1. < Prostate Cancer

Stage 4 prostate cancer treatment options

Posted by safari1949 @safari1949, Nov 17, 2019

I have recurring prostate cancer and it has found its way to 5 different bones, including my left shoulder and two ribs on my right side. I started 6 month Lupron shots but have been told that because it is stage 4 I need additional treatment. My oncologist is recommending either Abiraterone (Zytiga) for 33 months or 6 treatments of Docetaxel chemo. She says that they look to have very equal success. With the Zytiga I will also have to take steroids, probably prednisone which I understand includes possible liver damage. Six chemo treatments seems like a better approach but I have heard Zytiiga talked about in a very positive manner. I understand it can be expensive and I do worry my prescription drug coverage could change its formulary and raise my cost significantly as well. I've already had that happen with a drug I take for Parkinsons.. Just looking for some general input regarding peoples actual experience either way.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

melcanada | @melcanada | Jul 25 6:07am
In reply to @lm1 "I was on lupron prednisone5mg and zytiga with 20 rounds of radiation when i was first..." + (show)
@lm1

I was on lupron prednisone5mg and zytiga with 20 rounds of radiation when i was first diagnosed with psa13.4 after 18 months i stopped everything psa went to undetectable for 18 months then started climbing backup i had mets to the pelvis and the 9th rib and the spine and my ishium 3.4 tumer went for another 5 round of radiation and lupronpsa now is 0.05 pet showed tumer is shrinking mets are almost gone tried adding xtandi but my bloodpressure went thru the roof stopped it after 6weeks staying with the lupron getting my other hip replaced next month age 72 . feel pretty good.I guess ill stay with the lupron as long as it works until it gets resistant.then who knows.

Jump to this post

Had Xtandi for bone mets for a year then Radium 223 for s6 months Psa up from 10 o 41
Next step 8 rounds of chemo Only in bones T 5 9th rib and L1

What if the chemo fails? Then what help

REPLY
velohomme | @velohomme | Jul 26 3:40pm

Zytiga (abiraterone) is not very expensive now. It is available as a generic. I don’t think many guys are taking the brand anymore. I pay $62 for a month supply with Medicare part D. Shop around. Yes, some guys have liver issues but the oncologist can see that effect through blood tests and take you off it or reduce your prescription if necessary. You will need to take prednisone or equivalent steroid though the dose is very low. I’m not sure why your oncologist would tell you 33 months for abiraterone. In your scenario you would generally take it until it stops working. Maybe your oncologist thinks the median time to failure is 33 months?

You might want to consider doing both abi AND chemo. This is becoming a more common treatment for guys in your situation. Hit it hard while you can. Discuss it with your oncologist. Get a second opinion at an excellent cancer center if she doesn’t think so.

REPLY
prostatssuck | @prostatssuck | Jul 26 7:25pm

68 year old white male. Had an abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery in November 2023. Found spots. Diagnosed stage 4 prostate Gleason 4+5, metastisized into spine, a couple ribs and femur. PSA 79, absolutely no symptoms on February 18, 2024
ATTITUDE: Defeating cancer is a decision not just a happening.

Lupron shot in March ( 1 shot every 6 months), 140 mg Xtandi in AM, stopped ALL white sugar, stopped all processed foods. Stopped all red meat. 1550mg turmeric capsule with 10 mg black pepper, 300 mg Ginger root powder capsule, 500 mg garlic and powder capsule, two capsules reishi mushroom, 10,000 mg vitamin C, 12 oz V8 juice.
Started drinking alkaline spring water instead of plain spring water to get my pH up to alkaline in my body rather than acid based. I eat one meal a day of chicken, beans and vegetables high in alkaline content. Also drink green tea and Gatorade zero whenever I feel like it.
Did 5 days of radiation to kill the cells that escaped prostate and went into my bones.
Several times a day I remind the 50 trillion cells that make up me that we do not wish to die and so they must locate the 1 trillion cells that are rebelling and go on a mission, no mercy, search and destroy the rebels.

On July 12th 2024 my PSA was 0.0 and Xandi is reduced to 70 mg a day.
Some fatigue, some forgetfulness, some mood swings and some brain fog.

If you can, access Gaia channel on Internet or Roku and watch the first 48 episodes of MISSING LINKS by Greg Braddon. Each episode is about 30 minutes long. I would say that this is must do.

REPLY
1 reply
prostatssuck | @prostatssuck | Jul 26 7:28pm
In reply to @prostatssuck "68 year old white male. Had an abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery in November 2023. Found spots...." + (show)
@prostatssuck

68 year old white male. Had an abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery in November 2023. Found spots. Diagnosed stage 4 prostate Gleason 4+5, metastisized into spine, a couple ribs and femur. PSA 79, absolutely no symptoms on February 18, 2024
ATTITUDE: Defeating cancer is a decision not just a happening.

Lupron shot in March ( 1 shot every 6 months), 140 mg Xtandi in AM, stopped ALL white sugar, stopped all processed foods. Stopped all red meat. 1550mg turmeric capsule with 10 mg black pepper, 300 mg Ginger root powder capsule, 500 mg garlic and powder capsule, two capsules reishi mushroom, 10,000 mg vitamin C, 12 oz V8 juice.
Started drinking alkaline spring water instead of plain spring water to get my pH up to alkaline in my body rather than acid based. I eat one meal a day of chicken, beans and vegetables high in alkaline content. Also drink green tea and Gatorade zero whenever I feel like it.
Did 5 days of radiation to kill the cells that escaped prostate and went into my bones.
Several times a day I remind the 50 trillion cells that make up me that we do not wish to die and so they must locate the 1 trillion cells that are rebelling and go on a mission, no mercy, search and destroy the rebels.

On July 12th 2024 my PSA was 0.0 and Xandi is reduced to 70 mg a day.
Some fatigue, some forgetfulness, some mood swings and some brain fog.

If you can, access Gaia channel on Internet or Roku and watch the first 48 episodes of MISSING LINKS by Greg Braddon. Each episode is about 30 minutes long. I would say that this is must do.

Jump to this post

I must add: get on as many prayer chains as you can, whether you believe or not, because it helps to have positive energy focused at you all the time from all over the world.

REPLY
1 reply
prostatssuck | @prostatssuck | Jul 26 7:35pm
In reply to @prostatssuck "I must add: get on as many prayer chains as you can, whether you believe or..." + (show)
@prostatssuck

I must add: get on as many prayer chains as you can, whether you believe or not, because it helps to have positive energy focused at you all the time from all over the world.

Jump to this post

0h yeah. And Alexa reads Joshua 1:9 from Bible to me everyday.

REPLY
safari1949 | @safari1949 | Jul 27 8:40am
In reply to @safari1949 "Thanks for your thoughts. I do exercise almost every day, religiously and try to eat right...." + (show)
@safari1949

Thanks for your thoughts. I do exercise almost every day, religiously and try to eat right. We plan on talking to a nutritionist too get as much info as possible. I'm 70 and am also concerned about potential liver damage. How often are you checked for side effects?

Jump to this post

I get checked every 6 months because of my prostate cancer. It came out again in 2019 and is in check. I am better physically because I have learned from my experience that when PD tells you that you are tired, listen.

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 31 8:05pm
In reply to @stephenjt1tx "I am 72 yrs old and had radical prostectomy in 2018, after surgery, I had psa..." + (show)
@stephenjt1tx

I am 72 yrs old and had radical prostectomy in 2018, after surgery, I had psa start going up so I was signed up for radiation treatment, I had lupron shot before radiation and had only 3 months on lupron. I have had hot flashes and night sweats often since then. I have tried escitalopram, no help, and was suggested to try Black Cohosh, no help, I have requested Paxil from my psychiatrist, I will let you know when I try it if it helps.

Jump to this post

@stephenjt1tx, you might be interested in these related discussions:

- Relief for hot flashes during the night
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/relief-for-hot-flashes-during-the-night/
- Lupron generated hot flashes: Any tips on how to manage them?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lupron-generated-hot-flashes/
All "hot flash" related discussions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/prostate-cancer/?search=hot+flashes#discussion-listview

Is Paxil helping you?

REPLY
melcanada | @melcanada | Oct 18 6:18pm

On second chemo PSA up to 159.3 from 41 3 months ago was 10 last year on Radium 223 and before Xtandi

Recommend?

eat lots of cheese Is this it? Help

REPLY
1 reply
stevecando54 | @stevecando54 | Oct 19 5:07am
In reply to @melcanada "On second chemo PSA up to 159.3 from 41 3 months ago was 10 last year..." + (show)
@melcanada

On second chemo PSA up to 159.3 from 41 3 months ago was 10 last year on Radium 223 and before Xtandi

Recommend?

eat lots of cheese Is this it? Help

Jump to this post

I'm sorry to hear your psa is climbing. Are you on second round of chemo or is this your second time getting chemo treatment. I certainly hope the treatment works well for you,,I wish all the best on this news.

REPLY
1 reply
melcanada | @melcanada | Oct 19 5:41am
In reply to @stevecando54 "I'm sorry to hear your psa is climbing. Are you on second round of chemo or..." + (show)
@stevecando54

I'm sorry to hear your psa is climbing. Are you on second round of chemo or is this your second time getting chemo treatment. I certainly hope the treatment works well for you,,I wish all the best on this news.

Jump to this post

Second chemo session of 6 on Dox Was on Xofigio and Xtandi before stopped working

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.