Saw my MO yesterday, it's been 3 months and I was a little apprehensive because my pain has been increasing and I suppose you always worry a little around these times. PSA is still .028 so I'll assume the pain is maybe just the colder/damper weather.
He gave me an infusion (cannot remember the name) to strengthen my bones and prescribed Casodex, he also discussed surgery, not full castration but just to snip the lines so to speak, which I agreed to. He said recent research suggests this ADT and surgical route is best course of action with such advanced PC.
I got 28 tablets but forgot to ask for how long, does anyone know the normal run of this Casodex medication? I don't understand the reason for being prescribed this medication as my PSA is low and stable, is it just normal procedure at this stage of treatment? I know some smart people reside here so I hope guys you can make sense of this route.
Previous history...Diagnosed 12 months, Stage 4, Gleason 9, PSA1386, Lymph nodes and Mets to every bone with Marrow invasion on Femurs. Combined ADT (Diphereline) and 6 infusions of Chemo (Docetaxel) got PSA down to .028 in 6 months. Taking Opioids and other meds for pain, Oxycidine, Oxycodone, Neurontin,Sirdalud, Omeprazolum and recently Amlodipin for high BP.
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Zetabow
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Always difficult for me to decipher any of my test results as Estonian is not my native language. Hard for me to understand this stuff even when in English, that's why I'm on this site.
PSA tells you the amount of cancer cells which are active and producing PSA
Alkaline phosphatage tell you how much bone activity is going on. A higher Alk Phosphatage is not good as it tells that bone activity is higher (means active metastatis going on)
I assume to reduce all avenues of me producing testosterone, a fail safe so to speak. He said it's from latest research that is my best route with me having such advanced PC. Normally it's chemical or surgical castration, they seem to want to do both now.
It's why I brought it up here, for the more experienced to comment their thoughts on this route.
Thanks for keeping in touch, monte1111. Not much time left now for me. If I make it to the New Year, 2020, it will be an achievement of sorts. All the very best to you
He is probably giving you Casodex as an extra medicine to block any remaining testosterone from activating your cancer. I'm surprised, however, that your gonads aren't being removed - if they still manufacture testosterone, it will activate the cancer no matter what he is snipping. Why not get a full orchiectomy?
Casodex is an older but still quite effective. It kept my PSA undetectable for 5 years.
Find another doctor. Opioids help cancer growth - you should be on anti-inflammatories only like Celebrex or Diclofenac (I use this) - they help with the pain. Then something mild like paracetamol if a top up is needed. Casodex also inappropriate with such a low PSA, as is any "snipping". Your doc is throwing the kitchen sink at your cancer, and that does not work. Your immune system is getting trashed. Run.
Your test figs not easy to read, but your blood sugar may be a bit high. Cancer loves sugar - are you eating any sugar and not eating wheat, which is the same thing?
David before I started taking Opioids I could hardly walk I was in so much pain, I've tried several medication options,. I was told radiation isn't an option as it's everywhere, I would have no quality of life if I came off Opioids.
For pain. Please try CBD, tincture in Olive oil from commercial hemp. Available online.
100-200mg per day spread around with dose every 6hrs.
My numbers were quite similar to yours, extensive Mets and 1300+ PSA, extreme pain opoids barely touched. CBD within a short time reduced MY pain by about 70%.
Nothing it seems to work for all. Didn't help my arthritic friend but positive reports from friends with most kinds of cancer including PCa.
Rigorous consistent dosage seems very important to ME and to other cancer friends who tried. MO can't prescribe but sees no negative interaction with MY treatments.
I was able to cut back from 8+ opoid pills a day to 2. Can't seem to be able to drop those last two yet.
Zetabow, my brother, you need to take a listener with you when you see the doctor. Anxiety makes ALL of us miss things. Your MO should give you a written explanation of medications. NO you are not getting a little snip or a vasectomy. You agreed to having your balls cut off. I do not think it a good idea ask _anyone_ on this forum about how to take your pills. That is a good way to get in trouble. Find a friend/spouse/partner to go with you.
My Wife normally comes with me but she has a really bad cold, as the waiting area is also the Chemo waiting area she wisely decided not to come with me this time.
Sorry about her cold and hope she is better. That said, your experience with not remembering important details from your last visit might suggest the need for a substitute listener when your wife is ill.
I had my PET scan in the Summer after my Chemo. Results say significant reduction in Mets (it was whole skeleton) Lymph nodes 1.6cm reduced to 0.6cm and of course PSA went down.
I think because I had Mets to pretty much every bone and extensively into the Marrow on both Femurs, when it decides to come back, if will be fast and aggressive.
I haven't committed to the Surgery, I will have the chance to talk things over with an Urologist. I have a Surgical Oncologist friend that teaches at Medical University Hospital of Tartu, I will talk things over with him as well. The head of Urology dept, his daughter is a student at our Olyimpic archery School and my Wife and his Wife are good friends. I'm sure I'll get to talk this over with a few people before anything happens.
Excellent description Zetabow. I'm nowhere at the level of Advance Cancer that you have experienced yet. My has been found ID'd in my Pelvic Lymph nodes and somewhat to a lesser extent in my upper abdominal Lymph nodes.
I'm just trying to comprehend the necessity of doing a CT of Pelvis/Abdomen with contrast and a total body nuclear med scan like Dec9-11th when I return for my 2nd Lupron ADT injection. It would or should Identify more precisely where my cancer met's are in specific Lymph nodes I would think.
I get a little whiter shade of white when I hear "snip". Sounds like you should go all the way if you decide that is best. Another trophy on the mantel. I do wish you well!
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