Third Taxotere Treatment was Friday...Fun is starting early.

[greatjohn]

It's Sunday afternoon 1pm..and I had the infusion on Friday...and then my Neulasta Onpro did it's thing yesterday(Saturday) at 5 pm....day of infusion and day after were great..with lots of energy and no pain...but by 10 pm...I was feeling flu-like. This morning I did my Claritin and I'm aching all over but none of the unbearable bone pain yet! Back on the roller coaster and we'll see how bumpy the ride is this time! Thank God for Claritin. They forgot to tell me about it on my first injection...until AFTER the real pain had started...THAT is not kid's stuff...without the Claritin...this would be B A D ! ! ! (ER)...LOL. Hoping to feel good on Wednesday when I am cooking up my stuffing to bring to a Thanksgiving party on Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving to ALL ! ! ! ~ ~ ~ John

[dlestercarlson]

I hope all goes well for you. On Monday, I just had my 3rd Taxotere Treatment and a Lupron shot followed up with the Neulasta Onpro the next day. I'm finding that the Taxotere and Lupron has made me extremely tired. I've been taking Tylenol and Benedryl (in advance) in preparation for the bone pain and rash that I get each time. So far no bone pain, but I've did get the rash on my hands and neck. I feel good about doing this Chemotherapy and am hopeful that it will work good for me. My PSA has already dropped down to 2.31 ng/mL from the 6.84 that is was in September.

[greatjohn in reply to dlestercarlson]

I've been on lupron for about 5 months already...and it's not making me too tired...I don't have a lot of strength anymore...but that was to be expected.

RE. PSA. I've been on Lupron 5 months...and after 2 chemo sessions with Taxotere...my PSA is going down but SLOWLY. 24(ish) before Lupron...down to 8(ish) ...(after first chemo) down to 5(ish)...and after one more chemo down to 4(ish)....I was REALLY hoping for 0(ish) really quickly

my oncologist says "we don't pay too much attention to PSA" in the beginning with chemo? It seems funny..they take it every time...if it doesn't matter? at least mine is not going UP.

p.s. was just diagnosed with stage 4 in June/July of this year. You're lucky you never felt the bone pain without the Claritin...that was not pretty! Now it feels like "flu-like" symptoms more than "pull my plug" type pain....LOL...Don't run out of the Claritin!

[Hidden]

It took 7 months for my psa to bottom out AFTER I finished my chemo treatments. It slowly but surely kept creeping down. You have plenty of time to go, don't fret. They told me the slower the better, If your psa drops too far to fast, it's not a great sign. Your doing great.

[BigM62 in reply to Hidden]

Why is dropping fast not good?

[greatjohn]

Thanks so much for the words of encouragement. My doctor does not seem to understand how positive, hopeful words can help, he's the "strong, silent type"...LOL.

[Hidden in reply to greatjohn]

greatjohn

Read the link I provided and you will feel better, much better. Remember one thing about a lowering psa. It's a marathon, not a sprint. BTW, 3 years into this for me. had testing just today when they pumped me full of Lupron. PSA? 0.07. I started out with psa 850, lymph nodes full of cancer and 3 bone mets. Celebrate, your getting just the reaction that works.

ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.12...

[BillNIttles]

For what it's worth, I quit the Neulasta after my 3rd taxotere. I didn't think the pain was worth it, chemo was bad enough. I survived. Also, my psa disappeared after the 2nd cycle and my tumors quickly after that. Pretty cool.

Hang in there!

Bill

[greatjohn in reply to BillNIttles]

Bill...that sounds great...and what I dream of. are you still on lupron? what is longterm prognosis? wow. my doctor doesn't give me any insight.

john

[greatjohn in reply to BillNIttles]

also...you did 2 cycles of 6 taxotere?

my doctor hasn't mentioned that option.

[BillNIttles in reply to greatjohn]

The language of chemo is confusing, sorry. I think a cycle is the infusion itself, and a set of cycles is called a round. So, my psa was gone in 6 weeks, and my tumors in 3 mos.

I had 9 cycles starting June last year and I have been on Lupron since. I am actually taking a vacation after my December shot, I'm tired of being tired and having hot flashes. My Oncologist is on the fence about my decision, as she puts it, there are no right answers about how long to stay on it. As a Dr., she would probably prefer I keep getting treatment.

I was diagnosed 7.5 years ago at 44, had surgery, then radiation, then chemo. I would like a break. We'll see what happens. Chemo sucked, but so far, things look good, so it was worth it.

Hang in there, you'll get through it.

Bill

[greatjohn in reply to BillNIttles]

well..I don't know if you read my "history"...just started at 57 with PSA of only about 14....did biopsy...Gleason 6....did Radiation...PSA stayed over 2...then went up to 4....then did bone scans and petscans...all negative....then did a biopsy...came back Gleason 7...did HIFU..PSA still did NOT go down under 2...went back up..and more..to 6...then 7...did biopsy everything came back great...but NEW bone scan came back okay, BUT the new (better, just approved) PETSCAN showed cancer in pelvic bones in a few places and a few nearby Lymphnodes...Started Lupron in July of this year...and started Taxotere in first of October of this year...just did 3rd...my PSA is still at 4.3...it's coming down ...but very slowly from 6 to 5.4...to 4.3. I want the results YOU HAVE...LOL. Anyway, I'm only scheduled for 6 of the session of chemo...and I read you did 9...I may ask about doing more if things are going in a "right" direction. I want exactly what you want..."a break"...Lupron sucks ..big time...and chemo...is, well....NOT A PICNIC. Have a great holiday! and I'm lighting incense and hoping for you to have a LONG "break".

~~John