What’s the pros and cons of Casodex a... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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What’s the pros and cons of Casodex and Lupron as the only treatment for Gleason 4+5 (9).

RealtorDude profile image
157 Replies

I was diagnosed with PC, March 2022. Gleason 4+5 (9). Urologist wanted to do a radical prostatectomy. I chose to change my diet, exercise and lifestyle to a plant-based detox from chemicals in my food and in my house. My PSA went from 13.7 to 100 in one year. It metastasized to my pelvic area and seminal vessel. August 1, 2023 the doctor started me on Casodex, in one week and my PSA went from 100 down to 50. I get my PSA checked this Thursday August 31st and a 3 month dose/injection of Lupron.

My question is, will Casodex and Lupron kill the PC cancer? How long will I have to take these drugs? What’s next for me?

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157 Replies
Yzinger profile image
Yzinger

I'll let other with more knowledge answer but you are for sure in the right place.

Not all of it. You missed your best chance, of a durable remission/cure which is really really sad. Depending on where the mets are (hopefully just lymph nodes) you might still have a chance of a durable remission with radiation to the prostate and your pelvic area in addition to a 2 year period of hormone therapy.

Otherwise there will be additional hormones then chemo, another round of a different hormone, some radio ligand therapy, chemo and unless you have something genetically targetable or something new is developed they will run out of things to try.

fireandice123 profile image
fireandice123

Casodex/Lupron will kill some PCa, even most of it, but it will not kill it all. There is no cure for metastatic PCa. Your PSA can go down very low, even to undetectable while on it but if you stop it most likely will start back up because there are still PCa cells in your body just waiting for your testosterone level to start coming back up so they can start to grow. At this point it's a matter of trying to keep it under control for as long as you can. It's a permanent chronic condition. For some it can be a very long time. For others it's not very long. At some point you will most likely become castrate resistant and move to other treatments but you will probably remain on Lupron. Even when it can't keep things completely under control it still does help to some degree.

Most likely you will be on Lupron or something like it for the rest of your life. I take vacations from it, which is somewhat controversial. (see my profile) At some point I expect that not be an option for me and I'll be on Lupron permanently. You also may look into adding a second generation ADT med like Zytiga or Xtandi. I was on Zytiga and Lupron initially but have only been on Lupron for about the last 5 years. There's also the options of chemo and radiation. I had 20 rounds of radiation. And there are other options along the way to consider. You really need to get a medical oncologist (MO) handling your treatment rather than just a urologist. With so many options to consider a urologist just doesn't have the expertise that a MO has. My urologist diagnosed me with PCa and immediately referred me to a MO for treatment. I still see my urologist but just for general urological health.

JohnInTheMiddle profile image
JohnInTheMiddle

You need a medical oncologist ASAP. As implied above by the great earlier replies. Urologists are great but their specialty is surgery.

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964

No drug will "kill" Pca. Casodex and Lupron will cut of testosterone to the cancer. your cancer should go into remission. For how long is not known, months, years? If your PSA starts to rise, you may have to move on to other drugs, zytiga, xtandi, etc.

You are still relatively young so don't be a hurry to be treated with radiation. The long term effects are not pleasant. I don't think you are a candidate for cryosurgery.

Good luck and stick with the ADT drugs for now.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toMagnus1964

Thank you Magnus! 1964 same here if that’s the year you were born. I like your comments!

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toRealtorDude

1964 is the year I was graduated from high school.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toMagnus1964

Got ya. I was born in 1964

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toRealtorDude

I forgot to respond to question of diet and lifestyle. I turned vegan days after being diagnosed. That was rough, vegetarian is much easier. I try to eat fresh organic foods, not hard where I live, Amish farms all around. Moderate exercise, meditation to calm the nerves is important.

I did add fish to my diet a few years later. Most of all enjoy the journey.

London441 profile image
London441 in reply toMagnus1964

Absolutely correct that you ‘shouldn’t be in a hurry to be treated with radiation’ anymore. Being in a hurry to do it in March of ‘22 instead of self treatment with diet and lifestyle changes for a year while the Pca had its way would have made sense. The RP did not, nor the Casodex, even if it has produced initial results that impress you.

Find an oncologist who specializes in this disease at a center of excellence if you can. You need better navigation.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toLondon441

Thank you, that’s my goal.

London441 profile image
London441 in reply toRealtorDude

Good! By the way, I never want to be critical of self care, only when it's in place of medicine as opposed to augmenting it. To that end, remember: The exercise is by far the most important part of what's in your control. As much as you safely can...

Nfler profile image
Nfler

I had a prostatectomy year n half ago, radiation ☢️ n adt year ago. Did the adt for 7 months couldn’t get the psa below .5 and felt like crap. Did heavy research 🔬 on what might kill PCa and came across this article on ivermectin being repurposed as a potential cancer ♋️ drug and decided to incorporate it in my regimen. My psa immediately dropped to.11 n then.10 within 2 weeks, then decided to get off adt and just use ivermectin and psa went up to 1.9 and has worked it’s way down to 1.47 currently after 8 months. In the past when I would get off adt it would shoot up to 6-7. I also added cbd oil, turmeric, zinc and now the pits of fruits such as peach, apricot, plums n cherries 🍒 for the amygdalin that the body converts to a natural chemo therapy. So don’t b discouraged n listen to all these naysayers as there are many ways to treat this aggressive cancer ♋️ n new treatments coming out regularly. Look up all my posts n others with the same mind frame and you’ll b very encouraged that you’ll possibly be able to live a long time n maybe even cure it before times end… good luck and lmk if I can b of anymore help… not to mention football 🏈 season is just around the corner…😁😎🏈🏈🏉🏉

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toNfler

Nfler, thank you for your positive upbeat response. I like your outside the box 📦 thinking. These other guys have put me in the grave already. I have the same mindset as you. I was told by my urologist that it was aggressive from the beginning. My urologist and most of the guys on this blog follow conventional medicine and refuse to study the natural remedies that they call quackery. If you read my bio, I have been treating myself naturally. I found I had a hernia in my scrotum that caused lots of pain and discomfort when I drank my juice., I quit drinking my highly potent vitamin loaded fresh vegetable juice for 7 months because of the pain and worked on reducing stress, bitterness and unforgiveness. That helped me spiritually, but it metastasized causing me to start the Casodex and Lupron. In one week on Casodex only, my PSA went from 100 to 50. I am able to drink my juice again! So along with the drugs and a ton on natural protocol, I believe God and I can beat this. I’ve heard of ivermectin treating cancer ♋️ but haven’t added it to my regimen yet, maybe I will. Another guy mentioned the circulating tumor cell test, which I think I’m going to try also. It will give you a report on what natural remedies and conventional medicines that are effective against specific cancers. I feel the best I’ve ever felt in my life. I’ve lost 45 pounds by cutting out sugars, processed food, meat and dairy. I believe by by ramping up our immune systems, we have a fighting chance at survival and thriving a long time. I look forward to hearing about your success and I’ll keep you posted about mine, God ☦️ willing!

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toRealtorDude

Nfler brings up a great point. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. Don't rely on doctors to guide you into treatments. Learn all you can. NIH databases, and other sources on web are great, watch out for snake oils. But keep on open mind.

dhccpa profile image
dhccpa in reply toNfler

I've been using iver also, almost three years now.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply todhccpa

I would love to hear more about your story taking ivermectin for three years.

garyjp9 profile image
garyjp9 in reply todhccpa

How do you obtain the Iver? Do you need a prescription, and if so, which of your doctors has agreed to order it (PCC, MO, RO, Uro, etc)?

dhccpa profile image
dhccpa in reply togaryjp9

Amazon and other places have it.

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply togaryjp9

I get mine at all day chemists out of India, they’re really good about following up as it takes about 3/4 weeks to arrive. 15-19mg/day 4x/wk is the maintenance dose I use n seems to keep my psa at bay…

garyjp9 profile image
garyjp9 in reply toNfler

Thank you

pakb profile image
pakb in reply toNfler

Results from radiation can take years to show- lots of guys show improvement from radiation in the same timeframe as you did and they didn't do ivermectin. Just as an FYI for those reading this. I agree with London441 that the self care and alternative things should be in conjunction with the treatments that have the best stats.

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply topakb

Yes partially true but in general radiation reduces psa 50%/3months and mine had hit a roadblock at .5 n stayed there for several months. As soon as I started taking ivm it dropped to .11 the first week n then .10 the second week, so the rapid drop is highly likely due to the incorporating of ivm. In retrospect I wish I would’ve given the ivermectin a try prior to all trx, but it is what it is and just glad it’s working solely wo the horrid adt…

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen

You are no longer potentially curable. The goal is now to keep your cancer under control as long as possible.

If your bone scan/CT shows 3 or fewer bone metastases, it will prolong your life to irradiate your prostate. This is called "debulking."

prostatecancer.news/2018/09...

In addition, you will live longer if you undertake triplet therapy - Lupron+ docetaxel + abiraterone or darolutamide.

prostatecancer.news/2021/05...

Casodex is a weak drug - like bringing a butterknife to a gunfight.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toTall_Allen

Thanks, a lot of guys on this blog listen to your advice. I got an MO in May 2023. He’s the one that got me on Casodex and Lupron. Just one week on Casodex my PSA went from 100 to 50. Can’t wait till tomorrow to see where it is in one month. I’m curious why you call Casodex a butter knife when it dropped my PSA 50 points in one week? I was pretty excited. What’s the reason he put me on both?

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toRealtorDude

Casodex is an older ADT drug. But remember, you're not trying to "kill" the you're trying to put it into remission. Stick with Casodex, if your PSA shows 3 consecutive rises, then switch to newer drug like zytiga.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toMagnus1964

Thank you that’s the course we are taking as a right now

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toMagnus1964

Making up protocols like that is what caused the OPs problems. The rest of us rely on clinical trials and medical science.

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toTall_Allen

What "made up" protocol? I am speaking personal experience. That is how I was treated and lasted for 30 years.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toMagnus1964

The protocol comes from medical scientists and doctors in holistic and naturopathic medicine with decades of clinical trials and studies. I appreciate this blog for sharing the conventional medicine protocol also. You would think that the intellectual men on this site would be open minded and research naturopathic medicine or as least integrative medicine as well. They chose to be close minded or have their own self righteous opinions or agendas which shocks me. Because I stated there’s an alternative, watch how they attack me.

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toRealtorDude

I would think you would be humbled by what you did to yourself - I guess some people never learn.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toTall_Allen

Just using my God given common sense to not be like a sheep led to slaughter. God bless you Tall Allen

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toRealtorDude

You obviously didn't need to be led - your "common sense" is killing you.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toTall_Allen

Have you always been a bully?

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply toRealtorDude

Haha 😂 from what I can tell, yes…bully and know it all, little does he know…

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toMagnus1964

Fortunately, medical protocols have improved a lot since 30 years ago.

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toTall_Allen

... and I have moved with them, and benefited from them.

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toMagnus1964

Unfortunately, one of the things you could not have benefited from is the learning that second generation hormone therapy must be used when first diagnosed to have maximum benefit.

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toTall_Allen

Not for me. I was on Casodex for 5 years until it failed. After Casodex I went on zytiga. That lasted for 3 1/2 years to failing. After zytiga failed I went on xtandi for 4 years till failing. Not bad for going to Casodex first.

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toMagnus1964

How can you possibly know what would have happened?

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toTall_Allen

Agreed, not everyone is the same. We all have different diets and lifestyles. The studies that you produced can not take in effect for that. So we don't know what is best for every case. It's an individual's decision, not one protocol fits all as you claim.

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toRealtorDude

That's why God invented the randomized clinical trial. Because of the way statistics work, if there is a large enough random sample, odds are that vegans (or whatever) are equally represented in the treatment group and the control group. Statistics only predict for the average, not the individual, but you have to have a good reason for gambling that you are significantly different from the average. The average is usally reported with a spread such that 95% of patients fall within it. In your case, the gamble clearly didn't work.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toTall_Allen

It’s not over yet. I’m still here doing what everyone else is, trial and error. You put me in the grave already. All the men on here are doing the same with the drugs and treatment they or their doctors decide what’s best for them.

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toTall_Allen

We all respond differently to treatments. I am just sharing my experience.

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply toMagnus1964

Good job Magnus, we all or atleast most of us know there are many different routes to treat this disease and not one size fits all. Your living proof the Casodex is very effective and in some ways more effective than the newer drugs especially in heart disease… so your much more credible than someone that’s trying to poo poo on it…

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toNfler

Thank you. Some on this list tend to "believe" in science. But science is not to be believed, it is to be constantly challenged and tested.

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply toMagnus1964

That’s exactly right, thank God even the Drs n experts will admit they don’t know the cure and are only going w soc. It’s really up to us to take the science, do the research, work w our team on what’s best

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toNfler

First learn how to do the research.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toTall_Allen

Tall Allen I don’t wanna get in any more debates with you, but since you seem to be hallowed by so many people on this blog, I’ll just say this. You are close minded, you haven’t shown anything where you researched naturopathic medicine. Where is your science based evidence on naturopathic medicine? I have. You must have some agenda or you just get off on belittling people. I wish you all the best.

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toRealtorDude

I have no doubt that naturopathic medicine, like homeopathy and voodoo, has some placebo effect. It's amazing to me that you still think it works when it was responsible for your current terminal diagnosis. There has been research on this:

prostatecancer.news/2018/07...

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toTall_Allen

I’ve been reading all of the posts on this site for months. The science that you follow, and the outcomes are not saving all their lives. Some respond to conventional medicine, some respond to naturopathic. Not everybody on here is being healed. I’v watched people that have been on here and have died and some are getting worse by the science that you follow. You keep defending it because there’s money in pharmaceuticals. What is your agenda? If there’s another way, why not talk about all of it, not just the one that brings in billions in revenue?

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toRealtorDude

Pharmaceuticals have saved lives. There is always a balance between benefits and risks. In trials, usually sponsored by the pharmaceutical companies that you make up all sorts of conspiracy theories about, information is collected on both. Metastatic prostate cancer is a lethal disease and the drugs that prolong life often have side effects.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toTall_Allen

Exactly why everyone should have all science not just the science that follows the money. One thing we can all agree on, we have a choice and you don't have all the answers. I am concerned about your motives.

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toRealtorDude

You've got it backwards. Drug companies make money when the drugs they make are more safe and more effective than alternatives.

There is no such thing alternate science, only alternate hypotheses. Science is our method for testing alternative hypotheses.

I am concerned that you have let conspiracy theories get in the way of your health, and pray it's not too late

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toMagnus1964

Science is a process and a way of determining physical truths. While what we find and agree to be true may change, the process of science has served humanity well for about 500 years. Processes have improved over time but the basic scientific method has not.

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply toTall_Allen

That’s partially true but we humans have been studying n practicing medicine for well over 2k years, so don’t let your research stop at 500…

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toNfler

The pages of journals are filled with tests of folk cures. The theory that humors cause illness has been discredited. Ayurvedic, Chinese, and other folk medicines have been thoroughly tested, sometimes giving us cures (e.g., velvet bean for l-dopa).

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply toTall_Allen

You bring a lot of knowledge to this forum but you seem to be limited in your research and it absolutely baffles me w your intellect that you don’t study n research ivermectin’s effectiveness and possible repurposing of an anti cancer drug. It’s history n safety has been studied probably more than any other drug other than maybe aspirin…

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toNfler

Exactly!

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toNfler

There has never been a completed clinical trial for ivermectin for prostate cancer. You may as well say that baking soda cures prostate cancer. Proof!

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toTall_Allen

Scientists have produced their share of snake oil.

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toTall_Allen

And in our highly capitalistic society, many of today's "scientists" follow the money. They produce the results their "sponsors" want.

Jack54 profile image
Jack54 in reply toMagnus1964

AMEN

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toTall_Allen

Yes science has served humanity well for hundreds of years, until capitalists started to buy the outcomes of research.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toMagnus1964

Exactly!

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toNfler

Casodex is never as effective as modern drugs. This was proven in mHSPC:

nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/N...

And in CRPC:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/268...

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply toTall_Allen

Well ask Magnus about its effectiveness And do you take into consideration the strong possibility of developing heart disease, suicidal tendencies, night sweats, absolutely feeling horrible just to name a few of the side effects from the newer drugs, and those are just some of the ones we know of from science 🧬…

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toNfler

The only way to know is look at a clinical trial where hundreds of patients, not just Magnus, received one and hundreds received the other, and compare the two groups. Anecdotes should not drive treatments. The trials always look at side effects as well as efficacy.

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply toTall_Allen

That’s not the only way to know, It’s just the system that’s in place now but with pharmaceuticals influencing n funding a lot of these trials they are flawed and they are not 💯 % in the interest of the patient. Furthermore they absolutely will not test a drug or remedy if it’s natural or inexpensive in price, such as the case w ivermectin and Covid. You of all people should know that vaccines take 10 years to be tested and approved and they were able to get it thru after9 months as an emergency trx.The only way that can be done is if no other trx or medication works during a pandemic which ivermectin seemed to work pretty well but was just shut down n chastised without doing any clinical trials. otherwise the vaccines 💉 wouldn’t have been approved as that’s not in their mo. So don’t b so black n white on what you think needs to be done as that’s not the case all the time…casodex seemed to work very well for Magnus with a lot less side effects, obvious choice for him

in reply toNfler

Nfler, I couldn't have said it better. It gets old arguing with the so called educated science followers. Pharmaceutical companies are not in it for the interest of the patient, they are in in for profit. I thank God for medical research and discernment of truth vs lies. There is good science and there is bad. We must be diligent to find the truth.

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toNfler

It's how science works, as developed over the last 500 years.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toTall_Allen

There’s a lot of guys dying following today’s science. Big Pharma won’t let any natural medicine make it to the market because it can be produced for next to nothing. There’s no money in natural medicine. We need to remove toxins from our bodies, feed it nutrients to build the immune system so we can fight diseases. Not all, but a lot of drugs that you recommend, destroy the immune system and weaken the body so it can’t fight. NO THANK YOU!!

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toRealtorDude

I prefer science to your hunches.

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toTall_Allen

I for one would not throw Casodex into the dustbin.

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toMagnus1964

Fortunately, doctors follow clinical trials.

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply toTall_Allen

That’s just your opinion, not everyone’s so naive…

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toTall_Allen

Follow the money.

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toMagnus1964

Follow the science.

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply toTall_Allen

We try when it’s legitimate

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toNfler

You are demonstrating the Dunning-Kruger Effect: those with a small amount of knowledge are certain they know better than experts

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunni...

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toTall_Allen

You’re promoting destroying the immune system so you have no other choice but more drugs.

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply toTall_Allen

Not at all, I’m demonstrating a wide variety of education n research, just not limited soc, because thus far soc is not working. I’m looking for ways to eliminate the cancer ♋️ not just suppress it for a year or two at the expense of destroying my internal organs (especially heart), loss of muscle n brain function. Not to mention dementia, Alzheimer’s just to name a few of the SE’s…

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toNfler

Good luck doing that without medical science.

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply toRealtorDude

"What’s the reason he put me on both?" Idk. He is possibly ignorant of the advances in the last 20 years, or he possibly suspects you will continue to ignore better therapies. Either way, you should discuss this with him or find a better MO at a center of excellence.

Boywonder56 profile image
Boywonder56

Whats next for you.......did no one explain to you gl 9 is very agressive...they should have...diet & " no chemicals"....might help along wit treatment....but NOW ....its lots of chemicals....hope the best for you...wish i had had your chance ...

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

Location, Location, Location...................Get a good M.O.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 08/29/2023 6:15 PM DST

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toj-o-h-n

I got one in May 2023. He’s the one that got me on Casodex and Lupron. Just one week on Casodex my PSA went from 100 to 50. Can’t wait till tomorrow to see where it is in one month.

pakb profile image
pakb in reply toRealtorDude

Did the MO not suggest treatments along with the ADT?

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply topakb

Not at this time

pakb profile image
pakb in reply toRealtorDude

I'm surprised MO isn't recommending the standard of care. Especially now that you have mets. You've gotten some good advice to ask at your next appt with your MO. And this is the best forum for advice in my opinion!

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply topakb

Thank you and for everyone for your advice 🙏

Justfor_ profile image
Justfor_

13.7 to 100 in one year is a bit over 4 months doubling time (PSADT). You have a rough path in front of you. Buckle up.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toJustfor_

👍

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply toJustfor_

You don’t know that for sure, he may come out of this with flying colors, he seems like he’s willing to do what’s needed to conquer this disease

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toNfler

To all the nay sayers, bullies and know it alls. Today I got the best news I’ve had in 18 months. My PSA came down from 100 to 3.9 in 30 days. I’m sure someone here will find a way to rain on my parade. The attached chart is my updated PSA, including today. Today I had my second Lupron injection after 30 days of Casodex and Lupron. I got on my knees and thanked God for the naturopathic protocol and some conventional medicine. Thank you to all the prostate cancer fighters who have been kind and supportive. We need kindness and open minded conversations about all the science, not just one size fits all attitude. God bless each and every person searching for answers.

My PSA chart
Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964 in reply toRealtorDude

Keep up the great work! Stay away from toxic foods, eat fresh and keep a good mindset.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toMagnus1964

Thank you Magnus, I plan on doing exactly that! God bless you sir

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply toRealtorDude

That’s wonderful news and all this on the prehistoric, outdated not as good as new drugs according to some people, casodex. Keep up the good work n great research and most importantly gratefulness…😎😇😇

Lettuce231 profile image
Lettuce231

I'm a bit shocked to read this, you have an aggressive cancer, what a missed opportunity.

I was put on casodex and Lupron, in the beginning , the casodex was like an ash tray on a motorbike. I eventually ended up on Lupron, Zytiga and Prednisone. I think you will too.

You will feel lousy at times, but you'll adapt.

If its any comfort, I started at PSA 150+ now its 0.05, I've been having treatment for approximately 10 years.

I hope many people read of your experience and learn from it. I wish you all the best.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toLettuce231

Thanks Lettuce. What were your side effects of those three drugs? Did you have your prostate removed?

Lettuce231 profile image
Lettuce231 in reply toRealtorDude

I've been on Lupron from day one. Sometimes I felt so tired I couldn't function. I switched the injection to 3 monthly from 6 monthly. It helped, I still get tired just before the jab, but pick up soon afterwards.

With Zytiga and prednisone its difficult to say. Physically we're non of us the same anymore, but you can build up your stamina slowly. You need to let your body adjust to things first, then sort the stamina side out. Walking is a good one, but try to be patient, your about to take a big hit.

Prednisone I've not noticed any difference.

Once you are stable it's the long term effects you need to keep your eye on. I now have osteoporosis and osteoarthritis and high blood pressure. But there are ways to combat that, but not immediately.

It's a marathon not a sprint. Keep us informed about your progress and the medical advice your receiving, there's a lot of experience here.

I wish you well.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toLettuce231

Thank you 🙏

dhccpa profile image
dhccpa in reply toLettuce231

You get tired before the Lupron jab? Not after it? Sounds the opposite of what I would have expected. Or did I misunderstand?

Lettuce231 profile image
Lettuce231 in reply todhccpa

No you didn't misunderstand, I guess its the final days of the drug leaving the body. But that's how it is with me .

🤔

dhccpa profile image
dhccpa in reply toLettuce231

Thanks. In my own case, I'm not sure I've seen a drop or a bounce as shot wears off. Others have mentioned the idea, though.

Lettuce231 profile image
Lettuce231 in reply todhccpa

I would have thought it to be quite natural 🤔

dhccpa profile image
dhccpa in reply toLettuce231

I always thought that as Lupron wears off, you'd suddenly feel more energy. But I've never felt that even when I've run late of getting the next shot (once three weeks late). It may just be imperceptible.

Lettuce231 profile image
Lettuce231 in reply todhccpa

Interesting, but I guess it's because we are not all the same.

Good luck 👍

dhccpa profile image
dhccpa in reply toLettuce231

Yep thanks

Don_1213 profile image
Don_1213 in reply toLettuce231

It's generally accepted that Lupron can take 3-6 months to fully leave the body, so it's unlikely it's the drug wearing off before your next shot.

Lettuce231 profile image
Lettuce231 in reply toDon_1213

Thanks Don, I don't know what it is then, I've just found out that I've got very high blood pressure. I don't know how long its been up at that point. Maybe it has something to do with that.

I've bought a blood pressure testing machine, its come down a little since the medication 💊. I'll have to get to the bottom of it.

All the best.

maley2711 profile image
maley2711 in reply toRealtorDude

Did you have bone and CT scan after your 4+5 biopsy finding. If those scans were clean, then RP might or might not have been a success. Even better, nowadays you would have insurance-qualified for a PSMA PET scan, and if that had not shown any metastases, then an RP would have had even greater chance of success. However, no current scan will tell you with absolute confidence that a cancer has not already metastasized. So, those who are telling you that you could have been "cured" by an early RP have no way of knowing if you would have been one of the men cured by RP. Your Doc was absolutely correct, a 4+5 is high/highest risk, ie most aggressive.

Docs do mostly stick with standard of care treatments/drugs......of course the reason being that generally there are actual well done studies about the effectiveness of such treatments. Alternative medicine/natural remedies simply don't have the studies to support them as equally effective. As long as such alternatives don't make the situation worse (side effects of alternative treatments?), your Docs should not oppose their use, concurrently with the SOC treatments.

What scans have you had, and some detail about the results?

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply tomaley2711

I had a PSMA PET CT scan in May 2023 which showed the metastasis. I had a PSMA PET/CT scan in December 2022 after 10 months of doing my plant-based and juice diet. It did not metastasize as of December 2022. It’s when I quit juicing for 7 months is when I believe it started to leave the prostate bed.

maley2711 profile image
maley2711 in reply toRealtorDude

Sory to hear that> the metastasis was almost certainly there at the time of your 1st PSMA PET, but it was too small for the scan to detect it. Metastasis must grow to millions of PCa cells before it can be seen with even PSMA PET. 4+5 is pretty much the most aggressive , as you have been told. The 5 part is the main problem...eg 3+4 is highly "curable". Sincerely doubt the juice has anything to do with PCa progression.

JolleySprings profile image
JolleySprings

Consider getting a Liquid Blood Biopsy. It will reveal any genetic or cancer mutations. This knowledge can be a game changer for treatment.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude

Thanks Jolly. I’ve heard of it. Do you have a link where I could find the liquid biopsy information?

JohnInTheMiddle profile image
JohnInTheMiddle in reply toRealtorDude

There are some great comments here. And there is also surprise, regret and sadness. I'm in a very similar situation to you in terms of timing and everything. And Gleason 9 and bone mets and initial severe spinal cord risk. I started with PSA 1700 (not a typo) and lots of pain. And with good doctoring and especially a medical oncologist I'm on triplet therapy. No surgery or radiation even. PSA is now zero.

I spend a lot of time, probably too much, reading up on this very complicated thing. Thank heaven for Health Unlocked and MaleCare. I'm very grateful for our Canadian Healthcare. We still have a child at home. It's not guaranteed I'll see them graduate high school.

Your answer to all this should be "I'm looking to find a medical oncologist as soon as possible". The MO (a good one) will figure out the best way forward (see Tall_Allen above). Maybe a liquid biopsy will help. They can figure that out, but it's really a kind of an irrelevant detail.

I'm reminded of the old joke about "the man who represents himself in court ..." ☹️

But I have hope! And I exercise a lot. You can too. And stop being "your own medical oncologist" 🙂

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toJohnInTheMiddle

Thank you John. I started seeing an oncologist in May 2023. My urologist didn’t recommend it, I figured that on my own. So far he’s just saying Casodex and tomorrow I get my 3 month Lupron shot. The 1 month Lupron shot wasn’t noticeable. Just a little tired.

maley2711 profile image
maley2711 in reply toRealtorDude

Talk to your MO about the triplet therapy......and Google will help you find studies, in addition to the summary TA includes on his blog.......check his link.

dhccpa profile image
dhccpa in reply toJohnInTheMiddle

How long have been on triplet therapy? Are you metastatic to bones?

JohnInTheMiddle profile image
JohnInTheMiddle in reply todhccpa

18 months on triplet. Three compromised vertebrae. Are there lesions in lymph modes but heaven forfend no organ or visceral metastases.

dhccpa profile image
dhccpa in reply toJohnInTheMiddle

Thanks, haven't gone the triplet route yet, but it's catching on more and more. Glad it's working well for you.

RayF profile image
RayF

As a side note, if you are working out now, keep it up. If you are not, start immediately! Work on stamina and strength.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toRayF

Thank you, I do push ups mostly because I can just about anywhere anytime. I love yard work, so I’ll definitely keep at it until winter. Then I will be forced to do the boring stuff like weight lifting in my basement. Ugh

JohnInTheMiddle profile image
JohnInTheMiddle in reply toRealtorDude

Push-ups are great! But if you get metastasis to the spine, and end up with several rotted vertebrae, then lifting weights safely becomes extremely problematic. ("Hmmm 🙄 how can I avoid metastasis to the spine?")

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toJohnInTheMiddle

Hopefully a plant-based diet, no sugar, dairy, meat or any animal products at all. High doses of vitamins in 32oz fresh juice every day. Then lots of fresh air, an hour of sunlight and or vitamin D every day. Give and receive Forgiveness, Stress Reduction, Relaxation, Gratitude to God, Everything in Moderation, Help others with their journey. .

Lettuce231 profile image
Lettuce231 in reply toRealtorDude

Make sure if you take vitamins you use the right ones, some are not so good. There might be a previous link on here that could help you.

Just don't expect too much of yourself to begin with. But do stay positive. 👍

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toLettuce231

Thank you 🙏

JohnInTheMiddle profile image
JohnInTheMiddle in reply toRealtorDude

"no sugar" vs "32 oz fresh juice everyday"?

"high doses of vitamins" vs "everything in moderation"?

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toJohnInTheMiddle

Process and refined sugar is the cause of so many diseases. The benefits of the additional vitamins and minerals in the fresh juice in high doses is a good thing. The sugars in fresh vegetables and juices are healthy sugars, not the same as process and refined. Moderation in too much food, sex football, anything that takes you away from and replaces the relationship with God the father.

JohnInTheMiddle profile image
JohnInTheMiddle in reply toRealtorDude

Healthy sugars? Like fructose? Good health and diseases, especially complicated prostate cancer, are a matter of details and science.

The paragraph I've just read (and I'm not including the religious reference) contains a lot of seductive detail-free macro references that can only be classed as ideological. Otherwise known as hype: "healthy sugars", "processed and refined", "fresh", even "moderation".

And in the meantime there's no acknowledgment of multiple suggestions that a medical oncologist is a good idea.

As for the religious perspective recall the importance of humility. Heaven gives us tools to be healthy. And consider that the replies to this thread are heaven's messengers.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toJohnInTheMiddle

Thank you for your input🙏

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply toRealtorDude

God bless you n amen on your mentality n putting things in perspective…

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toNfler

God bless you sir.

jfoesq profile image
jfoesq

I thought triplet therapy is the way to go for newly diagnosed metPC. Am I missing something?

MateoBeach profile image
MateoBeach

Sorry you passed on possible curative primary treatment for a false hope fantasy. Now get to a medical oncologist and get serious. Bicalutamide is probably not your best choice with Lupron at this stage. You have no need for a urologist now.

Derf4223 profile image
Derf4223

For some reason the phrase "Goodbye Mr. Bond" came to my mind. We are all handcuffed to a bad disease called prostate cancer. youtube.com/watch?v=3n4PAGZ...

slpdvmmd profile image
slpdvmmd

IMO you need at least a MO and Radiation oncologist's input. Little or no role for urologists at this point unless you have some catastrophic urinary tract obstruction.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toslpdvmmd

Thank you!

carbide profile image
carbide

Keep coming back, I feel you benifit & learn.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply tocarbide

Thank you 🙏

Derf4223 profile image
Derf4223

What kinds of scans were done before recommending chemo? Its hard to believe that fast-rising PSA is the sole basis for your treatment plan. Going one's own way with PCa is like taking your hands off the wheel of a speeding car. It might work out, but odds are...

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toDerf4223

I had a bone and CT done in April 2022 a PSMA PET/CT scan in December 2022, a PSMA PET/CT in May 2023. I didn’t mention chemo unless Casodex and Lupron are chemo. I’m not going my own way, I’v researched naturopathic and traditional medicine, and making informed decisions on my treatment. I’ve made a complete diet and lifestyle change in the last 18 months (read my bio), which has contributed to my amazing results with these two drugs. I don’t know what the future holds, nor does anybody follow conventional treatment. I just take one day at a time and trust God with the rest.

Derf4223 profile image
Derf4223 in reply toRealtorDude

Casodex and Lupron are chemo drugs in the context of ADT. PCa is complicated, not least because case severities vary widely from one person to another. I definitely trust in God myself -- if it weren't for a reason to get a checkup He sent to me, my fast-advancing PCa would have become symptomatic with a poor prognosis.

Re research, and I am as guilty of this as almost everyone else, I use the internet. Which is a bad thing to do whether one is interested in non-traditional treatments or SOC. I have a good MO who has convinced me beyond a doubt that I am utterly unlikely to find something good for my specific case on the internet.

in reply toDerf4223

Thank for your input, I take all information as knowledge that I can use to help myself and others. God bless!

Nfler profile image
Nfler in reply toDerf4223

NIH and pub med both have great articles on the repurposing of ivermectin as a potential anti cancer ♋️ drug and yes you can find it on the internet n this is a very reliable govt website source

Ashski profile image
Ashski in reply toNfler

Given the recent published study identifying the mechanism by which Ivermectin kills prostate cancer cells, it strikes me that it should be considered as an added treatment for many PC sufferers. The drug satisfies the saying, "first do no harm", it has been around for 50yrs & dosed billions of times for Onchocerciasis etc. And it is cheap.

Urologists etc at this early stage of research are probably not going to prescribe so self prescribing obviously complicates things.

I'm in Active Observation currently & have just attempted to start myself on Ivermectin & order from AllDayChemist.com, unfortunately after 5 weeks nothing has arrived. They are going to refund me. I'll need to find a reliable supplier.

There has been no formal RCT as yet, presumably funding will be an issue because it's a repurposed drug so pharma can't license it. It will need to have government funding. Do philanthropic organisations fund these sorts of things? Gates perhaps? The WHO?

Given the enormous incidence of PC, there must be many wealthy men sufferers who would be happy to step up and fund proper trials. I don't know any to ask.

The cynical conspiracy theorist in me, after watching the past three years of Covid, concludes some health bureaucrats are corrupted by pharma influence, so they probably won't fund it. And trials will need to be done outside the USA. Like how the majority of Covid vaccine side effects studies came from outside the USA & the zone of influence Pfizer et al has. My country Australia would never fund it that's for sure. We banned Ivermectin until very recently via our government drug regulator, the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA), which as it happens is 96% funded by pharma. A worse situation than the FDA.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toAshski

Thank you for your reply. I’ve been hearing a lot about ivermectin for prostate cancer. Because Casodex and Lupron have brought my PSA down to 3.9 from 100 in 30 days, it would be hard to tell if ivermectin works if I put it in my protocol now. I will consider it down the road if my PSA becomes a problem. God bless.

robert570 profile image
robert570

We have a similar story. I was 52 years old when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. 4+5 (9) on the Gleason scale too. My PSA was around 10 before the surgery and fell to 2.56 after. They removed my prostate with robotic surgery soon after because it was aggressive. I had radiation next and soon after that chemo. That was 10 years ago this fall. Im now 62 and have been on various treatments until they failed. The best one was Zytiga with prednisone, which kept my PSA below .50 for almost 5 years. The latest was Pluvicto, which failed miserably. My PSA stands at 10.12 currently. I'm going back on Jevtana until a clinical trial appears. I continue to defy the odds. The mind is the key to survival and that's what my secret is.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply torobert570

I appreciate you sharing your story with me. I will keep your post for future reference if what I am doing starts to lose its effectiveness. In the meantime, I will continue to eat healthy exercise, and reduce stress. God bless you!

Professorgary profile image
Professorgary

I know this post is a month old but I just found it and am quite intrigued. As far as Casodex goes, it is used to prevent tumor flare. When you first go on Lupron your testosterone spikes and without Casodex the tumors grow quite fast before starting to shrink which could cause paralysis if there is a tumor against the spinal cord.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toProfessorgary

Thank you for answering that. You’re the only one who did. When I asked, I just got beat up from the usual know it all.

Professorgary profile image
Professorgary in reply toRealtorDude

Been there myself. There is none so ignorant as he who thinks he knows it all. As far as naturopathic healing goes I personally know of two breast cancer patients who were sent home to die and did not. One went to Mexico and lived 29 years and died at 80. The other was ready to die and someone hooked her up to a female naturopathic doctor who took this dying young lady and took some hair and stool samples and put together a plan. She is now cancer free and looks great. Since you are interested in ways to extend your life I suggest you research tree nut consumption as well as magnesium and curcumin for prostate cancer. Then pair curcumin and celecoxib. I wish you well my friend, God Bless! By the way, I don’t know if you read my profile but my Psa peaked at 5664 and my spine, pelvis, right femur ribs, lymph nodes and lungs had cancer.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toProfessorgary

I just read your bio, you put God first, you’re someone I can relate with. Having that high of a PSA, did you have a prostatectomy or just Casodex and Lupron? I have 5-7 bitter apricot seeds in a smoothie or oatmeal every morning. I take 750mg curcumin, D3+K2, quercetin, B-12, 50mg zinc, 500mg metforman, and flomax every day. Strict plant based diet, exercise, sunshine and prayer. If you read my bio you’ll get my story. What other tree nuts are you talking about?

Professorgary profile image
Professorgary

I never had any treatment until Casodex and Lupron which started June 2022. I started low dose abi last month with 5mg prednisone.My thinking was there is a reason for the cancer and eliminating it and not the cause will end in recurrence as proven by so many on this forum. I have never asked God to heal me and never will because there are so many people more worthy than I who die of cancer everyday. I only ask Him for wisdom in making decisions and to allow me the strength to serve Him. I take 700 mg curcumin extract standardized to 95% with black pepper extract and 6 tree nuts(almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts pecans etc) 4 times a day. The fat in the nuts make the curcumin more bioavaliable. Studies have also shown that patients with advanced prostate cancer who eat nuts 5 times a week live longer than those who don’t. There was a study done by students at John Hopkins U to determine if folks with good gut micrombe have better results on ADT and the answer was yes. The doctor who reviewed the study even suggested fecal transplanting may need to be considered. Of note, while most drugs harm gut flora, Abi actually increases good gut bacteria. Go figure. Keep up the fight, God Bless,Gary.

RealtorDude profile image
RealtorDude in reply toProfessorgary

Thanks for sharing your experience. I agree with your assessment. God will determine what’s best for His kingdom, His grace is sufficient. I eat the tree nuts you mentioned, so I should be good in that category. What is low dose abi? I looked it up on Google and just get more confused.

Professorgary profile image
Professorgary in reply toRealtorDude

The standard dose is 1000 mg with no food for 2 hrs. before and 1 hour after. Low dose is 250 with a 300 cal low-fat breakfast. The foods aids absorption by 4.4. My MO had no problem with it and first month results are great. I don’t eat anything for 2.5 hours after taking Abiraterone/Zytiga.

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