To all those who received XOFIGO treatment :

[DSEE]

Last bone scan showed increase in Mets with new lesions in femur and upper arm toward shoulder among other places but no soft tissue involvement. Currently still on ZYTIGA Along with Lupron and Xgeva.

PSA declines but Mets increased.

Pain is not too bad.

Oncologist wants to add XOFIGO starting in July with 4 treatments one a month for 4 months.

The problem is we have a trip planned for my 70th Birthday in September that has been planned for months.

The side effects of XOFIGO seem to be similar to Taxotere which actually put me in the hospital. So please..... anyone that has been given this drug please respond soon! I need to know if there are persons out there with minimal side effects that managed normally.

Trying to make the decision on whether or not to make this trip in September.

Thank you!

[YostConner]

My side effects were not minimal. I had nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. I lost a lot of weight. That said, I still traveled and enjoyed it. Why only 4 sessions, not 6?

[Tall_Allen]

Xofigo has a fairly mild side effect profile, but like most drugs, the longer you wait, the worse the side effects are.

[DSEE in reply to Tall_Allen]

Not sure I understand the reply but I thank you for the response.

[Tall_Allen in reply to DSEE]

This table shows what I mean by 'fairly mild" side effects:

meetinglibrary.asco.org/rec...

The longer you wait to take the drug, the worse the side effects are likely to be because you will be in a more debilitated state.

[DSEE]

I meant 6 treatments.

We are scheduled for a 10 day cruise.

Bring out if the country on a ship for 10 days while taking this drug is risky .

Thank you for your honesty regarding side effects.

[Hidden]

I'm in the same boat (figuratively). Next week I'm going to discuss starting Xofigo with my oncologist. And just like you, I have a September trip planned for one month in Europe. I am very apprehensive about starting the Xofigo treatments and being part way through them during my trip. I had to go to the ER during chemo and was so glad I was close to home. I have read that the side effects of Xofigo are much better than chemo which is encouraging. There are many people that report no side effects at all, but like you say, there is always risk involved. Let us know what you decide. After I discuss this issue with my doctor, I'll report back.

[MontyB]

My MO recommended 6 treatments...one a month. Last week I had my first treatment. Following this first treatment I would categorize the nausea and diarrhea I experienced as minimal and it could be managed normally. My bone pain increased, but I was told the pain should be transient.

[blindsided]

I had my 5th Xofigo infusion on June 22 and am going on a week cruise July 14th. I usually feel crappy for about a week after the procedure but then pick up quickly. I see my GP July 6 and plan to ask for a broad spectrum antibiotic to take with on the trip - just in case.

[Lombardi24]

I was on xofigo for several months. It didnt work for me, but I also didnt experience any side effects.

[Rmanns]

The drug acts completely differently than taxotere so your reaction will likely be different.

I had Xofigo and my PSA skyrocketed, my pain increased and actual mets increased. I had side effects similar to IMRT.

I'm not a fan

[PhilipSZacarias]

Hello DSEE, there is a very large difference in the survival rate of patients who receive 1-4 treatments vs 4-5 treatments according to the following paper: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?te...

It appears that completing 5 treatments is recommended. Phil

[PhilipSZacarias]

Hello DSEE, my apologies, there was an error in my reply. There is a significant difference in the survival rate of patients who completed 5 to 6 treatments vs those who completed 1 to 4 treatments. Again the reference is: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?te...

Phil

[Tua32427]

My father did xofigo with very minimal side effects. The chemo on the other hand sent him to the ER as well.

[Raff5757]

Did 6 cycles of xofigo -- effects were relatively mild --some stomach upset toward the end of the treatments -- in fact did a River Boat tour in Eastern Europe during the middle of my treatment. The only caution I have is have a letter from your Doctor describing briefly your treatment -- I set off the radiation detectors in the Airport in Bucharest Romania and was briefly in custody as they searched for the source of the radiation. Had to do some quick talking...

[DSEE]

Thank you for the response!

Was the treatment effective?

[Gary94]

I wouldn't go on vacation while getting treatments until you know what it's going to do to you. Everyone is different in their reactions. I delayed my first xofigo treatment until I returned from a one week vacation.

[ahjab]

My father got his Xofigo treatment and traveled the following week. He had almost no side effect. Maybe a bit tired the first day, that was all. My father will also turn 70 in December. Best wishes to you.