PSA down, so confused!

[Blair77]

So after being on Zytiga for 18 days PSA was up 3 to 9. They took my husband off it on 7/15 they retook PSA on 7/21 and it’s down to 7. Now I’m wondering was it the Zytiga taking awhile to work or is it that androgen withdrawal phenomenon??? I’m super confused?

[Hidden]

My doctor told me he doesn't want to check my PSA until after 2 months on Zytiga. I think 18 days is too soon to determine that it's not working. I would go back on it and check again in another month or 2, but that's just my opinion. You could ask another doctor to get a second opinion.

[Blair77 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the feedback. The oncologist decided to switch him to Xtandi based on how bad Zytiga was making him feel. So he will start that as soon as the mail order pharmacy sends it. Hopefully it works and the SE are not too severe.

[Hidden in reply to Blair77]

If the side effects were really bad then I could see changing. Hope he feels better on Xtandi.

[EricE]

I was taking 3-month Lupron in the hip without side effects beyond a little muscle soreness but I was probably clenching

[rowboattom in reply to EricE]

Eric

I get 3month Lupon shots in the but

One of the good nurses told me to lift the leg .

Much easier hardly feel the shot and no soreness

Hope it works for you

Tom

[EricE in reply to rowboattom]

I'll give it a try Thanks!

[Chask]

As per Gregg57, my Onco told me not to expect any positive results for a couple of months. I have been on Zytiga for just 16 days and will be having a PSA test in a few days prior to seeing my Onco in about 10 days. Not going to stress over the result and expect to be staying the course no matter what the result.

Chas

[Magnus1964]

Some drugs can have what is called a "PSA bounce". When the drug is first taken it kills off a lot of cancer cells which can increase PSA. After that PSA drops. I would have stayed on Zytiga a bit longer to see where the PSA goes. I think your doctor took that second PSA blood test too soon.

[Blair77 in reply to Magnus1964]

Thanks for the information. The PSA was taken inadvertently when he ended up in the hospital due to severe dehydration. They are putting him on Xtandi hopefully that will work and the SE won’t be as bad.

[Magnus1964]

Those side effects might have been due to the high PSA bounce. They might have subsided after a while. That's a lot of ifs but I would not give up on Zytiga as a future drug.

[Shooter1]

Keep close watch on Xtandi side effects.. They made me a complete invalid...now living on 90 mg dose and side effects very evident but manageable. See my other post to see how bad they can be... Good luck with change.