Zytiga and Prednisone.

[dadsdrdawn]

So, as you know, most of my stories are full of optimism and how strong my dad has been (is).

However, yesterday, we got bad news.

The radiation shots are not working, and after 3 shots, have cut him from the trial.

Now, they are prescribing Zytiga, and Prednisone.

His oncologist is on medical leave (so sad that even THEY get sick) and he has a new doctor.

This doctor prescribed Norco for my dads leg pain due to a pinched nerve seen in an EMG. He is refusing to take this saying he has occasional bad pain, and HATES pain meds

We all said that is a last resort down the road, and even then, he'd rather take a higher dose of a THC gummy with no constipation side effects, or other bad feelings...

I'd appreciate ANY input on Zytiga/prednisone combo.

I know we have to monitor blood pressure, watch for swelling in the legs and feet, and keep him hydrated.

He's planning on getting weekly hydrations IV's locally, and getting massages from a specialist ath is my friend that works only with cancer patients...

He is still talking about golfing and getting stronger, and living a quality of life...

Accepting advice, prayers and good vibes...and sending them back to you all

with love and hope,

Dawn

[JWPMP]

Jim has been on Zytiga/Prednisone for a little over two years. I'm not sure what your Dad's able to do, but resistance training made ALL the difference in the world with side effects. Jim got a (dont laugh) Chuck Norris Total Gym. It's small, flexible to your individual needs/ability, and only uses your own body weight. Jim absolutely did not have the energy to exercise other than doing chores and riding the horses. When he finally agreed to try, it's been a complete game changer. Still struggling with the BP just a bit, but Jim had never been on BP medication before, so it's just a matter of finding the right one & dosage. Jim drinks lots of water and powerade zero one a day. His liver, kidney function (he only has one kidney), and blood sugar have all stayed excellent. Hope this helps a little.

[Derf4223]

Its a bit early but keep an eye out for trials testing this approach.

THZ-P1-2 is an experimental not-for-sale-to-patients possible treatment.

pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2...

As for the here and now we live in, are you working with a prostate-cancer specialized MO/RO? Put that up as a question along with your city/state/country and the community here should be able to provide you a name or 2-3 nearest to you.

[Mcrpca]

What was the “liquid radiation” drug that he was on if you don’t mind answering?

[dadsdrdawn in reply to Mcrpca]

Sorry - Should have named it! >

The FDA-approved drug, called Pluvicto (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan), is a new radiation pharmaceutical that is administered through injection or infusion. The drug travels throughout the body and targets cancer cells with the PSMA biomarker, a protein found on most prostate cancer cells

[Mcrpca in reply to dadsdrdawn]

Thanks. My husband has been on Zofigo because his mets so far are strictly osseous. He has his 3rd injection next week followed by a bone scan. We will know after that whether or not the Zofigo (Radium 223) is working. Good luck to you. I'm not sure where we will go after this.

[FourString]

Basically, Zytiga nukes your adrenals to stop them from creating adreno-androgens which the opportunistic prostate cancer uses to continue its growth/spread. The prednisone brings your adrenals back to life and keeps you from sliding into the big sleep.

Everyone’s side fx are different. But estradiol patches kept the worst of them at bay for me. I found 0.1 mg patch twice a week did the trick. I discovered later that the patches are useful beyond the reduction of Zytiga side effects.

When my cancer became Zytiga resistant, my doc prescribed FOUR patches twice a week. That dosage REALLY shrunk my tumors, mets and prostate itself. My imaging stunned (in a good way) my doctors, and I no longer use a catheter as a result.

For me, estradiol patches are the secret sauce.

[garyjp9 in reply to FourString]

Glad to hear that they worked for you. Did you have any side effects, such as gynecomastia or nipple tenderness, and if so, how did you handle them?

[FourString in reply to garyjp9]

So far as E2 patches go, I have not found even one side effect objectionable. I have made a stunning come back to the land of the fully living. Nails no longer chip and bend. My hair does’t look like it belongs to a corpse. I can see at night again. I now become aroused and am no longer erectile dysfunctional. I’m growing my muscles again. Cuts and bruises heal heal up twice as fast. Psychologically healthy—excited and happy about life.

However, as a result of the patches, I do have breasts. Real ones.15 year-old girl breasts. As they came in, the nipples and the flesh beneath them were very tender. Now they’re just plain erotic. Headlights. They are not so prominent that a casual observer can notice them. But far from being a problem, they are kinda cool. How do I handle them? Hehe.

[garyjp9]

😉 Thanks, FourString

[jfoesq]

I have been on Lupron along with Zytiga (Aberatarone) and Prednisone (5mg) for most of my 11 years of treatment. The downsides for me:

I devolped man-boobs, (which I think can be prevented with a different med (can't remember the name)), gained weight, lost sex drive, and became somewhat sluggish. But- I am fortunate that the treatments worked for so long and I am convinced that my recent addiction to Pickleball has provided me with much more energy. Fortunately, I have not had BP issues, liver issues, heart issues....although I believe my aerobic capacity is less. Stay active, eat a heart/healthy diet and hope for a positive response.