Firmagon + Lupron 3 month + Radiation Success Stories?

IdeaManLive
IdeaManLive Member Posts: 3
in Prostate Cancer #1

I'm 54 and got hit with a Gleason 7 at a point in my life where I am in pretty good shape.  I just finished my month of Firmagon and got my 3 month injection of Lupron today.  Next week I start radiation.  I'm happy I found this community, but I'm also surprised at how many cases of prostate cancer have recurre--even after RPs.

I'm hoping to hear from some people who have had success with the Firmagon + Lupron 3 month +radiation method.

Also, for those looking for my initial reaction to my Lupron shot today... it's hell.  I was fine for the first few hours, and now I'm feeling pretty bad: nauseous, numbness in my extremities and I'm monitoring the situation.

How long does it take for the depot to form (shot is in my butt).  I know when I got the shots in my stomach it took a day or two before I could feel the depot.  I can't feel anything yet.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.

Comments

  • Bill91101
    Bill91101 Member Posts: 81 Member
    #2
    Hi IdeaMan,
    Hi IdeaMan,
    I’ve been treated with Firmagon and radiation, but not Lupron.

    In 2009, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 PCa, Gleason 3+4, PSA of 89. The PCa had spread to an adjacent lymph node, so surgery was not an option.
    I started monthly Firmagon treatments after diagnosis and consultation with a radiation oncologist. Began IMRT radiation treatments (42 sessions) after a month on Firmagon.
    My PSA dropped to 0.2 after about six months.
    I continued Firmagon for six months, then switched to Vantas depot for two years. I received the Vantas injections in my upper arm. I recall hot flashes on occasion, fatigue, just a general feeling of 'blah'. But nothing debilitating. If I remember correctly, the reactions would start the day after I received the injection.
    My PSA hovered between 0.1 and 0.2 until late 2015 when it went up to 0.9.
    In early 2016 my PSA rose to 7. I started Casodex (daily) and 90-day Zoladex injections.
    My PSA from two weeks ago was 0.3.
    I’m happy with how things are going (considering the alternative). I had initial reactions to Firmagon, Casodex, Zoladex: hot flashes, fatigue. I still have some fatigue and depression, no more hot flashes. But I am not sure how much of the fatigue and depression is due to the treatments. Some of the guys on this site have reported worse reactions to these drugs.
    I had a bone scan last summer (all clear) and a bone density check which indicated my bone density was low, but still within the ‘good’ region.
    Hope the above helps!
    Bill
  • Old Salt
    Old Salt Member Posts: 1,530 Member
    #3
    More info please

    Could you tell us how many cores were positive and their location?

    To help, other info such as your PSA history is needed as well. And what kind of radiation will you be getting?

    With respect to Lupron injections, mine went into my thigh muscle. Very minor pain around the injection site for a day or so. I never felt the depot as such.

    The skill of the nurse administering the shot is important. 

  • artie
    artie Member Posts: 62 Member
    edited June 2018 #4
    prostate cancer low testosterone after treatment

    Had radiation and firmagon for 3months 2.5 yrs ago.Cancer is gone but my testosterone is very low.Has anybody had this and when does testosterone get back to normal?

  • Old Salt
    Old Salt Member Posts: 1,530 Member
    #5
    artie said:

    prostate cancer low testosterone after treatment

    Had radiation and firmagon for 3months 2.5 yrs ago.Cancer is gone but my testosterone is very low.Has anybody had this and when does testosterone get back to normal?

    Artie

    Please start a new thread to get better responses.

    And include more info than the above. For instance, when was your last shot of Firmagon? And for how long did you get hormone therapy?

    Also your age. These are all important factors to properly respond

  • artie
    artie Member Posts: 62 Member
    edited June 2018 #6
    Old Salt said:

    Artie

    Please start a new thread to get better responses.

    And include more info than the above. For instance, when was your last shot of Firmagon? And for how long did you get hormone therapy?

    Also your age. These are all important factors to properly respond

    77, last shot of firmagon was

    77, last shot of firmagon was in Dec 2015.Had 5 shots from September to December.Bone density test showed osteopenia.Work out frequently with weights and ride recumbant bile almost daily.

  • artie
    artie Member Posts: 62 Member
    edited June 2018 #7
    Has anybody taken

    Has anybody taken testosterone after treatment for prostate cancer?

  • artie
    artie Member Posts: 62 Member
    edited July 2018 #8
    Bill91101 said:

    Hi IdeaMan,
    Hi IdeaMan,
    I’ve been treated with Firmagon and radiation, but not Lupron.

    In 2009, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 PCa, Gleason 3+4, PSA of 89. The PCa had spread to an adjacent lymph node, so surgery was not an option.
    I started monthly Firmagon treatments after diagnosis and consultation with a radiation oncologist. Began IMRT radiation treatments (42 sessions) after a month on Firmagon.
    My PSA dropped to 0.2 after about six months.
    I continued Firmagon for six months, then switched to Vantas depot for two years. I received the Vantas injections in my upper arm. I recall hot flashes on occasion, fatigue, just a general feeling of 'blah'. But nothing debilitating. If I remember correctly, the reactions would start the day after I received the injection.
    My PSA hovered between 0.1 and 0.2 until late 2015 when it went up to 0.9.
    In early 2016 my PSA rose to 7. I started Casodex (daily) and 90-day Zoladex injections.
    My PSA from two weeks ago was 0.3.
    I’m happy with how things are going (considering the alternative). I had initial reactions to Firmagon, Casodex, Zoladex: hot flashes, fatigue. I still have some fatigue and depression, no more hot flashes. But I am not sure how much of the fatigue and depression is due to the treatments. Some of the guys on this site have reported worse reactions to these drugs.
    I had a bone scan last summer (all clear) and a bone density check which indicated my bone density was low, but still within the ‘good’ region.
    Hope the above helps!
    Bill

    Firmagon

    cancer free 3 years later  after 5 shots of firmagon and 5 high intensity targeted radiation .Low testosterone but cancer gone.

  • artie
    artie Member Posts: 62 Member
    #9
    Old Salt said:

    Artie

    Please start a new thread to get better responses.

    And include more info than the above. For instance, when was your last shot of Firmagon? And for how long did you get hormone therapy?

    Also your age. These are all important factors to properly respond

    How do u start a new thread?

    How do u start a new thread?

     

  • Old Salt
    Old Salt Member Posts: 1,530 Member
    #10
    artie said:

    How do u start a new thread?

    How do u start a new thread?

     

    take one step back

    to the 'main' page listing all the threads.

    On the left side is a button Add new Forum topic

  • brizee
    brizee Member Posts: 5
    edited September 2018 #11
    Your case

    I had Firmagon and ardiation.  How do yu handle the idea of your prostste remaining in you?  I stystred having problems two years in.

  • artie
    artie Member Posts: 62 Member
    #12
    CORVID AND PROSTATE CANCER

    DR TEWARI SAID TODAY THAT MN WITH PROSTATE CANCER AND TESTOSTERONE HAVE HIGHER  RISK TO THE CVID VIRUS.DID ANYBODY HEAR ABOUT THIS?

  • okbigguy
    okbigguy Member Posts: 8
    #13
    Start Tuesday

    I start Injection on Tuesday and was hoping minimum side effects.  Basically the same protocol as you.  I am 77 amd hoping and praying for the best.  Good luck to us.

  • artie
    artie Member Posts: 62 Member
    #14
    okbigguy said:

    Start Tuesday

    I start Injection on Tuesday and was hoping minimum side effects.  Basically the same protocol as you.  I am 77 amd hoping and praying for the best.  Good luck to us.

    monitor your testoterone.5ys

    monitor your testoterone.5ys later no cancer but my testoterone 14 Chemicall castration.no fun.Does anybody know of taking testoterne to boost it after taking firmagon or lupron +radiation?

  • artie
    artie Member Posts: 62 Member
    edited January 2021 #15
    okbigguy said:

    Start Tuesday

    I start Injection on Tuesday and was hoping minimum side effects.  Basically the same protocol as you.  I am 77 amd hoping and praying for the best.  Good luck to us.

    tetosterone

    injection of what?

  • artie
    artie Member Posts: 62 Member
    edited June 2021 #16
    artie said:

    tetosterone

    injection of what?

    RADIATION WITHOUT HORMONE THERAPY

    DID ANYONE HEAR THAT WHEN U GET RADIATION FOR PROSTATE CANCER YOU DON'T ALSO GET HORMONE THERAPY FIRMAGON,LUPRON?FURTHER U WOULD COMMENCE THE HORMONE THERAPY IMMEDIATELY AS SOON AS YOU HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH PROSTATE CANCER,CORRECT?

  • artie
    artie Member Posts: 62 Member
    #17
    Is there a pill that stops

    Is there a pill that stops the testoterone growth?

  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,707 Member
    edited July 2021 #18
    Antagonist in pills

    Check this link for LHRH antagonist available in pills form.

    https://csn.cancer.org/comment/1684995#comment-1684995

    Surely you can do radiation treatment RT without ADT. In the end it is RT that manages cure. ADT helps in the effectiveness of the RT.

    Best,

    VG

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