Starting Third Month of Orgovyx--Update

[mababa]

Blood test after two months shows PSA of 1.45, down from 16.5--over a 90% drop. So, the medication is working as advertised. I believe their own stats indicate an approx. 98% drop in 90 days. This week's visit with my new MO nurse practitioner went well. She was very happy with the PSA results and said my current blood work looked excellent. My 28 doses of RT, which was supposed to start next month, are now delayed until August. The delay is due to scheduling issues with the Barrigel gel (a spacer for protection of the rectum) procedure. Won't go into the frustrations of my trying to coordinate schedules with a vacation-happy doctor, his staff, and a Barrigel representative (who has to be there during the procedure--?) along with my RO.

So, starting the third month on Orgovyx. SEs are hot flashes (flushes?), fatigue, occasional dizziness, random heart racing, brain fog, and increasing incidences of melancholy. Oh, and I no longer have any sexual fantasies, making me a different sort of animal now. No gastro affectations to report. Fatigue is probably the most pronounced side effect. Yet, over the last two weeks, somehow, my wife and I were able to construct a flagstone paving project that we completed yesterday. Some two tons of course gravel were removed, then replaced with fine gravel and two tons of stone. Granted, I wasn't sure I would make it back into the house last evening. (We did ask ourselves occasionally what the F we were doing, given that we're in our seventies.)

At any rate, so far so good on the Orgovyx. I opted for this in lieu of Lupron because of the high level of single dosing required and its pronounced SEs. Medicare Part D now has me paying $678 out of pocket for it. It should go to zero once I hit the $3k threshold.

[WisdomSeeking]

If hot flashes were intolerable then you can try estrogen patches.

[maley2711]

I'm on verge of 1st shot before RT......which Part D do you have? That sucks re your RO's frequent vacations interfering with your care!!!

[mababa in reply to maley2711]

I’m becoming aware of how important being our own advocate is in today’s healthcare. My RO is actually great. Her staff has tried to assist. Re Part D, I’m using Aetna’s Silverscript Saver. Its premium is virtually zero because I didn’t need specialty medicines until this year. Orgovyx is a specialized drug and falls outside of covered tiers. Next renewal I’ll note the drugs I need and make sure the plan I select covers them. Also expect to be paying a larger premium.

[maley2711 in reply to mababa]

Thanks so much!! Anyway, your Aetna D is covering this , correct? Just a large copay until $3000 is reached.....then no copay? Ithink such drugs are considered Tier 5.....or 6.

[mababa in reply to maley2711]

Yep. That’s what I expect.

[vintage42]

I was on Orgovyx alone for 2 months with negligible side effects, then added Abiratarone 2 months ago, still with negligible side effects. I have Medicare and a Supplement, and each drug costs me $75 per month.

[dhccpa in reply to vintage42]

Not bad for Orgovyx. What Plan D do you have, and what state?

Or do other meds help get you to the upper limit on Rx drugs? Thanks

[vintage42]

So what I have is:

Original Medicare: Hospital Insurance (Part A), Medical Insurance (Part B)

Drug Insurance (Part D): Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (PDP)

Other Insurance: Anthem Blue Cross Medicare Supplement (KY)

I don't know about limits. All my drugs are mostly little or no cost except the specialty pharmacy drugs for cancer.

[podsart]

does your cariologist have any concerns re "random heart racing"?

[Boonster in reply to podsart]

Good question. Could be AFib. I suspect there might be serious side effects associated with Orgovyx that will gradually emerge -- in addition to Long QT Syndrome.

But let us hope for the best!

[mababa in reply to podsart]

She does. I’ve been asked to start tracking my blood pressure. I appreciated that she’s hesitant to pile on any more drugs until my next checkup in two months.

[podsart]

thanks; good luck