Newly diagnosed: Husband diagnosed in... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Newly diagnosed

LoveMyHusband profile image
20 Replies

Husband diagnosed in June, stage 4 with bone mets, diffused, PSA 571, started Firmagon, immense help from that and started chemo today along with ODM clinical trail.

So far so good- pains gone, bloods tests up, but still progressing into the bones.

Does chemo help? Any suggestions on that?

He is 54 and was an athlete very fit and strong- this is really upsetting for him-

Just hoping that chemo can clean some mets at least.,,

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LoveMyHusband
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20 Replies
Dan59 profile image
Dan59

I was dxed 11 plus years ago stage 4. You are fortunate to be in a time with so many new treatments and with the paradigm shift in stage 4 to do early chemo for extended survival. I am on my 11th chemo and I use ice to soak fingers and gell packs or frozen pea bags to place my feet on to prevent the toenail issue and nueropathy in feet, I am on vacation in Alaska now, but you can read my past post on how to mitigate the side effects of chemo. I wish you the best , many will respond. This is a great group with lots of useful information. I wish you the best, we are all here for you.

Dan

LoveMyHusband profile image
LoveMyHusband in reply to Dan59

Thank you so much, Dan.

drsridhar53 profile image
drsridhar53 in reply to Dan59

Very reassuring Dan. Many thanks.

Sridhar

Chemo was the best thing I ever did. I was in the same situation as your husband currently is. I started out with 4 bone mets and a psa at 850. I started chemo right away along with Lupron and Casodex. Fast forward 2.8 years, scans show nothing, psa at 0.09.

I can empathize with your husbands need for exercise. I used to run marathons/half. Now I can only manage 4 weekly runs of 5,6 miles. I also lift 3 days a week. Bottom line, your husbands life is different now, you both have to adapt. Finally, DON'T Google the life expectancy charts. I seen one that gave me 3 years, another said 5. Another said 6.5. The world is full of men with stage 4 that live for many, many years, like decades. Don't freak out.

LoveMyHusband profile image
LoveMyHusband in reply to

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your answer. All the best to uou

dockam profile image
dockam

Hello, I had a PSA at 840 with GL 7(4+3) mets to ureter lymph node chain. I had ADT(Lupron and Casodex) and MedOnc said I was Dx'd at the right time as the CHAARTED study just came out - I did 15 chemos in 2015 and had a nadir of 0.2 in 08/16 and was able to get back to 0.1 last month with supplements and Intermittent fasting. Btw, I fasted 2 days before each chemo:

scientificamerican.com/arti...

arizonaadvancedmedicine.com...

My best to you guys!

Fight On - Randy

LoveMyHusband profile image
LoveMyHusband in reply to dockam

Thank you, Randy! All the best to you!!

Attitude67 profile image
Attitude67

A lot of good advice here. Especially as to Chemo. Faith, Prayer, and following the advice of good naturopathic consultant will be necessary to restore his health. Pay attention to any Clinical Trials that show promise and stay up to date with the information posted.

LoveMyHusband profile image
LoveMyHusband in reply to Attitude67

Thank you!

Scruffybut1 profile image
Scruffybut1

I swear by chemo. Had 40 bone mets at DX in Oct 2014. Zoladex ADT Jan 15 still using. Nov 15 start 10 rounds chemo. Finish after 8 months. Rest few months then whole new range of scans. Bones show 1 tumour left. Soft tissue etc nothing. Good luck.

LoveMyHusband profile image
LoveMyHusband in reply to Scruffybut1

Thank you and all the best!!

eggraj8 profile image
eggraj8

Chemo has worked well for me. I just had my 12th infusion of Docetaxel and Carboplatin. That along with Firmagon has kept my mets in check. I just started XGEVA which is supposed to help with the bone mets. Remember to keep the hands and feet on ice when taking Docetaxel. Dan's frozen peas are great idea, but ice cubes work also but not as easy to use.

LoveMyHusband profile image
LoveMyHusband in reply to eggraj8

Thank you very much!

TommyTV profile image
TommyTV

Dx 6 years ago, PSA just under 600, 7 major bone mets, Gleason 7.

I'm on ADT, Zoladex and Abiraterone. Pain free and happy. Last PSA was 0.1. There's plenty of life in the old dog yet!

I concur with a previous poster, there's loads going on with PCa treatments. New drugs all the time. I'm hoping EBC-46 when it comes on line in a few years time will be a game changer.

Don't bother with alternative cures, all they do is make snake oil salesmen richer!

LoveMyHusband profile image
LoveMyHusband in reply to TommyTV

Great! Thank you and all the best!

bb66hotflash profile image
bb66hotflash

Chemo is working for me now, Docetaxel and Carboplatin. On my 6th dose, every three weeks, PSA has dropped to 0.5 and dropping by 40% each visit. I have had PCa for five years. 32 months on Enzalutimide worked for me, too. But the paradigm has cahned to treat with Chemo, first. Good luck and best wishes!

LoveMyHusband profile image
LoveMyHusband in reply to bb66hotflash

Thank you and all the best to you!!!!

As soon as mets detected I started a six month chemo trial over 13 years ago. Seven years ago I was able to stop Lupron. Today I remain undetectable. Kick the bastard down.

Gourd Dancer

LoveMyHusband profile image
LoveMyHusband in reply to

Wow! Great! Thank you for sharing! All the best to you!!

Thinus profile image
Thinus

Was diagnosed with stage 4 Jan 2016. PSA 901. GS 8. Black spot on the pelvis.

I am Lucrin and calsium drip. I also used the malaria tablet Coartem.

Black spot is gone. PC still in prostate gland. Receiving now external beam radiation to clear up the last cancer. No chemo.

There is a lot of good treatment today. Keep to a good diet and be positive.

Kind Regards

Thinus Coetzee

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