Newcomer

[Billaone]

I'm new here, I'm 71 and just recently diagnosed with Prostate cancer, been through a couple of Cat Scans, a bone scan and a MRI. Started with Firmagon a couple of months ago. Due to start the first of 45 radiation treatments in 2weeks, also my third injection on Wednesday.

My wife is very upset with the Firmagon injections, she is worried about the future side effects because of my low testosterone numbers. Last reading was 25 with PSAT of 1.6. I'm only supposed to have 2 more injections.

[ctarleton]

Welcome,

Hope your planned radiation treatments go well. That treatment, combined with the Firmagon, is very likely to bring your PSA down to a lower number as your cancer is treated.

It would be helpful if you could give some details of your PSA history, your pathology report results confirming that you have prostate cancer, etc.

You may not have to be on Firmagon for a very long time if your disease is localized and successfully treated. If that is the case, your Testosterone level is likely to recover.

There are many men here who have been on Lupron or Firmagon - type treatments for very long periods of time. Some of them have cancer that has spread to bones, lymph nodes, or elsewhere.

If you or your wife have specific questions or concerns about the possible side effects of Firmagon - type treatment, please feel free to ask those questions here, and with your doctor, too.

Charles

(I've been on Lupron for 3 years and 10 months, since age 65.)

[Billaone]

I first found out that my PSA was high in February this year during a routine physical. Score was 12, went to a urologist for further testing and they ran another about 90 days later and was then a 6.5, doc then wanted to do a biopsy. 1 2 cores with 11 positive 7 were 4/3 the rest 3/4.

[Hidden]

You might want to inquire about treatments that could prevent the development of gynecomastia. I've read that radiation to the breast area could work. It is more than unsightly -- it can be painful too. In my jaundiced opinion urologists don't care about this side effect to hormone treatments. Hormone treatments are the standard in preparing for radiation -- they will shrink the prostate and sensitize it to the radiation. Good luck with your treatments. You've come to a good place in finding this site.

[Billaone]

Thank you because I'm really nervous about all of this. My brother beat PC only to lose to lung cancer 3 yrs later that was last year. Lost my sister to brain cancer 20 yrs ago, and my 1st wife to lung cancer 17 yrs ago