Firmagon (Degarelix) substitute for Lupron

jogger

Medcomglen said:

Happy New Year!
Hi Carl,

Thank you for the New Year wishes and glad to hear your PSA is under control. I assume you are taking one of the following: Lupron, Zoladex, Viadur, Trelstar or Eligard since you mentioned three month injections. As long as it works and agrees with you is the bottom line. Sorry to hear about your 60 year old crab apple tree. We had an old one growing up and the little apples made for great ammo playing war with the neighbor kids. Hopefully your Wife can make one last pie. Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy new year.

Glen

surprising progress report
After my fourth shot my PSA report shows that I went from 800 (800) to 7! My doctor was as excited as I was.I hope I can keep it up. Sadly, I can't keep anything else up:-).

Medcomglen

jogger said:

surprising progress report
After my fourth shot my PSA report shows that I went from 800 (800) to 7! My doctor was as excited as I was.I hope I can keep it up. Sadly, I can't keep anything else up:-).

In the same boat...
Glad to read your new score and it seems as if when the PSA scores are down nothing else goes up. What an incredible decrease in your PSA score.

BTW I found a great YouTube video just now on degarelix (Firmagon).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYjaY_7Gkec

Best wishes and keep it up or should I say keep it down :-)

Medcomglen

jogger said:

Progress report
Hi Glen (and others)

Yesterday I had an ultrasound of my prostate, which is a month after my third shot. Doctor is 'very pleased' with the amount of shrinkage. I had my fourth shot yesterday and it still hurts a lot at the injection site. However, I have no body aches or flushing such as I have experienced before. The nurse took blood to get my PSA and testosterone levels. I put off dealing with my prostate conventionally for years, counting on infusions of Vitamin C, which I had to stop because my veins gave out. It's just as well because my PSA was off the chart. I hope I did the right thing in that I may have avoided the possibility of surgery, chemo or radiation and their side effects. The Degarelix has not affected my libido because it was down to zero even before I had my first shot. :-) After my biopsy months back I had bloody urine for a while. Now every time I see the doctor the first thing he wants to know is do I have any more bleeding. I think he believes the bleeding was from the cancer. I like to think it was just the biopsy. Oh, well, time will tell.

Jack (the ex jogger, thanks to the recent development of angina.) Bummer I had done the NYC marathon when I was 50, 60 and 70 and I was hoping to do it at 80. Just as well. The entrance fee is too high these days. (sour grapes)

Hello Jogger
Jogger,
You chose the perfect login name for yourself. You should finish the marathon again at age 80. I'll pay your entrance fee but... I'll be the first to get your autograph and I want 30% from your Late Night talking engagements and book publishing rights.

I had bleeding too after my Biopsy and I remember reading a pamphlet stating that would be possible for a few days after biopsy. Blood also appears in semen. (What is that?) In fact I don't know anyone I've spoken to that didn't have blood in their urine after a biopsy for about 3-5 days. I hope it wasn't from your cancer cells.

There is a video on youtube on Firmagon and Doctor Chodak said 35% of patients in the clinical trials experienced injection site pain. I'm almost thinking of switching to Lupron so I don't have to endure the Mack Truck to the stomach feeling again. My last injection was this past August and my PSA has been down to 0.5. or below. I get checked again this Friday so wish me luck. If my PSA has risen beyond 2. I'll have to get another injection. Best wishes, Glen

Medcomglen

Medcomglen said:

In the same boat...
Glad to read your new score and it seems as if when the PSA scores are down nothing else goes up. What an incredible decrease in your PSA score.

BTW I found a great YouTube video just now on degarelix (Firmagon).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYjaY_7Gkec

Best wishes and keep it up or should I say keep it down :-)

February PSA result :-)
Amazing results. 0.9.46 in other words no significant change. Going on six months since last Firmagon injection.

jogger

Medcomglen said:

February PSA result :-)
Amazing results. 0.9.46 in other words no significant change. Going on six months since last Firmagon injection.

interrupted plans
Hi Glen,


Unfortunately, I've had to take time off from my injections. I had a minor heart attack and I fell into the hands of cardiologists who wanted to take me 'all the way' with it, i.e., triple by-pass. This was a day after a stent was put in and the failed attempt at another stent, including two shocks to keep me from expiring! I've just finished 3 weeks of recovery. It feels like being struck by a big truck. I wonder where my PSA is at now.

Jogger (Jack)

Medcomglen

jogger said:

interrupted plans
Hi Glen,


Unfortunately, I've had to take time off from my injections. I had a minor heart attack and I fell into the hands of cardiologists who wanted to take me 'all the way' with it, i.e., triple by-pass. This was a day after a stent was put in and the failed attempt at another stent, including two shocks to keep me from expiring! I've just finished 3 weeks of recovery. It feels like being struck by a big truck. I wonder where my PSA is at now.

Jogger (Jack)

PSA?
Hi Jack,

It was shocking to read your post. No pun intended. What happens now without the stents? Is your Cardiologist going to try again? I'm sure your PSA readings are low since Firmagon seems to knock the testosterone down. My Oncologist said I was officially in remission now. I asked if I was still a stage 4 and the answer was yes but I could be in remission for sometime...months and even years since my PSA readings have been so low for sometime since August.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Glen

Medcomglen

olddukey said:

Glen,
please email the results to me.
I file all info for future use.
I went off Zoladex in April and had a 1.1 then, 3.4 May, 4.0 July and 4.6 in November.
I still take a proscar every day. Have for the last 15 years. They say it halves the PSA
but I think it's anti cancer qualities are always there working for us.
john
olddukey@gmail.com

PSA still down, down
Hi John,

Are you taking any Hormone therapy? If not you're doing really well after fifteen years. Keep up the good work. Mine's still staying down below 0.1 with no shots since August.
I'll let you know my next reading in May.

Take care,
Glen

eaunat2010

firmagon
Hallo!
My father has got prostate cancer in 4 phase.
Our doctor told us about the medicine called "FIRMAGON" or the same name "DEGARELIX" and another drug called "ESTRADIOL".
Now we are in Russia, in Moscow.
For us these drugs "FIRMAGON" and "ESTRADIOL" are great necessities, we are ready to pay for these medicines and their delivery (or home delivery)immediately.
We can also pay for DHL or any other methods of delivery. We are very interested in any fast method of delivery.
We ask you to help us to order these drugs called :"FIRMAGON" or "DEGARELIX" and "ESTRADIOL".
We need 2 courses of (medical) treatment.
We are in Moscow.
We are ready to pay for it immediatly. We are ready to go for it to any place. My tel in Moscow (495) 762-08-94 Alexandr

Medcomglen

eaunat2010 said:

firmagon
Hallo!
My father has got prostate cancer in 4 phase.
Our doctor told us about the medicine called "FIRMAGON" or the same name "DEGARELIX" and another drug called "ESTRADIOL".
Now we are in Russia, in Moscow.
For us these drugs "FIRMAGON" and "ESTRADIOL" are great necessities, we are ready to pay for these medicines and their delivery (or home delivery)immediately.
We can also pay for DHL or any other methods of delivery. We are very interested in any fast method of delivery.
We ask you to help us to order these drugs called :"FIRMAGON" or "DEGARELIX" and "ESTRADIOL".
We need 2 courses of (medical) treatment.
We are in Moscow.
We are ready to pay for it immediatly. We are ready to go for it to any place. My tel in Moscow (495) 762-08-94 Alexandr

Firmagon availability in Russia
Hi Alexandr,

I'm sorry to hear your Father has this dreaded disease and he's lucky to have you as his support member. I searched Ferring Pharmaceutical company's website and discovered an office in Moscow for you to contact.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals B.V.
Representative Office
Kosmodamianskaya nab., 52, bld. 4
115054 Moscow
Russia
Tel.: +7 495 287 0343
Fax: +7 495 287 0342

I was prescribed Estradoil Transdermal patches when I was first diagnosed from a company named Mylan. Here's their link. http://www.mylan.com/

Good luck and hopefully these drugs will be available for your Father in Russia. Keep me informed of his progress.

Best wishes,
Glen

CaptnJack1744

Medcomglen said:

In the same boat...
Glad to read your new score and it seems as if when the PSA scores are down nothing else goes up. What an incredible decrease in your PSA score.

BTW I found a great YouTube video just now on degarelix (Firmagon).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYjaY_7Gkec

Best wishes and keep it up or should I say keep it down :-)

Firmagon
I an new to Firmagon (Degerelix), had my second injection on Mar 22. The stomach pain was no where near the level of the first double injection. I have experienced hip pain following both injections. Was almost back to "normal" until second shot, then it started again. Ever heard of this? My PSA was 40 in January, bone scan confirmed metastasis to sacrum and pelvis. Last Lupron was back in Sept 09, on it since 06. Went on Casodex in Jan, PSA dropped to 7.3 by Feb 11, then had first Firmagon. PSA now 7.7. Dr thinks it could be due to overdue on second shot by a week or so (schedule screw up on their part).
Radical in 2000, Radiation on 05, Lupron 06. Gleason 8.

Joining the string

Medcomglen

CaptnJack1744 said:

Firmagon
I an new to Firmagon (Degerelix), had my second injection on Mar 22. The stomach pain was no where near the level of the first double injection. I have experienced hip pain following both injections. Was almost back to "normal" until second shot, then it started again. Ever heard of this? My PSA was 40 in January, bone scan confirmed metastasis to sacrum and pelvis. Last Lupron was back in Sept 09, on it since 06. Went on Casodex in Jan, PSA dropped to 7.3 by Feb 11, then had first Firmagon. PSA now 7.7. Dr thinks it could be due to overdue on second shot by a week or so (schedule screw up on their part).
Radical in 2000, Radiation on 05, Lupron 06. Gleason 8.

Joining the string

Firmagon hip pain
Welcome CaptnJack,

Sorry to hear you are going through a painful experience with your therapy. I never experienced hip pain nor heard of hip pain complaints from hormone therapy but then again I'm only going on my own experience and what members state on these boards. I imagine since you already had metastasis to the hip that possibly the Firmagon injection created a reaction of some sort. From what I have read, Firmagon lowers testosterone immediately which seems to feed those nasty prostate cancer cells. What were your testosterone levels before and after your injections?

Best regards,
Glen

Medcomglen

CaptnJack1744 said:

Firmagon
I an new to Firmagon (Degerelix), had my second injection on Mar 22. The stomach pain was no where near the level of the first double injection. I have experienced hip pain following both injections. Was almost back to "normal" until second shot, then it started again. Ever heard of this? My PSA was 40 in January, bone scan confirmed metastasis to sacrum and pelvis. Last Lupron was back in Sept 09, on it since 06. Went on Casodex in Jan, PSA dropped to 7.3 by Feb 11, then had first Firmagon. PSA now 7.7. Dr thinks it could be due to overdue on second shot by a week or so (schedule screw up on their part).
Radical in 2000, Radiation on 05, Lupron 06. Gleason 8.

Joining the string

Hip Pain?
Anyone experience any hip pain while on hormone therapy?

wayne2

Medcomglen said:

Firmagon availability in Russia
Hi Alexandr,

I'm sorry to hear your Father has this dreaded disease and he's lucky to have you as his support member. I searched Ferring Pharmaceutical company's website and discovered an office in Moscow for you to contact.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals B.V.
Representative Office
Kosmodamianskaya nab., 52, bld. 4
115054 Moscow
Russia
Tel.: +7 495 287 0343
Fax: +7 495 287 0342

I was prescribed Estradoil Transdermal patches when I was first diagnosed from a company named Mylan. Here's their link. http://www.mylan.com/

Good luck and hopefully these drugs will be available for your Father in Russia. Keep me informed of his progress.

Best wishes,
Glen

FIRMAGON
Hi Glen,

I've been reading about your success with firmagon. I had my first two shots three weeks ago and get my next shot in 5 days. I've had radiation therepy four years ago. My psa went down to o.5 to 0.6 fo about 9 months and then started back up; the last reading inApril was 3.8.

I'm excited to read about the successes, and especially yours. I get another psa check in July. I guess that'll give me a good checkpoint. I'm prayerfully hopeful that it'll be down .

thx for "listening"

wayne2

Medcomglen

wayne2 said:

FIRMAGON
Hi Glen,

I've been reading about your success with firmagon. I had my first two shots three weeks ago and get my next shot in 5 days. I've had radiation therepy four years ago. My psa went down to o.5 to 0.6 fo about 9 months and then started back up; the last reading inApril was 3.8.

I'm excited to read about the successes, and especially yours. I get another psa check in July. I guess that'll give me a good checkpoint. I'm prayerfully hopeful that it'll be down .

thx for "listening"

wayne2

Firmagon PSA
Hi Wayne,

Welcome! Glad you found these boards so we can compare our journey fighting Pca. Firmagon seems to be working for you. Unfortunately my PSA results rose to to 2.8 last week. Previous PSA was 0.9. three months ago. Time for another injection.

Best wishes,
Glen

wayne2

Medcomglen said:

Firmagon PSA
Hi Wayne,

Welcome! Glad you found these boards so we can compare our journey fighting Pca. Firmagon seems to be working for you. Unfortunately my PSA results rose to to 2.8 last week. Previous PSA was 0.9. three months ago. Time for another injection.

Best wishes,
Glen

first psa check
Hi Glen....Thx for the note. I unexpectedly had my psa checked when I went in for my second injection on May 14th............It was 0.4.Down from 3.8 and the lowest I can remember !! I hope this hormone keeps on working. My doc says 2 to 3 years, but I'm praying for more and from what I've read here and elsewhere. I hope your next injection knocks yours down again !!

prayers.....Les

Medcomglen

wayne2 said:

first psa check
Hi Glen....Thx for the note. I unexpectedly had my psa checked when I went in for my second injection on May 14th............It was 0.4.Down from 3.8 and the lowest I can remember !! I hope this hormone keeps on working. My doc says 2 to 3 years, but I'm praying for more and from what I've read here and elsewhere. I hope your next injection knocks yours down again !!

prayers.....Les

PSA Check
Wayne,

That's great news...looks as though Firmagon is working for you and I bet your PSA will stay down for sometime. Was your Doctor referring to the "2-3 years" as the time frame before becoming Hormone refractory?

I spoke to my Onco today and he decided to check my PSA again next month before I receive another injection of Firmagon so I get to beat my chest a little longer :-)

Best,
Glen

wayne2

Medcomglen said:

PSA Check
Wayne,

That's great news...looks as though Firmagon is working for you and I bet your PSA will stay down for sometime. Was your Doctor referring to the "2-3 years" as the time frame before becoming Hormone refractory?

I spoke to my Onco today and he decided to check my PSA again next month before I receive another injection of Firmagon so I get to beat my chest a little longer :-)

Best,
Glen

PSA CHECK
I think the 2 to 3 years is the timeframe the hormones will keep the cancer contained....ie; good quality of life...................maybe even longer ?surprised that you're are stopping the hormone shots when your psa level drops. Is that normal procedure? I thought I'd be on them continuously (once a month shots).Thx for the response, and have a good memorial day.

Les (wayne2)

jogger

wayne2 said:

PSA CHECK
I think the 2 to 3 years is the timeframe the hormones will keep the cancer contained....ie; good quality of life...................maybe even longer ?surprised that you're are stopping the hormone shots when your psa level drops. Is that normal procedure? I thought I'd be on them continuously (once a month shots).Thx for the response, and have a good memorial day.

Les (wayne2)

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.

jogger

wayne2 said:

PSA CHECK
I think the 2 to 3 years is the timeframe the hormones will keep the cancer contained....ie; good quality of life...................maybe even longer ?surprised that you're are stopping the hormone shots when your psa level drops. Is that normal procedure? I thought I'd be on them continuously (once a month shots).Thx for the response, and have a good memorial day.

Les (wayne2)

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.

wayne2

Medcomglen said:

PSA Check
Wayne,

That's great news...looks as though Firmagon is working for you and I bet your PSA will stay down for sometime. Was your Doctor referring to the "2-3 years" as the time frame before becoming Hormone refractory?

I spoke to my Onco today and he decided to check my PSA again next month before I receive another injection of Firmagon so I get to beat my chest a little longer :-)

Best,
Glen

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