To Vasco about Zytiga

ralph.townsend1

Hey, just want to get a update on my trip with Zytiga. It's ok, having some pain and being tried.I'm walking up to a 1 1/2 a day. I think it's having effect on my liver! The drug is better than the last one I took!!!Go to VA Hospital this week for more blood test and first of May to MD Anderson. My PSA is at .3 and holding!

VascodaGama

Cheers for the good news
Ralph

Great news, my friend. Let’s keep it low.
You can find in the net info on the drug’s side effects. They include join swelling and pain which may be the symptoms you are experiencing. Tell your doctor about that in your next visit
Prednisone is known to keep us “alive and kicking” at sleeping times. The drug, however, interacts with some supplements or other medications, so that you need to inform your doctor to check if the dose mg is proper and if something is affecting its action. Low-salt diet is recommended.
Zytiga by itself prohibit some sort of foods and drinks. Get “directions” from your doctor.
In Drugs.com they say this;
“…symptoms of liver problems; dark urine; loss of appetite; pale stools; unusual nausea, stomach pain, or tiredness; yellowing of the skin or eyes”.

Overall your treatment is holding the monster. I hope that continues for many years. Try to counter the side effects for a better quality of life.

For the ones wanting to know about your story here is the link;
(Gs 9, PSA=6.8 in 2008; RP+RT+HT; Feb 2012 PSA=0.3)
http://csn.cancer.org/node/236837

Many Thanks for sharing your progress.

VGama

ralph.townsend1

VascodaGama said:

Cheers for the good news
Ralph

Great news, my friend. Let’s keep it low.
You can find in the net info on the drug’s side effects. They include join swelling and pain which may be the symptoms you are experiencing. Tell your doctor about that in your next visit
Prednisone is known to keep us “alive and kicking” at sleeping times. The drug, however, interacts with some supplements or other medications, so that you need to inform your doctor to check if the dose mg is proper and if something is affecting its action. Low-salt diet is recommended.
Zytiga by itself prohibit some sort of foods and drinks. Get “directions” from your doctor.
In Drugs.com they say this;
“…symptoms of liver problems; dark urine; loss of appetite; pale stools; unusual nausea, stomach pain, or tiredness; yellowing of the skin or eyes”.

Overall your treatment is holding the monster. I hope that continues for many years. Try to counter the side effects for a better quality of life.

For the ones wanting to know about your story here is the link;
(Gs 9, PSA=6.8 in 2008; RP+RT+HT; Feb 2012 PSA=0.3)
http://csn.cancer.org/node/236837

Many Thanks for sharing your progress.

VGama

Pain and Neuropathy
Into my 3 month and walking 4-5 times a week to help my heart and lose this weight that has decided to join me. It's a good walk half down the hill and we know what goes down must come up, there no bus come through that i can cheat. Up to a mile 1/2 now. Oh pain from the walk, but my side is hurting through out the day, I think it my liver. I drinking a lot of water. The Peripheral neuropathy is on the rise again. The pain/burning is not because of the Zytiga. The Zytiga is causing muscle, joint pain and having a lot gas with constipation. I'm still fighting depression and I will not give into that! :-) Still fighting with VA about bowel dysfunction, ED, Hypertension, depression, oh yes the ringing in my ears Tinnitus.

One note about Lyrica it causes my hands/feet to shake/ tremors!

VascodaGama

ralph.townsend1 said:

Pain and Neuropathy
Into my 3 month and walking 4-5 times a week to help my heart and lose this weight that has decided to join me. It's a good walk half down the hill and we know what goes down must come up, there no bus come through that i can cheat. Up to a mile 1/2 now. Oh pain from the walk, but my side is hurting through out the day, I think it my liver. I drinking a lot of water. The Peripheral neuropathy is on the rise again. The pain/burning is not because of the Zytiga. The Zytiga is causing muscle, joint pain and having a lot gas with constipation. I'm still fighting depression and I will not give into that! :-) Still fighting with VA about bowel dysfunction, ED, Hypertension, depression, oh yes the ringing in my ears Tinnitus.

One note about Lyrica it causes my hands/feet to shake/ tremors!

Fitness
I see you as a veteran, a fighter and a person that would not cheat in your physical regimen. This fitness is important in your treatment but do not forget that you are not in “Saigon” times. You are older and the exercises should be done with consideration to other health concerns.
Try getting a ECG and check testosterone levels to look for any hypogonadism. Request that to the doctor in your next visit.

Another glass of wine; red to me white for you.

Best.
Vgama

Celticroots2

VascodaGama said:

Fitness
I see you as a veteran, a fighter and a person that would not cheat in your physical regimen. This fitness is important in your treatment but do not forget that you are not in “Saigon” times. You are older and the exercises should be done with consideration to other health concerns.
Try getting a ECG and check testosterone levels to look for any hypogonadism. Request that to the doctor in your next visit.

Another glass of wine; red to me white for you.

Best.
Vgama

Possible Zytiga for hubby
We got the results of his PSA from Tuesday's tests at the VA and it has started to rise. She talked about possibly changing to Zytiga. I hate to rock the boat when things have been going quite well with the current regimen, but when things start to change it's time to revisit.
On another note. He has been doing a couple of hours of work and he is also talking Tramadol which seems to be helping with the PN and pain in his thighs. One small battle being fought with favorable results.
Now I just want the rest of the disease to take a hike.

ralph.townsend1

Celticroots2 said:

Possible Zytiga for hubby
We got the results of his PSA from Tuesday's tests at the VA and it has started to rise. She talked about possibly changing to Zytiga. I hate to rock the boat when things have been going quite well with the current regimen, but when things start to change it's time to revisit.
On another note. He has been doing a couple of hours of work and he is also talking Tramadol which seems to be helping with the PN and pain in his thighs. One small battle being fought with favorable results.
Now I just want the rest of the disease to take a hike.

Zytiga
Celticroots2, As far using Zytiga, I think it is a very good drug to fight prostate cancer. MD Anderson cancer center recommend for me to use. In less than one month it took my PSA 0.3. These's are the side effect and don't let that scare you. I have had maybe 3 of these effect. Hot flashes, Pain in the legs, and maybe one more. Its good for men to know what Hot Flashes feel like ). But if he is on Lupron, he all ready knows. Also with taking Zytiga with pednisone you can gain weight, so watch what you eat and DRINK. Exercise as much as you can!
Get blood test for your liver, and VA will make you do if they give you the drug. it could extend your husband life 18 months.
ZYTIGA® may cause serious side effects including:
High blood pressure (hypertension), low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia), and fluid retention (edema).
Tell your healthcare provider if you get any of the following symptoms:
Dizziness
Fast heartbeats
Feel faint or lightheaded
Headache
Confusion
Muscle weakness
Pain in your legs
Swelling in your legs or feet
Adrenal problems may happen if you stop taking prednisone, get an infection, or are under stress.
Liver problems. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver before treatment with ZYTIGA® and during treatment with ZYTIGA®.
The most common side effects of ZYTIGA® include:
Joint swelling or pain
Muscle aches
Hot flushes
Diarrhea
Urinary tract infection
Cough
Irregular heartbeats
Urinating more often than normal
Need to get up at night to urinate
Heartburn
Cold-like symptoms
Bone fractures

mrspjd

Celticroots2 said:

Possible Zytiga for hubby
We got the results of his PSA from Tuesday's tests at the VA and it has started to rise. She talked about possibly changing to Zytiga. I hate to rock the boat when things have been going quite well with the current regimen, but when things start to change it's time to revisit.
On another note. He has been doing a couple of hours of work and he is also talking Tramadol which seems to be helping with the PN and pain in his thighs. One small battle being fought with favorable results.
Now I just want the rest of the disease to take a hike.

Xgeva with Zytiga
Celtic,

As was suggested on one of your previous threads, you also may wish to ask your PCa oncologist about the use of Xgeva along with Zytiga. Xgeva (Denosumab) is in a class of drugs called RANK ligand inhibitors and works by decreasing bone breakdown and increasing bone strength and density (thickness), taken with calcium and vitamin D supplements. Unless contra-indicated because of potential interaction with other drugs, IMHO, Xgeva may be worth considering in your husband’s case if it hasn’t already been discussed or suggested by his doctor(s).

"Now I just want the rest of the disease to take a hike." I hear your frustration and wish you both all the best.

mrs pjd

ralph.townsend1

Celticroots2 said:

Possible Zytiga for hubby
We got the results of his PSA from Tuesday's tests at the VA and it has started to rise. She talked about possibly changing to Zytiga. I hate to rock the boat when things have been going quite well with the current regimen, but when things start to change it's time to revisit.
On another note. He has been doing a couple of hours of work and he is also talking Tramadol which seems to be helping with the PN and pain in his thighs. One small battle being fought with favorable results.
Now I just want the rest of the disease to take a hike.

VA Hospital
Down in Dallas if I go to VA hospital these people or doctor's are the fine's, from the Southwestern cancer center. If I could not have private doctor', these people are OK. I know that you will be ok.

God Bless

Samsungtech1

ralph.townsend1 said:

VA Hospital
Down in Dallas if I go to VA hospital these people or doctor's are the fine's, from the Southwestern cancer center. If I could not have private doctor', these people are OK. I know that you will be ok.

God Bless

Hope all is well
Ralph,

Hope all is well. Good thing about the VA is that if they can not handle it they will send you to private docs.
I am going to the VA middle of next month to get my meds switched. It is getting expensive.

You sound like your health is good. I just got done with radiosurgery. 12 treatments. Wore me out, wore mymthroat out worse. No way I could walk anyway near what you are doing. I need to build back up. I live right next to FT. Monroe and it is a beautiful place to walk. I hope to build it back up to 1 mile a day to start with.

If you need something down there , if I can help, let me know.

Mike

ralph.townsend1

Samsungtech1 said:

Hope all is well
Ralph,

Hope all is well. Good thing about the VA is that if they can not handle it they will send you to private docs.
I am going to the VA middle of next month to get my meds switched. It is getting expensive.

You sound like your health is good. I just got done with radiosurgery. 12 treatments. Wore me out, wore mymthroat out worse. No way I could walk anyway near what you are doing. I need to build back up. I live right next to FT. Monroe and it is a beautiful place to walk. I hope to build it back up to 1 mile a day to start with.

If you need something down there , if I can help, let me know.

Mike

Zytiga and blood platelet
I'm about go for my walk and started walking a 1/2 mile, slow but sure, After that I start the pill party. 1000 mg of Zytiga and the prednisone. The Zytiga is working great,,,but as Vasco said watch the liver. Well the platelet have drop and VA doctors last visit it was getting close to taking me off the drug,sent they were supplies the drug. As I told them I answer to MD Anderson cancer center! If they see these platelet number they will probably pull off. The platelet count is under 100,000. So this drug probably has a 4 month life with me. I see MD Anderson may 9 and do a bone scan and blood test and hope higher blood platelet.

Mike, VA has been a good source for medicine, I switch over to them to save money! They won't give me my Lyrica, which cost $40.00 a month on pri. insurance! They cover the Zytiga!!! One thing good about VA is once you get setup. Then you just call them or go Myhealth.va.gov and order your medicine, and they ship it to you.

Celticroots2

ralph.townsend1 said:

Zytiga and blood platelet
I'm about go for my walk and started walking a 1/2 mile, slow but sure, After that I start the pill party. 1000 mg of Zytiga and the prednisone. The Zytiga is working great,,,but as Vasco said watch the liver. Well the platelet have drop and VA doctors last visit it was getting close to taking me off the drug,sent they were supplies the drug. As I told them I answer to MD Anderson cancer center! If they see these platelet number they will probably pull off. The platelet count is under 100,000. So this drug probably has a 4 month life with me. I see MD Anderson may 9 and do a bone scan and blood test and hope higher blood platelet.

Mike, VA has been a good source for medicine, I switch over to them to save money! They won't give me my Lyrica, which cost $40.00 a month on pri. insurance! They cover the Zytiga!!! One thing good about VA is once you get setup. Then you just call them or go Myhealth.va.gov and order your medicine, and they ship it to you.

Zytiga
Sorry folks, playing catch up. He has major hot flashes as it is with the HT. He was given Prednisone by the neurologist to try and help with the RLS and take some of the inflammation away from the spinal cord, but he had a very nasty reaction in the form of a rash and hives, plus it didn't help, so Prednisone worries me a little bit.
He is scheduled for a scan on 5/7. She wants to check to see if she needs to change his treatment. As for Xgeva, it's too expensive. We did ask about it.

ralph.townsend1

Celticroots2 said:

Zytiga
Sorry folks, playing catch up. He has major hot flashes as it is with the HT. He was given Prednisone by the neurologist to try and help with the RLS and take some of the inflammation away from the spinal cord, but he had a very nasty reaction in the form of a rash and hives, plus it didn't help, so Prednisone worries me a little bit.
He is scheduled for a scan on 5/7. She wants to check to see if she needs to change his treatment. As for Xgeva, it's too expensive. We did ask about it.

Zytiga
Zytiga is free thru VA. So use it!!!!!It can take the cancer to 0 or close to it.

mrspjd

Celticroots2 said:

Zytiga
Sorry folks, playing catch up. He has major hot flashes as it is with the HT. He was given Prednisone by the neurologist to try and help with the RLS and take some of the inflammation away from the spinal cord, but he had a very nasty reaction in the form of a rash and hives, plus it didn't help, so Prednisone worries me a little bit.
He is scheduled for a scan on 5/7. She wants to check to see if she needs to change his treatment. As for Xgeva, it's too expensive. We did ask about it.

"Xgeva too expensive" - the Amgen assist program
Celtic,

If on medicare, I believe Xgeva is covered. If not, you may wish to explore the Amgen Assist program:

http://www.amgenassist.com/support_programs/xgeva_support.jsp

Not sure if XL184 (your new thread), a different type of drug than Xgeva, will be any less expensive if FDA approved. Zytiga, FDA approved & available, was also suggested on your other thread. Wondering...if the Prednisone, given with Zytiga, might be better tolerated by hubby in conjuction with the Zytiga...just a thought.

You may wish to start one main thread for your posts/questions/comments about hubby. It might be easier (and take less time) for you to follow replies to many of your posts if they were all in one place on one main thread. Just trying to make a helpful suggestion but certainly, do whatever you think works best for you to obtain the info you need!

Celticroots2

mrspjd said:

"Xgeva too expensive" - the Amgen assist program
Celtic,

If on medicare, I believe Xgeva is covered. If not, you may wish to explore the Amgen Assist program:

http://www.amgenassist.com/support_programs/xgeva_support.jsp

Not sure if XL184 (your new thread), a different type of drug than Xgeva, will be any less expensive if FDA approved. Zytiga, FDA approved & available, was also suggested on your other thread. Wondering...if the Prednisone, given with Zytiga, might be better tolerated by hubby in conjuction with the Zytiga...just a thought.

You may wish to start one main thread for your posts/questions/comments about hubby. It might be easier (and take less time) for you to follow replies to many of your posts if they were all in one place on one main thread. Just trying to make a helpful suggestion but certainly, do whatever you think works best for you to obtain the info you need!

Zytiga and Xgeva
Thanks Ralph. His doc has mentioned the Zytiga when she called us about rising PSA so I guess we will discuss the next step when we see her.

Mrspjd....XL184 is quite a long way off before hitting the market, but it sounds promising for specifically targeting bone tumors. He isn't on medicare. Hasn't quite reached that age but even when he does it's something we probably can't afford. Pretty sad in this day and age.

mrspjd

Celticroots2 said:

Zytiga and Xgeva
Thanks Ralph. His doc has mentioned the Zytiga when she called us about rising PSA so I guess we will discuss the next step when we see her.

Mrspjd....XL184 is quite a long way off before hitting the market, but it sounds promising for specifically targeting bone tumors. He isn't on medicare. Hasn't quite reached that age but even when he does it's something we probably can't afford. Pretty sad in this day and age.

Financial assistance for obtaining Xgeva
I agree that XL 184 (Cabo) is a long way off for FDA approval (if approved), but it has been in clinical trials since last year. http://csn.cancer.org/node/205996 Perhaps a trial might be something to look into (or compassionate use). All drugs have side effects and each patient responds differently, but for some, I've heard that XL184 has had some really nasty side effects and has not been successful for all patients.

You are correct that XL 184 is different than Xgeva. Not interested in a clinical trial for XL184? Xgeva is FDA approved and available NOW. For those who need financial assistance with Xgeva, Amgen--the pharma manufacturer for Xgeva, has an assistance program. Since you seemed to rule out Xgeva due to co$t, I do hope you have a chance to check out the link I posted in a previous entry above to see if Amgen's program might be helpful in obtaining Xgeva for your husband.

ralph.townsend1

Celticroots2 said:

Zytiga and Xgeva
Thanks Ralph. His doc has mentioned the Zytiga when she called us about rising PSA so I guess we will discuss the next step when we see her.

Mrspjd....XL184 is quite a long way off before hitting the market, but it sounds promising for specifically targeting bone tumors. He isn't on medicare. Hasn't quite reached that age but even when he does it's something we probably can't afford. Pretty sad in this day and age.

Agent Orange Ship in Vietnam
http://www.bluewaternavy.org/updatelog.htm

Check this site to see if his ship was on the list Agent Orange. If it is on the list, that is the same as boots on the ground.