New Guy Info

[steveebear]

Just joined. Have stage 4 diagnosed five years or so ago. PSA rising, small bone incursion. Firmagon first knocked down PSA and made metatasis's (? spelling) disappear. Kicked my butt for several years at the injection site but was worth it, I feel. Doctor convinced me to switch to 3 month shot of lupron around two years ago. I will start taking the Xtandi in a few days and thought I might be able to relate my experience with it here to possibly help others. I am 69 years old and in good health other than having a incurable disease. Likely my Doc's suggestion to go to the gym twice a week has been my greatest asset in resisting the effects of prostate cancer. It seems to be helping me to retain bone mass and has me in good physical condition although I am losing a step here and there. I do seem to be having memory issues but I have read that this is common with Lupron. That doesn't mean I have to like though.

[YostConner]

You seem to be tackling this beast well. Keep it up!

[Hazard]

Sounds like you are doing exceptionally well. Its good that your Dr recommended gym work (and that you took it up). My GP and onco have both been silent on the matter of exercise and diet.

Speaking of which, do you follow any specific dietary plan?

[steveebear in reply to Hazard]

I am uninhibited as to what I eat. My blood test is clean aside from a rising PSA. I attribute this to a good amount of gym work although it could be simply be genetics.

[spinosa]

how often were you given firmagon injections? Monthly? Have you stopped?

[steveebear in reply to spinosa]

I started on monthly firmagon. It knocked my PSA down to near zero and the metasises (sic?) simply disappeared. They were in my Aorta and groin area. The shots were painful but I felt it was worth it for the results. My beginning PSA was 280ish and went up to the 380s within a month.

[steveebear in reply to spinosa]

Dr suggested I switch to Lupron. I did . Not near the reaction from my body and I can receive them every three months. I was losing a week on the Firmagon but it was so effective I lived with it. Pain at the injection site and an occasional temp of around 104. (my normal is 96.8)

[JamesAtlanta]

Congratulations on a great 5-year battle! You seem to be handling it very well.

I agree with the recommendation on exercise. I feel so much better when I do it. But to do it I find I have to fight thru the fatigue. But it’s totally worth it so I just push on ... I guess like we all do! 😊

Good luck in the next phase of your treatment!

James

[steveebear in reply to JamesAtlanta]

I feel that I may need to push in the future too and am hoping for effects that I can work through by strength of will.

[steveebear]

I am now on the second day of Xtandi. I don't expect many full blown reactions to the drug for a week or so but we will see. I've had a bad headache or two and a mild stomachache. I have chosen to take the drug shortly after or with a meal at around 9:30 in the morning. This was just a starting point which will allow me to go to the gym earlier in the morning.