Hazardous Drug bag arrived Day#1 Abiraterone 250mg prednisone

[depotdoug]

Should I expect unusual things to happen??

Like when I start exercising @08:30 - 10:00?

Like feeling different?

Like worrying about SE’s.

Like just seeing my Hazardous Drug bag? On counter?

Like loss of energy?

Depotdoug

[Schwah]

No no no. Work out hard and eat right and you’ll feel fine. Don’t talk yourself into SEs.

Many here have minimal SEs.

Schwah

[depotdoug in reply to Schwah]

Thanks. 1st abiraterone tab in my stomach 60 min ago...

[konichiwa12]

I start exactly the same thing tomorrow! So sorry no advice but good luck!

[tom67inMA]

I was worried about the very same things. And you know what? Any effects of the abiraterone were completely masked by some combination of continued recovery from chemo and perhaps the prednisone (which is anti-inflammatory and can be energizing).

I've been on Abiraterone since May 14th, and just recently I've been putting extra hours in at work. Haven't had this much energy and enthusiasm for life in years (prednisone induced mania?), though that effect is greatly muted for a couple weeks after each Xgeva shot.

I keep a stash of Abiraterone in a chemo bag in my desk at work so I can take my dose before my hour long drive home and be ready to eat dinner when I arrive. On days when I'm not at work I've been known to take my dose and immediately go out for a run.

Everybody is different. Most people gain weight, I immediately started losing weight and have now stabilized about 4 lbs less than before. Take your pills and then take things as they come.

[Jbooml in reply to tom67inMA]

Right...the downside can be overwhelmed manyfold by the fact that your cancer is being very quickly boxed up and sent packing....I too am now realizing much improved QOL despite a controlled higher bp.....and to be able to pee normally again is a gift greater than words describe.

[tom67inMA in reply to Jbooml]

I spent about a week with a catheter. Being thankful for urinary control puts everything else in perspective. Yeah, my boss is angry about something, again, but I don't need medical help to empty my bladder, so life is good.

[depotdoug in reply to tom67inMA]

You’re lucky I’ve had a neurogenic bladder Dx’d Sept 2005... not an affect of PCa though. Urinary retention since 2005. Self-catheterisation my self since 08/2005.. Do I enjoy it darn no. No choice

[tom67inMA in reply to depotdoug]

Had to Google that, yikes! Yes, I am very lucky. Other than the drugs and routine tests and ever-present worry about recurrence, I'm back to living a mostly normal life. Wow, you have to worry about things most people don't, like being at the airport and thinking "crap, I forgot to pack my catheters". I bet it makes life challenging in ways I can't even begin to imagine.

[depotdoug in reply to tom67inMA]

Well. Can wait for 4-5 hours before have to pee((self-cath) guess that’s better than incontinence..

[depotdoug in reply to Jbooml]

Yep I’ve got to watch check my BP more often. I’ll put a reminder on my IPhone

[depotdoug in reply to tom67inMA]

Yep take your medicine like mom says. Ok. Next up Prednisone #2 after lunch. I’m wondering what the loading effects are on new Med absorption?? Maybe I’ll call my Pharmacist’s

[depotdoug]

I’ve encountered ( do not like that word ) no side effects since 2nd Lupron Depot injection. 1st time around ADHT Lupron +!Casodex 2008-2012 caught me with an SCA May 12,2011... SE or not Dx was NSVTachycardia ...Worry or not. Go figure.

[Hidden]

“Like just seeing my Hazardous Drug bag” - haha yes! Unnerving at first,

[depotdoug in reply to Hidden]

Can't I insist on a zip-lock glad bag from my pharmacy?

[Cisco99]

I've been on Abiraterone (Zytiga) for nearly two years, without any symptoms. In my case it is a real life-prolonger. I did read an article suggesting some people get dementia from it. But not me.

I know everyone has different reactions to medicines.

[Tall_Allen]

I didn't know that a "hazardous drug bag" was a thing. If there is a symbol like this on it, wear a lead-lined suit: ☢️

[depotdoug in reply to Tall_Allen]

No radio-active or nuclear re-active or gamma emitting energy coming from my haz mat bag. I am a little bit un-nerved when I received my original, battery depleted ICD/Pacemaker med device back. It's bag was labeled BIO-hazard. Hey that med device had my on bio-critters on it so I should be ok. It was my own bodies biohazard pathogens in or on it.