I am new here-where do I start?

[JD-guy]

Hello, I was diagnosed with Metastatic Prostate Cancer, I have had one injection of Firmagon in March and I am to go for a bone enhancement this Wed. April 7th. (I do not know what Meds I am getting for that yet.) they started me on 60 mg of Casodex. Is this the normal routine and protocol for starters? thanks for any advice.

[Tall_Allen]

Maybe start by providing some additional info - how many metastases? Where are they? Did you have a DEXA scan for bone mineral density?

Here are options (there are several) for men newly diagnosed with metastatic PC:

prostatecancer.news/2017/06...

[JD-guy in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks for your response: I have not had a DEXA scan, Below I copied and paste from my bone scan results. my PSA was 82.

I am very new to this, so if you have more questions, let me know. Thank you very much

FINDINGS:

Bones/joints:

Small area of activity in the left skull.

Small area of activity in the proximal right humerus.

Area of activity in the mid left humerus.

Area of activity in the right 7th and 8th ribs.

Small areas of activity in the posterior 8th ribs.

Small areas of activity in the upper and midthoracic spine.

Small areas of activity in the lumbar spine.

Small areas activity in both femurs

[Tall_Allen in reply to JD-guy]

I would definitely discuss starting with docetaxel, and then moving onto Zytiga or Xtandi.

[JD-guy in reply to Tall_Allen]

I will be talking to my Dr. thanks

[Hidden]

Has your doctor discussed adding either Docetaxel chemotherapy, Zytiga or Xtandi as an additonal treatment? There have been several clinical trials that demostrated additional overall survival when adding a second treatment upfront along with ADT (Firmagon). Some of the trials you can look up: CHAARTED, STAMPEDE, LATITUDE and ARCHES

Something to discuss with your doctor.

[JD-guy in reply to Hidden]

thanks for the information, I have not started asking questions much. I will be starting a dialogue with my doctor. I really appreciate the advice. thanks

[Magnus1964]

You need to start asking questions. Do not just do what a doctor tells you. You have to do your own research. Start reading everything you can on prostate cancer. That is step one.

[JD-guy in reply to Magnus1964]

thanks for your response, I have not asked a lot of questions, I have a son who is a RN and I have been talking to him and he is helping with questions. thanks

[HopingForTheBest1]

Make sure to get your free Prostate Cancer Patient Guide from pcf.org . It is very comprehensive and is a great starting point.

[MateoBeach]

Welcome. We are with you and for you here. Paul

[JD-guy in reply to MateoBeach]

thank you very much for the support.

[TEBozo]

I had lymph node involvement so they gave me a Firmagon shot first followed by 17 more monthly Lupron Shots. At 6 months and following my radiation, I began 750 mg of Zytiga and 5 mg of prednisone daily for 1 year. The Firmagon shot hurt like shit as they give it to you in your stomach.

[j-o-h-n]

Complete this..... and you get a free ticket to see the 2021 All Start game in Atlanta Ga.

Please tell us your bio. Age? Location? When diagnosed? Treatment(s)? Treatment center(s)? Scores Psa/Gleason? Medications? Doctor's name(s)?

All info is voluntary, but it helps us help you and helps us too. When you respond, copy and paste it in your home page for your use and for other members’ reference.

THANK YOU AND KEEP POSTING!!!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 04/05/2021 8:00 PM DST

[JD-guy in reply to j-o-h-n]

thanks for your response.

A little bit of this information is in my profile----See in my question the results of bone scan. "I was diagnosed with Metastatic prostate cancer Feb 2021.

I am 61 years old"

I live in PA, (Doctoring at Wellspan Chambersburg Urology and Oncology presently)

treatments so far.

Firmagon--first injection March 17th, 2021

60 mg of Casodex--started March 17th 2021

I go for Xgeva--tomorrow April 7th 2021

Gleason score 4+5=9

I go for Blood work i.e. PSA, next week April 15th and appointment on the 21st to talk more with dr.

[j-o-h-n in reply to JD-guy]

Thank you for your quick and detailed reply. Good results for 4/15 and 4/21... Make a list of questions for the doctor. Bring someone else to listen and to take notes....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 04/06/2021 10:59 AM DST

[Hidden]

Stay positive and ask questions .

[JD-guy in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your response and encouragement. That is my intent.

[Wings-of-Eagles]

JD Guy, I saw your post and went to your "Following" tab. We can communicate more directly there. Looks like I am your first to follow(and not stalk) you, Lol. Your diagnosis is similar to mine but a bit different . I am also Stage 4 with advanced disease with 6 bone mets. My initial PSA was 71.5. My first treatment was Lupron, and Casodex. PSA went down to 1.5, then a year later starting rising again to 5.5. I was started on Zytiga in August 2014 and the PSA came down immediately, and remains at the undetectable and dormant status for the past 6 1/2 years.

Every case and treatment effects are different for different individuals. Doctors term advanced PC as not curable, but treatable, and I am hoping for many more years. My advice is to find the best Medical Oncologist that you can, hopefully at a very good or highly rated Cancer Center. Take a deep breathe, and try to relax,

this journey you are on is ......what it is.

I highly recommend on this site, listen to the sage advice of Tall Allen, he is gem for PC knowledge for us all. Looking back, Docetaxel treatment prior to Zytiga (studies show)might have helped even more for m. Now my future plan might be Docetaxel after Zytiga. I am not there as of yet.

We are here for you and keep the faith!

Wings aka Dan in So Cal