Starting a new drug "Abiraterone"

Just back from a monthly visit with the Doc.( Stage 4 metastatic to bone). Let him know my back pain is unbearable. He is starting me on "Abiraterone". Anyone have input on side effects? Kip & Molly

[YostConner]

That’s Zytiga. I got 32 good months from it with few side effects. Hope it works as well for you.

[camillebh in reply to YostConner]

Glad to see you’re still involved and being proactive! How’s that grandchild? Camille

[YostConner in reply to camillebh]

He’s amazing. Such a good baby. Just started on rice cereal and loves it. I’m having lots of fun!

[camillebh in reply to YostConner]

We're so glad-grands are our sunshine as well!

[Jbooml in reply to YostConner]

So after my PSA dropped like a stone with 3 months of bicalutamide and recently beginning eligard ADT my Doc has encouraged me to immediately change to abiraterone while maintaining the eligard...which i'm encouraged by reading the data from the latitude study. 32 months is significant but is there a reason you had to stop.

[YostConner in reply to Jbooml]

Nothing more than it stopped working for me. PSA was headed back up, and scans showed progression. From that I moved to Radium 223.

[MichaelDD]

I'm metastatic to the lungs. Started on Zytiga/Lupron past December 1st. Still using weights almost daily for resistance for arm exercise, and walking. Really no choice. Your MO or office staff will hopefully review what you should be aware of taking the drug and the side effects. Hopefully they are discussing with you that the cost can be huge. Ask about your co-pay on what to expect also. You need this.

[JamesAtlanta]

I’ve been on Zytiga (plus prednisone) for 13-months. Only side effect I have is a bit more fatigue. It has worked very well for me - took my PSA back to undetectable in the first month and remains there.

One bit of advice: you cannot take the drug until at least 2 hours after eating. And you cannot eat until at least 1 hour after taking the drug. This is because food increases the dosage ... I forgot once and felt dizzy from the medication. Never made that mistake again 😉

It can be very effective, as our friend Yost indicates.

Good luck with the treatment!

James

[JDKotter]

I was on Zytiga and Apaludamide for 6 months including prednisone. One neg side effect was neuropathy in my toes and thighs. Not sure if it was because of the combo or just the Prednisone ? Not sure if you can take any drug to prevent this from happening to you? Good luck to you!

[monte1111 in reply to JDKotter]

Never thought of prednisone causing neuropathy. My neuropathy started after chemo when I went to Xtandi and prednisone. Will investigate. See MO Monday and think it is time to see if I can drop the prednisone. One thing about this crazy disease is that there is something new every day. Thanks for the tip. Will see where this goes. Enjoy.

[tallguy2]

Radiation treatment can be quite helpful in reducing pain from bone metastasis.

[Ldb01]

My hubby started it 3 weeks ago. Side effects not bad. Only thing is the tablets are huge ! He has been swallowing them all at the same time and gets nauseous straightaway. I suggested he take one by one. We have not done a new PSA as yet so we will know next week if it is dropping. He also had severe back pain which turned out to be aging related as the cancer has not progressed that much in his back as yet. He was given fentanyl patches and pain killers.

[TommyTV]

I’ve been taking Abiraterone and Zoladex for 7 years.

Side effects are mainly muscle wastage. Earlier on I had the usual ADT symptoms, hot flashes, tearful, depression for a day or two every 6 weeks or so. They disappeared after 3 to 4 years. Just muscle problems now, particularly my legs. Can’t lift much either. Anything remotely strenuous leaves me exhausted for a couple of hours, and aching muscles for a day or two. But so what, I’m still enjoying life to the full. PSA@dx 571, 7 major bone Mets. PSA currently immeasurable.

Good luck with this, it’s worked fantastically well for me.

[DSEE]

Zytiga(aberiterone) is a great drug.

Few side effects, but only worked for me for 11 months.

Hope you get longer.

[kjscobel]

Watch your liver readings! I was on Zytiga for 5 weeks and my liver readings jumped 8 times normal. I was taken off it immediately.

[PGDuan]

I started Zytiga with Prednisone in November. Seems to be working well - PSA dropped to undetectable and T to 2. Liver enzymes doubled, but this was expected and we are hoping they stabilize. General guidelines are to permit increase to 5x baseline/normal. I sleep more (9 hours per night versus my old 7.5) and have more hot flashes. Have noticed some muscle loss, but oddly enough find vigorous exercise really helps. I started this whole thing in excellent condition and it’s knocked me down say 10-15% in energy. Still, surfing everyday when the waves are good. Good luck.