Is Zoladex the best injection treatment?

[FoxySue]

Hi, my family is still in shock after dad's biopsy results came back saying he has prostate cancer! Everything after that has been a trance!

His urologist was very patient and took time to show me what a healthy prostate looks and feels like, versus the infected one which had many lumps!

He took me through the two methods of treatment available; cutting off the balls or taking a course of Zoladex 10.8mg every 3 months. Dad was mortified at the first option and chose the injections. Now I am alarmed firstly by the sky high price of a single Zoladex injection, (R6 440) in South Africa! Secondly, it's got a whole lot of side effects that will most likely make my dad sick all the time!

Is there a cheaper alternative to Zoladex, preferably with less aggressive side-effects?

[Hidden]

Sorry that he has to go through this. We are with him here, many of us are in the same situation as he is. Glad you found this group.

The cheaper alternative is surgical castration. The side effects of doing that will be no different than getting Zolodex injections, but it is a one-time cost. Much cheaper in the long run, for those who must be on permanent androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). And castration is a more reliable form of ADT than "chemical castration". Surgical castration reliably reduces testosterone levels to around 15 within hours of the surgery. Many people do it. They have prosthetic testicles for those who want them.

[FoxySue in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much Gregg57. The option of getting prosthetic testicles sounds good and might sway dad's decision towards this cheaper alternative. I will relay that information to my brother who is more suited to have that discussion with him. It's also a great consolation to know that a lot of men are going through with the surgical castration, well done for that bold move!

Am so grateful to find this group, while randomly Googling about prostate cancer and again, many thanks for opening up to me.

[Hidden in reply to FoxySue]

When you get the shots, your testicles end up shrinking a lot anyway. I can barely find mine. I don't see a whole lot of difference if they weren't there at all.

It's too bad we have to do this in order to live, but life is worth living without testosterone. The side effects have not been that bad for most of us. We are certainly not sick all of the time. We have hot flashes as do millions of women in menopause. And there are other side effects such as loss of libido, loss of muscle and bone. It's very similar to menopause, but a bit more extreme.

He should also discuss getting bone strenthening meds with his doctor since he will most likely lose bone density. I am getting Zometa (Zolendronic Acid) infusions every three months. An alternative is Xgeva, a monthly shot. But that's much more expensive.

[Schwah in reply to Hidden]

Gregg57 please ask about adding Celebrex to your zometa. It’s proven to decrease mortality by over 20% combined. No help in survival with either separate. Not sure why.

Schwah

[Schwah]

22% less deaths (22 out of 100) in 5 years is a pretty big benefit. Especially to the 22. You can get periodic blood tests to test your liver and kidney. I’d get a second opinion.

Schwah.

[Ian2017]

I get occasional hot flashes and stiffness in my joints (I assume this is a Zoladex effect) but otherwise very little discomfort from my quarterly Zoladex. The response has been significant so it's been worth it.

[Break60]

Disagree. I’ve been on celecoxib for ten years with no problems.

[j-o-h-n]

What is your father's age? His PSA score (when first diagnosed and now)?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 12/27/2018 7:28 PM EST

[FoxySue in reply to j-o-h-n]

Hi John, dad is 83 years old. He was first diagnosed in 2017 and the results said "benign prostate hyperplasia." What does that mean? I checked now for the PSA score, and I see something that reads, "Bladder Outlet Obstruction PSA - 159 R/O Prostate CA" Again, what does it mean please? We had sent him money to go and get checked out when he used to complain of pain while peeing. He took these results home and put them away in a drawer and carried on with his life. I stumbled upon them while tidying up, recently, while he was admitted in hospital.

[j-o-h-n]

to F.S.

I am NOT a doctor and I suggest that you or someone you know (relative) go with him to his Urologist for more information. Lucky DAD!!!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 12/28/2018 2:05 PM EST

[FoxySue in reply to j-o-h-n]

Thank you John, I will be in touch with the Urologist to find out more information. Two weeks ago, when we got the second results I was too weak to ask much but now am more focused!