Seeking comments from those who had surgical castration.

I am stage 4, have had radiation + Lupron for a year. oncologist plans to give lupron for total 24 months. Rather than the possibility of having testosterone once again feed prostate cancer cells that survived somewhere - it seems that surgical castration might help lower chances of recurrence - I am considering declining more lupron.

Please let me know you experience with surgical castration.

Thanks

[howardroark]

I had an orchiectomy (surgical castration) in August of this year. Have been on ADT since February of 2015 and was having severe reactions to Firmagon shots. After consulting with my oncologist and urologist I decide surgical castration was the best option for me. I'm 47 and did not want to continue with monthly shots and the pain from Firmagon and did not like the Lupron choice. The recovery from surgery was not difficult and I'm much happier now not having 2-3 days of pain every month from the Firmagon shot. I'm surprised more men don't choose surgical castration as the path for controlling T.

[Hidden in reply to howardroark]

Thanks for your reply.

[Billmac in reply to howardroark]

I have had Vantis implants for the past 8 years. Much better that shots in the stomack. Once a year and no pain.

[Hidden in reply to Billmac]

I appreciate your reply and will have to learn about Vantis.

[Billmac in reply to Hidden]

Google Vantis implant. Once a year treatment.

[jackdrum]

I was on Lupron for 9 months, and thinking of going with surgical castration, because of all the Lupron side effects. I was taken off of Lupron, so decided not to have the castration for now.

I will see my Oncologist in 2 weeks, so don't know if he will put me back on Lupron or not. If he does, I will again consider the Castration. I just don't know yet.

Jack

[Hidden]

Jack, Thanks for responding, we both have decisions to make. I wish you well. Zet

[mooseheadlodge]

I'm also considering it so I will be interested in reading the replies. Thanks

[timfiskwa]

I had an orchiectomy in December. Rather than face lupron injections every 3 months at the high price they charge, I opted for this alternative. I had a lot of pain the first week after surgery. A simple bilateral procedure. It has lowered my Testosterone permanently and irreversibly. The erasure of libido is both disturbing and freeing. I accept this solution to enable me to live with my pc as long as possible until I develop resistance. So far only metastasis to the abdominal area, no bones yet. You must fight weight gain, anemia, and depression and keep a good attitude. I recommend it. Research eunuchs, they are said to live 12 years longer than fertile men due to low aggression and risk avoidance behavior. I miss the love with women though.

[Jashelby]

Hi, I'm new to this site, with very little local support groups I was glad to find this site. My husband had an orchidectomy 6/2015, a month after being diagnosed with Stage IV PC with mets to his rt temporal area and bone mets. His PSA went from 4.4 in Jan 2015 to 22.2 6 months later. He had 2 weeks of Casodex prior to having the surgery. His PSA dropped very quickly to 0.74 the month after surgery and continued to drop for a while but has been steadily climbing over the past 6 months, now being 5.43. In regards to the orchidectomy, he felt it very important due to the extensive spread of his mets to cut off the source as quickly as possible. The surgery went smoothly, no complications except for a persistent itch in the groin area, but this may just be from the PC. He has no sex drive, hot/cold flashes have been terrible, he used to be pretty hot natured but now is cold all the time requiring extra blankets. Would he do it again.......in a heart beat....we feel that he's still fighting the battle because he was willing to sacrifice his "manhood". Best luck to all the men who decide to do this, it amazes me how many men will not take this step to save their lives......pity!

[timfiskwa in reply to Jashelby]

Thanks Jashelby, my wife has said it was the smart thing to do. Surgical castration has been the gold standard for treatment of prostate cancer since the 1950's. My wife also says I am easier to get along with as we enjoy the time I have left. Make every day count, and be kind to one another.