I am taking 5mg of prednisone daily, which seems to causing substantial stomach issues and edema. I did switch to taking the prednisone after big meals (dinner), which helps some days. Other days it does not. Has anyone tried taking Zytiga without Prednisone? Did you have any side effects as a result?
Regards,
The prednisone is to protect your liver from being damaged by the Zytiga. My prednisone side effect is easy bruising. I asked about cutting back from 10 mg daily to 5. My doctor agreed, & my liver function numbers are still good. You might want to consider that. Are you getting liver function tests every 30 days?
Neal
Just realized you're already on only 5 mg. My suggestion is to talk to your internist about treating your side effects with other meds, since the Zytiga is keeping you alive & the prednisone is keeping the Zytiga from wrecking your liver.
Good luck! Please let us know here what happens.
Neal
What my Oncologist told me was at 5 mg the body still produces some, but at the higher dose the body stops producing what the prednisone replaces in the body.
so 5 mg is good
I seem to recall someone substituted dexamethasone for the prednisone. It was in one of the discussions on this group several weeks ago. You might want to pursue that.
herb
My dad just substituted dexamethozone for prednisone. Doing great on it and feels much better. It has to be taken with food.
Please do not stop the prednisone (OK to consider and discussing with your doctor replacing the prednisone with dexamethasone). Zytiga inhibits the functioning of the adrenal gland beyond just the production of testosterone. Adrenocortical Insufficiency (AI) - AI has been reported in men receiving Zytiga in combination with prednisone, after an interruption of daily steroids and/or with concurrent infection or stress. This can be very serious.
Joel
Listen to what Joel says. Addisons disease, look it up, is a nasty thing to have. I've been slacking on taking my Prednisone daily. Well, guess what? Not anymore, and screw the side effects. Hopefully you can switch to the other steroid. I also take a Protonix daily. It keeps my stomach in tune. I know it works cause I've been without for about a week, ugh.
Joe
Had discussion with Nurse at Drs office. Said they were more likely to reduce the Zytiga, to determine if it helps with side effects.
No way am I offering advice, but I've got to wonder why Yale Med's Petrylak insists that Prednisone is not necessary w/chemo? If my chemo included Pred and I was having any SEs, I'd want to know more about that.
Similar question regarding Celebrex: the "literature suggests" (PubMedSpeak for "peer-reviewed research shows) that it works better than taxotere. So why are we all on taxotere? My guess, if that literature is substantial and credible, is momentum, or habit, or Big Pharma, as it seems to be with Lupron vs Firmagon.
My husband was just put on Zytiga, after being the guinea pig (with a handful of other guys) for Ibrance for 2.5 years, before that drug had a name. He was at University of Michigan last month, and had to be put into the emergency room. It was the prednisone that elevated his blood sugar levels to over 600. So, now he's taking Zytiga without prednisone. He is extremely tired, and lethargic. He goes for more tests next week. I am glad this subject was brought up.
I did not take prednisone with Zytiga for the two months I was on it. I never took prednisone for the 3years I was on Enzalutimide, which is supposed to have worse side effects than the abiraterone. I am taking Dexamethasone, now, with my Chemo, but against my Drs desires. The Dexamethasone is 5 times more powerful than prednisone (not one for one compatible). I also do not take every day, I try to reduce the chemo side effects some what, and it takes a day or so to take effect. A balancing act with a long fall.
Is chemo working after enzalutimide or zytiga
I take Zytiga with two 5mg tablets Of Pred everyday. I was told that the adrenal gland is blocked by Zytiga and we need the Pred to regulate blood pressure and protect the liver. I think you have to take Pred in order to take Zytiga. I once run out of Pred for 1 day and the side effects of the Zytiga were 10 fold compared to normal. I won’t make that mistake again. 👍
I’m writing to see how you are doing with the meds you are taking. My father will start on the same beginning Monday. I have so many questions. I have only been able to be on the phone with the doctor during his appointments. He is elderly and I don’t know how he will be able to handle side effects. Thanking you ahead of time for any info you are willing to share.
Thanks you all for your info.👍
I just completed my time with Xtandi, 2 years of pretty good results but finally had to give in to something else. I am now into my 10th day with Zytiga w/Pred. (10mg) My first labs will be in 3 weeks on this plan, am looking for good results. My next step will probably be Chemo....but plan on this working for several years. Have all of you given up a happy hour drink or two at the most? By the way, I give up HHrs at least 3 days a week. Any strong advice? Keep strong and positive my friends.
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