Prostate cancer and heart condition

terriandralph

I am currently taking Orgovyx which has lowered my PSA to 0.009. However, I found out I should also be taking an androgen receptor inhibitor (my urologist prescribed Xtandi) along with the Orgovyx, but things have become more complicated as I discovered I also I have a heart condition (my cardiologist told me I had a minor heart attack somewhere in my past). I did some research and found out that Xtandi can make my heart condition worse. I was wondering if there is anybody else who has been in this situation.

Josephg

I cannot tell you one way or another if Xandi will make your heart condition worse. I can tell you that many of the ADT therapies can have a negative impact on the heart. After my last 2 year therapy with Lupron, Zytiga, and Prednisone, I developed atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, and I recently had a cardiac ablation to try to restore the natural rhythm to my heart. Was this a direct result of my PCa medications? Who knows, and I will probably never know for sure.

My non-professional, non-medical opinion and recommendation to you is to find and engage a Medical Oncologist in the field of PCa to serve as the leader of your PCa treatment team going forward. The Medical Oncologist is by far the most qualified to prescribe and monitor ADT therapies, and they will be the most knowledgeable in understanding the interactions between PCa therapies and other medications that you are currently taking or current conditions that must be taken into account. If you require additional/different PCa therapies in the future, the Medical Oncologist will assemble the appropriate team (surgery, radiology, etc.) and coordinate these therapies as well.

I wish you the best of outcomes on your PCa journey.

watertender

Hello.

I also developed AFIB during my treatment course, I was on Orgovyx for 24 months. I think part of the issue was my GP as I started out with PAC which he dismissed as just an electrical issue but come to find out that can lead to AFIB if not addressed. I was not on an androgen receptor inhibitor despite being a Gleason 9.

Second the recommendation for a MO and depending where you are there are often cardiologists that are oncology cardiologists working with cancer patients to lessen heart issues that may arise.

Good luck to you.

Old Salt

I think your cardiologist should be the first one to talk to.

PS: I had a heart attack (and bypass surgery) many years prior to needing ADT because of prostate cancer. I did consult my cardiologist at the time. He 'approved' Lupron. Of course, your heart issue is different, but I do repeat my recommendation to see your cardiologist as well.

Clevelandguy

Hi,

If your PSA is .0009 that is extremely low. Have you had or are you going to have some type of radiation treatment for your cancer in the near future? Like Old Salt said talk to your Cardiologist and get their take on it. If it was me and radiation treatments were in my very immediate future I would consider dropping all the ADT drugs. The ADT drugs are used to weaken the cancer before radiation treatments begin, at .0009 sounds like your already at that point. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV, just talkin common sense.

Dave 3+4

terriandralph

I forgot to mention - I finished radiation treatments on December 19th. I have now been on Orgovyx for 9 months (I started my hormone therapy with an Eligard injection three months prior, so in all I have been on hormone therapy of some kind for one year). During my radiation treatments, I heard other patients talking about Erleada and other anti-androgen inhibitors, and I wondered why I wasn't on an anti-androgen inhibitor myself. It was during a conversation with my oncologist on the last day of radiation treatments that I found out I should have been on an anti-androgen inhibitor. I'm hoping not taking an anti-androgen inhibitor in the past year has not jeopardized my treatment process.

swl1956

I've been on ADT Orgovyx (Relugolix) for a couple months now which has reduced my PSA from 9 down to 1. Along with the Orgovyx I'm also just starting anti androgen Zytiga (Abiraterone acetate) with prednisone and at the same time will beginning 40 sessions of IMRT. Seems like some doctors do things differently and may have valid reasoning for their choices of meds and timing of prescribing them. Considering how low your PSA is now, perhaps waiting to add antiandrogen might be an option. I agree with others that consulting with a Medical Oncologist with Prostate experience would be a wise move. I'm curious what your PSA was when you started radiation? Did you have external beam? Was this an initial treatment or salvage?