Firmagon (Degarelix) substitute for Lupron

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  • Bill91101
    Bill91101 Member Posts: 81 Member
    #22
    Medcomglen said:

    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

    Hi Medcomglen,
    I am
    Hi Medcomglen,

    I am receiving Degarelix-

    Fourth injection yesterday. I get them once a month. My PSA was at 89 when I started. Three weeks after my first injection it was at 29. It was down to 2.2 last month. I'll find out this Friday where it is now. I'm thinking a lot lower.

    I also had 42 IMRT treatments.

    Good luck!
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #23
    Bill91101 said:

    Hi Medcomglen,
    I am
    Hi Medcomglen,

    I am receiving Degarelix-

    Fourth injection yesterday. I get them once a month. My PSA was at 89 when I started. Three weeks after my first injection it was at 29. It was down to 2.2 last month. I'll find out this Friday where it is now. I'm thinking a lot lower.

    I also had 42 IMRT treatments.

    Good luck!

    Four FIrmagon injections
    Hi Bill,

    That IS GREAT NEWS! A very promising drop in PSA and you are way ahead of Carl and I on Firmagon injections. Did you have any severe injection site pain? If so, do they lessen after each injection or get worse?

    Wishing you the best on your next PSA reading.

    Glen
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #24
    jpmpage said:

    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

    degarelix/Firmagon injection pain
    Hey Carl,

    Thanks for your update and I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I seriously think Ferring should emphasize the potential injection site pain scenario more then they do to Medical Professionals but with that said...clinical studies showed only 2% experienced any severe pain apparently. We both fall within that group for sure. I wonder how many others out there have experienced this severe injection site pain?

    After I received a press release on Firmagon back in March where I use to work I phoned several major Cancer Centers and not one had even heard of this drug so we should consider ourselves true pioneers.

    I look forward to your PSA results if you care to share. I'm getting tested next week so look for my new PSA result post.

    Till then, wishing you good health and keep the faith.

    Glen
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #25
    PSA drop
    August 19, PSA dropped to 0.6. from 0.8.
  • Bill91101
    Bill91101 Member Posts: 81 Member
    #26
    Medcomglen said:

    Four FIrmagon injections
    Hi Bill,

    That IS GREAT NEWS! A very promising drop in PSA and you are way ahead of Carl and I on Firmagon injections. Did you have any severe injection site pain? If so, do they lessen after each injection or get worse?

    Wishing you the best on your next PSA reading.

    Glen

    PSA went from 89 down to 0.6
    Medcomglen,

    Thanks!

    Found out yesterday that my PSA is at 0.6. Doctor is EXTREMELY happy. I'll be on the stuff for a couple of years. Doctor was involved with Degarelix studies at UCLA- stressed the importance of being on the stuff for a couple of years. He's pretty positive everything will be fine. He also mentioned that Pomegranate juice might be helpful. He was involved with trials (nothing conclusive, yet) that showed promsie for Pomegranate juice reducing PSA.

    I do get the 'moderate' pain from the injections: that night and the next day. First time it seemed ot ahve lasted a lot longer. I can;t even feel it today, and it's been eight days since the injection. My belt will press against it occsionally and I don't sleep on my stomach.

    I actually think the doctor smiled yesterday!

    God, I like good news!
  • Bill91101
    Bill91101 Member Posts: 81 Member
    #27
    Medcomglen said:

    PSA drop
    August 19, PSA dropped to 0.6. from 0.8.

    Good work!
    We're tied at
    Good work!


    We're tied at 0.6- maybe we can race to 0? LOL.
  • Bill91101
    Bill91101 Member Posts: 81 Member
    #28
    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

    Hi Carl,
    I had about equal
    Hi Carl,

    I had about equal amounts of pain on my first (double dose) and second injections. Third I hardly felt. Had my fourth 8/14- some moderate pain for the next day, I can't really feel it today.

    How long does your pain last?

    But it is definitely doing the trick!

    Good luck!
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #29
    Bill91101 said:

    PSA went from 89 down to 0.6
    Medcomglen,

    Thanks!

    Found out yesterday that my PSA is at 0.6. Doctor is EXTREMELY happy. I'll be on the stuff for a couple of years. Doctor was involved with Degarelix studies at UCLA- stressed the importance of being on the stuff for a couple of years. He's pretty positive everything will be fine. He also mentioned that Pomegranate juice might be helpful. He was involved with trials (nothing conclusive, yet) that showed promsie for Pomegranate juice reducing PSA.

    I do get the 'moderate' pain from the injections: that night and the next day. First time it seemed ot ahve lasted a lot longer. I can;t even feel it today, and it's been eight days since the injection. My belt will press against it occsionally and I don't sleep on my stomach.

    I actually think the doctor smiled yesterday!

    God, I like good news!

    pomegranate juice
    You might find this link of interest:

    http://www.renalandurologynews.com/Pomegranate-Juice-May-Help-Prostate-Cancer-Patients/article/146790/
  • Bill91101
    Bill91101 Member Posts: 81 Member
    #30
    lewvino said:

    pomegranate juice
    You might find this link of interest:

    http://www.renalandurologynews.com/Pomegranate-Juice-May-Help-Prostate-Cancer-Patients/article/146790/

    P juice
    Excellent article. I'm buying up all the pomegranates in the Southland! LOL.

    My urologist mentioned he was involved in these (apparently) same Stage 2 trials.

    Bill
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #31
    lewvino said:

    pomegranate juice
    You might find this link of interest:

    http://www.renalandurologynews.com/Pomegranate-Juice-May-Help-Prostate-Cancer-Patients/article/146790/

    pomegranate juice
    Thank you for the interesting link on the pomegranate effect reducing PSA. Great stuff! I wonder if the pill form supplements have the same effect?
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #32
    Bill91101 said:

    Good work!
    We're tied at
    Good work!


    We're tied at 0.6- maybe we can race to 0? LOL.

    PSA drop
    Hi Bill,

    That's incredible news! I bet your Doctor was all smiles. I wasn't going to receive another injection of Firmagon until my PSA rose but... we GOT GAME now. LOL Keep up the great news.

    Best,
    Glen
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #33
    Bill91101 said:

    Good work!
    We're tied at
    Good work!


    We're tied at 0.6- maybe we can race to 0? LOL.

    Testosterone drop
    Hey Bill,

    My Testosterone is 45, down from 336 in June. What's yours?

    Best,
    Glen
  • jpmpage
    jpmpage Member Posts: 13
    #34
    Medcomglen said:

    degarelix/Firmagon injection pain
    Hey Carl,

    Thanks for your update and I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I seriously think Ferring should emphasize the potential injection site pain scenario more then they do to Medical Professionals but with that said...clinical studies showed only 2% experienced any severe pain apparently. We both fall within that group for sure. I wonder how many others out there have experienced this severe injection site pain?

    After I received a press release on Firmagon back in March where I use to work I phoned several major Cancer Centers and not one had even heard of this drug so we should consider ourselves true pioneers.

    I look forward to your PSA results if you care to share. I'm getting tested next week so look for my new PSA result post.

    Till then, wishing you good health and keep the faith.

    Glen

    PSA Test reesults
    Hello Glen,

    Sorry that I'm so late with this. When I went for my Double Injection, a Blood Test was
    performed, and the results for PSA were that their test only went as high as 50.0. The Blood Test that was performed just before my second injection came up with PSA of 5.0 Great!
    My next injection will be on September 06, and I will get another PSA Reading, and will contact you with the results.
    All good wishes for the best to you. Carl
  • jpmpage
    jpmpage Member Posts: 13
    #35
    Bill91101 said:

    Hi Carl,
    I had about equal
    Hi Carl,

    I had about equal amounts of pain on my first (double dose) and second injections. Third I hardly felt. Had my fourth 8/14- some moderate pain for the next day, I can't really feel it today.

    How long does your pain last?

    But it is definitely doing the trick!

    Good luck!

    Pain
    Hi Bill, Thank you for the information. My pain was different. I had pain the day after my first (double dose) however I was able to live with it, however, on my second injection, the
    next day pain (in my stomach) was bad enough that after a whole day with no let up, I wound up in the ER for relief. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the third injection which is coming up on the 6th of September. I wish you all the best, and hope to keep in touch with you. Carl
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #36
    jpmpage said:

    PSA Test reesults
    Hello Glen,

    Sorry that I'm so late with this. When I went for my Double Injection, a Blood Test was
    performed, and the results for PSA were that their test only went as high as 50.0. The Blood Test that was performed just before my second injection came up with PSA of 5.0 Great!
    My next injection will be on September 06, and I will get another PSA Reading, and will contact you with the results.
    All good wishes for the best to you. Carl

    PSA Test Results
    Hey Carl,

    Congratulations! That's an incredible response from Firmagon since you went off the PSA charts. I bet after September your PSA will be 0.1 :-) I'm scheduled for another injection this Friday and then I'll take a break so I can beat my chest again. I'll look forward to reading about your next low, low PSA result.

    Wishing you good health.

    Glen
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #37
    Medcomglen said:

    PSA drop
    Hi Bill,

    That's incredible news! I bet your Doctor was all smiles. I wasn't going to receive another injection of Firmagon until my PSA rose but... we GOT GAME now. LOL Keep up the great news.

    Best,
    Glen

    Firmagon Injection
    Received third injection August 26th. Experienced injection site pain with red rash again but not as severe as previous injections.
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #38
    Medcomglen said:

    pomegranate juice
    Thank you for the interesting link on the pomegranate effect reducing PSA. Great stuff! I wonder if the pill form supplements have the same effect?

    I started on the pomegranate
    I started on the pomegranate juice. Read another article that said the pill supplements will provide the same effect so I switched since they are alot cheaper. Also I could only find one grocery store that sold 100% Pure pomegranate juice. Many of them are mixes with other juices.

    I also take Green barley capsules, Vitamin D, Acai supplements, Flax seed oil and another combo vitamin called malegard. My first post surgery PSA will be in Middle October.

    If all these suplements aren't helping I'm at least doing my part to stimulate the economy!

    Larry
  • jpmpage
    jpmpage Member Posts: 13
    #39
    Medcomglen said:

    Firmagon Injection
    Received third injection August 26th. Experienced injection site pain with red rash again but not as severe as previous injections.

    My 3rd injection
    Hi Glen, had my third this morning. Also got a reading on my PSA. It went down from 5.0 to 1.5. Sounds good to me. I have been reading all comments from you ,Bill and Larry (Lewvino). A great bunch. My best wishes to all. I am tracking right along with yours and things sound very good. Until the next time. Carl
  • Medcomglen
    Medcomglen Member Posts: 95
    #40
    jpmpage said:

    My 3rd injection
    Hi Glen, had my third this morning. Also got a reading on my PSA. It went down from 5.0 to 1.5. Sounds good to me. I have been reading all comments from you ,Bill and Larry (Lewvino). A great bunch. My best wishes to all. I am tracking right along with yours and things sound very good. Until the next time. Carl

    Your 3rd Injection
    Way to go Carl! That is some decrease compared to three months ago. It's great we can compare notes on our progress here. We should name our little Group "The Firmagons" eh?

    Best,
    Glen
  • Bill91101
    Bill91101 Member Posts: 81 Member
    #41
    Medcomglen said:

    PSA drop
    Hi Bill,

    That's incredible news! I bet your Doctor was all smiles. I wasn't going to receive another injection of Firmagon until my PSA rose but... we GOT GAME now. LOL Keep up the great news.

    Best,
    Glen

    Degarelix shot number five
    Hi Glen,

    I didn't ask the doc about testosterone level. I'll ask this Friday when I go in.

    I got another Degarelix injection yesterday. I hurt a little this morning. Nothing horrible. And I feel a little 'weird': tired mainly. A bit of a stiff neck. But it is

    Saturday, and I'm normally getting over a week's work. So it's hard to separate normal tiredness from Degarelix effects.

    I asked the nurse who gives me the injections if she gets any complaints along the lines of what I've been reading here. She said no: no infections, no extreme pain, etc.

    The pain from my radiation treatments (IMRT) have disappeared. Urinating no longer hurts.

    I see the radiologist this Wednesday. Looking forward to his prognosis.

    I forget I even have cancer sometimes! LOL. Friends will ask me how I'm doing and I'll think 'oh, yeah... I got PC!'

    Hope all goes well!

    Bill

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