Patches (I'm depending on you, son) - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Patches (I'm depending on you, son)

CrocodileShoes profile image
7 Replies

Dated pop reference - sorry.

While my research has continued, my oncologist has nothing to give me within the SOC to keep the PSA in check.

Now I've witnessed another unwelcome visitor: facial hair (it only took me 70 yrs to start shaving....) Joking aside however, that means the T is on the rise.

I know that some warriors have used Estradiol patches and I wonder if anyone had any suggestions. Would the patch help with lowering T?

My wife uses them for HRT, I thought I might as well join her.....

Any side effects, and can they be bought over the counter?

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CrocodileShoes profile image
CrocodileShoes
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7 Replies
JohnInTheMiddle profile image
JohnInTheMiddle

Hi Croc. Good question. It's important to distinguish between high-dose Estradiol as "ADT replacement" and low-dose Estradiol as "estrogen add-back". Here is a collection of notes on this topic - you will probably want to read up and down each thread to catch what's going on.

healthunlocked.com/advanced...

healthunlocked.com/advanced...

healthunlocked.com/advanced...

healthunlocked.com/advanced...

Lost_Sheep profile image
Lost_Sheep

I am told (from reliable sources) that gynecomastia (breast growth) is pretty much certain unless you take radiation to the breasts (just one zap on each side). Also, some nipple/breast tenderness may be expected. But I THINK that may be transient.

There are oncologists in the U.S. who will prescribe the dosages required to keep testosterone levels down. But it is not SoC (Standard of Care) in the U.S., so good luck finding one. There are some guys on inspire.com and here on healthunlocked.com who could give you names and contact information.

I don't imagine your wife's dosage would be sufficient to lower your testosterone enough to affect the cancer.

I was diagnosed in April with prostate cancer (no evidence of metastasis yet) and had prostatectomy in October 2023. PSA is rising ever since. 1.33, 1.79, 2.1 2.49 so am bound for ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) for sure and probably radiation. But I am lobbying the Veteran's Administration and my Oncologist for TDE (TransDermal Estrogen).

The book, "Androgen Deprivation Therapy - An essential guide for prostate cancer patients and their loved ones" was written by (lead author) Richard J Wassersug who has been on estradiol for 20 years. Be sure to get the third edition, it was updated for the latest information on TDE.

I also speculate that estrogen has as-yet undocumented effects on prostate cancer. I look forward to the publication of the PATCH trial results.

Do an internet search for this trial

Prostate Adenocarcinoma TransCutaneous Hormones (PATCH)

ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT00303784

There are MANY references reporting preliminary results.

In 1941-42 it was discovered that estrogen is an effective controller for prostate cancer and it won a Nobel Prize in 1966 for Dr Huggins. But oral dosing goes through the liver and induces CVT (Cardio-Vascular Thrombosis) in a significant number of patients, so was abandoned when other castration drugs were developed. However TDE goes through the skin and bypasses the digestive system and liver and does not produce CVT. But it has yet to be adopted as Standard of Care (SoC) in the U.S. But, as I mentioned earlier, some oncologists are using it here.

Good luck. And wish me luck getting it for myself.

dhccpa profile image
dhccpa in reply toLost_Sheep

Yes, the key is whether TDE does a better job at survival/progression than ADT. I'm not sure that issue has been hit head on yet.

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

I bought some crocodile shoes.... they come with snaps.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

Break60 profile image
Break60

they lower T big time and you lose some body hair and your boobs grow. You don’t turn into a woman but you need to exercise to keep up your strength . You do lose libido .

CrocodileShoes profile image
CrocodileShoes in reply toBreak60

I already have man boobs, and libido is a distant memory. But as I failed ADT, I wonder if the patches would work? And how do I get them when they're not approved on the NHS?

Ian99 profile image
Ian99 in reply toCrocodileShoes

Have you tried Tamoxifen? For me it reduced the sensitivity and growth.

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