6 month vacation from Elligard and Zytiga

[Keeper70]

Hello fellow warriors,

Here's an update, I haven't posted in a while.. My husband decided to take a "holiday" from the cancer meds and I'm happy to report, he is doing very well. His T has increased some and his fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, etc have all diminished greatly..... His PSA has been undetectable for over 2 years now since finishing his radiation..The issue for him now is high blood pressure.. Have ay of you experience this since taking a break from Zytiga and Elligard? He is still taking Prednision, ( 5mg) , we think that has something to do with it.

He has another PMSA pet and seeing the MO next week..Hoping and praying his stays UD and nothing shows up on scan. Hope all is well with you'all........

[6357axbz]

Why is he still taking prednisone?

[Keeper70 in reply to 6357axbz]

He's been on it a very long time, reduced the dose when he got off of Zytiga,, he says he feels better on it, ,,worth discussing with MO.. be great to get off another drug.. thanks for the reply

[Worked_the_World]

So glad to hear about Glen's improvement. The silence of his no posting affects us all. Power and blessings, Man.

[Mike1971]

Keeper70,

I believe prednisone can raise blood pressure.

[Gearhead in reply to Mike1971]

Complicated issue. Increasing prednisone while taking abiraterone (Zytiga) can lower blood pressure. But taking prednisone absent abiraterone often increases blood pressure.

[roncyn in reply to Mike1971]

Yes it’s a side effect..

[Nusch]

Really very glad to hear - continuing success and best wishes. Regarding high blood pressure check weight, exercise, diet and alcohol. Maybe you find some ideas for improvement.

[Sisto]

I agree with others that Prednisone could be culprit. I’m not a doc, but on my 5.5 year Zytiga (abi) ride I think the Pred and dexamethasone were worse than the actual drugs far as SEs go.

[dhccpa]

Great report, even with a little high BP!

[85236442968]

Keeper70

Thanks for the update, Things seem well other than the BP.

So for a bit of personal experience.

When I was diagnosed i was put on Lupron and Abiraterone/Prednisone. (Abiraterone is generic for Zytiga). Anyway my BP immediately went thru the roof.

The MO attempted to help by prescribing Amlodipine, No real help. He then reduced my Abiraterone to 750 mg a day which provided some help.

The cardiologist I had been going to for some time for BP control, tried a number of things that really did not help much. I eventually asked the MO, "Who is the cardiologist that takes care of Cancer Patients?" A quick referral and now my BP is significant better.

I do not want to slam the Cardiologist I was going to (Much), But honestly that Dr was out of his league with the Abiraterone caused high BP. He used what worked for std blood pressure control and never even acknowledged I was on the Abiraterone.

Help yourself by getting the right Dr./Cardiologist to help you with the high BP.

Best wishes for your journey

[Keeper70 in reply to 85236442968]

thank you! I appreciate the suggestion to find another cardiologist! It makes sense

[Atdabeach]

No reason to continue taking prednisone unless for some therapeutic purpose. In fact, every reason not to, as prednisone has undesirable side effects. But it's important to phase down from any prednisone dose, even as small as 5 mg/d, over a couple of weeks.

[gsun in reply to Atdabeach]

Not true in some cases. I stopped Abi and pred for a time and felt crappy. Did some tests and it was determined my adrenals stopped producing cortisol altogether ( Addisons). So i went back on pred and felt way better. The longer you are on Abi, the more you need the pred.

[garyjp9 in reply to gsun]

Did you go back on the same dose of Pred? Did anyone suggest Hydrocortisone instead?

[gsun]

Same dose and no.