Firmagon (Degarelix) substitute for Lupron

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  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    wayne2 said:

    STARTING AND STOPPING FIRMAGON
    Hi again Glen............once again, is stopping Firmagon a normal approach when psa goes down or is this a case by case decision ? I'm under the impression that I'll be getting monthly shots continuously.

    Thx..............Les

    Intermittent Hormone therapy
    Hi Les,

    There doesn't seem to be any "normal" approach in dealing with Prostate Cancer since we are all snow flakes. I was told to have DaVinci RP surgery, radiation and hormone therapy by my Urologist but turned out I was a stage 4 after seeking a second opinion.??? My current Oncologist suggested Hormone therapy injections straight for two years but I opted for intermittent hormone therapy after reading Dr. Myers book and after experiencing terrible side effects from triple hormone therapy. I had extreme hot flashes, memory loss, muscle mass reduction, mood swings, exhaustion etc. After switching to Firmagon it seemed that I had lesser hot flashes and more energy but I still opted for a better quality of life. Some seem to believe that IHT can trick the body and can be reprogrammed to not produce the higher levels of testosterone which fuel PC growth for periods of time. Firmagon did keep my testosterone and PSA down for close to eight months. During my "off periods" IHT side effects slowly ceased and I was feeling like a 'Man" again. Apparently overtime Hormone therapy will cease to work at all so the idea is to prolong it's power but IHT has not been proven to have any advantage of prolonging life when compared to continuous Hormone therapy. I believe a study is under way so we'll know in a couple of years if IHT has any advantages. In other words it's quality of life versus longevity at this point. It's a hard decision to make and IHT may not be right for your circumstance.
    Best to you and Prayers.
    Glen
  • jfe
    jfe Member Posts: 1

    Intermittent Hormone therapy
    Hi Les,

    There doesn't seem to be any "normal" approach in dealing with Prostate Cancer since we are all snow flakes. I was told to have DaVinci RP surgery, radiation and hormone therapy by my Urologist but turned out I was a stage 4 after seeking a second opinion.??? My current Oncologist suggested Hormone therapy injections straight for two years but I opted for intermittent hormone therapy after reading Dr. Myers book and after experiencing terrible side effects from triple hormone therapy. I had extreme hot flashes, memory loss, muscle mass reduction, mood swings, exhaustion etc. After switching to Firmagon it seemed that I had lesser hot flashes and more energy but I still opted for a better quality of life. Some seem to believe that IHT can trick the body and can be reprogrammed to not produce the higher levels of testosterone which fuel PC growth for periods of time. Firmagon did keep my testosterone and PSA down for close to eight months. During my "off periods" IHT side effects slowly ceased and I was feeling like a 'Man" again. Apparently overtime Hormone therapy will cease to work at all so the idea is to prolong it's power but IHT has not been proven to have any advantage of prolonging life when compared to continuous Hormone therapy. I believe a study is under way so we'll know in a couple of years if IHT has any advantages. In other words it's quality of life versus longevity at this point. It's a hard decision to make and IHT may not be right for your circumstance.
    Best to you and Prayers.
    Glen

    Choosing hormone therapy
    Tomorrow I have to make a decision about hormone therapy for advanced prostate cancer. I have read your posts for the past year. Given all that you experienced, would you make the same decision? My PSA has risen from 0.87 last June to 30.0 yesterday. I had seed implants in 2006 followed by 7 weeks of radiation to treat a stage 3, gleason score 7 disease. I am 62 and a stay-at-home dad for a 13 month old.
  • retired1
    retired1 Member Posts: 11
    jfe said:

    Choosing hormone therapy
    Tomorrow I have to make a decision about hormone therapy for advanced prostate cancer. I have read your posts for the past year. Given all that you experienced, would you make the same decision? My PSA has risen from 0.87 last June to 30.0 yesterday. I had seed implants in 2006 followed by 7 weeks of radiation to treat a stage 3, gleason score 7 disease. I am 62 and a stay-at-home dad for a 13 month old.

    choosing hormone therapy
    Let me jump in here to ask what concerns do you have about hormone therapy???, it would seem to be the best choice given your PSA jump, at your age I don't think any sides would affect your ability to care for your little one, and certainly you want to knock the PSA back down.
    Bob
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    jfe said:

    Choosing hormone therapy
    Tomorrow I have to make a decision about hormone therapy for advanced prostate cancer. I have read your posts for the past year. Given all that you experienced, would you make the same decision? My PSA has risen from 0.87 last June to 30.0 yesterday. I had seed implants in 2006 followed by 7 weeks of radiation to treat a stage 3, gleason score 7 disease. I am 62 and a stay-at-home dad for a 13 month old.

    Choosing Hormone Therapy
    Hi jfe,

    Thanks for your post and sorry I'm late getting back in time for your decision. Please explain why you were given an exact deadline to decide on Hormone therapy injections? A few day's or a couple of weeks for that matter isn't going to make all that much difference from what I've read.

    To answer your question though... I wasn't a candidate for seeding, radiation or RP since my cancer spread beyond the seminal vesicles into three lymph nodes, mesenteric artery and showed peritoneal involvement based on results from a ProstaScint scan. My only option was Hormone therapy to reduce the tumors and lower my testosterone thus reducing further cancer spread. Yes, I would go with IHT again.

    In your case it sounds as if Hormone therapy is a salvage therapy since you already had Brachytherapy and Radiation. Let me know your decision and best wishes.
  • nymets1
    nymets1 Member Posts: 26
    jfe said:

    Choosing hormone therapy
    Tomorrow I have to make a decision about hormone therapy for advanced prostate cancer. I have read your posts for the past year. Given all that you experienced, would you make the same decision? My PSA has risen from 0.87 last June to 30.0 yesterday. I had seed implants in 2006 followed by 7 weeks of radiation to treat a stage 3, gleason score 7 disease. I am 62 and a stay-at-home dad for a 13 month old.

    jfe,
    This is a very

    jfe,

    This is a very difficult decision to make, trust me, as I am going through the same.

    The thing with hormone ablation is that it is as much a crapshoot as the primary treatments, except that hormone ablation will never cure the cancer. The crapshoot is whether it will keep your cancer at bay for an extended period (not 2-3 years), which would make the quality of life impact much more bearable. For those who go on hormone ablation and find it failing in ,say, two years, not only did it not work but the side-affects had to be endured at the same time---a terrible double whammy.

    I will not go into my "story" at this time. However, safe to say we both should do something. Certainly if one elects not to go on hormone ablation, than significant life-style changes should be made (diet, exercise, stress). Even with that, chances are still greatly in the favor of the PCa still growing (but maybe at a slower pace) but at least one can feel that he is in control. Of course, the doctors are not always right and it is OUR right to demand to go on intermittant hormone ablation or ask for other forms of therapy (ie ketaconazole, estrogen), that will not be covered by insurance (who cares...they are cheap)and would have less quality of life issues (estrogen actually BUILDS bone strength).
  • wayne2
    wayne2 Member Posts: 31

    Intermittent Hormone therapy
    Hi Les,

    There doesn't seem to be any "normal" approach in dealing with Prostate Cancer since we are all snow flakes. I was told to have DaVinci RP surgery, radiation and hormone therapy by my Urologist but turned out I was a stage 4 after seeking a second opinion.??? My current Oncologist suggested Hormone therapy injections straight for two years but I opted for intermittent hormone therapy after reading Dr. Myers book and after experiencing terrible side effects from triple hormone therapy. I had extreme hot flashes, memory loss, muscle mass reduction, mood swings, exhaustion etc. After switching to Firmagon it seemed that I had lesser hot flashes and more energy but I still opted for a better quality of life. Some seem to believe that IHT can trick the body and can be reprogrammed to not produce the higher levels of testosterone which fuel PC growth for periods of time. Firmagon did keep my testosterone and PSA down for close to eight months. During my "off periods" IHT side effects slowly ceased and I was feeling like a 'Man" again. Apparently overtime Hormone therapy will cease to work at all so the idea is to prolong it's power but IHT has not been proven to have any advantage of prolonging life when compared to continuous Hormone therapy. I believe a study is under way so we'll know in a couple of years if IHT has any advantages. In other words it's quality of life versus longevity at this point. It's a hard decision to make and IHT may not be right for your circumstance.
    Best to you and Prayers.
    Glen

    INTERMITANT HORMONE THEREPY,ETC
    Hi Glen......And thx so much for your input. Right now, after two injections of Firmagon (the first was the double).....I seem to be having maybe ? mild side effects so far. A little pain at the injection point for a few days, some hot flashes......sort of, maybe some forgetfulness, but at age 76 some of that is normal?.......also low sex drive :-(( and some fatigue.......but yesterday I got up at 3:30 am to take a friend fishing on Norfork lake here in Arkansas. Started fishing at 5am......caught a bunch of bass, white bass, and a nice striped bas. We quit at 8am,cleaned fish for dinner, and was napping by 10:30am:-))Hope I can keep this up a couple of times a week.

    I aim to discuss the Firmagon aspects with my Urologist next time I see him in July..I get my third shot on June 16th . I'll keep you posted.....right now with my cancer back(and possibly/probably contained in the prostate according to ctscan and bone scan)i,m mainly shooting for longevity if my quality of life doesn't get much worse.

    thx again ........"snowflake" Les
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    jogger said:

    post-injection pain
    The pain I got after my first 5 injections was tolerable enough, but after this last shot it was tough to take, what with the hard 'knot' under the skin and the inflammation, both of which lasted a week. Another annoyance is seeing myself in the mirror. I've gone from a waist size of 36 to 40 in about two year's time, in spite of doing light but consistent exercise every day. I have to buy new pants, preferably with a stretch waist.

    Stretch waist
    Jogger,

    I don't like to be shirtless around people anymore although I'm told I look fine but I see a big change compared to two years ago. Yes, exercising seems to be an up hill battle. Regarding the Firrmagon injection pain, I'll lean over against a car fender or something and a spot on my stomach suddenly hurts like hell. Seems like a previous injection site where it caused a knot. Not looking forward to another injection but I guess it's better then the alternative. Talk again soon and tighten that waist.
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    wayne2 said:

    INTERMITANT HORMONE THEREPY,ETC
    Hi Glen......And thx so much for your input. Right now, after two injections of Firmagon (the first was the double).....I seem to be having maybe ? mild side effects so far. A little pain at the injection point for a few days, some hot flashes......sort of, maybe some forgetfulness, but at age 76 some of that is normal?.......also low sex drive :-(( and some fatigue.......but yesterday I got up at 3:30 am to take a friend fishing on Norfork lake here in Arkansas. Started fishing at 5am......caught a bunch of bass, white bass, and a nice striped bas. We quit at 8am,cleaned fish for dinner, and was napping by 10:30am:-))Hope I can keep this up a couple of times a week.

    I aim to discuss the Firmagon aspects with my Urologist next time I see him in July..I get my third shot on June 16th . I'll keep you posted.....right now with my cancer back(and possibly/probably contained in the prostate according to ctscan and bone scan)i,m mainly shooting for longevity if my quality of life doesn't get much worse.

    thx again ........"snowflake" Les

    Fish Stories...
    Hey "Snowflake",

    I'm sure you can count on a high quality of life for years to come. I'd say enjoying an early morning nap with a good fishing buddy after catching all those fish at your age, you have one fantastic quality of life! Now about your sex life...:-)

    That's great news about your PCa being contained. Looking forward to hearing what your Doc say's about side effects and continuing with the Firmagon homone therapy. Sounds like you got a good Urologist.

    Keep fishing,
    Glen

    "People are like fish hooks, some are just sharper than others..."
  • Katman
    Katman Member Posts: 6
    wayne2 said:

    INTERMITANT HORMONE THEREPY,ETC
    Hi Glen......And thx so much for your input. Right now, after two injections of Firmagon (the first was the double).....I seem to be having maybe ? mild side effects so far. A little pain at the injection point for a few days, some hot flashes......sort of, maybe some forgetfulness, but at age 76 some of that is normal?.......also low sex drive :-(( and some fatigue.......but yesterday I got up at 3:30 am to take a friend fishing on Norfork lake here in Arkansas. Started fishing at 5am......caught a bunch of bass, white bass, and a nice striped bas. We quit at 8am,cleaned fish for dinner, and was napping by 10:30am:-))Hope I can keep this up a couple of times a week.

    I aim to discuss the Firmagon aspects with my Urologist next time I see him in July..I get my third shot on June 16th . I'll keep you posted.....right now with my cancer back(and possibly/probably contained in the prostate according to ctscan and bone scan)i,m mainly shooting for longevity if my quality of life doesn't get much worse.

    thx again ........"snowflake" Les

    Summary of Degarelix Treatment
    11/2000: First visit to Urologist, age 68, PSA = 4.0
    12/2005: First biopsy, nothing found, PSA = 9.0
    03/2006: Second biopsy, Results: Stage 1, Gleason 3+3
    04/2006: CT and bone scan negative
    06/2006: Seed implant
    10/2006: PSA = .05
    03/2007: PSA = 1.5
    03/2008: PSA = 3.0
    03/2009: PSA = 6.0 CT and bone scan negative
    03/2010: PSA = 9.5 CT and bone scan negative
    05/2010: ADT treatment started - Double dose of Degarelix
    06/2010: Second dose (single) of Degarelix

    Comments on ADT (Degarelix) treatment.

    First treatment started in May 2010. I was concerned about injection pain but there was practically none (similar to a flu shot). I have an "38 waist so the Doctor had plenty of fat to work with. After the injection, I was some what exhausted after my daily 30 minutes on the treadmill. This improved to normal after about 3 days. There was a minor irritation at the injection site but that was that was easily handled with 200mg aspirin (ibuprofen) 3-4 times a day for about a week.

    I have increased my workout time on the treadmill to counter the side affects of possible weight gain. The urologist suggested a nutritional supplement (Prosteon by Theralogic) containing high amounts of Vitamin D and Calcium to counter potential bone loss. No hot flashes occured but erectile function is now 0. Next PSA will be done in October.
  • jogger
    jogger Member Posts: 47

    Happy New Year!
    Hi Jack,

    I was surprised as well as to my low PSA results especially for the length of time from my last Firmagon injection in August. "Knock on wood" Hopefully you will experience the same results.

    Best wishes,
    Glen

    PSA drop

    Hi, Glen,

    I've had my sixth shot, or is it seven? Any way my, PSA is now 2.6, down from 800. I guess the gain is worth the pain at the injection site, including the 'rock' and the inflammation, both of which last a week. Ibuprofin does help. I hope I can get some time off from the shots. I see your PSA held from August to January. What's your score now?

    Off the topic, (try and stop me), but I'm taking blood thinners as a result of my bypass. They are a pain because you gotta keep going for a test (every two weeks right now) to see that the viscosity of the blood stays within a certain range. I bruise very easily. BTW, one of the medications I was prescribed is Lasix. When I started to lose my hearing I looked up all of medications and saw that the Lasix has the potential to cause deafness, so, without doctor's orders, I took myself off of it and within days my hearing was back to normal and I didn't see a rise in edema, which is what the Lasix is supposed to stop. And now, as to my potbelly, I can't get a decent aerobic workout going because of low back pain. I do what I can laying (lying?) down and pumping my arms and legs. I had one slice of bread for two weeks and lost a lousy one pound.

    Jack
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    Katman said:

    Summary of Degarelix Treatment
    11/2000: First visit to Urologist, age 68, PSA = 4.0
    12/2005: First biopsy, nothing found, PSA = 9.0
    03/2006: Second biopsy, Results: Stage 1, Gleason 3+3
    04/2006: CT and bone scan negative
    06/2006: Seed implant
    10/2006: PSA = .05
    03/2007: PSA = 1.5
    03/2008: PSA = 3.0
    03/2009: PSA = 6.0 CT and bone scan negative
    03/2010: PSA = 9.5 CT and bone scan negative
    05/2010: ADT treatment started - Double dose of Degarelix
    06/2010: Second dose (single) of Degarelix

    Comments on ADT (Degarelix) treatment.

    First treatment started in May 2010. I was concerned about injection pain but there was practically none (similar to a flu shot). I have an "38 waist so the Doctor had plenty of fat to work with. After the injection, I was some what exhausted after my daily 30 minutes on the treadmill. This improved to normal after about 3 days. There was a minor irritation at the injection site but that was that was easily handled with 200mg aspirin (ibuprofen) 3-4 times a day for about a week.

    I have increased my workout time on the treadmill to counter the side affects of possible weight gain. The urologist suggested a nutritional supplement (Prosteon by Theralogic) containing high amounts of Vitamin D and Calcium to counter potential bone loss. No hot flashes occured but erectile function is now 0. Next PSA will be done in October.

    Rising PSA
    Katman,

    Glad you didn't experience any injection pain. I don't look forward to another injection but... I had a good run since August '09 with Firmagon so I guess I can't complain.

    Received my new test results today and my PSA doubled in two months.

    5/12/10 PSA: 2.8
    7/9/10 PSA: 5.79
  • cjw749
    cjw749 Member Posts: 4
    degarelix and Vantas (histrelin)
    My urologist in SC gave me the initial double injection of degarelix in my lower abdomen in January, immediately after being diagnosed with PC (Gleason 4+5=9; PSA 1.4 and steady). It hurt like hell for about 8-10 days, then much better. After starting radiation at Hopkins in March, my onlocogist there told me I would be on the hormone treatment for 2 1/2 years. After I returned to SC, my urologist switched me to a Vantas (histrelin) implant good for one year, thus avoiding the degarelix injections every 28 days. I have no problem (other than the stated side effects) with the implant and glad I made the switch.
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    cjw749 said:

    degarelix and Vantas (histrelin)
    My urologist in SC gave me the initial double injection of degarelix in my lower abdomen in January, immediately after being diagnosed with PC (Gleason 4+5=9; PSA 1.4 and steady). It hurt like hell for about 8-10 days, then much better. After starting radiation at Hopkins in March, my onlocogist there told me I would be on the hormone treatment for 2 1/2 years. After I returned to SC, my urologist switched me to a Vantas (histrelin) implant good for one year, thus avoiding the degarelix injections every 28 days. I have no problem (other than the stated side effects) with the implant and glad I made the switch.

    Vantas (histrelin)
    Hi cjw749,

    Sounds like you found a caring Urologist and thank you for sharing this new Hormone treatment recommendation. I read the clinical trials and Vantas has a great track record.
    It kept testosterone down to castrate levels for the whole year with minimal side effects.

    Timing is everything...I happen to have an appointment tomorrow to discuss my next plan of attack aince my PSA doubled recently and I was not looking forward to the Mack Truck to the abdomen scenario so I appreciate this tip and will post any updates.

    In the meantime, I wish you the best of health and no "stated side effects".
  • cjw749
    cjw749 Member Posts: 4

    Vantas (histrelin)
    Hi cjw749,

    Sounds like you found a caring Urologist and thank you for sharing this new Hormone treatment recommendation. I read the clinical trials and Vantas has a great track record.
    It kept testosterone down to castrate levels for the whole year with minimal side effects.

    Timing is everything...I happen to have an appointment tomorrow to discuss my next plan of attack aince my PSA doubled recently and I was not looking forward to the Mack Truck to the abdomen scenario so I appreciate this tip and will post any updates.

    In the meantime, I wish you the best of health and no "stated side effects".

    Vantas
    medcomglen, let me know what your urologist thinks about the vantas implant. i got mine in my upper, inside arm at bicep level. it has not caused me one minute of inconvenience even during weight lifting and golf. i would gladly repeat this painless implant process next year at the 12 month juncture.
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    cjw749 said:

    Vantas
    medcomglen, let me know what your urologist thinks about the vantas implant. i got mine in my upper, inside arm at bicep level. it has not caused me one minute of inconvenience even during weight lifting and golf. i would gladly repeat this painless implant process next year at the 12 month juncture.

    Vantas
    Hi CJW,

    My Oncologist pointed out that since I didn't fair well previously with the Luprolides (Trelstar and Eliguard) side effects that I would be better off continuing intermittent therapy with Firmagon. Not looking forward to the abdomen injection this Friday but I guess a few days of potential stomach pain out weigh three months of exhaustion. For some reason the Lupron type drugs knocked me for a loop. Glad to hear you are doing well and still able to play golf etc.

    Let's stay in touch and in the meantime, stay healthy,

    Glen
  • wayne2
    wayne2 Member Posts: 31

    Vantas (histrelin)
    Hi cjw749,

    Sounds like you found a caring Urologist and thank you for sharing this new Hormone treatment recommendation. I read the clinical trials and Vantas has a great track record.
    It kept testosterone down to castrate levels for the whole year with minimal side effects.

    Timing is everything...I happen to have an appointment tomorrow to discuss my next plan of attack aince my PSA doubled recently and I was not looking forward to the Mack Truck to the abdomen scenario so I appreciate this tip and will post any updates.

    In the meantime, I wish you the best of health and no "stated side effects".

    MACK TRUCK SUCCESS
    Hi Glen...I always enjoy reading your comments to all on this board. I've posted some prior comments, but not sure all of them were recorded correctly.I had my fourth MACK TRUCK 10 days ago and my psa level is now down to 0.1....from 0.4 after my first two trucks. This was my fourth in the series. I mentioned intermittant shots to my Urologist and his eyes glazed over so I told him I would do more research. Could you remind me why you decided to have the shots spaced out until the psa goes up again ?? My side effects are mostly ok. I stay busy with my fishing " ministry" (my boat is named "retreat"), church stuff, computer stuff, gym ,socializing, and ice cream. The future is still uunknown, but today is what I have:-))

    UR FREND..........LES
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    wayne2 said:

    MACK TRUCK SUCCESS
    Hi Glen...I always enjoy reading your comments to all on this board. I've posted some prior comments, but not sure all of them were recorded correctly.I had my fourth MACK TRUCK 10 days ago and my psa level is now down to 0.1....from 0.4 after my first two trucks. This was my fourth in the series. I mentioned intermittant shots to my Urologist and his eyes glazed over so I told him I would do more research. Could you remind me why you decided to have the shots spaced out until the psa goes up again ?? My side effects are mostly ok. I stay busy with my fishing " ministry" (my boat is named "retreat"), church stuff, computer stuff, gym ,socializing, and ice cream. The future is still uunknown, but today is what I have:-))

    UR FREND..........LES

    Mack Truck scenario
    Great to see your name again Les. Your PSA results are doing great and since you're not experiencing any severe side efects other than what we all get being chemically castrated you're still on your game.

    I'm on intrmittent HT for the following reasons.

    ·to minimize adverse events and there by improve quality of life (QoL);I was exhausted too often but not as bad umder Firmagon. I seem to be able to enjoy some libdo in between my off times which helped my MANLY depression... recently Augugst '09- June'10 experieinced low PSA and minimum castrate levels.

    ·to delay the progression to hormone-resistant prostate cancer; A new study came out by two Doctors attesting the results from Firmagon extended castaste levels longer thus not needing as many injections, and last but not least,,,·to reduce the costs of care.

    I have stage four PCA with no bone or organ involvement so we are trying to prolong the time LHRH works into the future by dosing when PSA rises everytime.
    I'm somewhat unique since I'm beyound radation, I have lymph gland involvement and was not a candidate for seeding. RP was suggested but would result in permanent loss of libdo, no nerve sapring surgery for me is available, it's too far into the seminal vesicles, RT and RP would mean potential reduced immune system, possible pads, new plastic syfincter replacement etc. so my only hope is intermittent hormone therapy hopefully with lesser side effects, free existance..seems to work so far and my quaity of life increases with time. I'll let you know after next Friday (I prolonged my Mack Truck injection one week to go fishing/camping with my daughter) Pray for me please and I'll post you my new results
    Glen
  • wayne2
    wayne2 Member Posts: 31

    Mack Truck scenario
    Great to see your name again Les. Your PSA results are doing great and since you're not experiencing any severe side efects other than what we all get being chemically castrated you're still on your game.

    I'm on intrmittent HT for the following reasons.

    ·to minimize adverse events and there by improve quality of life (QoL);I was exhausted too often but not as bad umder Firmagon. I seem to be able to enjoy some libdo in between my off times which helped my MANLY depression... recently Augugst '09- June'10 experieinced low PSA and minimum castrate levels.

    ·to delay the progression to hormone-resistant prostate cancer; A new study came out by two Doctors attesting the results from Firmagon extended castaste levels longer thus not needing as many injections, and last but not least,,,·to reduce the costs of care.

    I have stage four PCA with no bone or organ involvement so we are trying to prolong the time LHRH works into the future by dosing when PSA rises everytime.
    I'm somewhat unique since I'm beyound radation, I have lymph gland involvement and was not a candidate for seeding. RP was suggested but would result in permanent loss of libdo, no nerve sapring surgery for me is available, it's too far into the seminal vesicles, RT and RP would mean potential reduced immune system, possible pads, new plastic syfincter replacement etc. so my only hope is intermittent hormone therapy hopefully with lesser side effects, free existance..seems to work so far and my quaity of life increases with time. I'll let you know after next Friday (I prolonged my Mack Truck injection one week to go fishing/camping with my daughter) Pray for me please and I'll post you my new results
    Glen

    FISHING/CAMPING
    Hey Glen.........HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH YOUR DAUGHTER; THOSE ARE PRECIOUS TIMES. I so enjoy your writing; it always gives me an uplift :-)) Fishing is a real peace-giving time for me , and early this month I caught a 9 + pound largemouth bass.......my biggest ever. Also been catching some walleye and striped bass(stripers). I'll see if I can post a photo in my profile.

    Regarding PCA.......I had 43 radiation treatments ending in sept.,2006. psa went down tp 0.6 from 4.6 over an 24 month period then started climbing back up. I started the hormone treatment mid april this year. I had a checkup with the radiation oncologist this am. The sustitute doc was there.......real pleasant guy, but has STUBBY fingers :-))As I said last time, my psa is down to 0.1.........How long will it last ?? Nurse this am mentioned 5+ years......doc also, but they always caution with words like "who knows?",etc..........so.............who knows, but today is ok. My side effects are bothersome for a few days, especially if I think about them but overall life is good !! I'm 76 yrs young and still catching fish and having good times with wife and family.Hope you have/had a good week........

    peace and prayers for you............Les
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    wayne2 said:

    FISHING/CAMPING
    Hey Glen.........HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH YOUR DAUGHTER; THOSE ARE PRECIOUS TIMES. I so enjoy your writing; it always gives me an uplift :-)) Fishing is a real peace-giving time for me , and early this month I caught a 9 + pound largemouth bass.......my biggest ever. Also been catching some walleye and striped bass(stripers). I'll see if I can post a photo in my profile.

    Regarding PCA.......I had 43 radiation treatments ending in sept.,2006. psa went down tp 0.6 from 4.6 over an 24 month period then started climbing back up. I started the hormone treatment mid april this year. I had a checkup with the radiation oncologist this am. The sustitute doc was there.......real pleasant guy, but has STUBBY fingers :-))As I said last time, my psa is down to 0.1.........How long will it last ?? Nurse this am mentioned 5+ years......doc also, but they always caution with words like "who knows?",etc..........so.............who knows, but today is ok. My side effects are bothersome for a few days, especially if I think about them but overall life is good !! I'm 76 yrs young and still catching fish and having good times with wife and family.Hope you have/had a good week........

    peace and prayers for you............Les

    Peterbilt hit me
    Hi Les,

    Congratulations on catching your nine pounder. That must have been a gas pulling that one in. My daughter bets me when we go fishing and usually empties my wallet I hate to admit. They are special times for sure. Great photo and you look great by the way. Handsome fish too.

    Got my Firmagon injection Friday and it feels like a Peterbilt hit me. More refined this time … a perfectly raised itchy red patch about 2”W and 3”L. It’s better today but still warm and tender. No other side effects yet.

    Keep fishing…
    Glen
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    wayne2 said:

    MACK TRUCK SUCCESS
    Hi Glen...I always enjoy reading your comments to all on this board. I've posted some prior comments, but not sure all of them were recorded correctly.I had my fourth MACK TRUCK 10 days ago and my psa level is now down to 0.1....from 0.4 after my first two trucks. This was my fourth in the series. I mentioned intermittant shots to my Urologist and his eyes glazed over so I told him I would do more research. Could you remind me why you decided to have the shots spaced out until the psa goes up again ?? My side effects are mostly ok. I stay busy with my fishing " ministry" (my boat is named "retreat"), church stuff, computer stuff, gym ,socializing, and ice cream. The future is still uunknown, but today is what I have:-))

    UR FREND..........LES

    repeat