1. < Prostate Cancer

18 month update. How am I doing?

Posted by eldorado80 @eldorado80, 2 days ago

18 months now. How am I doing?

Background: age 81, hgt 6', 200 #, moderately active. No diet. Just common sense practicing moderation. Non smoker, light drinker.
Original PSA was 14.7, biopsy was 11/12 positive, Gleason score 8, thus intermediate high risk.
20 EBRT sessions and one 45mg Lupron Depot injection treatment concluded 18 mo. ago. Original after treatment readings were PSA < 0.1, testosterone < 21. Def: Lupron Depot reduces male testosterone thus eliminating it from feeding the cancer. You get to experience the female side of your personality. haha
Post treatment side effects experienced included lower pulse rate (Bradycardia), libido loss and some shrinkage, body hair loss, man boobs, and “back door plumbing” issues. The only “front door” plumbing issue is the same frequent urination experienced by many seniors and not related to this treatment. The first five side effects I relate to the injection.
18 mo. Lab results just in today! PSA 0.2, (very good) testosterone 673 (very good) range is 240-899.
Side effects: Lower pulse persists (28-35 bpm) yet has not been a problem. I am happy to say sex as an option is back on the table and quite acceptable for my age. Still experiencing body hair loss and man boobs. Plumbing issue still persists. Over time I have adjusted to the side effects by modifying my lifestyle slightly. In closing, I prefer not to comment on any kind of a recommendation. I've found that each case, individual experience and life situation is unique to that person and loved ones. If you find this post of value please say so. It helps me decide if I should do a 2 year post in 6 months. It also helps the other readers who may be considering posting. Live well!

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

eldorado80 | @eldorado80 | 2 days ago
In reply to @gsd "@eldorado80, first, thank you for posting! It is very helpful! It sounds like you feel you..." + (show)
@gsd

@eldorado80, first, thank you for posting! It is very helpful! It sounds like you feel you are doing quite well and that news boosts others!
Secondly, if your pulse is really 28-35, that certainly falls in the range of bradycardia. I too have a resting rate of 40-45 BPM and have for 45 years. Apparently, it dips into the upper 30's when I sleep. I was a distance runner for 4 decades. I got used to the look on nurses faces when they would take my vitals for the first time. Many times they would quietly exit and an attending physician would appear shortly thereafter! My cardiologist had me wear a holter monitor for 3 days just to make sure I didn't have any more serious heart rhythm problems.
I think its very reassuring to others that you have managed the side effects of your treatment and are enjoying life!
Might I ask you to contribute a bit of additional information to help others understand your lower heart rate as it might relate to your successful prostate cancer treatment?
-Am I correct that your had a 6 month course of Lupron ending 18 months ago?
-Do you remember what your blood pressure readings were before your prostate cancer treatment? Do you ascribe your low heart rate to your prostate cancer treatment or were you kind of like me in that you had a lower than normal heart rate before prostate cancer treatment?
-Are you on any other medications that might reduce your heart rate, like beta-blockers?
-Do you have any other symptoms symptoms, like dizziness upon rising quickly, or an irregular heartbeat? That was what my cardiologist was concerned about and why he had me wear a holter monitor. There was one, an elongated QT segment, he wanted to rule out. Fortunately, he did rule it out.
Thank you for posting! It's really helpful for PCa patients like me to read reports of men who are further down the road of treatment than I. It helps me understand the process and gives me hope!

Jump to this post

I have never even felt light headed. I found it myself when checking blood pressure at home after the single and only Lupron max 45mg injection. Bradycardia is a side effect of Lupron. My doctor sent me to Emergency, lots of tests and cardiologist recommended a Pacemaker (the normal response to Bradycardia). Having never felt any symptoms I refused. As of July 18 it will be 2 years since I received the injection that caused this. I must admit, if I did experience the onset of light headedness/fainting I would revisit the pacemaker.
BP is typically 120-130 /70 controlled by minimum dose of Losartan (25mg) I was taking before treatment because bp was in 140's at times. This is the only med I take. I hope that answers all of your questions.
Best wishes, Dave

REPLY
eldorado80 | @eldorado80 | 2 days ago
In reply to @vircet "My radiation treatment starts on April 9. Five treatments (SBRT) ending on April 21." + (show)
@vircet

My radiation treatment starts on April 9. Five treatments (SBRT) ending on April 21.

Jump to this post

Best wishes in your treatment.

Dave

REPLY
ecurb | @ecurb | 1 day ago
In reply to @eldorado80 "You would think so but have never even felt light headed. I found it myself when..." + (show)
@eldorado80

You would think so but have never even felt light headed. I found it myself when checking blood pressure at home. My doctor sent me to Emergency, lots of tests and cardiologist recommended a Pacemaker (the normal response to Bradycardia). Having never felt any symptoms I refused. As of July 18 it will be 2 years since I received the injection that caused this. I must admit, if I did experience the onset of light headedness/fainting I would revisit the pacemaker. Best wishes, Dave

Jump to this post

I m gonna call you Turtle Man- a long lifer. Lol

REPLY
gsd | @gsd | 1 day ago

Thanks for your great response! So I gather that you and your doctors just thought it was a quirky response to Lupron, but all is good! Anyway, I appreciated the information!

Best wishes

Guy

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