Experience, thus far with Lupron and Abiraterone

[Sanctus]

I am 78 years old. I was diagnosed in May 2022 with PCa after my PSA was measured at 23.79. I have no other health issues. Following the determination that PCa was still within the prostrate capsule and had not spread to any other organ, I was placed on Lupron (6 monthly IM injections for 2 years). Clinically, I will be receiving the last Lupron injection in January 2024 per my MO. The Lupron injection worked like a charm with an immediate reduction in urinary frequency, which was replaced with debilitating, but manageable hot flashes! I was also placed on Abiraterone 500 mg + 5 mg of prednisone daily. I have gained about 7 pounds in the stomach area, which is stubborn to shed. Man, do I try? Furthermore, I do experience some sleeplessness.

I am waiting for proton therapy, which I understand would be sometime in June 2024. My overall treatment experience so far has been positive, if anything is positive about PCa. My last measured PSA was 0.01 and my testosterone was below the detection level of their analytical machine So far, I am positive about the outcome of my treatment regimen, but not naive though.

I wish you all in this life's journey a Merry Christmas and a happy prosperous "curative" 2024.

Cheerio all!

[hopefull99]

Glad to hear you are on the right track.

I have been on Zytiga and Lupron for 18 months and just finished Proton therapy in San Diego area. Zytiga and Lupron had reduced the size of metastases significantly and radiations should have taken care of the rest.

Since your PCa is contained, you should be fine.

[jackwfrench in reply to hopefull99]

Hello- on lupron/zyt 4 mo now and assume my 2 metastases are smaller and spots in lower left sacrum are too (not contained) did your team suggest the follow up proton therapy? Did they only focus on metastases targets? Thx

[hopefull99 in reply to jackwfrench]

I just completed my 39 sessions of proton therapy where they radiated the entire prostate bed and the 3 metastases.

Yes, my team did recommend radiation ... I took the initiative of asking for proton therapy, as the side effects are fewer because radiation pattern is much more precise.

[Chrisbaird]

Hi Sanctus I was diagnosed sept 2020 similar PSA reading 23. Been on zytiga ( 1000gm ) daily for first 3 months then ( 500gm ) since. H T injection 3 monthly, for last 2.5 years PSA has been undetectable . Hot flushes worse in summer months but still get them overnight winter periods , energy and sleeping more worst effects good luck in continues success

[Phillipsman1]

I had proton therapy at Emery in Atlanta in April and May of 2022.

Everything is good so far.

No side effects other than having problems with sex.

[MarkS]

Excuse my ignorance, but why are you on Abiraterone? I thought this was just a treatment for advanced prostate cancer that had stopped responding to other types of hormone therapy (according to my booklet)? I'm in the UK so procedures may be different elsewhere.

I'm pleased to hear that the Lupron had reduced your urinary frequency. I have just started it with 3 monthly injections. So far, no hot flushes 🤞

[FlowerPowerBB]

I completed ADT (Lupron and Abiraterone, with Prednisone) with proton beam treatment to small mets to lymph nodes in the lower abdomen from Jan 22 - May 22. This was a second recurrence of my PCA, diagnosed in 2008 and treated with prostatectomy and IMRT. PSA undetectable after RP in 2008, showed a rise (.2) and increasing doubling time in 2013, and was treated with Samarium 153 infusion, followed by another round of IMRT. Some scarring of the lower colon with bleeding about a year later. Bleeding was corrected with Argon gas cauterization, with no further occurrence. PSA dropped to undetectable again until 2021.

In 2021, a scan detected small mets in lymph nodes, but no other symptoms. Now 18 months after the experience (ADT/proton beam radiation), PSA is still undetectable, and Testosterone is moving upward (140) toward the pre-ADT level (479). So at this time, PCA seems controlled, possibly cured. Only time will tell.

My experience of the Proton Beam radiation was without complications, and much less damaging than the IMRT. I highly recommend LOTS of muscle maintenance/building exercises during and after the ADT phase. I am still dealing with loss of strength, especially noticeable in large muscle (legs) areas.

Best wishes for a successful experience.

By the way, just turned 80 in Oct 23.

[Nfler in reply to FlowerPowerBB]

Excellent, merry Christmas

[j-o-h-n]

And a happy Christmas to you too Santactus (keep away from the cookies).....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 12/23/2023 12:43 PM EST

[Nfler]

proton radiation is an excellent way to go, if I ever have to do radiation ☢️ again proton it will be. Dr Rossi here in San Diego is one of the pioneers in the treatment and is excellent in his explaining the therapy. Pcri has him as a special guest speaker regularly, you can Google or look him up on you tube… good luck n merry Christmas