Zytiga with dexamethasone

[Cynthgob]

My husband had to switch from prednisone to dexamethasone and Zytiga 3 months ago. The psa has made a steady decline . 9.3 ,4.9,and now 3.6. I’m wondering how others have done on this protocol? And is the fact he’s finally below 4.0 of any significance? I always thought somehow under 4.0 was a goal. He never went to 0 even after chemo . Thought?

[Tall_Allen]

Down is good! I don't know why you see 4.0 as a goal.

[treedown]

I suspect you see 4.0 as a goal as that is the high side of normal on PSA tests.

[Cynthgob in reply to treedown]

Yes the only time he was told he was in remission is when he was under 4.0

[treedown in reply to Cynthgob]

If I am not mistaken and depending on his treatment remission values would be quite a bit lower. I had radiaiton and was considered in remission when I went below <0.1. I believe people who had surgery have much lower PSA's like <0.001.

[Hidden]

A PSA of 3.6 is goood and a low number. And it could still be going down.

Mine went down to undetectable. I'm at 3 1/2 years on Zytiga and Dexamethasone. His PSA could go lower.

The PSA is only one indication and as my doctor says "We are treating the cancer, not the PSA." As long as it continues down or levels off that's good. If it starts going back up he should have imaging to determine whether there is progression and only if that happens would he consider changing treatments. You definitely don't change treatments based on PSA alone.

[dhccpa in reply to Hidden]

Amen to that last sentence! But many doctors resist running scans, so you may have to get another doctor to run them.

[Cynthgob]

I see you’ve been on dexamethasone since May! My husband is at 3 1/4 years of this fight. Never went to undetectable despite chemo and now Zytiga. Thank you for your input.

[FinalBossMatt]

Anything lowering is always good. When something levels out I think that's a different philosophy entirely. My Doctor in Thailand thought if my PSA plateaued at a low number like in a single digits, it's good and managed. My new Doc here in America is more aggressive and said it's not properly managed unless the PSA is undetectable.

[Concernedwife24]

There is no cure. Even guys with undetectable psa it can come back. When it goes down that is good. When it goes up that is not good. Hang in there.

[Lettuce231 in reply to Concernedwife24]

More come backs than Frank Sinatra. I guess we all “ did it sideways “.

Hang on in there.

Phil

[j-o-h-n]

Opposite of your stock portfolio.......... up is bad.................. down is good..........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 11/11/2020 7:44 PM EST - God Bless our active and veteran military.

[Hidden in reply to j-o-h-n]

It's the same as my stock portfolio. Oh crap, no wonder I keep losing money.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Hidden]

Remember there's three kind of animals in the stock market. Bulls, Bears and Hogs.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 11/11/2020 9:56 PM EST - God Bless our active and veteran military.

[SPEEDYX in reply to j-o-h-n]

Specifically Hedgehogs....and Insiders

[j-o-h-n in reply to SPEEDYX]

How true.........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 11/11/2020 10:24 PM EST - God Bless our active and veteran military.

[j-o-h-n in reply to SPEEDYX]

So howya been? Helping Trump with the recounts?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 11/11/2020 10:27 PM EST - God Bless our active and veteran military.

[SPEEDYX in reply to j-o-h-n]

I haven't seen my mailman for over a week

[j-o-h-n in reply to SPEEDYX]

I think they tarred and feathered him and chased him out of Long Island into Queens...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 11/11/2020 10:33 PM EST - God Bless our active and veteran military.

[docbulldog]

I started with Zytiga in August with prednisone and my PSA continue to climb from 12 to 20. In November I switch to dexamethasone, after one month PSA move down to 10.1 7 and am now anxiously waiting for my blood draw in January. Did have a bit of a problem when we discovered my Dexamethasone dosage was 4mg instead of .5 mg, I’m now on a reduction schedule.