Guest guest Posted July 8, 2005 Report Posted July 8, 2005 Hi I suggest that you visit www.supportgroup.org for lots of really good reading for the newly diagnosed. I edit that website and think it is a good first step for you. Cheers, Darryl Quote
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2005 Report Posted July 8, 2005 The truth is that no one knows from what you have told you. Normally I would say look at laproscopic surgery or brachytherapy as an option with stats like yours, but having said what you have I think you should try and get a doctor to allow you to follow and active monitoring programme, such as one that is being offered at the Royal Marsden in London. This is different from waiting until symptoms develop, which is too late for a cure. It is monitoring PSA every month to start with and scans (bone and CT or PET) 6 monthly. If nothing is moving quickly you can widen the gaps between tests. If things start to move you are back to decision time. I know some men with advanced PCa who have lived or are living 10 years plus after diagnosis - with treatment! One thing you should do is look at diet changes eg no red meat and lots of vegetables and fruit. Hey members - I was trying to recall Terry's watch and wait site this morning, I usually leave it to him to remind us of it. It would be useful in this case! B. Quote
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2005 Report Posted July 8, 2005 pcare, I was diagnosed six months ago at age 58. I elected to have the radical prostatectomy and spent two days in the hospital. I had some "leakage' for a month and then felt fully recovered. Unfortunately the cancer had left my prostate and I'm now on hormones. In situations where the cancer has not spred, the followup consists of dre's and psa testing with no other treatment. Getting a surgeon who does nerve sparing surgery was important to me. They were spared, but the hormone treatment, which is not permanent, has caused some impotence. I assume it will go away after the hormones as it was not a problem a month after surgery and only came about with the start of the hormone therapy. I hope this helps and I wish you luck in whatever decisions you make. Jim Pryor need advice hello,i was diagnosed with pc last week, and i am seeking advice from people whohave been in a similar situation.i have a very active, vigorous lifestyle, and i would like to keep that aslong as possible. that's where the question of the best course of actionfor me arises.i'm 60 years old. i have a psa of 7.6. the dre is negative. my biopsy had6 of 10 cores with gleason scores of 6 and 7.i value quality of life much more than quantity, so my initial thought is tonot get any treatment until symptoms begin. i know that this may allow thecancer to spread, but i don't really care at this point.does anyone have any idea of approximate time, with my particular data,before symptoms begin. also, does anyone know approximately how long aperson is expected to live without treatment after symptoms begin.right now, if i can have 2 - 3 years without symptoms and continue mypresent lifestyle, i would follow that course then opt for an "early out"when the problems begin.thanks for any help you can offer.paul Quote
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2005 Report Posted July 8, 2005 I guess I should start out with telling you I was in the same boat, however, with my gleason of 6 i opted to get the cancer out. I didnt want to have it spread and then ruin my quality of life. I believe your quality of life is very important therefore I am somewhat surprised you would make a quick decision. Wait, talk to dr's. There is watchful waiting, however, I believe all that I went through is better than what could lie ahead with my body filling itself with cancer. You should just take time, read some books, get online with the national prostate cancer coaliation and other groups. here is most helpful as is Kathy and others..... Good luck, take your time and enjoy life. <html><div><FONT face= " Lucida Handwriting, Cursive " size=3><EM>Brad<IMG height=19 src= " http://graphics.hotmail.com/i.p.emthup.gif " width=19></EM></FONT></div></html> <br><br><br> & gt;From: & quot;pcare & quot; & lt;pcare@... & gt;<br> & gt;Reply-To: ProstateCancerSupport <br> & gt;To: & lt;ProstateCancerSupport & gt;<br> & gt;Subject: need advice<br> & gt;Date: Fri, 8 Jul 2005 16:48:22 -0700<br> & gt;<br> & gt;hello,<br> & gt;<br> & gt;i was diagnosed with pc last week, and i am seeking advice from people who<br> & gt;have been in a similar situation.<br> & gt;<br> & gt;i have a very active, vigorous lifestyle, and i would like to keep that as<br> & gt;long as possible. that's where the question of the best course of action<br> & gt;for me arises.<br> & gt;<br> & gt;i'm 60 years old. i have a psa of 7.6. the dre is negative. my biopsy had<br> & gt;6 of 10 cores with gleason scores of 6 and 7.<br> & gt;<br> & gt;i value quality of life much more than quantity, so my initial thought is to<br> & gt;not get any treatment until symptoms begin. i know that this may allow the<br> & gt;cancer to spread, but i don't really care at this point.<br> & gt;<br> & gt;does anyone have any idea of approximate time, with my particular data,<br> & gt;before symptoms begin. also, does anyone know approximately how long a<br> & gt;person is expected to live without treatment after symptoms begin.<br> & gt;<br> & gt;right now, if i can have 2 - 3 years without symptoms and continue my<br> & gt;present lifestyle, i would follow that course then opt for an & quot;early out & quot;<br> & gt;when the problems begin.<br> & gt;<br> & gt;thanks for any help you can offer.<br> & gt;<br> & gt;paul<br> & gt;<br> & gt;<br> Quote
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2005 Report Posted July 8, 2005 --- pcare wrote: > hello, > > i was diagnosed with pc last week, and i am seeking > advice from people who > have been in a similar situation. Take your time and gather all the information you can absorb. Like it was said almost everyone here " except for the ladies " have been where you are. I think like you do about quality vs quantity but that's just my opinion. You have options so look before you leap! Everyone here will share their thoughts and experiences No one is flamed that I have seen, and all discus ions are on the helpful nature and display different view points on most issues. Don't panic your not going to cash out from this tomorrow. Your stats seem to be middle of the road as far as PC is concerned. I would say hang around " lurk " and after you feel comfortable ease on in. We are all here with you but reality is it's your call. I wish I didn't have to do this under these conditions but, welcome aboard. sam i am __________________________________________________ Quote
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2005 Report Posted July 8, 2005 Hi. Before you do anything log on to Amazon.com and buy the book " A Primer on Prostate Cancer " by Dr. Strum and Donna Pogliano. It will be a great first step in your coming journey. Phoenix need advice > hello, > > i was diagnosed with pc last week, and i am seeking advice from people who > have been in a similar situation. > > i have a very active, vigorous lifestyle, and i would like to keep that as > long as possible. that's where the question of the best course of action > for me arises. > > i'm 60 years old. i have a psa of 7.6. the dre is negative. my biopsy > had > 6 of 10 cores with gleason scores of 6 and 7. > > i value quality of life much more than quantity, so my initial thought is > to > not get any treatment until symptoms begin. i know that this may allow > the > cancer to spread, but i don't really care at this point. > > does anyone have any idea of approximate time, with my particular data, > before symptoms begin. also, does anyone know approximately how long a > person is expected to live without treatment after symptoms begin. > > right now, if i can have 2 - 3 years without symptoms and continue my > present lifestyle, i would follow that course then opt for an " early out " > when the problems begin. > > thanks for any help you can offer. > > paul > > > > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2005 Report Posted July 8, 2005 I suggest you start at www.prostate-pointers.org. Read both the Walsh book and the more recent treatise by Scardino. Walsh practices at s Hopkins and Scardino at Sloan-Kettering. There is also a fairly simple book from Mayo's. Each alternative for treatment has its risks, but so does watchful waiting. You could probably do nothing and have a PSA every three months to see how things progress, and then elect treatment when the PSA velocity starts to get geometric. That, of course, also has the risk of micro-metastasis which could be prevented by immediate treatment if the cancer is now contained in the gland. Good results without significant incontinence or impotence are possible with various types of radical surgery. Cryo is the least invasive, but generally results in impotence. Brachytherapy might be a good alternative. Get more opinions from urologists after you educate yourself. Get a grade, look at Partin tables, decide for yourself, and never look back after you make the decision. Jack in Phoenix --- pcare wrote: > hello, > > i was diagnosed with pc last week, and i am seeking > advice from people who > have been in a similar situation. > > i have a very active, vigorous lifestyle, and i > would like to keep that as > long as possible. that's where the question of the > best course of action > for me arises. > > i'm 60 years old. i have a psa of 7.6. the dre is > negative. my biopsy had > 6 of 10 cores with gleason scores of 6 and 7. > > i value quality of life much more than quantity, so > my initial thought is to > not get any treatment until symptoms begin. i know > that this may allow the > cancer to spread, but i don't really care at this > point. > > does anyone have any idea of approximate time, with > my particular data, > before symptoms begin. also, does anyone know > approximately how long a > person is expected to live without treatment after > symptoms begin. > > right now, if i can have 2 - 3 years without > symptoms and continue my > present lifestyle, i would follow that course then > opt for an " early out " > when the problems begin. > > thanks for any help you can offer. > > paul > > > ____________________________________________________ Sell on Yahoo! Auctions – no fees. Bid on great items. http://auctions.yahoo.com/ Quote
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2005 Report Posted July 8, 2005 Just going to bed here in England, but I have to say this one is good advice. Don't get too confused, the general message is don't rush, be informed and take things steadily. Re: need advice Hi.Before you do anything log on to Amazon.com and buy the book "A Primer on Prostate Cancer" by Dr. Strum and Donna Pogliano. It will be a great first step in your coming journey.Phoenix Quote
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2005 Report Posted July 8, 2005 Each person is different, no matter if they have similar results. How long will you have to live without treatment, is only a guest, your doctor could come closer to giving a good and reliable answer. If you prefer life style over treatment, I don't know what to tell you. From the results you posted, you has a good chance to get it under controle, if you act now. If you care less if it spread, then you loose.pcare wrote: hello,i was diagnosed with pc last week, and i am seeking advice from people whohave been in a similar situation.i have a very active, vigorous lifestyle, and i would like to keep that aslong as possible. that's where the question of the best course of actionfor me arises.i'm 60 years old. i have a psa of 7.6. the dre is negative. my biopsy had6 of 10 cores with gleason scores of 6 and 7.i value quality of life much more than quantity, so my initial thought is tonot get any treatment until symptoms begin. i know that this may allow thecancer to spread, but i don't really care at this point.does anyone have any idea of approximate time, with my particular data,before symptoms begin. also, does anyone know approximately how long aperson is expected to live without treatment after symptoms begin.right now, if i can have 2 - 3 years without symptoms and continue mypresent lifestyle, i would follow that course then opt for an "early out"when the problems begin.thanks for any help you can offer.paul Quote
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2005 Report Posted July 8, 2005 You need to understand if you already don't, if it hasn't escaped the prostate its almost a sure 100% cure with the rp. Mine took over 5 years to get to the lymph nodes. I was stupid and didn't demand further investigation of the symptoms. Each is different but I could answer your original question as I went through it. If you do nothing you will die a very painful death from it! The only way to know for sure is for the Urologist to go in. I say this because you indicate a positive bio and a Gleason's scale of 7. You asked so here it is! I urinated blood off and on for a few years and it hurt. My energy levels slowly went down. Then I began to get blood in the semen which also hurt. Then I had ED. All the time my doc was giving me antibiotic's blaming an infection or what ever. By the time I changed Doc's he had a fit and we did the PSA thing. In May of 04 it was 4 by November of 04 it was 11.6. We did the bio and my entire left node was a Gleason's 7+. We scheduled the RP with the understanding that if it had spread, which by the way " both Urologists didn't think it had " , They would stop the operation which most doc's consider SOP. My scheduled 4 hour surgery lasted 1 hour with a removal of a 2cm 3/4 " approx tumor in my lymph node. They stapled me back up and now I'm on hormone therapy. Do I want to live Heck yes I do. If you do nothing, forget quality of life! See prior paragraph. Am I gonna die from this? Yes I am unless a cure is found. My large leg bones and lower spine already require Hydrocodne to help control the pain and the cancer isn't large enough to show up on a bone scan yet. Your getting good advice from the members but don't wait too long. Most PC grows slowly but not all of it does. Sam > > Just going to bed here in England, but I have to say > this one is good advice. Don't get too confused, the > general message is don't rush, be informed and take > things steadily. > > Hi. > Before you do anything log on to Amazon.com and > buy the book " A Primer on > Prostate Cancer " by Dr. Strum and Donna > Pogliano. It will be a great > first step in your coming journey. > > > Phoenix > __________________________________________________ Quote
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2005 Report Posted July 9, 2005 & , Here is the URL for Terry's Watch and Wait site. http://www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za/Home.html , it would seem that you might be a candidate for WW, or Active Surveillance (AS) as its more rigorous form is becoming known. I quite understand your strong bias towards QoL, but before you dig your heels in and turn your back on being treated, take time to understand what all the treatment alternatives are. You have time to do this without compromising things. The full AS paper by is at http://www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za/RM.html There is a follow-up to this at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=pubmed & dopt=Abstract & list_uids=15839912 & query_hl=2 This is an Abstract, or summary, but I have the full text which I can send as an attachment if you wish. It'll be a bit hard going getting your head around those so early on, but stick at it. We all had to start somewhere, and if you have questions (there is no such thing as a dumb one) we can always point you in the right direction if we don't know the answer. Best, . -----Original Message-----From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ]On Behalf Of MetcalfSent: Friday, July 08, 2005 10:08 PMTo: ProstateCancerSupport Subject: Re: need advice The truth is that no one knows from what you have told you. Normally I would say look at laproscopic surgery or brachytherapy as an option with stats like yours, but having said what you have I think you should try and get a doctor to allow you to follow and active monitoring programme, such as one that is being offered at the Royal Marsden in London. This is different from waiting until symptoms develop, which is too late for a cure. It is monitoring PSA every month to start with and scans (bone and CT or PET) 6 monthly. If nothing is moving quickly you can widen the gaps between tests. If things start to move you are back to decision time. I know some men with advanced PCa who have lived or are living 10 years plus after diagnosis - with treatment! One thing you should do is look at diet changes eg no red meat and lots of vegetables and fruit. Hey members - I was trying to recall Terry's watch and wait site this morning, I usually leave it to him to remind us of it. It would be useful in this case! B. Quote
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2005 Report Posted July 13, 2005 I also am going through the same dilemma. DRE negative, Gleason score 6 , Two lobes have ca. 1% and 3%. I am very active , Bike about 50 miles a week and walk about five times a week. I am 69 years old ,married ,with no sexual problems. I am very apprehensive , but I have selected two treatments to chose from . Robotic laprascopic nerve sparing surgery or Thera seed therapy . Now which one this is my dilemma. I think by doing nothing that I could last seven or more years . I would like more years than this. Do your investigation and you can put this puzzle together as I hope to do. Best of luck Mike in Ca. need advice hello,i was diagnosed with pc last week, and i am seeking advice from people whohave been in a similar situation.i have a very active, vigorous lifestyle, and i would like to keep that aslong as possible. that's where the question of the best course of actionfor me arises.i'm 60 years old. i have a psa of 7.6. the dre is negative. my biopsy had6 of 10 cores with gleason scores of 6 and 7.i value quality of life much more than quantity, so my initial thought is tonot get any treatment until symptoms begin. i know that this may allow thecancer to spread, but i don't really care at this point.does anyone have any idea of approximate time, with my particular data,before symptoms begin. also, does anyone know approximately how long aperson is expected to live without treatment after symptoms begin.right now, if i can have 2 - 3 years without symptoms and continue mypresent lifestyle, i would follow that course then opt for an "early out"when the problems begin.thanks for any help you can offer.paul Quote
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2005 Report Posted July 13, 2005 Yes. and the only reason that happened was our company insurance changed and I had to find a new doc. I advised him of my symptoms, his eyebroughs went up and the needle came out. Then we went to the urologist who confirmed through bioposy. After the rp which was never completed because it was in the nodes already. Here I set. sam --- pcare wrote: > Sam, > i really appreciate your taking the time to give me > your personal > experience. and i hope the progress is slow and > that you get good pain > relief with drugs. > > when you say it took 5 years to get to the lymph > nodes, do you mean that was > before you finally got a dr who was bright enough to > have you get a psa? > did you have all the symptoms you described before > that? > > thanks, paul > > Re: need advice > > > > > > You need to understand if you already don't, if it > > hasn't escaped the prostate its almost a sure 100% > > cure > > with the rp. > > > > Mine took over 5 years to get to the lymph nodes. > I > > was stupid and didn't demand further investigation > of > > the symptoms. Each is different but I could answer > > your original question as I went through it. If > you do > > nothing you will die a very painful death from it! > The > > only way to know for sure is for the Urologist to > go > > in. I say this because you indicate a positive bio > and > > a Gleason's scale of 7. > > > > You asked so here it is! > > > > I urinated blood off and on for a few years and it > > hurt. My energy levels slowly went down. Then I > began > > to get blood in the semen which also hurt. Then I > had > > ED. > > All the time my doc was giving me antibiotic's > blaming > > an infection or what ever. By the time I changed > Doc's > > he had a fit and we did the PSA thing. In May of > 04 it > > was 4 by November of 04 it was 11.6. We did the > bio > > and my entire left node was a Gleason's 7+. We > > scheduled the RP with the understanding that if it > had > > spread, which by the way " both Urologists didn't > think > > it had " , They would stop the operation which most > > doc's consider SOP. > > My scheduled 4 hour surgery lasted 1 hour with a > > removal of a 2cm 3/4 " approx tumor in my lymph > node. > > They stapled me back up and now I'm on hormone > > therapy. > > > > Do I want to live Heck yes I do. If you do > nothing, > > forget quality of life! See prior paragraph. Am I > > gonna die from this? Yes I am unless a cure is > found. > > My large leg bones and lower spine already require > > Hydrocodne to help control the pain and the cancer > > isn't large enough to show up on a bone scan yet. > > > > Your getting good advice from the members but > don't > > wait too long. Most PC grows slowly but not all of > it > > does. > > > > Sam > > > __________________________________________________ Quote
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2005 Report Posted July 13, 2005 My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer 10 years ago at the age of 48. I don't remember what his PSA was. At that time he had a RP. No positive lymph nodes and it seemed confined to the prostate. I think his Gleason was 1 or 2. His PSA began rising within 2 years. He's had 3 doses of hormone therapy plus external beam radiation therapy. The radiation was in conjunction with the 2nd dose of hormones 3 years ago. One year ago he was on Zoladex for 3 months (the side effects lasted 6 months). Each time he goes on the hormones, his PSA goes almost down to zero, but slowly starts climbing back up. This time (after the Zoladex), it went down to almost zero but within 6 months it started climbing dramatically and is now at 3.4 (the highest it's ever been) and it has doubled in 2 months. He had a bone scan and an MRI about 4 or 5 years ago - both negative. He is symptom-free (no bone pain or headaches). Does anyone have any advice or similar experience? Will the hormones work again or is it becoming hormone-refractory? Do we need to do another bone scan? Thanks for your help. Quote
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2005 Report Posted July 13, 2005 Yes, but I blame the hmo. They funneled patients through at the rate of 1 every 5 minutes. That was sop there. Give you a hand full of sample meds and send you home. Im gonna request from my new doc that he ask for my medical files from them. I know it stinks but im po'ed im in a bad way right now. Maybe i can calm myself down for the sake of my family. This just didnt have to happen. Another subject. How long after it hits the lymph node system does it take to get really bad? It had a 2cm tumor in the node they took, gleason 6 or 7 I dont remember. The bad prostate is still there. They didnt mention anything about semenal ducts or bladder. Dagnabit I think im going nuts with this thing. I have definate bone pain the urologist says I shouldnt be having, My right arm pit is starting to hurt, and I have pain from both sides just below the belly button that runs down to the groin. The ht side effects stink. I dont wanna be microwaved, carving up like a turkey seems outa the question. Ive had a couple of good ole crying spells. (made me feel better for a little while) O well tomorrows another day. thanks sam --- pcare wrote: > wow, what an incompetent twit your first doctor was! > hang in there Sam. > > ____________________________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs Quote
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2005 Report Posted July 13, 2005 Mike, when you say 1 and 2% do you mean % of cancer cells in two of the cores? if so it sounds like you are at a really early stage. paul Re: need advice I also am going through the same dilemma. DRE negative, Gleason score 6 , Two lobes have ca. 1% and 3%. I am very active , Bike about 50 miles a week and walk about five times a week. I am 69 years old ,married ,with no sexual problems. I am very apprehensive , but I have selected two treatments to chose from . Robotic laprascopic nerve sparing surgery or Thera seed therapy .. Now which one this is my dilemma. I think by doing nothing that I could last seven or more years . I would like more years than this. Do your investigation and you can put this puzzle together as I hope to do. Best of luck Mike in Ca. ----- Original Message ----- Quote
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2005 Report Posted July 13, 2005 wow, what an incompetent twit your first doctor was! hang in there Sam. paul Re: need advice > Yes. and the only reason that happened was our company > insurance changed and I had to find a new doc. I > advised him of my symptoms, his eyebroughs went up and > the needle came out. Then we went to the urologist who > confirmed through bioposy. After the rp which was > never completed because it was in the nodes already. > > Here I set. > > sam > > --- pcare wrote: > > > Sam, > > i really appreciate your taking the time to give me > > your personal > > experience. and i hope the progress is slow and > > that you get good pain > > relief with drugs. > > > > when you say it took 5 years to get to the lymph > > nodes, do you mean that was > > before you finally got a dr who was bright enough to > > have you get a psa? > > did you have all the symptoms you described before > > that? > > > > thanks, paul Quote
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2005 Report Posted July 14, 2005 Yes I am in the early stage, but it is there so I want to do something . I am going to see one more urologist and try to make a informed decision. I would rather be to early in my treatment then to late. Regards Mike in Ca. Re: need adviceI also am going through the same dilemma. DRE negative, Gleason score 6 ,Two lobes have ca. 1% and 3%. I am very active , Bike about 50 miles a weekand walk about five times a week. I am 69 years old ,married ,with no sexualproblems. I am very apprehensive , but I have selected two treatments tochose from . Robotic laprascopic nerve sparing surgery or Thera seed therapy. Now which one this is my dilemma. I think by doing nothing that I couldlast seven or more years . I would like more years than this. Do yourinvestigation and you can put this puzzle together as I hope to do. Best ofluck Mike in Ca. ----- Original Message ----- Quote
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2005 Report Posted July 14, 2005 It is 1% of one lobe and 3% of the lobe on the other side. Two cores are effected. Regards Mike Re: need adviceI also am going through the same dilemma. DRE negative, Gleason score 6 ,Two lobes have ca. 1% and 3%. I am very active , Bike about 50 miles a weekand walk about five times a week. I am 69 years old ,married ,with no sexualproblems. I am very apprehensive , but I have selected two treatments tochose from . Robotic laprascopic nerve sparing surgery or Thera seed therapy. Now which one this is my dilemma. I think by doing nothing that I couldlast seven or more years . I would like more years than this. Do yourinvestigation and you can put this puzzle together as I hope to do. Best ofluck Mike in Ca. ----- Original Message ----- Quote
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2005 Report Posted July 14, 2005 Sam, you have good reason to be really pissed. unfortunately it's not going to help you now except that letting out some of the steam is a good temporary relief. i gave up on hmo's long ago when they said i had 10 visits per year allowed for treating depression. after that i suppose i was to pretend that i wasn't ill since depression isn't a " real " illness. ha. i know from where you're at right now it's hard not be consumed by thoughts of this thing. i hope you can find some way to put this on the back burner and involve your head in something more positive. even a good temporary diversion is better than nothing. paul Re: need advice > Yes, but I blame the hmo. They funneled patients > through at the rate of 1 every 5 minutes. That was sop > there. Give you a hand full of sample meds and send > you home. Im gonna request from my new doc that he ask > for my medical files from them. I know it stinks but > im po'ed im in a bad way right now. Maybe i can calm > myself down for the sake of my family. This just didnt > have to happen. > > Another subject. How long after it hits the lymph node > system does it take to get really bad? It had a 2cm > tumor in the node they took, gleason 6 or 7 I dont > remember. The bad prostate is still there. They didnt > mention anything about semenal ducts or bladder. > > Dagnabit I think im going nuts with this thing. I have > definate bone pain the urologist says I shouldnt be > having, My right arm pit is starting to hurt, and I > have pain from both sides just below the belly button > that runs down to the groin. The ht side effects > stink. > > I dont wanna be microwaved, carving up like a turkey > seems outa the question. Ive had a couple of good ole > crying spells. (made me feel better for a little > while) > > O well tomorrows another day. > > thanks > > sam Quote
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2005 Report Posted July 14, 2005 Hi , I'm not sure when your husband last finished zoladex or if he's still on it. Can you give the start and finish dates for the last two cycles of zoladex and the dose he was having (one a month, or one every 3 months), and include PSAs and dates and any other prescribed drugs? Best, . -----Original Message-----From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ]On Behalf Of Bauder, Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 5:07 PMTo: ProstateCancerSupport Subject: need advice My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer 10 years ago at the age of 48. I don't remember what his PSA was. At that time he had a RP. No positive lymph nodes and it seemed confined to the prostate. I think his Gleason was 1 or 2. His PSA began rising within 2 years. He's had 3 doses of hormone therapy plus external beam radiation therapy. The radiation was in conjunction with the 2nd dose of hormones 3 years ago. One year ago he was on Zoladex for 3 months (the side effects lasted 6 months). Each time he goes on the hormones, his PSA goes almost down to zero, but slowly starts climbing back up. This time (after the Zoladex), it went down to almost zero but within 6 months it started climbing dramatically and is now at 3.4 (the highest it's ever been) and it has doubled in 2 months. He had a bone scan and an MRI about 4 or 5 years ago - both negative. He is symptom-free (no bone pain or headaches). Does anyone have any advice or similar experience? Will the hormones work again or is it becoming hormone-refractory? Do we need to do another bone scan? Thanks for your help. Quote
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2005 Report Posted July 14, 2005 Hi, . He started the Zoladex at the end of June 2004. It was a 3 month dose. He's not on it anymore. I'm not sure about the PSAs, I'll get back to you on that. I know 2 months ago it was 1.8 and now (7/5/05) it's 3.4. The previous hormone therapy wasn't Zoladex. I'll have to check on that, also, to see what they were. We're planning on having a bone scan, maybe a ProstaScint, before we make a plan. I read the paper by Dr. Bob Leibowitz and gave it to my husband. It sounds like that might be what we want to do? Do you know anymore about his results? Thanks. -----Original Message-----From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ]On Behalf Of InchleySent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 2:02 AMTo: ProstateCancerSupport Subject: RE: need advice Hi , I'm not sure when your husband last finished zoladex or if he's still on it. Can you give the start and finish dates for the last two cycles of zoladex and the dose he was having (one a month, or one every 3 months), and include PSAs and dates and any other prescribed drugs? Best, . -----Original Message-----From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ]On Behalf Of Bauder, Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 5:07 PMTo: ProstateCancerSupport Subject: need advice My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer 10 years ago at the age of 48. I don't remember what his PSA was. At that time he had a RP. No positive lymph nodes and it seemed confined to the prostate. I think his Gleason was 1 or 2. His PSA began rising within 2 years. He's had 3 doses of hormone therapy plus external beam radiation therapy. The radiation was in conjunction with the 2nd dose of hormones 3 years ago. One year ago he was on Zoladex for 3 months (the side effects lasted 6 months). Each time he goes on the hormones, his PSA goes almost down to zero, but slowly starts climbing back up. This time (after the Zoladex), it went down to almost zero but within 6 months it started climbing dramatically and is now at 3.4 (the highest it's ever been) and it has doubled in 2 months. He had a bone scan and an MRI about 4 or 5 years ago - both negative. He is symptom-free (no bone pain or headaches). Does anyone have any advice or similar experience? Will the hormones work again or is it becoming hormone-refractory? Do we need to do another bone scan? Thanks for your help. Quote
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2005 Report Posted July 14, 2005 Hi , It would be expected that his PSA would be rising again at this point. A Testosterone (T) blood test would confirm that his T has risen and is again stimulating PCa growth. I wouldn't be happy with a doc who had your husband on just a single 3 month zoladex jab (assuming I'm reading you right). Hormone refractory disease is demonstrated when PSA continues to rise when on zoladex or similar and T is undetectable. From what you say, HRPC is not being demonstrated. You might consider 4 weeks of casodex or flutamide, with a zoladex shot 2 weeks after starting the casodex or flutamide. Continuing Zoladex for 12 months or so after the PSA nadirs, and then stopping the zoladex again to have a "holiday" might be a good way to go. Different docs have different opinions about how long to stay on zoladex before going intermittent, and at what level to resume. The priming with casodex or flutamide is VERY important, as the initial sharp rise in T which zoladex can promote is prevented from being used by the PCa. The 2nd edition of the book by Dr Strum and Donna Pogliano (Amazon) is well worth reading. Hope this is of some help - do let us know what you decide to do. Best, . -----Original Message-----From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ]On Behalf Of Bauder, Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 3:22 PMTo: ProstateCancerSupport Subject: RE: need advice Hi, . He started the Zoladex at the end of June 2004. It was a 3 month dose. He's not on it anymore. I'm not sure about the PSAs, I'll get back to you on that. I know 2 months ago it was 1.8 and now (7/5/05) it's 3.4. The previous hormone therapy wasn't Zoladex. I'll have to check on that, also, to see what they were. We're planning on having a bone scan, maybe a ProstaScint, before we make a plan. I read the paper by Dr. Bob Leibowitz and gave it to my husband. It sounds like that might be what we want to do? Do you know anymore about his results? Thanks. -----Original Message-----From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ]On Behalf Of InchleySent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 2:02 AMTo: ProstateCancerSupport Subject: RE: need advice Hi , I'm not sure when your husband last finished zoladex or if he's still on it. Can you give the start and finish dates for the last two cycles of zoladex and the dose he was having (one a month, or one every 3 months), and include PSAs and dates and any other prescribed drugs? Best, . -----Original Message-----From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ]On Behalf Of Bauder, Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 5:07 PMTo: ProstateCancerSupport Subject: need advice My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer 10 years ago at the age of 48. I don't remember what his PSA was. At that time he had a RP. No positive lymph nodes and it seemed confined to the prostate. I think his Gleason was 1 or 2. His PSA began rising within 2 years. He's had 3 doses of hormone therapy plus external beam radiation therapy. The radiation was in conjunction with the 2nd dose of hormones 3 years ago. One year ago he was on Zoladex for 3 months (the side effects lasted 6 months). Each time he goes on the hormones, his PSA goes almost down to zero, but slowly starts climbing back up. This time (after the Zoladex), it went down to almost zero but within 6 months it started climbing dramatically and is now at 3.4 (the highest it's ever been) and it has doubled in 2 months. He had a bone scan and an MRI about 4 or 5 years ago - both negative. He is symptom-free (no bone pain or headaches). Does anyone have any advice or similar experience? Will the hormones work again or is it becoming hormone-refractory? Do we need to do another bone scan? Thanks for your help. Quote
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2005 Report Posted July 14, 2005 Sam. I can feel your pain and frustration. What treatment are you currently getting? Excuse me if I am a little fuzzy on this but are you taking hormone therapy at present? Phoenix " il faut d'abord durer " Re: need advice > Yes, but I blame the hmo. They funneled patients > through at the rate of 1 every 5 minutes. That was sop > there. Give you a hand full of sample meds and send > you home. Im gonna request from my new doc that he ask > for my medical files from them. I know it stinks but > im po'ed im in a bad way right now. Maybe i can calm > myself down for the sake of my family. This just didnt > have to happen. > > Another subject. How long after it hits the lymph node > system does it take to get really bad? It had a 2cm > tumor in the node they took, gleason 6 or 7 I dont > remember. The bad prostate is still there. They didnt > mention anything about semenal ducts or bladder. > > Dagnabit I think im going nuts with this thing. I have > definate bone pain the urologist says I shouldnt be > having, My right arm pit is starting to hurt, and I > have pain from both sides just below the belly button > that runs down to the groin. The ht side effects > stink. > > I dont wanna be microwaved, carving up like a turkey > seems outa the question. Ive had a couple of good ole > crying spells. (made me feel better for a little > while) > > O well tomorrows another day. > > thanks > > sam > --- pcare wrote: > >> wow, what an incompetent twit your first doctor was! >> hang in there Sam. >> >> > > > > ____________________________________________________ > Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page > http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs > > > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2005 Report Posted July 14, 2005 yes zoladex --- Kennedy wrote: > Sam. > I can feel your pain and frustration. What treatment > are you currently > getting? Excuse me if I am a little fuzzy on this > but are you taking hormone > therapy at present? > > > Phoenix > " il faut d'abord durer " > Re: need advice > > > > Yes, but I blame the hmo. They funneled patients > > through at the rate of 1 every 5 minutes. That was > sop > > there. Give you a hand full of sample meds and > send > > you home. Im gonna request from my new doc that he > ask > > for my medical files from them. I know it stinks > but > > im po'ed im in a bad way right now. Maybe i can > calm > > myself down for the sake of my family. This just > didnt > > have to happen. > > > > Another subject. How long after it hits the lymph > node > > system does it take to get really bad? It had a > 2cm > > tumor in the node they took, gleason 6 or 7 I dont > > remember. The bad prostate is still there. They > didnt > > mention anything about semenal ducts or bladder. > > > > Dagnabit I think im going nuts with this thing. I > have > > definate bone pain the urologist says I shouldnt > be > > having, My right arm pit is starting to hurt, and > I > > have pain from both sides just below the belly > button > > that runs down to the groin. The ht side effects > > stink. > > > > I dont wanna be microwaved, carving up like a > turkey > > seems outa the question. Ive had a couple of good > ole > > crying spells. (made me feel better for a little > > while) > > > > O well tomorrows another day. > > > > thanks > > > > sam > > --- pcare wrote: > > > >> wow, what an incompetent twit your first doctor > was! > >> hang in there Sam. > >> > >> > > > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________ > > Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home > page > > http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs > > > > > > > > > > Quote
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