Chemo may be helping

[MJCA]

Hi Fellow Fighters,

Prior to my third round of Taxotere last Friday, I had blood work done. After 2 rounds, my PSA dropped 4.7 points. TBH, I feel like crap today, but the results are promising.

My blood work also showed low cortisol levels, how concerned should I be about that? Thanks.

[CAMPSOUPS]

I see from your bio:

December 2022 have started Zytiga. I am trying it without prednisone first. We shall see what happens.

Your adrenal gland might not be producing from not taking prednisone during Zytiga or if you did take Zytiga maybe adrenal gland didnt kick in after you tapered off your prednisone?

[MJCA in reply to CAMPSOUPS]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. I only took Zytiga for 2 weeks; the side effects were not agreeable. Once I started Taxotere/Docetaxel I DO take 8mg of dexamethasone twice a day. I do this the day prior to chemo, the day of chemo and the day after. I have a hard time with the SE, but I understand the need. This is why I don’t understand why my levels are so low.

[CAMPSOUPS in reply to MJCA]

Well going beyond my guesses. Sounds like time for a chat in your patient portal pointing out the low cortisol levels and what does your MO/team think about it.

[MJCA in reply to CAMPSOUPS]

Yep. Did that Friday evening after I viewed my results!! There’s no one looking after me, so I HAVE to be on top of things.

[MateoBeach in reply to MJCA]

The dexamethasone you are taking with the chemo naturally suppresses cortisol (via suppressing ACTH). This is not a problem, just a self regulating mechanism. Chemo indeed sucks. Just get through it and do what you can each day. You will recover from it. Except if you start to develop peripheral neuropathy. That is very bad and permanent and should call for immediate stop or switch to a different chemo.

[MJCA in reply to MateoBeach]

Thanks! I appreciate your reply.

[Tall_Allen]

You should be getting corticosteroids with chemo - they will negate any cortisol production of course.

[MJCA in reply to Tall_Allen]

🤦🏻‍♂️oh I thought the steroids increased cortisol levels. Thanks!

[Tall_Allen in reply to MJCA]

Cortisol acts similarly to artificial corticosteroids, but is detected as a separate substance. Artifical corticosteroids send a message to the pituitary to stop producing cortisol in the adrenals by negative feedback.

[Baldylocks]

It sounds like things are promising brother. I’m happy for you. May I ask how the kidney disease came about?

[MJCA in reply to Baldylocks]

Thank you!I have no kidney issues. I have no idea how that tag showed up. Tried to edit it🤦🏻‍♂️

[Baldylocks in reply to MJCA]

The glitches of life that we’re made to roll with, be well brother.

[Peeffervescence]

Congrats! I finished chemo in mid-February and so far ( fingers crossed) the results have been great. It’s not fun doing chemo. I felt like crap for a week and then was slowly recovering over the next two weeks before starting again.

Best wishes for continued improvement!

[j-o-h-n in reply to Peeffervescence]

What a peeculiar userID.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 05/16/2023 7:58 PM DST

[MJCA in reply to j-o-h-n]

Dude

I saw this message last. Keep your comments to yourself. I find you insulting.

[j-o-h-n in reply to MJCA]

To remedy your feelings regarding my attempt at humor I would recommend that when you see my UserID just bypass me..... As I said the other day my wife also calls me Dude but she leaves off the "e"..... Keep on Keeping on......

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 05/16/2023 10:35 PM DST

[Newdiag-NC]

Hi! It sounds like you and my husband are on the same regimen. He also completed his 3rd Docetaxel infusion last Friday. His PSA rose a bit before the first 2 infusions and dropped slightly before his third. I hope you will keep us posted on your progress. Chemo is tough!

Sherry

[MJCA in reply to Newdiag-NC]

I wish your husband well. He’s lucky to have you. I am doing this all on my own.

[Newdiag-NC in reply to MJCA]

I cannot begin to imagine the many ways THAT is tough! Hoping the best possible results for you, nearly half way through!

[j-o-h-n]

Hey Mark...... some advice for you.....If your abbreviation TBH means To Be Honest that's the main reason no one wants to chill with you. There is never a reason to say TBH here since we always are straight shooters. Anyone who uses that expression is telling people that normally he/she is dishonest. Want a pal? Get a cute little dog for a pal and walk it in an area where single people hang out. You'll get plenty of attention and that's the time to make your move. Don't forget to clean/pick up after the dog.....

Good Hunting.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 05/16/2023 7:54 PM DST

[MJCA in reply to j-o-h-n]

That’s funny. I worked as a Corporate Controller/CFO for 30+ years. My honesty was never doubted. I post on this site, use an acronym and you basically infer I am untruthful. Wow. I have 3 cats - they just don’t go for walks. I don’t much either - chemo has affected my balance which doesn’t help when you already walk with a cane.

[j-o-h-n in reply to MJCA]

I wasn't inferring that you're untruthful...... just using the expression "To be Honest" leaves people with the impression that the person saying that is normally not honest. That's it.... No harm No foul......

I too suffer from loss of balance and use a cane to warn people I'm falling again......And when I was young I had terrific balance. So the moral of the story is don't get old.

Since you were a CFO you may appreciate this story.

A man is being interviewed by the human resources dept. for a position in their company.

They ask him what position is he looking for.

Man responds CEO.

HRS reply's We can't make you CEO.

Man responds Okay then President.

HRS reply's We can't make you President.

Man responds Okay then a Senior Vice President.

HRS reply's We can't make you a Senior Vice President.

Man responds I'll be a son of a bitch.......

So they made him an auditor.

I think you should trade in your three cats for a small puppy dog. Stay well!!!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 05/16/2023 10:25 PM DST

[Lilliwaup]

Have you looked at the NCCN guidelines? I think that the standard of care is now a triplet therapy. Chemo, ADT and daralutimide.

[MJCA in reply to Lilliwaup]

Thanks. I was on Erleada for 4.5 years. My PSA started rising. After all that time, I was experiencing bad SE. Tried darolutamide, after 2 weeks it made me so depressed, I was ready to eat a gun. I am still on Lupron.

[Lilliwaup in reply to MJCA]

I know the feeling. On orgovyx and daralutimide for 6mos. It sure ain't for sissies.

[witantric]

Great result. Hope the good results keep coming. God bless!

[kcareer]

From the onset, I did chemo by Taxo drug for 6 cycles. At the same time I was still taking Xtandi 120 mg every day. My PSA dropped from 117 to 5. The side effects were hair loss, and general fatigue. Right now I am on Lupron every 4 months, Xgiva every 4 months, Xtandi 120 mg every day. My PSA has come down to 0.09. My PSA has been like this for over one year. I hope this is helpful to you.