I always appreciate the knowledge and experience of this group.
After DaVinci surgery, Gleason 4X3, cancer was extracapsular and into a node or 2, I’ve been on Firmagon, monthly shots for about a year.
Avoided chemo due to heart problems and with those Cardiac issues, Firmagon seems the best hope for me. I’ve found that my reaction to each shot has never improved, a few days of severe local pain, bad body aches and chills. But that’s ok.
PSA of .1-.2 for this past year is now rising - last one was up 1.5
No real symptoms, and bone scan shows bone Mets are stable. Nothing showing on CT.
Doc suggests Provenge now but I’m not impressed by what I read
Any thoughts re Provenge?
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Beach18
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For 2.5 years I have had Lupron shots every six months after Davinci. PSA went to 31.3 from 0.4. Started Zytiga 3 months ago and PSA now at 0.9. Main side effects is hot flashes.
Dear Sir ,I just read crabcrushe’s great result with Provence ..It can work . Keep hope alive .. Good luck !
If the Firmagon shots are bothering you, why not switch to multi-month Lupron? The differences are minor.
What don't you like about Provenge? I think it's especially useful when used in conjuction with radiation or chemo. It probably works best when used at your stage.
It is a low-incidence event for both Lupron and Firmagon, and the difference has only been observed in retrospective analysis and in a small randomized trial. If he is at risk, the pain of the shots may be worth it.
Our numbers sound very similar. RP, IMRT, Firmagon for 12 north months-6 behind me, decided to go on Zytiga/prednisolone for a year. PSA <0.05 and zero T
Here is a link to one of the few sites not selling snake oil. There are 10 subjects about all the other things we should be doing to help us overcome this intruder. It is essentially about maximising our chances with a "clean" lifestyle and how to do that. Already viewed by some 200,000 around the world. Much good stuff in here (only for 2 days).
Provenge did nothing for me, I guess it depends on the individual. I was very disappointed after reading about the positive results many were having, went through a lot of crap going through the program. I'm now on the dreaded chemo, it's been a bit@h at times, fatigue, mouth sores, erratic sleep, taste buds shot, fatigue, eye sight slightly affected, feeling like total crap from time to time. BUT, after the first treatment my PSA went from .78 to .24, big difference! Second treatment the dose was cut 25% which did ease the side effects a bit, next PSA test and 3rd chemo this week.
My doctor wanted me to do chemo instead of the Provenge but I did NOT want any parts of chemo. So after the Provenge fail, I decided to do the chemo, besides my doc has always been right on point with my treatment for the past 10 years. Your decision to try it is your decision, but I recommend if your doctor recommends chemo or something else go with his recommendation.
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