Upfront Docetaxel or upfront Zytiga

[Blair77]

Upfront Zytiga seems to be way less toxic and offer an even better benefit. My hubby just finished upfront Docetaxel and is wiped out. I wish this data would have come out 6 months ago.

[Hidden]

I did upfront Docetaxel too. Still recovering from it after 5 weeks out from the last infusion. There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. I still like Docetaxel better because it gets all of the cancer cells, not just the hormone sensitive cancer cells. I would still choose it if I was making the decision today. Docetaxel is more difficult in terms of side effects, but they are over in around 5 months in most cases. Zytiga has less side effects, but could be much longer in duration. I have gotten the opinions of 3 doctors and they all recommend early Docetaxel over early Zytiga unless the patient can't take the chemo for some reason.

I'm done with chemo now and almost back to normal. I just had my Eligard shot last week so I don't have to do anything for the next 3 months! No pills, no tests, no shots, nothing for 3 months. I am so grateful for that. So tired of going in for something or taking some pills, etc. 3 months is by far the longest I've gone this year without having to do anything related to the DAMN cancer which has been running my life this year. I'm celebrating right now. Woohoo!

[Blair77 in reply to Hidden]

So your not staying on Casodex? Or getting Lupron shots?

[Hidden in reply to Blair77]

I'm getting Eligard shots which are the same as Lupron, only they are given under the skin instead in the muscle. Does the same job. I will have to get those for the rest of my life, but only every 3 months.

[MelaniePaul in reply to Hidden]

That's wonderful! I will think of you when I am having my glass of wine tonight.

[Hidden in reply to MelaniePaul]

I'm having a glass right now. Here's a toast (raises glass)

[Scruffybut1 in reply to Hidden]

That was the treatment plan from my Onco in June 2015. Still with ADT from Jan 2015, chemo from Nov '15 for 10 cycles then to Zytiga with ADT from Sept '16. Reason for chemo pre Zytiga...I had 40+ bone Mets that chemo wiped out. Zytiga got clean body to play with so from PSA 200 to constant 0.03 or 0.04 for past 12 months.

[Hidden in reply to Scruffybut1]

Can't argue with results.

[Nicnatno]

Upon diagnosed in March of this year, I immediately was put on docetaxel and Lupron shots. I finished chemo 2 months ago and I feel great with lots of energy. I handled the side effects very well. Fatigue was my main side effect. I was only fatigue for about 4-5 days then I would start feeling better after wards. It did not stop me from working or doing house chores. I made sure I exercised to combat the side effects and it worked. To reiterate what Gregg said, I believe you have to hit it hard while you're body still can and if I were to make that decision over avain, I would choose on chemo. Of course, everyone reacts to meds differently. I have my next Lupron shot this Thursday, and the next one will be 3 months from now. It's a great feeling that I don't have to take anything for the next 3 months. I was on caxodex for only two weeks. My onc stopped it on my first docetaxel treatment and Lupron. Zytiga gives great resuls and less toxic but you have to take it everyday. I hope your husband feels better soon. God bless us all.

Nick

[Sisira]

Many of us know that the toxicity and side effects associated with Docetaxel are much greater than that of Abiraterone ( Zytiga ). I fully agree with gregg7 as to why we should go for Docetaxel for upfront use in view of the important reasons he has emphasized without justifying the case for easy tolerance.

Sisira

[Hidden]

You made the right choice. If you waited to start Docetaxel, you may very well had waited to long and would be unable to tolerate it. Docetaxel is a charismatic sociopath, it charms cancer cells to death. Zytiga fights to a draw.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Is that Iggy Pop?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

The one and only, I used to set up equipment for him when he was in the psychedelic stooges.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Way too cool...I operated a spotlight for the greatests, like Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha. lol

I have to add here that it wasn't my choice of work, being just 20 at the time. It was a weird time in my life, as to how I wound up in that crows nest. But, it was fun to do it.