Taking a break

[Chubby42]

Hi folksDuring my conversation with my Oncologist she mentioned if I had taken a break from treatment which I said not yet.

I'm currently on Zoladex and have been for about 7yrs and have had Chemo and radiotherapy during that time.

My PSA is starting to rise again and the next option is either Zytiga or Xtandi.

Does it help to have a break from hormone treatment for a while and if so how long.

Cheers

[Tall_Allen]

Only if you find it onerous to take ADT.

[Chubby42 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Nope currently no problems.

Cheers

[Doctorsceptic]

Interesting question. I wonder why she suggested “a break”. Have you asked her why she is suggesting this?

The rising PSA suggests some resistance to basic ADT in which case Abiraterone and 5mg prednisolone is probably next best option.

My experience of enzalutamide was bad - just bad luck I guess. But if that is an option make sure you are fully acquainted with the side effects especially PRES - uncommon but potentially serious with risk of stroke in around 10%. Apalutamide is an alternative although that tipped me into metabolic syndrome with rising triglycerides. Either way make sure you are monitored for BP, lipids and HbA1c.

[Chubby42 in reply to Doctorsceptic]

Hi M8 thanks for the reply it looks like we will going down the Abiraterone route just going to have some scans first.

Cheers

[Doctorsceptic]

good luck

[Papa1]

Been pondering that question for months. Decided the question was too close to call. Adding in the emotion factor, mine and my wife’s, I decided against.

[Exrunner]

You m ight Google this topic: Cardiovascular Events and Androgen Receptor Signaling Inhibitors in Advanced Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

[Chubby42 in reply to Exrunner]

Thanks for that I think Xtandi might be better for me then if Zytiga has a higher risk of cardiovascular problems, I could probably live with brain fog.

[j-o-h-n]

Question:

"Does it help to have a break from hormone treatment for a while and if so how long?".

Answer:

Call "Heads" on a two headed equals "NO" coin.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[GAdrummer]

Sounds to me like the doctor was fishing to find out if you had stopped taking ADT meds to explain the PSA rise she was looking at in your chart.