Arcticfox44

[Arcticfox44]

Hello - I'm about to return to the Mayo for the first review since my previous visit last November. As I've reported here, my last major treatment was chemo with cabazitaxel at the Oncology Center in Nicosia, Cyprus, where I live. This was successful: PSA fell from 83 at the start of chemo to about 3. Scans at the Mayo showed nothing visible.

However, in the months since then, PSA has risen above 100, which I believe is the highest ever for me. One cause might be that I briefly stopped Zoladex, skipping the injection which would have been due in January 2024. I have since resumed the injections.

My most troubling symptom is soreness in my lower back, hips and knees. For several weeks I was prescribed Targinact for pain relief, but that drug has become unavailable in Cyprus and I switched to morphine tablets (20 mg twice daily, morning and evening). This has somewhat improved my mobility. The back specialist I see in Cyprus says it's 99 percent certain that the pain is not related to prostate cancer.

During the chemo with cabazitaxel last summer and autumn, I had some bleeding from the bladder and difficulty in urinating as well as urinary tract infection, treated with antibiotics. I still need to urinate quite often. There has been no more blood, but the stream or volume seems slightly below normal, and I want to check again for possible infection.

I should mention that I had two blood transfusions here at the Oncology Center. I am not sure why this was necessary, and I have requested a colonoscopy (my last was at the Mayo in 2017). However, in recent weeks I have not seen much rectal bleeding and blood tests are within normal ranges.

I have continued bruising on my forearms, hands and chest which seems to be part of this blood abnormality, whatever the cause may be.

Other background, which I've previously described: I'll be 80 on July 15. I was diagnosed with PC in early 2002 and had RP at Sloan Kettering in May 2002. PSA began rising in 2007. I had salvage radiation at Sloan in 2008, and surgical removal of some abdominal lymph nodes in London in 2014, as well as radiation of the abdomen in Cyprus in 2022 which had little effect.

I was on Zytiga from April 2020 until March 2021 but discontinued it due to swelling in legs and feet. I also had chemo with docetaxel from December 2021 for about 18 weeks. PSA fell from a high of about 60 to a low of about 8 over that time period.

Genetic testing ordered by the Mayo has determined that I'm a candidate for Olaparib, and I expect to discuss this at my consultation with Dr. Kwon at the Mayo next week.

I would be interested in any views on the back and knee soreness, which has quite drastically reduced my "quality of life". Some deterioration in my lower spine has been noted for a good many years, and as the doctors have said, this may be entirely unrelated to cancer. I wonder whether others who have undergone chemo experienced anything similar.

[j-o-h-n]

As you might know, I'm an American of Greek decent. You and I have the same early path while fighting this fucking disease (see below from your post).

Other background, which I've previously described: I'll be 80 on July 15. I was diagnosed with PC in early 2002 and had RP at Sloan Kettering in May 2002. PSA began rising in 2007. I had salvage radiation at Sloan in 2008.

I guess that Dr. Eastham performed the RPD (open surgery) and Dr. Zelefsky performed the radiation. BTW who was your M.O.?

Difference in ages however, you're 80 and I'm 87.

My advice to you is get medical treatment here in the U.S. and not in Cyprus (Sloan for the Pca?). I leave you with a Turkish salutation (phonetically) Sictere Pca.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[Arcticfox44 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Thanks. I'm at the Mayo now. PSA has rocketed to 344 from 3 since last November, so it is worrying. I'll see Dr Kwon this morning. My surgeon at SK was Dr. Farhang Rabbani, and Iranian Canadian.