1. There’s about 330,000 confirmed cases in the US. Probably a lot more not confirmed. That’s about 1/10th of 1% of the US population. We have over 10,000 members here many with supposedly weakened immune systems. The odds at 1/10th of 1% would imply 1 member here has the disease. Probably more given our supposedly weakened immune systems. Has anyone here had it?
2. I’m sure a lot of us want to check our PSAs once a month or so as I do. I go to Quest diagnostics (for the 2 out of 3 months I don’t get tested at my MO appointment). However I’m scared to go there now with potential Covid 19 patients testing there. Any good suggestions on safe ways to get tested?
Stay safe guys! One monster to fight at a time is plenty
Schwah
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Schwah
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"Unless drawing blood cultures, or prepping for a blood collection, clean the site with a 70% alcohol swab for 30 seconds and allow to dry completely (30 seconds)"
If once/month is critical then go. In my case it is because now, in my ADT holiday, a PSA increase of 0.3 triggers the next phase of my treatment plan.
Just as I do for a doctors office visit I go in throughly sanitized, with extra wipes and hand sanitizer. I stay 6 feet away from anyone else. When I go to get the draw I wipe down the surface they rest my arm on with one hand and hold a sanitary wipe over my mouth and nose with the other. I sanitize again upon leaving the lab, hands and face. From all I’ve read this should greatly mitigate the risk.
1. I have heard ADT may strengthen the immune system but “people with ca cancer” is listed as a category considered more at risk. Combine that with the PC people on other drugs (chemo etc), the average age of men on this site (I’m guessing high 60s to 70s) and the fact that they are men which appear to have a greater risk than women, and I have to believe that the population on this site is at greater risk than the general population. Do you disagree ?
2. I am on IADT so I’m watching my PSA particularly closely. It actually lessens my anxiety to see those results monthly as opposed to waiting 3 months between appointments.
Good news is I found this site that many here may wish to use. It says $98 but they only charged me $79. cvs.com/shop/letsgetchecked...
1. Neither you nor I nor CDC have any idea if men with advanced PC are of greater or lesser risk of getting covid-19. The caution for cancer patients is because most cancer patients are using drugs that diminish immune function or have late-stage cancers that make them frail and susceptible. (With Spanish Flu, improved immune response increased risk, although that does not appear to be the case with covid-19.) Men with late stage PC and who are taking chemo or some kinds of radiation do have compromised immune systems; it is prudent for them to be extra careful. What you wrote was: "We have over 10,000 members here many with supposedly weakened immune systems." - that is counter-factual. Men who are healthy and taking ADT-only (which is most men with advanced PC) have better immune response, not weakened. For now, that is all anyone can say. I'd put money on improved immune response being a benefit for covid-19.
I will also add my personal hypothesis (feel free to disagree) that hot flashes may actually be a benefit wrt covid-19.
This is why doctors are telling covid-19 patients to avoid taking anti-pyretic medication (aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen to a lesser extent) unless fever is over 103°F. (Of course, too high a fever or inflammation causes cellular damage.)
ADT causes dysregulation of our brain's thermoregulation mechanism causing brief periods of hyperthermia.
I wonder if the ADT-induced hyperthermia (hot flashes) might also activate an immune response.
Possibly so if you are unfortunate enough to catch the disease. Lacking specific evidence, I think most infectious disease doctors would recommend holding off on all NSAIDs in the fever stage. However, when the disease starts destroying lung tissue, NSAIDs or more powerful steroidal anti-inflammatories may be necessary. It's a balancing act, and my hat's off to doctors trying to manage covid-19 patients.
Totally appreciate your research.It reinforces your hypothesis and a logical reason to believe that hot flashes might indeed activate an immune response!!!!
I know. You’re probably right. But I’m hoping for a long term remission or even a potential dare we say cure. My MO (Scholz) has seen such on similar situated patients. I have a lot going for me based upon the literature. I went down to .01 PSA and went down to under 10, both indicative of longer remissions. I added chemo at the beginning to zytega to my Lupron for 30 months. . I was ogliometastatic with three very small mets that all were zapped with SBRT. My UCLA psma test three months ago showed no sign of cancer and I never had a fast doubling time. I also added zometa to Celebrex which further increases my odds. But it’s probably a pipe dream 🙈, but it’s my pipe dream lol.
My husband's original extent of mets was similar to yours, I believe. He has been told repeatedly that intermittent ADT is simply not an option, even though his PSA has been <.10 for over two years and dropped rapidly at the beginning.
I just went to Quest here in Sacramento for my labs. (Every 6 weeks). Usually the waiting room is full.
This time I was the only one there and 6 staff all suited up.
I had my mask, carried a fresh wipe that I used on every surface I had to touch, found ways to minimize contact with anything, even used my own pen to sign. Wiped all surfaces I needed to touch going in and out.
A fresh wipe ready at all times, straight home, hand wash and then a shower with lots of scrubbing. Clothes into washer. I've never felt more sanitary.
I totally disagree with Tal on this one. NO advanced cancer treatment protocol increases one's immune system, one just has to look at the incredible number and seriousness of side effects from drug treatments to note the FACTS. Tell this to the guys who have died from side effects caused directly, or indirectly by prostate cancer treatments.
STAY HOME, WHERE A MASK AND RUBBER GLOVES WHEN GOING TO THE FOOD STORE AND DOC APPOINTMENTS AND TREATMENTS. DO NOT GO OUT OTHERWISE, AND STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
The FACT is we start with 100% NOT getting the virus if we stay home alone. Everything else we then do, will decrease this guarantee, so why risk lowering the perfect score by, say going to church, playing with grandkids, etc.
Hubby is doing quarterly checks.... but we decided to push this one a month or so. My concern grew when I realized that he has a lower chance being put on a ventilator if resources are overwhelmed because his PC is metastatic. Reading the various guidelines for ethically choosing who gets that care was not as comforting as I hoped.
I don't think that Covid-19 suspects come into these labs to be tested. I think the swabs/samples are taken elsewhere and sent to these labs. Wherever people congregate, as in the waiting room at the lab, there's always a risk of exposure. I share the same concern but will wear a mask. I will have home-brew hand sanitizer in my car and immediately use that when I get back to my car. They might have Purell for people to use there in the lab. I will also make an appointment to reduce the time I sit in the waiting room.
Yes Sir, under the pc microscope have two fronts to fight now. None of us need covid . I know it will kill me if I get it . So I’m not getting it . If I do it’s addios muchachos ! Take care ..
HAS anyone here yet contracted the disease.?..... Presuming no by the nature of the responses.....a good thing to be sure but I would have thought it statistically unlikely
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