Hello All , Im currently on a 5 month Vacation from ADT ( Eligard ) , 33 months , and Zytiga and Prednisone at 31 months .. I had recurrence with 1 lymph node in 2021, Oligometatastic that was zapped also radiation across my pelvic area .Ive had 5 monthly Labs since and PSA still undetectable . The last 6 month Eligard shot given Sept.04, 2024 will wear off March 2025 .
So my question is should I be on a maintenance drug like one of the mides or just ride it out on the vacation and see What happens . I see my MO this week . Any thoughts on this . Thank You all . SemperFi , JJ
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as you reach say 80 years age and are ADT for say 18 months, do the leydig cells get fatigued, die off and you are effectively on permanent ADT in a sense?
wow. You brothers are braver than I am. Year 8. Stage 4. ADT every 28 days and Xtandi Dailey. PSA 0.05 I’m tired of the treatments but scared of the results of not taking them. Good luck warriors.
until your 6 month shot wears off you’re not technically on a vacation. Once that occurs you will see where you stand. I used to set my end of vaca PSA to 2.0, but I’ve lowered it to 1.5 to be on the safe side.
I was on what is called "intermittent" hormone therapy for about 4 years, then took a four year vacation, and now have been on Lupron 90-day injections only for about five years. My experience was that the Lupron wore off after about six months, then PSA rose gradually but exponentially for six months. My PSA rose to 30's after four years, so I returned to Lupron and PSA fell back to undetectable. I'm not sure that is normal or typical, but my feeling is in looking back, it was probably a mistake to let it progress for so long. It was starting to cause scan-detectable tumors and a bit of pain. However, I do believe that unless one goes HR, vacations are worth doing. If only I could convince my MO, I would be on vacation now.
Even if the horses get out of the barn, you have to keep them corralled.
First one was after triplet therapy finished in May 18 with my last 90 day Lupron shot.
The 2nd one began in April 2024 after SBR to a PLN and 12 months Orgovyx.
Decision criteria my medical team and I used in coming off treatment:
PSA dropped to undetectable in 1st three months of treatment and stayed there.
The first vacation lasted roughly from September 2018 to April 2023.
The 2nd one is ongoing, next labs at the end of this month.
If you decide on a treatment "vacation" in concert with your medical team, have a decision based on clinical data in doing so.
While off treatment, actively monitor, I do labs and consults every three months,
Have decision criteria about restarting treatment. For my medical team and I that is:
Three or more consecutive increases spaced 3 months apart.
PSA between .5-1.0.
The latter supports greater statistical probability of locating the site(s) or recurrence.
I would say the vacation has no change in what I do, only how I feel doing it, a heck of a lot better with no fatigue, hot flashes, muscle and joint stiffness...
Just went on holiday [after two years (after 12 rounds radiation) of ADT Lupron, Xgeva + Abiraterone, from Stage 4 Gleason 9 oligometastatic pelvic area, with PSA and T unmeasurable (<.008; <16) since a few months after start] on second opinion from City of Hope oncologist, who said the treatment has done its job and relapses are easily detected and treated. My only concern is will a relapse be treatable HS or CR, but that risk is worth shedding debilitating side effects.
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6 years now and PSA <0.01 is it time for a vacation?
On vacation!
Still on Vacation
Vacation or Zytiga...Onco says Zytiga...
difference between Lupron and Eligard
