Is extreme fatigue and nausea, no appetite,common in advanced prostate cancer or is it not a good sign?

[Karenprin]

My dad had stge 4 advanced prostate cancer mets to bones, has been on hormone,zometa for past 3 yrs, 8 rounds radiation earlier this year, which made him very sick. He has been fine doing normal activity until about 3 months ago when his pain in his middle back upper, got worse and he had to start taking painkillers and eventually transdermal patch, 5mg. The past 3 months he has deteriorated, PSA went from 15 to 130 and today he can't walk around his house without being out of breath. He is also nauseous and not eating and vomiting at times. He has extreme fatigue aswell. He has also just had a bladder infection which has been cleared with antibiotics. I want to ask if these symptoms are common in advanced stages of the disease? And if they will get any better?

[Tall_Allen]

Is there a reason he hasn't had docetaxel? It greatly improves quality of life afterwards.

[Karenprin in reply to Tall_Allen]

Hi Allen, what is Docetaxel, what does it do?

[Tall_Allen in reply to Karenprin]

It's the basic kind of chemo used for prostate cancer. It improves survival more then any other medicine wen used early enough. Talk to his oncologist.

[Daddysdaughter]

Karen, had he tried THC/CBD for appetite and pain? It helped my dad for the nausea and decreased appetite. It might be something worth trying till he gains some energy and relief some pain.

[Karenprin in reply to Daddysdaughter]

Hi , He had been on a strong CBD oil for about 2 years, not for pain but just in the hope it might stop the progression, but lately it has given him such bad heart palpitations that he has stopped taking it.

[Bluebird11 in reply to Karenprin]

Prior to the new regulations, unless you had the medicine personally tested or for sure get it from a reputable source, you may have taken for granted you were getting something that would work.

Now with the new regulations, while difficult and more costly, you can be more assured of what you think you are getting is accurate.

There are specific stains that are better for cancer than others. I wouldn't give up and the bad heart palpitations point more to THC than to CBD. Is it possible that you thought it had a higher CBD than THC.. Personally, I know this is not unusual to be sold the wrong ratios.

It takes a lot of research, checking and rechecking with anything we do, unfortunately, including conventional drugs, doctors etc... It does take a village.. or at least a team of people to help. Good Luck..

[Hidden]

Karen, first my heart goes out to you and your husband and family. I’ll say a Prayer for ya’ll. Just based on your writing, my experience reflects that he, like most, chose a standard of care which is only palliative in nature and at some point in the future will succumb to his cancer. Many factors exist as to its timing which include positive attitude, tumor burden, and body strength. Why does he fear chemotherapy?

I ask this question because he can extend his life by undertaking this regime. While no walk in the park, side effects are manageable. For example, I found Zofran to be the best for nausea. I am not in the medical profession nor do I spend hours researching this topic. Oh I did in 2003 and 2004.

In the spring of 2003, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, Gleason 7 (4+3) and a PSA of 6.8. My primary treatment was Brachytherapy and 25 sessions of external radiation (IMRT). By the spring of 2004, my primary treatment failed and I had a PSA that rose to 32.4 and accompanied by metastatic lesions on T3 and L2 of my spine. I immediately was given an injection of Lupron. Six weeks later I enrolled in a six month chemotherapy trial. My results were phenomenal. At the conclusion of the trial my metastatic lesions were resolved and replaced by new bone growth. A year later my PSA was undetectable and remain so today. I was able to stop injections of Lupron/Eligard in February of 2010.

I mention this because chemotherapy is what saved my life. My research at the time showed that I had two to four, maybe five years left before suffering a diliabating death. However, great strides have been made in new silver bullets in treating metastatic prostate cancer. The major difference between me and most who undergo chemotherapy, is that I did this when my body was strong and the tumor burden minimal. However, I had very close friends who were able to enjoy life for two and a half years more, after they were told to get their affairs in order, by trying chemotherapy.

I don’t know your husband’s cancer involment, however, I my opinion, chemotherapy will help. It certainly will not hurt. Please discuss this with your Medical Oncologist. Hopefully, this person specializes in prostate cancer and not some other distant cancer. A researcher would be a big plus as they are on top of their game. You will find this type of person researching and teaching with major medical schools.

At the next appointment, ask the doctor a simple question, “If you were in my shoes with metastatic prostate cancer, what would you do?”

Keep kicking the bastard,

Gourd Dancer

[Beermaker]

Several very good posts above. Personally, I would avoid that much radiation at this point, and work with a medical oncologist (MO) to make things better. Chemo is likely called for. I would not be afraid of it, just try to take care of the side effects starting a couple of days before.

Also, if you are interested in strains of MMJ that can help check out Leafly.com for some good ideas. I used two strains for the most part - 9lb (nine pound hammer) and a 1:1 mix of THC:CBD. If you can get if legally where you are, oils, tinctures, and vapes all are good choices.

Good luck on your journey and kick the SOB!!!

Beerman

[Karenprin]

Hi everyone. Thx for all the replied.😘my dad had ro have a blood transfusion this past week and was in hospital for 2 nights. His heamaglobin was 7. It only went up to 9.2. Chemo is out of the question, he is feeling so weak and nauseous. Still after the transfusion. 😣😓😓 CBD oil makes his heart palpitate. He is so desperate to just enjoy some food. The onco said if the blood transfusions dont work, they cant keep on doing them. And then he possibly has months left. ? Oh my word , can anyone give me some hope?? Onco said he is changing meds, all i can understand is its a new "hormone" tablet that blocks everything, he still had his hormone injection after his appt. Whats happening? Thanks everyone. Xxx

[ctarleton]

The new medication might either the oral drug Xtandi (enzalutamide), or perhaps Zytiga (Abiraterone acetate) plus Prednisone. Hopefully, a new treatment modality will work soon and bring some symptom relief and recovering blood counts levels so that he can get off the blood transfusions. Keep us posted.

Charles

[Karenprin in reply to ctarleton]

Hi Charles, you were on the button. He has been put on Zytiga and prednisone.! Im hoping for the best, he is already on bicalutamide which is making him extremely nauseous and he cant eat. But he said he is not going to take it anymore, just the Zytiga and his other hormone injection every 3 months. Im hoping for a miracle that he gets a lot better. Im so heartbroken seeing my dad like this. :( Thanks for your support x

[Karenprin]

Thx Charles 😁😁he seems to be fine, a little better. His heamaglobin is steady at 9.2 after tests on weds last week. Thr other meds im still not sure, has to be motivated for to medical aid, both the pain patches and "other" hormone or immunotherapy drug, no one seems to know the name. Not even my dad. 😣😏