Second thoughts: I met with my second... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Second thoughts

Scootman profile image
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I met with my second oncologist yesterday about the fact that I have had 6 doses of taxotere . We discussed that I have been sick the whole time no breaks between treatments severe muscle aches , fatigie constantly and effect on my bladder that I have to self catheter daily and muscles make it hard for me to walk much. He stated that I am one who just can't tolerate this drug. He initially suggested that maybe I should be changed to cabaxitere because he felt it has less side effects for most people. He then rethought it and stated there is no guarantee that I would not still have same side effects. He finally decided that my body needed a break and to stop the taxotere and get me in a trial with oxfiga and another pill. After I left I felt some relief but all night I kept thinking maybe I should have just stayed on the chemo and just dealt with the side effects. Concerned that scans have been stable on chemo but what is going to happen waiting to start the trial and how effect is it. Just concerned that I did such a good job on explaining how bad I feel that this caused him to consider another plan. Just wondering if anyone else has been in this situation. Just don't think I could handle at least another 4 rounds of chemo at a minimum. Appreciate any input. Thanks

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Scootman
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Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen

6 infusions is the standard schedule. Let your body recover for a while.

Scootman profile image
Scootman in reply to Tall_Allen

The Doctor felt that my body needed a rest and time to heal . But since I stopped the chemo I have been aching worse than before . They told me I am anemic but want numbers to come up on there own . They were going to give me a transfusion but changed there mind. Have you heard of anyone experiencing aching after stopping the chemo. I am concerned it is the cancer just taking off. The Doctor told that prostate cancer grows slow and there not a concern for a month between treatments but they have all told me it is aggressive cancer so what do I make of that. The last scan in april said stable and less uptake so I do not know if the chemo is still working since I stopped a month ago.

I would think you could just go back to your doctor and explain everything that you said here.

I don't see why you couldn't ask to try one cycle of Cabazitaxel (Jevtana) and see how that goes. Many have reported less side effects. It's a small commitment to make just to do one cycle and then make a decision after that. That will also give you some more time to think things over.

If your doctor won't do it, I'd go to another.

I do agree with the others who are suggesting taking a break to give yourself some time to recover.

Scootman profile image
Scootman in reply to

Thanks for your input . The taxotere has really taken its toll and a short break would really be welcomed . Just concerned during that break what is the cancer going to do . Don't want to give it anymore advantage but also want know what it feels like to be a little normal than sick constantly. That's the battle in my mind.

in reply to Scootman

You could also monitor the cancer during your break so you are not just stressing out about what's happening with the cancer. You could make a decision based on what is happening. For me, it's a lot less stressful to be thinking about what the cancer is doing right now rather than what it's going to do at some point in the future.

It sounds like your cancer had stabilized during chemo so that's what I would be thinking about in terms of treatment. You do have something that is at least working despite the side effects. So to me, I would really have to think about changing a treatment that's working for an unknown.

I went through chemo myself and although it was tolerable for me, I really was getting tired of it by the time I got to #6. I can understand the situation.

Scootman profile image
Scootman in reply to

Thanks for your input .I really have to step away and try another option because another round of chemo will put me under. The way it has made me feel and affect my body. I really think the chemo would do me in before the cancer.

Jvaughan0 profile image
Jvaughan0

It seems you are doing all you can to fight this cancer. It is reasonable to step back without stopping the battle. Certainly there is no truce with these demon cells, but there is honor in taking a moment to regroup and reflect.

Chugach profile image
Chugach

Listen to your body. Chemo is hard, this is a marathon not a sprint

Scootman, my advice: don’t be in the business of second guessing your decisions. As I was in a six month chemotherapy with hormone therapy trial - essentially 9 pacitaxel infusions alternated with adrimyacin infusions plus several orals. Yes, it got “old” though I never really worried about side effects; taking heart in the fact that I was killing the little bastards.

Scope of disease and body strength are important. Unfortunately these two factors enter into treatment and it’s effect. Good luck.

Gourd Dancer

Cooolone profile image
Cooolone

I can relate as I've just had this conversation with my MO as I was about to enter my 6th Docetaxel infusion. We discussed the possible addition of a cycle, or two, or three as I've handled the chemo fairly well with some caveats, but nothing really too bad.

He mentioned pretty much the same, to stay with the data and allow the drug to do its job. Stay with the 6 cycles as it does take a serious toll on the body, regardless that I've handled it well. And he's right, in an honest assessment, I'm beat up and need to rejuvenate!

Also discussed adding Zytiga now, in a psuedo PEACE-1 methodology even though I missed using it while receiving chemo, and he wasn't so enthusiastic about that "absent" the data as well (the abstract not really providing that). Due out with ASCO next week, we will revisit and discuss it soon.

But back to Docetaxel... In a way, I want more, to kill, kill, kill those dastardly persistent PCa cells I have. But in another way, I'm glad to get a break and let my body heal, stay strong, and give it another shot when necessary! Hoping for the standard response at the very least because my other treatments up to this point haven't worked.

Good Luck & Best Regards

MateoBeach profile image
MateoBeach

You completed the full standard dosing of 6 cycles. Very good check that box. Done and done (Well done!)Marginal added benefit of more cycles is not known. We do know that continuing any treatment long enough results in the resistant surviving cells becoming the predominant ones. Treatment failure. So better to mix things up. That is why advanced androgen drug regimens are usually alternated with periods of chemotherapy.

So I would consider not having more chemo now but going a different direction. When that stops working somewhere down the road you can come back. Cabazitaxel or other would probably be good at that time and you might tolerate it better.

pleinairpainter profile image
pleinairpainter

Hello Scootman, Letting your body recover is very good advice. Last year, I went through eight cycles of taxotere and had similar issues with fatigue, pain, etc. One silver lining to going through all these treatments is that, generally, you may eligible for other innovative therapies in clinical trials. For me, my cancer history and circumstances meant I was eligible for CAR T-cell immunotherapy which I did in November 2020. Wishing you the best.

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