I have been at Stage 4 for 7 1/2 years. and a succession of Xtandi, Nubequa, and Zytega along with Lupron has kept my PSA under two although each has eventually failed (PSA quickly rising above 1.0). My recent blood draw resulted in a jump from 0.78 to 1.29 while I was on the Aberaterone/prednisone protocol.
I have an MO appointment this upcoming week. What might she recommend as the next step in the journey. I have not had any chemo therapy. Thanks for your input.
The PSA is still low. You need to wait until there is evidence of radiographic progression of the cancer. Then after the scans perhaps if there are few mets they could be irradiated which could help to prolong your actual therapy.
Find out what’s causing the rise, get a PSMA scan. If it shows a met or a couple of mets in areas they can radiate consider getting SBRT radiation to those spots. I became resistant a couple of years ago after 6+ years of being undetectable. I’ve had SBRT twice since then each time my PSA has retreated to almost undetectable levels. I’ll continue to do this as long as I can, easy peasy form of treatment.
I had early chemo per CHAARTED back in 2015 and it was pretty rough, by far the toughest treatment I’ve been through.
Ed
what did you find tough about the chemo ? I read many say it was not so tough
"... succession of Xtandi, Nubequa, and Zytega along with Lupron... have not had any chemo therapy."
I would like to add Nubeqa to my ADT, but am told I can only do that if I also add the chemo docetaxel. I wonder how you were able to get Nubeqa without chemo.
Don't let them scare you with those low numbers like so many do. Docetaxel is a life robbing drug and I would avoid it at all cost. There are so many better ways. But , I can't say it on here.
Life robbing for some. Others have good results and that is there only offered option.
I wish there was something else. I am hopeful I will be able to get Lu-177 next time. At the moment it’s only available in a trial.
You guys are the toughest. God be with you.
Two of my friends got kicked off and attacked when not agreeing to big pharma protocols so I know what it's all about.
My docetaxel experience has been relatively benign. Yes, the side effects can be many... You may not experience the worst of them all. You also have the option to stop treatment if the nominal side effects become too much, and certainly if you experience any of the more concerning side effects.
Individual side effects will vary... as it was explained to me going in... That six treatments in three week increments I would probably feel like shit for six months...
In my case, I had what I called chemo dips... First few days post treatment...still up and running... a few days later...a tiredness that did not resolve with rest... then back up and running... Just in time to do it again... Bouts of diarrhea were common place... Requiring additional electrolyte replenishing...
My last two sessions, number 4 and 5 were a breeze... Number 1 primed the pump... 2 and 3, essentially over the pending Christmas holidays were a bit rough, I had a mild covid variant that added on to the tiredness factor.
Yes, my hair, what I had of it, started to fall out, so I shaved it off. I did experience dry mouth and some temporary taste changes on foods I am familiar with.
The results have been effective.. after two chemo treatments and one Lupron shot I went into treatment three with a PSA number of < 0.1 (undetectable) from 0.3
pre chemo start.
I had an RP surgery in October of 2022 resulting in a PSA number of < 0.1 down from 13.0. within months post op I had a chemical resurgence of prostate cancer rapidly increasing my PSA from < 0.1 to 0.13 to 0.25 to 0.3.
My oncologist put a face on it...
Prostate cancer ductal variant stage IV. Gleason score 8.
Again, my last reading was <0.1 . I've had a second Lupron shot and three additional docetaxel treatments and will be completing my sixth treatment on February 14th...
So... What can I say... Other than try it... You might like it.
If not... You can stop it...
In my case they draw blood pre treatment, run the results immediately, insure everything is well, before they turn on the juice... About an hour and a half later I'm out and about.
I'm feeling a lot better too...
Best wishes...
Ron
Just completed session 6 today. I guess other than PSA (.41 today) being low and staying low I will not truly know what it occuring until CT scan and bone scans. They are coming early March.
You are so lucky.
Docetaxel vs Zytiga
Finished 8 Rounds of Docetaxel
Chemo with docetaxel?
Docetaxel 
