Degarelix?

[Dreamweaverman]

Has anyone used this Hormone treatment drug? My doctor seems to recommend this as easier to manage than some of the other drugs. Any thoughts?

[judg69]

Hi Dreamweaver, I have had my initial double dose injection degarelix (Firmagon) and two subsequent monthly injections. I start 40 days IMRT next week and my treatment protocol is to also continue with 3 more monthly injections degarelix. I have not had any terrible side effects, only the expected hard, tender lump in the abdomen where injected. We are all different in our reactions, but I seem to tolerate it fine. All Best Wishes, judg69

[Dreamweaverman in reply to judg69]

Hey J, Thanks a lot for this. it really helps.

[Dreamweaverman in reply to judg69]

Hey Judg69, Thanks for the reply. I am on a similar treatment and trajectory as you. I got the first 2 shots on Tuesday and the lumps hurt for a few days but now seems to be subsiding. The area does itch a little as well. I am hoping to have minimal side effects. So far so good.

[Tall_Allen]

Firmagon is sometimes used as a starter with a switch after 1 or 2 months to multi-month Lupron injections. You might have injection site reactions from the first one or two injections.

[Dreamweaverman in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks Allen

[arnieg in reply to Dreamweaverman]

I started with Degarelex for about 6 months and then switched to Lupron. After 5 years of Lupron and undectable PSA, I am now off Lupron. PSA still undectable after a year

[Dreamweaverman in reply to arnieg]

Thats great news. Thanks so much for the reply.

[AlanMeyer Moderator]

I haven't had degarelix, but I do know that it has some advantages over the Lupron like drugs (Lupron, Zoladex, Eligard). One is that it does not produce the "hormone flare" that the Lupron like drugs produce during the first week or more of treatment when they actually stimulate the body to produce more testosterone than before the injection. Casodex or similar drugs are not required to prevent the flare from affecting the cancer (assuming it really does, I wonder about that.) A second advantage is that it suppresses testosterone more completely than the Lupron like drugs, offering a stronger treatment. Some men do not achieve castrate T levels on Lupron alone.

Good luck with your treatment.

Alan

[Dreamweaverman in reply to AlanMeyer]

Thanks so much Alan for info

[MelbourneDavid]

My impression is that Degarelix has fewer side effects than Lupron. It is faster aandcting than Lupron and a very effective treatment.

[OldAgeGimma]

Hello, I was initially prescribed Prostap but I had an adverse reaction, deep mood swings, crying and just felt awful. As a consequence I was put on Degarelix 5 months ago and without doubt, although there are some side effects somewhat similar to Prostap, but fortunately significantly lower. My PSA at the start was 16 and it is now down to 1.1. I understand that at some stage its efficacy will reduce and then an alternative treatment will be required.

In summary I am very pleased with the outcome.