Zytiga how long: I have Stage... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Zytiga how long

Redlog profile image
54 Replies

I have Stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer which has spread to lymph nodes, spine, femur, iliac. Gleason score 8. Taking 1000mg if zytiga daily along with 5mg of prednisone. I’m told the zytiga will only be effective for 2 years. Currently my PSA is .13. How long will the zytiga continue to work?

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54 Replies
joancarles profile image
joancarles

I am in month 13. It worked very well during the first 11. It is this moment I have a slight sudida, we will see if it is losing effectiveness. But in this place you will find men with long experiences. Some with more than 3 years. And even one with more than 7 years.

Redlog profile image
Redlog in reply to joancarles

Thanks for reply/ what is “sudida”??

joancarles profile image
joancarles in reply to Redlog

Forgives. I wanted to say rise

Redlog profile image
Redlog in reply to joancarles

Get it! The average period for zytiga to remain effective is 2 years. I’m tired of waiting for the next shoe to drop. I have no intention of doing chem for maybe an additional year.

joancarles profile image
joancarles in reply to Redlog

How long have you been in Zytiga? What PSA did you have in the diagnosis?

Redlog profile image
Redlog in reply to joancarles

Zytiga about a year. When diagnosed my PSA was 60

joancarles profile image
joancarles in reply to Redlog

From 60 to 0.13, it's a good way.

Redlog profile image
Redlog in reply to joancarles

Yes but it will not last. Let me know how things go for you.

joancarles profile image
joancarles in reply to Redlog

My diagnosis was more serious. PSA 1350. In month 11 low to 0.17. But in the last revision it rose to 0.26. This week I have analytical, we will see as follows.

in reply to Redlog

You don’t know that. Don’t predict failure. Keep positive..

Godschild62 profile image
Godschild62 in reply to Redlog

I say this with all do respect . Be very greatful it’s working for you. This did nothing for my husband. Not even a month and a half and PSA went from 34-688. It’s been 1 year and 8 months since my husbands diagnosis of stage 4 mpc and he’s now on his third Chemo drug not including Zytiga.

joancarles profile image
joancarles in reply to Godschild62

You're right. I hope your husband finds the right meducation.

Godschild62 profile image
Godschild62 in reply to joancarles

Thank you my friend- praying for each of you. 🙏

Dalph87 profile image
Dalph87

For some people it has been effective for 3+ years and I read of someone taking it for 6+ years. My father is on his 6th month with it and doing very well so far (he's a newbie basically), he experiences a slight PSA rise (a tiny bounce) some months but it always goes down again the month after, MO claims it's normal to have a slight increase sometimes as the pc cells might produce PSA when they die.

You have to be worried if it goes up month after month after month without going down, 3 consecutive rises are worrysome.

He expects it to work for 1-2 years on average.

Redlog profile image
Redlog in reply to Dalph87

Thanks/ good luck

joancarles profile image
joancarles in reply to Dalph87

How have these effects been bouncing?

Dalph87 profile image
Dalph87 in reply to joancarles

It's just the PSA, some months it might increase slightly by some decimals (always less than 1) but goes lower the months after.

joancarles profile image
joancarles in reply to Dalph87

Thank you. I have had a decline for 11 months. I have reached 0.17. but in the last two months I have had slight increases to 0.19 and the last to 0.26. Waiting for revision this month to see if it is a rebound or a trend.

Four years for me. Had to switch from pred to dex at three years.

cbgjr profile image
cbgjr in reply to

Hello, I'm curious about your switch from pred to dex. Did you see significant results after the switch?

I started Zytiga + dex just recently. I discussed the two steroids with my MO and we thought that if dex was better, why not just start with it from the beginning?

But maybe the switch after Z+pred stops working is the better thing to do to extend the usefulness of Zytiga. It's good that it has worked for you for 4+ years!

Thanks for any additional info!

CG

in reply to cbgjr

Hi, yes I did. Rise in psa was reversed and low level held for around a year. Not sure why the switch works - there was limited data etc on this at the time, but I think it worked for about 25% of patients. Good luck whichever way you decide to go.

joancarles profile image
joancarles in reply to

Hello! During the 4 years you maintained a constant descent. Or you kept some increase and decrease.

in reply to joancarles

I’ll go back and check my database, but I think it stayed at a low level until the rise at three years. Went back down when the switch to dex was made, then started rising a year later which prompted a switch to Enza, which didn’t work.

joancarles profile image
joancarles in reply to

Thank you. I have had a continuous decline for 11 months. I have reached 0.17, no more. In the last two analyzes, 0.19 and 0.26. I do not know if it's starting to fail or I have some more time.

in reply to joancarles

If someone can tell me how to post a chart, I’ll put one up that shows psa through all my different treatment regimes.

Darryl profile image
DarrylPartner in reply to

Copy and paste your chart to the reply box

in reply to Darryl

Cool. You can’t do that on other forums, so thought I wouldn’t be able to here. Just off for MRI of the spine so will post later.

joancarles profile image
joancarles in reply to

Very good luck

Darryl profile image
DarrylPartner in reply to

I should have said that copy/paste only works some of the time ..don’t know why. But, you definitely can post a jpg of your chart in a regular post, using the “photo “ button

in reply to Darryl

HI, where is the photo button please?

in reply to Darryl

Ignore the above - chart is now at the end of my latest post. Hope it helps.

cbgjr profile image
cbgjr in reply to

thanks!

best wishes to you too!

Jerseygirl13 profile image
Jerseygirl13 in reply to

Hi, what is dex?

Mathes72 profile image
Mathes72

I went 14 months, now on jevtana

who knows but since your psa readings is only .13 and the normal males who have no cancer their readings are 0-4.0 take a breather get off of it for now have your psa readings each month and when it starts to go above the normal readings of 4.0 start taking it. i didn't even know how long it works for sicne i can't get it now but 2 yrs isn't bad plus their are other treatments out there like the one i just got over with PROVENGE. good luck charlie

Break60 profile image
Break60 in reply to charlesmeyers1964

Actually 0-4 is no longer considered as “normal”. One can have PCa at a lower level. The primary indicator is the trend and timing. If Psa rises continuously it’s a red flag . If it rises quickly it’s more indicative of a problem. So serial tests are needed to determine if biopsy is indicated.

larry_dammit profile image
larry_dammit

Sorry to hear your monster has arrived, just put my dad on zitega so can’t talk about it. Fight the good Fight

jkholmes profile image
jkholmes

Hi DX Gleason 8 psa 327. 9 bone mets with lung nodules. Lupron zytiga and prednisone as treatment. 15 months and still working well. Psa still undetectable. Wishing you all the best

in reply to jkholmes

All right!! Keep flying low!

2 years 8 months of zytiga/pred for my husband - game changer as I believe this gave him his best years of the almost 6 since diagnosis. Prior to zytiga, had rp surgery, radiation, chemo taxotere/carbo and on continuous lupron. SBRT treatments on bone mets while taking zytiga kept his psa below 1. Off it when psa started doubling. Xtandi for 4 months - fail - psa still doubling. Randomized out of Lu177 trial so now chemo jevtana. Maybe Xofigo next as Jevtana not making much progress.

All the best to you!

Gianthope profile image
Gianthope in reply to

SBRT?

Stage 4 Mets to bone when dx’d, uterter stents placed.

My husband has constant Lupron, Xtandi 5 months, Provenge, tried Docetaxel but Had a reaction they slowly got thru the first treatment but when he had a worse reaction on the second treatment the Dr said too risky, no more. Now on Zytiga + pred. He has pain at his tailbone so wondering about radiation. We had a consult with radiation oncologist that said start Zytiga 1st and see what results we get.

in reply to Gianthope

SBRT = Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy done at Mayo Rochester MN to treat sacral tumors. Also can sometimes do other ablative procedures to relieve pain, reduce tumors. Ask your Dr or check on Mayo website for more info. Best wishes to you and yours for relief.

Walter_Gould profile image
Walter_Gould

I have been on Zytiga and prednisone for 8 years. I also take Lupron.

in reply to Walter_Gould

Wow!👍

Fitzbruce1 profile image
Fitzbruce1 in reply to Walter_Gould

Walter- you are a very fortunate guy! Any ideas why Zytiga has worked so well and so long for you?

Walter_Gould profile image
Walter_Gould in reply to Fitzbruce1

I take my Zytiga religiously every morning when I first wake up with 16 oz. of water and wait for at least one hour before taking my morning medications or eating.

westof profile image
westof in reply to Walter_Gould

Do you take prednisone at the same time?

Walter_Gould profile image
Walter_Gould

I am the poster boy for Zytiga at M D Anderson! I have been in a clinical trial with Zytiga, prednisone and Lupron with my PSA being undetectable for over 8 years. I know I am the exception rather than the rule and very few, if any, have had the results that I have enjoyed with a good quality of life and very few side effects.

nobaday profile image
nobaday

Just saw your post. Then I realized 9 months old!! I’m on Zytigia now for 18 months. PSA undetectable but I did switch from 5mg prednisone to 0.5 mg dexamethasone to give my body a change and maybe keep the undetectables continuing. I don’t want to do chemo unless a last resort.

How are you doing now? 9 months later!

Walter_Gould profile image
Walter_Gould in reply to nobaday

No, I take 5mg. Prednisone and the remainder of my morning medications one hour after I take Zytiga.

westof profile image
westof in reply to Walter_Gould

Thanks! I started on March 1 and I just throw back Zytiga, prednisone and flomax in 2 gulps(with a pint of green tea). No nasty side effects yet. I will follow your routine. I hope to follow your amazing success. Gleason 9, High PSA 28, now <0.014. Great and helpful post!

Walter_Gould profile image
Walter_Gould in reply to nobaday

I am great! PSA is still undetectable, tumors In bones and soft tissue are no longer visible, osteoporosis, caused by Lupron, is under control with bone builders and high blood pressure, caused by Zytiga, is being controlled by medications.

Fitzbruce1 profile image
Fitzbruce1 in reply to Walter_Gould

Walter - have you ever stopped taking Zytiga for awhile? I am at 18 months with Lupron, Zytiga and Prednizone with a constant 0.02 PSA. No issues other than manageable hot flashes. Congrats on your wonderful results!

nobaday profile image
nobaday

Thanks for info. What scans do you have to show that Mets in bones/ soft tissue are no longer visible? I want to stay on Zytiga as long as possible so great to see that you are controlling long term Zytiga use side effects.

All the best for the next 8 years!

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