Firmagon (Degarelix) substitute for Lupron

Medcomglen
Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
edited March 2014 in Prostate Cancer #1
After discovering this new gonadotropin drug I discussed taking this with my Oncologist and we decided to inject this in a week or two since my PSA doubled from 2.8 to 4.7 this past month.
If you have any experience with Firmagon from Ferring Pharma I would love to hear back on side effects etc. I'm a 58 yr. old two year survivor, 14.7 PSA, Gleason 7 with prominent metastactic disease.
Thanks in advance...
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Comments

  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #2
    Firmagon update...
    I received two 125 mg injections of Firmagon today as a booster shot. My last shot of Lupron was 12/10/08 and my PSA rose from 0.2 February to 4.7 in June. I was starting to feel my cancer was growing inside me if that's possible. Pain in lower stomach and overall agitation. The injections were a little painful and after a few hours I feel that a Mac truck hit me in the 6 packs but I must say that I feel like a new person already besides the injection site pain. My next shot will be a 85mg dose injected in the stomach in 28 days.
  • RRMCJIM
    RRMCJIM Member Posts: 149
    #3
    Medcomglen said:

    Firmagon update...
    I received two 125 mg injections of Firmagon today as a booster shot. My last shot of Lupron was 12/10/08 and my PSA rose from 0.2 February to 4.7 in June. I was starting to feel my cancer was growing inside me if that's possible. Pain in lower stomach and overall agitation. The injections were a little painful and after a few hours I feel that a Mac truck hit me in the 6 packs but I must say that I feel like a new person already besides the injection site pain. My next shot will be a 85mg dose injected in the stomach in 28 days.

    Fingers crossed
    I am praying this does it for you, never heard of it before your last post, but thank God for the scientists out there, hope this is exactly what you need...keep us posted on your progression...
    Jim
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #4
    RRMCJIM said:

    Fingers crossed
    I am praying this does it for you, never heard of it before your last post, but thank God for the scientists out there, hope this is exactly what you need...keep us posted on your progression...
    Jim

    Firmagon (degarelix)
    Dear RRMCJIM,

    Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers. Today marks my two year anniversary of being informed of this dreaded disease so Happy 4th of July! I was given the two year bit with "get your affairs in order" dialog so I do have something to celebrate.

    Best wishes,
    Glen
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #5
    Firmagon injection; Day 3 update:
    Experiencing less injection site pain with only minor swelling today. Was able to sleep finally after being up all night day of injection. Managing daily chores now with higher energy levels. I feel my testosterone levels are down which means the Cancer is no longer being fed. Words to the wise...I would recommend your Doctor prescibe a script for pain along with the initial two shot stomach injection to aliviate injection site soreness and pain. Clinical trials showed immediate 98% decrease in PSA when compared to Lupron within 28 days. Plus Casodex is not needed to reduce tumor flair as with lupron injections. Looking forward to my PSA results in a few weeks. Stay tuned :-)
  • shubbysr
    shubbysr Member Posts: 87
    #6
    Medcomglen said:

    Firmagon update...
    I received two 125 mg injections of Firmagon today as a booster shot. My last shot of Lupron was 12/10/08 and my PSA rose from 0.2 February to 4.7 in June. I was starting to feel my cancer was growing inside me if that's possible. Pain in lower stomach and overall agitation. The injections were a little painful and after a few hours I feel that a Mac truck hit me in the 6 packs but I must say that I feel like a new person already besides the injection site pain. My next shot will be a 85mg dose injected in the stomach in 28 days.

    Badge Of Courage
    Wow! I am a 55 year old, and 2 months since surgery. I hope and pray the best for you. I sometimes think anything is better than the alternative or is it? Best of luck to you with good thoughts and prayers your way.

    Jim (shubbysr)
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #7
    Medcomglen said:

    Firmagon injection; Day 3 update:
    Experiencing less injection site pain with only minor swelling today. Was able to sleep finally after being up all night day of injection. Managing daily chores now with higher energy levels. I feel my testosterone levels are down which means the Cancer is no longer being fed. Words to the wise...I would recommend your Doctor prescibe a script for pain along with the initial two shot stomach injection to aliviate injection site soreness and pain. Clinical trials showed immediate 98% decrease in PSA when compared to Lupron within 28 days. Plus Casodex is not needed to reduce tumor flair as with lupron injections. Looking forward to my PSA results in a few weeks. Stay tuned :-)

    Firmagon (degarelix) injection; Day 5 update
    Happy Birthday America! The injection site pain subsided with only minor discomfort today. So far I am tolerating this therapy really well with no hot flushes, fatigue or back pain as I did under Lupron. Still having insomnia but hopefully this will pass.
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #8
    shubbysr said:

    Badge Of Courage
    Wow! I am a 55 year old, and 2 months since surgery. I hope and pray the best for you. I sometimes think anything is better than the alternative or is it? Best of luck to you with good thoughts and prayers your way.

    Jim (shubbysr)

    Thanks Jim...
    Jim,

    Thank you for your post and your prayers. FYI...my initial Urologist, Oncologist and Surgeon suggested RP, (Divinci) along with Radiation and Hormone therapy but after further investigation posting my gleason, PSA, and staging into some computer models to determine RP outcome,I felt hormone therapy was the best for me considering quality of life.

    Initially I was diagnosed as a stage 2 but after seeking a second opinion learned my disease was a stage 4 with distant lymph node involvement and extensive peritoneal invasion based on a prostascint scan. Radiation Oncologist stated to save radiation for when I needed it, bone pain, and a new Urologist suggested I be on Taxotere. I also visited the Datolli Cancer Center in Sarasota FL for seeding but my scan showed my cancer wasn't contained.

    Hopefully yours was contained and surgery got it all.

    Wishing you good thoughts, good health and many prayers your way.
    Glen (Medcomglen)
  • RRMCJIM
    RRMCJIM Member Posts: 149
    #9
    Medcomglen said:

    Firmagon (degarelix) injection; Day 5 update
    Happy Birthday America! The injection site pain subsided with only minor discomfort today. So far I am tolerating this therapy really well with no hot flushes, fatigue or back pain as I did under Lupron. Still having insomnia but hopefully this will pass.

    sounding good
    Well Glen, this sounds like it agrees with you, not any side effects to speak of so far.... I know of a few who have suffered side effects from Lupron injections, hope this continues to be the answer, and that sleep catches up to you...lol...
    Jim
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #10
    RRMCJIM said:

    sounding good
    Well Glen, this sounds like it agrees with you, not any side effects to speak of so far.... I know of a few who have suffered side effects from Lupron injections, hope this continues to be the answer, and that sleep catches up to you...lol...
    Jim

    Firmagon (degarelix) Insomnia
    Hi Jim,

    Hope you are well and thanks for your post. Caught some Z's finally with a little help from the medicine cabinet last night. I noticed my prose seems a little sharper now. I read some previous posts and emails and I think I wasn't all there after my injections.

    Feeling "so so" today but still better when compared to the other testosterone reducing drugs. Lupron made me an instant couch potato. I think I should invoice Ferring Pharma (maker of Firmagon)for all the free publicity here. LOL

    Best wishes,
    Glen
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #11
    Medcomglen said:

    Firmagon (degarelix) Insomnia
    Hi Jim,

    Hope you are well and thanks for your post. Caught some Z's finally with a little help from the medicine cabinet last night. I noticed my prose seems a little sharper now. I read some previous posts and emails and I think I wasn't all there after my injections.

    Feeling "so so" today but still better when compared to the other testosterone reducing drugs. Lupron made me an instant couch potato. I think I should invoice Ferring Pharma (maker of Firmagon)for all the free publicity here. LOL

    Best wishes,
    Glen

    Firmagon PSA results
    Great news! My PSA results came back today...0.8 down from 4.7 one month earlier with initial dose of 240 mg of Firmagon. Received the first follow up Firmagon injection of 80 mg. yesterday but I am planning intermittent therapy for the future if PSA remains low. I experienced injection site pain, redness and swelling but overall side effects are still better when compared to my past experience with Lupron.
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #12
    Medcomglen said:

    Firmagon PSA results
    Great news! My PSA results came back today...0.8 down from 4.7 one month earlier with initial dose of 240 mg of Firmagon. Received the first follow up Firmagon injection of 80 mg. yesterday but I am planning intermittent therapy for the future if PSA remains low. I experienced injection site pain, redness and swelling but overall side effects are still better when compared to my past experience with Lupron.

    Congrats on your Number!

    Congrats on your Number!
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #13
    lewvino said:

    Congrats on your Number!

    Congrats on your Number!

    PSA result
    Appreciate your support and a big "Thank you!"
    Best wishes...
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #14
    Medcomglen said:

    PSA result
    Appreciate your support and a big "Thank you!"
    Best wishes...

    Firmagon injection site update
    My Oncologist prescribed Darvocet and a steroid pak to lessen the pain with swelling. Doing well three days later. Experiencing typical hormonal therapy side effects, minor hot flashes and loss of libido but that's all for now folks. At least my PSA dropped significantly down to 0.8 from 4.7.
  • jpmpage
    jpmpage Member Posts: 13
    #15
    Two weeks behind you
    August 7, 2009

    Hi Glen,
    I just had my first follow-up injection yesterday of degarelix. I am surprised that today I am experiencing much more pain in the abdominal area than I did a month ago after the initial double injection. Was your experience similar at all?
    --Carl
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #16
    jpmpage said:

    Two weeks behind you
    August 7, 2009

    Hi Glen,
    I just had my first follow-up injection yesterday of degarelix. I am surprised that today I am experiencing much more pain in the abdominal area than I did a month ago after the initial double injection. Was your experience similar at all?
    --Carl

    degarelix/Firmagon injection pain
    Hi Carl,

    Sorry to hear about your painful experience but in a strange way it's soothing to know another member is taking Firmagon on these boards. I hope to compare notes in the future if you concur.

    My initial two injections last month resulted in severe muscle pain and abdominal swelling that subsided over three days. My injection last week was indeed worse resulting not only with muscle pain but also a raised itchy red patch at the injection site. My Oncologist prescribed MethylPREDNISolone and Darvocet.

    For what it's worth... I read that the secondary 85 mg. single injections are stronger by volume compared to the two initial 120mg's. This may be the culprit from the follow up injection site pain you experienced. Let me know if you switched from Lupron or Eligard and if you notice any different side effects.

    Thanks in advance and best wishes,
    Glen
  • ld34
    ld34 Member Posts: 24
    #17
    casodex
    I noticed that you took casodex to prevent a tumor flare.

    What was the regiment for your casodex prior to or while on Firmagon?

    I thank you in advance for your response.

    I wish you well.

    Remember ( I always have to remind myself of this)... You are not alone.
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #18
    ld34 said:

    casodex
    I noticed that you took casodex to prevent a tumor flare.

    What was the regiment for your casodex prior to or while on Firmagon?

    I thank you in advance for your response.

    I wish you well.

    Remember ( I always have to remind myself of this)... You are not alone.

    Casodex/Firmagon
    Hello ID34,

    Thanks for your question and the reminder. I too have to remind myself that I (we) are not alone. :-)

    When I was first diagnosed two years ago I was given Casodex 3x/day but stopped when I was informed I was a candidate for surgery. Long story but I opted not to have surgery due to the extent of my disease but continued on Casodex 3x along with several other meds for six months. Quality of life suffered and I was probably going to loose my job so I stopped and continued on just an intermittent Lupron hormone therapy. I did take Casodex once again to overcome tumor flare when injected with Lupron, 10 days prior and one week into therapy. I read that Casodex would stop any tumor flare and lessen pain during the flare up. Currently no Rx for Casodex.

    Degarelix is designed to target and block the GnRH receptor. This rapidly prevents the production of testosterone and avoids the risk of flare. So far so good except the injection site pain.

    Wishing you good health.

    Glen
  • ld34
    ld34 Member Posts: 24
    #19
    Medcomglen said:

    Casodex/Firmagon
    Hello ID34,

    Thanks for your question and the reminder. I too have to remind myself that I (we) are not alone. :-)

    When I was first diagnosed two years ago I was given Casodex 3x/day but stopped when I was informed I was a candidate for surgery. Long story but I opted not to have surgery due to the extent of my disease but continued on Casodex 3x along with several other meds for six months. Quality of life suffered and I was probably going to loose my job so I stopped and continued on just an intermittent Lupron hormone therapy. I did take Casodex once again to overcome tumor flare when injected with Lupron, 10 days prior and one week into therapy. I read that Casodex would stop any tumor flare and lessen pain during the flare up. Currently no Rx for Casodex.

    Degarelix is designed to target and block the GnRH receptor. This rapidly prevents the production of testosterone and avoids the risk of flare. So far so good except the injection site pain.

    Wishing you good health.

    Glen

    Intermittent Hormone therapy
    How did, in your case, intermittent lupron work?

    One lupron shot and then off or a years worth of lupron and then off?

    At what level psa did you resume the lupron shots?

    Lots of questions ,I know, but I do appreciate, very much, your answers. I will process them and with full understandng that all situations are different and need to be handled in an individual way.

    Isn't it ironic,that this thing(testosterone) that we are trying to stop now,was a chest beating prize when we were 20?
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #20
    ld34 said:

    Intermittent Hormone therapy
    How did, in your case, intermittent lupron work?

    One lupron shot and then off or a years worth of lupron and then off?

    At what level psa did you resume the lupron shots?

    Lots of questions ,I know, but I do appreciate, very much, your answers. I will process them and with full understandng that all situations are different and need to be handled in an individual way.

    Isn't it ironic,that this thing(testosterone) that we are trying to stop now,was a chest beating prize when we were 20?

    Intermittent Hormone therapy
    Hi Id34,

    Here's my PSA and injection history...6/07 PSA 14.7; 8/07 First injection of Lupron (Trelstar Depot); 10/07 PSA 0.3; 12/07 PSA 0.1; 3/08 PSA 2.1; 3/08 Second Lupron (Eliguard)injection; 6/08 PSA 0.2; 7/08 PSA 0.2; 9/08 PSA 1.2; 11/08 PSA 3.8; 12/08 Lupron (Trelstar) injection; 3/09 PSA 0.4; 5/09 PSA 2.7; 6/09 PSA 4.7; 6/09 First Firmagon injection,240mg.; 7/09 PSA 0.8; 7//09 Second Firmagon injection,80mg.

    I hope this gives you an understanding of my intermittent hormone therapy and I plan on beating my chest again soon :-)

    Best wishes,
    Glen
  • jpmpage
    jpmpage Member Posts: 13
    #21
    Medcomglen said:

    degarelix/Firmagon injection pain
    Hi Carl,

    Sorry to hear about your painful experience but in a strange way it's soothing to know another member is taking Firmagon on these boards. I hope to compare notes in the future if you concur.

    My initial two injections last month resulted in severe muscle pain and abdominal swelling that subsided over three days. My injection last week was indeed worse resulting not only with muscle pain but also a raised itchy red patch at the injection site. My Oncologist prescribed MethylPREDNISolone and Darvocet.

    For what it's worth... I read that the secondary 85 mg. single injections are stronger by volume compared to the two initial 120mg's. This may be the culprit from the follow up injection site pain you experienced. Let me know if you switched from Lupron or Eligard and if you notice any different side effects.

    Thanks in advance and best wishes,
    Glen

    degarelix/Firmagon injection pain
    Hi Glen,

    It looks like we are experiencing just about the same results from our first and second set of injections. I had my second treatment on August 06. The next day, Aug. 07, the pain started getting stronger. By 8pm the pain became terrible enough that my son Jon took me to the ER at the hospital. They did a lot of tests before giving me an injection to stop the pain. I went home about midnight feeling better. About three days later the pain seemed to have pretty much gone away.
    In response to your question, I have not taken any of the Lupron or Eligard. This is my first trial of anything for my cancer which has been spreading around in my body. I have gone through four Bone Scans and one MRI which showed where the cancer has spread. Thanks for your information. I value it highly, and look forward for more. Best wishes to you. Carl

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