Try a Little Dexie !

[Fairwind]

If you are taking Prednisone for any reason see if your doctor will substitute Dexamethasone instead. they perform the same function but the Dexamethasone also can restore your apatite, relieve moderate pain, and generally make you feel better..It's worth trying..

[GoBucks]

Nice to see you posting Fairwind. Hoping that wind is blowing in the right direction for you. I always heard that was a good switch if your PSA started rising while on Zytiga. What were you taking prednisone for?

[cesces]

I seem to recollect that Prednisone is the preferred option.

I don't remember why.

[Fairwind in reply to cesces]

I started taking Pred when I went on Zytiga..Seems it was a necessary part of Zytiga treatment. I've been on it ever since (4-5 years) Hospice nurse suggested I try Dex as an alternative and I am glad I did...

[spencoid2 in reply to Fairwind]

I will ask mu MO about dex. Just a reminder that if you are taking prednisone with zytiga (and probably true of dex) do not just stop. You need to taper off or do whatever your doctor advises. I ran out and after two days was a total wreck. I do not like the idea of steroids at all but it seems it is a necessary part of the program?

[dougnola]

I don’t have a strong opinion but my oncologist told me that if my psa started to rise (I’ve been on zytiga + eligard + prednisone for 4 years) they would likely first try doubling my prednisone from 5 mg to 10 and, if that didn’t do anything try going back to dex. (And then other castration resistant treatments if it kept rising). For what it’s worth, I became really allergic to dex back when I was doing chemo but there were so many chemicals in my body then. For now, I’m happy with the status quo! Good luck fairwind! ✌️ DougNOLA

[Muldoon432]

Switched when Zytiga started to fail. PSA went down again but the swelling in my feet and legs got so bad I had to stop - so at least wait until PSA starts to go up with prednisone. Everyone is different.

[Haniff]

Hi Fairwind

Just checking, did you develop the ‘moon face’ syndrome while on prednisone or dexa?

I did since i am on prednisone 😕

Haniff

[dougnola in reply to Haniff]

Me too Haniff. Big time on higher doses. Back, when I was on chemo and lost all my facial/head hair, including eyebrows, I looked like a big Gerber baby. It’s not so bad now that I’m on 5mg but still more than I used to have pre steroid. Hope yours settles down. ✌️ DougNOLA

[DenDoc]

The steroids are necessary with Zytiga since the drug interferes with the production of androgens wherever they are made including some in the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands produce our cortisol which is extremely important for our daily well being biochemically. Without Cortisol we would not do well at all in response to stress and other factors. These levels we are taking are not treatment levels but simply maintenance. It is all in the package literature and available on-line. You are correct, do not stop (or run out of) your steroid. You could really crater.