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My Gleason score is 7 - 3+4. How long can I live without treatment?

Posted by mayoclinicadvice23 @mayoclinicadvice23, Jun 11, 2023

My Gleason score is 7 - 3+4,. How long can I live without treatment? Since I decided not to get any treatment, because of horrible side effects, I was wondering, if someone who experienced the same condition, will share his experience with me.

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heavyphil | @heavyphil | 7 hours ago
In reply to @graybeard46 "I should have joined this group before I decided my path . You seem like you’ve..." + (show)
@graybeard46

I should have joined this group before I decided my path . You seem like you’ve done your homework. My bad that I canceled my oncologist appointment feeling confident that surgery first was the best choice for me . I asked my Radiologist today why wouldn’t they do a pet scan before doing the surgery. His response was the MRI showed the suspicious area did not go beyond my prostate. Wonder if cost was a factor? I have another question that I would appreciate comments on , my hormone shot 3 weeks ago have kicked in and the emotional swings that I have started to have at times are difficult to deal with. I’m supposed to get a second shot when my radiation is done. If my PSA ends up 0 , is the second shot really necessary. I will discuss this with Dr in detail before I agree. I’ve survived many tragedies in my life , personal, military, etc . And was able to stay strong without giving up in to depression but this cancer and the effects of hormone treatment make staying positive very difficult. Thanks Heavyphil

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Hey Graybeard, yes, I did a lot of homework because being in health care made me privy to a lot of horror stories. If I had anything at all I could do to help myself I was gonna do it and gaining as much knowledge as I could helped me ask the important questions.
I cannot address why you didn’t have a PET SCAN. My MRI 5 yrs ago showed no spread yet I insisted on a PET and paid for it out of pocket. If there was something outside the gland I would have said NO to surgery.
But even with that clear scan and a more recent PSMA PET scan - which showed nothing - my PSA still went up and I still needed radiation and ADT, just like you. So me doing my homework while you went fishing didn’t matter all that much, did it??😳
As for your mood swing into depression you really have to speak to your RO about having someone prescribe a mood elevator; I did not experience any depression or down feelings at all but I was on an oral ADT and you are getting injections which many men claim are far worse for mental issues. There are men on this forum who have dealt with this and are sure to reach out if you need them.
I don’t know you personally but from your postings and description of yourself you sound like someone who has lived a full life - in both positive and negative ways; you can’t reach 78 unscathed, right? We all have bad times and tragedy in our lives, but we push thru them, because that’s what we do…
But when you are injected with a chemical that is KNOWN to cause severe depression and even suicidal thoughts, the deck is stacked against you in a really bad way!
You no longer have the ability to rise above, to put on your game face, OK? The chemical is doing this to you. But you need it to treat your illness so please don’t discontinue it unless your doctors days it’s OK to do so.
You can ask your RO to perhaps switch you to Orgovyx - it’s ADT but is a bit less of a mindf***er, and you should be put on a medication to offset and counteract the depression the ADT is/will cause.
You might be of the mindset that you’re tough and don’t need any help with your problems; but hormones take away what makes you YOU, in so many ways more than in just the physical sense. The Graybeard you know is a different guy on hormones so you need to address this ASAP!
Best Always
Phil

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