'm a lot calmer; and I wonder if my testosterone levels were too high and contributed to the PC?

    It's great to be working and back to complaining about getting out of bed and commuting and too much work to do and too many boring meetings.

    Laughter works wonders, too, I think.

    One of my brothers decided to hassle me about the rigors of my biopsy (last April), so that I started laughing during the procedure. The nurse was wondering why I was laughing. I told her about my brother's take on all this, and she thought it was kind of mean.

    I got a couple of other friends who actually got me laughing when things looked pretty grim.

    Take care, looking forward to your next posting! (And you WINNING your battles!)

    Bill
  • Bill91101
    Bill91101 Member Posts: 81 Member
    jpmpage said:

    4th injection
    Hi Glen, Just a little report on my 3rd injection. I kept waiting for the pain to appear, however, by the fourth day there had been NO PAIN of any kind experienced. What a great thing. I hope that you are also experiencing the same. I have had quite a bit of a little dizziness and weakness but I still take our dogs up the mountain that we live on for a good walk every morning. I read Bills article regarding Pomegranet Juice and am now taking it every day.
    A note, We shop at a Ralphs market and the juice costs $8.99 per bottle, However, We went to
    Trader Joe Market and bought the same thing exactly for $4.95 per bottle. We live on Lookout Mountain in the Los Angeles, CA area. Where do you live? I hope that there are Trader Joe Markets available to you. I will get my 4th injection on the 6th of October. My best wishes to you, and Bill and Larry. I am now going to sit down and read everything from you, Bill and Larry all over again. I don't want to miss any of the correspondence. It is great to read all the information.
    Thats all I can say until the 4th injection is completed.

    My best wishes to you. CARL

    Hi Carl,
    Glad to hear about

    Hi Carl,

    Glad to hear about the reduced injection site pain.

    I've been grabbing pom juice at whatever store I've been at- but I think it's time to make a Trader Joe's run. Love that store. Thanks for the reminder.

    I've also got a couple of juicers, but I haven't priced fresh pomegranates- I imagine some sticker shock.

    I'm out in the Riverside area. Beautiful weather! No problem with the recent fires.

    Take care,

    Bill
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    Bill91101 said:

    Hi Glen,
    Thanks for the

    Hi Glen,

    Thanks for the positive comments!

    My PSA crept down to 0.5.

    No urologist for three months, no oncologist for six!

    Other than the lack of testosterone, I feel REALLY good. A bit of injection site pain, but no dizziness. Euphoria sometimes... maybe a hot flash (not sure). My wife doesn't mind the lack of testosterone that much- she says I'm a lot calmer; and I wonder if my testosterone levels were too high and contributed to the PC?

    It's great to be working and back to complaining about getting out of bed and commuting and too much work to do and too many boring meetings.

    Laughter works wonders, too, I think.

    One of my brothers decided to hassle me about the rigors of my biopsy (last April), so that I started laughing during the procedure. The nurse was wondering why I was laughing. I told her about my brother's take on all this, and she thought it was kind of mean.

    I got a couple of other friends who actually got me laughing when things looked pretty grim.

    Take care, looking forward to your next posting! (And you WINNING your battles!)

    Bill

    PSA result, same score, top of the inning.
    Hi Bill, Great news! We are both tied at 0.5. I received my results Friday. I'm going to take a break from Firmagon for possibly three to six months if I can. Are you doing intermittent therapy too? Sounds like you have a great support system. (your wife:-)

    When I was first diagnosed my testosterone was pretty high too so your assumption is probably right. Testosterone feeds those nasty little cells.

    Your "rigors of biopsy" brought back a memory... I received a Sonogram up the old a-hole from a "seed" Doctor in the beginning of this exciting PC trip to see if I could be a candidate for Brachytherapy. I wasn't a candidate, "too far gone" they said, so after the procedure I turned to the technician and blurted out... "Leavenworth wasn't all that bad compared to that wand thing you just used on me." The male Tech remarked in a French accent, "Really!" "You were in famous American Prison?" Till next time and Thank you for making me laugh, hope I returned the favor.


    Glen
  • gkoper
    gkoper Member Posts: 173

    PSA result, same score, top of the inning.
    Hi Bill, Great news! We are both tied at 0.5. I received my results Friday. I'm going to take a break from Firmagon for possibly three to six months if I can. Are you doing intermittent therapy too? Sounds like you have a great support system. (your wife:-)

    When I was first diagnosed my testosterone was pretty high too so your assumption is probably right. Testosterone feeds those nasty little cells.

    Your "rigors of biopsy" brought back a memory... I received a Sonogram up the old a-hole from a "seed" Doctor in the beginning of this exciting PC trip to see if I could be a candidate for Brachytherapy. I wasn't a candidate, "too far gone" they said, so after the procedure I turned to the technician and blurted out... "Leavenworth wasn't all that bad compared to that wand thing you just used on me." The male Tech remarked in a French accent, "Really!" "You were in famous American Prison?" Till next time and Thank you for making me laugh, hope I returned the favor.


    Glen

    Hormone treatments
    Hi Glen & Bill....I got the Davinci in May...it didn't work apparently as my psa since has been .3 in june to .7 a few days ago. My urologist suggested hormone therapy & radiation. My pet scan did not show conclusive evidence of cancer & bone scan was negative. Because of the scans I am hesitant to let them blast away with radiation. Since you both are doing hormones and appear to be doing well, can you tell me of the side effects? Sex life, mood,fragile bones, tiredness, weight gain......do any of these apply? Do you take injections forever to knock psa down? Your info is appreciated & hope you both continue to do well.
    Regards,
    George
    central Fl.
  • segersales
    segersales Member Posts: 11
    gkoper said:

    Hormone treatments
    Hi Glen & Bill....I got the Davinci in May...it didn't work apparently as my psa since has been .3 in june to .7 a few days ago. My urologist suggested hormone therapy & radiation. My pet scan did not show conclusive evidence of cancer & bone scan was negative. Because of the scans I am hesitant to let them blast away with radiation. Since you both are doing hormones and appear to be doing well, can you tell me of the side effects? Sex life, mood,fragile bones, tiredness, weight gain......do any of these apply? Do you take injections forever to knock psa down? Your info is appreciated & hope you both continue to do well.
    Regards,
    George
    central Fl.

    Radiation post davinci
    Hi George, my friend Glen asked me to post a response regarding your situation. Two years ago I had the DaVinci procedure with favorable margins reported on the pathology. 9 months ago my PSA measured at .30. My urologist recommended radiation. I had 38 radiation treatments of the prostate bed. my psa is now measuring at <.01. They really pinpoint the radiation. they actually inserted a few gold markers in the prostate bed so they could direct the radiation just in that area. the only side effect i had was that i was a bit tired the last 3 weeks or so of treatment.

    I still have sex, no problem with continence. If you would like to contact me you can send an email to segersales@aol.com and I can give you my phone number as well.
  • gkoper
    gkoper Member Posts: 173

    Radiation post davinci
    Hi George, my friend Glen asked me to post a response regarding your situation. Two years ago I had the DaVinci procedure with favorable margins reported on the pathology. 9 months ago my PSA measured at .30. My urologist recommended radiation. I had 38 radiation treatments of the prostate bed. my psa is now measuring at <.01. They really pinpoint the radiation. they actually inserted a few gold markers in the prostate bed so they could direct the radiation just in that area. the only side effect i had was that i was a bit tired the last 3 weeks or so of treatment.

    I still have sex, no problem with continence. If you would like to contact me you can send an email to segersales@aol.com and I can give you my phone number as well.</p>

    Hi segersales
    Did your cancer cells show up on any scans?
  • Bill91101
    Bill91101 Member Posts: 81 Member

    PSA result, same score, top of the inning.
    Hi Bill, Great news! We are both tied at 0.5. I received my results Friday. I'm going to take a break from Firmagon for possibly three to six months if I can. Are you doing intermittent therapy too? Sounds like you have a great support system. (your wife:-)

    When I was first diagnosed my testosterone was pretty high too so your assumption is probably right. Testosterone feeds those nasty little cells.

    Your "rigors of biopsy" brought back a memory... I received a Sonogram up the old a-hole from a "seed" Doctor in the beginning of this exciting PC trip to see if I could be a candidate for Brachytherapy. I wasn't a candidate, "too far gone" they said, so after the procedure I turned to the technician and blurted out... "Leavenworth wasn't all that bad compared to that wand thing you just used on me." The male Tech remarked in a French accent, "Really!" "You were in famous American Prison?" Till next time and Thank you for making me laugh, hope I returned the favor.


    Glen

    Glen,
    too funny!
    Talked to

    Glen,
    too funny!

    Talked to my dad Tuesday night. He hasn't gotten any hormone treatments, but he had proton beam back in '96. His PSA hovers around 0.5 since. He was bragging to his senior citizen buddies about how high my PSA was originally. My brother commented it was the same as my IQ.

    I'm getting injections every month for at least a year. Doctors are watching and waiting.

    Could be a lot worse: poor guy at work just got the news about having colon cancer. He's only 38!

    Bill
  • Bill91101
    Bill91101 Member Posts: 81 Member

    PSA result, same score, top of the inning.
    Hi Bill, Great news! We are both tied at 0.5. I received my results Friday. I'm going to take a break from Firmagon for possibly three to six months if I can. Are you doing intermittent therapy too? Sounds like you have a great support system. (your wife:-)

    When I was first diagnosed my testosterone was pretty high too so your assumption is probably right. Testosterone feeds those nasty little cells.

    Your "rigors of biopsy" brought back a memory... I received a Sonogram up the old a-hole from a "seed" Doctor in the beginning of this exciting PC trip to see if I could be a candidate for Brachytherapy. I wasn't a candidate, "too far gone" they said, so after the procedure I turned to the technician and blurted out... "Leavenworth wasn't all that bad compared to that wand thing you just used on me." The male Tech remarked in a French accent, "Really!" "You were in famous American Prison?" Till next time and Thank you for making me laugh, hope I returned the favor.


    Glen

    Glen,
    too funny!
    Talked to

    Glen,
    too funny!

    Talked to my dad Tuesday night. He hasn't gotten any hormone treatments, but he had proton beam back in '96. His PSA hovers around 0.5 since. He was bragging to his senior citizen buddies about how high my PSA was originally. My brother commented it was the same as my IQ.

    I'm getting injections every month for at least a year. Doctors are watching and waiting.

    Could be a lot worse: poor guy at work just got the news about having colon cancer. He's only 38!

    Bill
  • Bill91101
    Bill91101 Member Posts: 81 Member
    gkoper said:

    Hormone treatments
    Hi Glen & Bill....I got the Davinci in May...it didn't work apparently as my psa since has been .3 in june to .7 a few days ago. My urologist suggested hormone therapy & radiation. My pet scan did not show conclusive evidence of cancer & bone scan was negative. Because of the scans I am hesitant to let them blast away with radiation. Since you both are doing hormones and appear to be doing well, can you tell me of the side effects? Sex life, mood,fragile bones, tiredness, weight gain......do any of these apply? Do you take injections forever to knock psa down? Your info is appreciated & hope you both continue to do well.
    Regards,
    George
    central Fl.

    Degarelix
    Hi George,

    I'm currently on Degarelix. It knocks the hell out of testosterone. I feel pretty good (just a little weird the day after the injection, and I have a sensitive injection site).

    The only real draw back is that I don't think about girls as much as I used to. But that's kind of a plus since I get a lot more of other things done.

    I'm not sure going from .3 to .7 is any real cause for worry, but I'm not the doctor. PSA (as I understand) can also be affected by any type of stress in that region- bike riding, etc.) Mine is presently at 0.5 (tied with Glen! and my dad who had proton beam- nothing else- 13 years ago).

    Radiation was pretty easy. Some diarrhea, hair loss in the region, pain in the urethra.

    All gone now. Other than the sex drive, everything else is the same. I'm working full time (business trip the other day). My mood is actually improved. Apparently my testosterone was high before I went on the treatments. Not sure. I'll ask next time.

    I'm thinking that excessive testosterone can make you moody, edgy.

    Also try pomegranate juice. There is stuff posted around here somewhere on it and how it apparently lowers PSA. My urologist recommended it.

    Take care and visualize the positive outcome to all this!
  • gkoper
    gkoper Member Posts: 173
    Bill91101 said:

    Degarelix
    Hi George,

    I'm currently on Degarelix. It knocks the hell out of testosterone. I feel pretty good (just a little weird the day after the injection, and I have a sensitive injection site).

    The only real draw back is that I don't think about girls as much as I used to. But that's kind of a plus since I get a lot more of other things done.

    I'm not sure going from .3 to .7 is any real cause for worry, but I'm not the doctor. PSA (as I understand) can also be affected by any type of stress in that region- bike riding, etc.) Mine is presently at 0.5 (tied with Glen! and my dad who had proton beam- nothing else- 13 years ago).

    Radiation was pretty easy. Some diarrhea, hair loss in the region, pain in the urethra.

    All gone now. Other than the sex drive, everything else is the same. I'm working full time (business trip the other day). My mood is actually improved. Apparently my testosterone was high before I went on the treatments. Not sure. I'll ask next time.

    I'm thinking that excessive testosterone can make you moody, edgy.

    Also try pomegranate juice. There is stuff posted around here somewhere on it and how it apparently lowers PSA. My urologist recommended it.

    Take care and visualize the positive outcome to all this!

    Thanks Bill
    Sounds like you haven't lost your sense of humor. I see the radiation doctor next week. I know he is going to want to start shooting. But he has to convince me he knows what he is shooting at. All my scans were inconclusive. Also, not sure if they do find the perpetrators if I want proton beam or Imrt radiation therapy. If I need hormone therapy, since I'm a singer, I worry my voice will go up a octave. And as a tennis player...will I lose my competitive nature? I already lost most of my "up time" for sex with surgery, so the loss of "drive" may not be any big deal! Here I am blab, blabin away......but you guys know where I'm at. Good luck....and lets keep drinking that pomegranate juice.
    George
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    gkoper said:

    Hormone treatments
    Hi Glen & Bill....I got the Davinci in May...it didn't work apparently as my psa since has been .3 in june to .7 a few days ago. My urologist suggested hormone therapy & radiation. My pet scan did not show conclusive evidence of cancer & bone scan was negative. Because of the scans I am hesitant to let them blast away with radiation. Since you both are doing hormones and appear to be doing well, can you tell me of the side effects? Sex life, mood,fragile bones, tiredness, weight gain......do any of these apply? Do you take injections forever to knock psa down? Your info is appreciated & hope you both continue to do well.
    Regards,
    George
    central Fl.

    PSA Rise
    Hi George,

    Sorry to hear you have a PSA after RP but I read that you should be concerned if your PSA rises past 15ngl. and then some look for a doubling time. Someone wrote..." ask five Urologists and five Oncologists the same question and you will receive ten different answers." I see my friend Denis replied to your post and did fine with radiation when his PSA rose. The hormone therapy side effects are different for everyone but I've experienced exhaustion, loss libido, hot flashes, weight gain, moobs, personality changes etc. This is one reason why I chose intermittent therapy so I can give my body a break. The side effects seemed worse with Casodex and Lupron when I started two years ago compared to Firmagon but there are trade offs. Firmagon is what drove me to these boards in the first place. Check out some of the older posts for more info on hormone injections and my intermittent therapy/PSA roller coaster. Great car by the way but I want to know where Bonnie is?

    TTYL and keep the faith.
    Glen
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    Bill91101 said:

    Glen,
    too funny!
    Talked to

    Glen,
    too funny!

    Talked to my dad Tuesday night. He hasn't gotten any hormone treatments, but he had proton beam back in '96. His PSA hovers around 0.5 since. He was bragging to his senior citizen buddies about how high my PSA was originally. My brother commented it was the same as my IQ.

    I'm getting injections every month for at least a year. Doctors are watching and waiting.

    Could be a lot worse: poor guy at work just got the news about having colon cancer. He's only 38!

    Bill

    Great story
    Hey Bill,

    I've even "bragged" about your PSA score in a Prostate support group so you are becoming rather famous. Based on your IQ I'll take over the book and movie rights. OK? LOL
    Your Dad's success is a good sign for you.

    So true, alway's someone out there worse off but it seems that cancer is hitting younger and younger folks these days.

    Best to you.
    Glen
  • jpmpage
    jpmpage Member Posts: 13
    Hi Glen, sorry that I
    Hi Glen, sorry that I haven't been very communicative.
    It means a lot to me to receive your comments, You give me
    so much to think about along with all of the encouragement.
    Great news on your recent PSA reading of 0.5. I had my 5th
    injection October 3rd with a PSA reading of 0.4. I have had
    no pain since but do have hot flashes after a meal along
    with a lot of weakness. This may be, in part, because of my
    age. I was born March 28, 1921
    If we all keep positive thoughts, us 'Firmagons' are gonna
    make it.
    I wish you the best recovery from this thing that we are all
    experiencing.
    Carl