Hi all,
My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer a month ago. He had his first zoladex injection just over two weeks ago (16 days exact) and just finished his bicalutamide pills (30 days).
So far he hasn’t experienced any of the side effects except for fatigue. I was wondering if it’s safe to assume that he’s one of the lucky ones who has minimal side effects? Or is too soon to tell?
thank you
Too soon.
Yes it is too soon. I have been on Zoladex 6 to 9 months now & have noticed increase in osteoarthritis & hope to go back to Firmagon soon. Plenty of exercise is the key to lower fatigue.
What is your osteoporosis score? Mine is -2.5 after 4.5 years on Firmagon. I should start Zoledronic acid infusions but I am still undecided.
Sorry, I mixed up zoladex with zoledronic acid. Thinking too much about osteoporosis SE of ADT.
I had osteoporosis in my left knee & arthritis in my right but after Zoladex I can hardly walk & probably have osteoporosis in both knees now . The quick advance can only be due to Zoladex. I must find out my score.
I was going to have knee replacements but unsure of time out.
Try physiotherapy. TA said that after physiotherapy he does not have any pain in his knee. Try firmagon again. It is good for pain. I stopped taking metformine and now I feel normal.again.
I personally would not recommend surgery before trying our physiotherapy. I was told by the endocrinology registra that strength training is more effective than bone medication. I am trying to come back to normal with physiotherapy. The registra said that she will put me on some chronic decease management plan and send it to my GP in order to get paid physiotherapy by Medicare. Unfortunately she didn't send yet anything. I will remained her I'm Mai when I see her again.
Definitely ask for bone density scan.and physiotherapy as soon as you can.
Don't rush with knee replacement before trying physiotherapy and knowing your bone density score
My is -2.5 on the edge of osteoporosis.
Thank you Seasid, that sounds like good advice. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in left knee years ago anyway so will try the physiotherapy first. Not only is knee replacement expensive but takes ages before can walk again.
My problem with knee replacement would be that they have to cut out your real knee and attach the artificial to the remaining bones.
Assume that your bones are not young and osteoporotic than they could break or were out easily.
If for any reason you need a new second knee operation there will be no more bone left and our bones are still osteoporotic.
I am really not a doctor, but I know that even much younger and stronger people than us are trying to avoid knee or hip replacement.
Of course you should have physiotherapy in order to fix your gait and pain otherwise you could damage your hips and spine if you limp too much. You should fix your issues with physiotherapy and if it is not successful after 2 years you should consider operation. I know a lady who put herself to the waiting list for hip replacement and she was limping and it was very painful for her but now I see her not limping and without pain. She didn't have operation but was going to the specialist and somehow she fixed her problem. I can't communicate with her properly therefore don't know what she actually did. I can't say more.
I would be interested to know as my family member has a same problem. They want to operate on him. It is better to avoid operation if it is possible.
Talk to the doctors and be persistent.
I think I will cross that bridge if I get there after physiotherapy but at 74yo probably be a waste of time & money, just enjoy what is left in any condition.
Take care and intensify your visits to the proper specialists.
Don't let them give you dexamethasone corticosteroid injections as it can further weaken the bone.
I believe they are giving her something against pain but it is not a painkiller... Hopefully there are new developments to aliviate pain. A good specialist should know much more. Be persistent. That is the only way further and be a slow mover for operating but fix your gait and if you get a proper information how to fix your pain and improve your gait from a good specialist please let me know.
thank you for your response. He has started physical exercise to ensure bone health going forward.
What about other symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings?
If you keep active and exercise. Strength training. You will be fine. Actually I was fine for the first 2 years after starting Degarelix. Only now 5 years later I feel that I am osteoporotic. My biggest concern now is osteoporosis. I am afraid of compression fracture. If I start zoledronic acid it can cause atypical fracture of the femur I was told.
Therefore you will be fine for the first five years. After that I can't tell. I believe covid 19 restrictions caused lot of my problems.
Thanks for the advice Seasid. covid 19 certainly put a spanner in the works around here. I will put the knee replacement on the back burner for now, cancel the next zoladex & concentrate on exercise.
I personally would switch to firmagon again. Degarelix is good for pain. That is at least what I believe.
I would not expect miracles after so many years on ADT. I wish you all the best and keep us posted.
Are you taking Metformin? I stopped it and feel stronger.
That is the plan, either go back to firmagon or try e2 gel.
With metformin I only ever take 10mg if I have sleep problems, I noticed tired the next day if taken every night or over 10mg.
The best to you Seasid down here in the land of oz.
I believe Metformin is dosed 500mg up to 3 times a day. It is used if you are diabetic or prediabetic.
I used it parallel to the antibiotic of doxycycline in order to avoid developing bacterial resistance to the antibiotic.
It has an effect on the mitochondria therefore used to eliminate cancer stem cells. It is still not proven treatment but more like a theoretical knowledge.
Anyhow I feel much better now when I am off the Metformin.
I live in Darlinghurst mainly because I wanted to be close to the local hospital here. Otherwise I don't really like the city it is too noisy and smelly. But now it is the best for me. Before I was living close to the Macquarie University in Marsfield, Crimea Road.
Did I say metformin? I meant melatonin for restful sleep, I have never been on metformin.
Macquarie University is where I received LU-177 years ago. I grew up in Sydney & it was nice back then, long time ago, Its a rat race now.
I am really sorry for confusion. It looks like we all have it. I only use Perindopril Arginine (Coversyl) for high blood pressure and Degarelix. I should take vitamin D3 and maybe Calcium, but I am not very enthusiastic about supplements.
We forget the liver has to deal with all these supplements. vitamin D3 with K2 for bone health & try berberine for heart health. Too much calcium can be harmful.
I agree. I also believe the same. I am taking D3+ vitamin K spray but not every day.
I bought some indian spice (bereberine i believe it is yellow) and I should eat it but I am too lazy.
Try hyperthermia: lymemexico.com/how-hyperthe...
It is FDA approved.
Maybe you could try to apply heat to your knee? I am showering my neck and spine with hot water. I don't know the temperature, probably not warm enough to kill the cancer.
exercise, exercise, and more exercise …resistance training and aerobic exercise has kept all side effects at bay for me.
Answers for Zoladex can be found in your old Roladex under the letter E for Exercise....
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Sunday 04/23/2023 3:02 PM DST
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