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Advanced Prostate Cancer

Posted by stackthewood @stackthewood, Feb 27, 2023

I had prostatectomy in 2008. In October 2022, my PSA was 82.0. A second PSA test was 89.0. Then, I had a PSMA/PET Scan. This Scan showed the prostate cancer had spread to various parts of my body. The cancer had been detected in my neck, my chest, my abdomen, my pelvis, and my lower spine. It was classified as Advanced Prostate Cancer. My doctor ordered the injection of Lupron every 3 months. I had the first injection in early January 2023. Also, he prescribed Erleada (Apalutamide). I take four 60 mg tablets every day. I have taken these tablets for about one month. About 10 days ago, I had another PSA test. This time my PSA was 0.81! Is that possible for the PSA to drop 99%? My doctor says I will continue to have the injections and continue on the medication. Please advise. Thank you.

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ecurb | @ecurb | Jul 6 12:25pm
In reply to @herbertlancaster "My story is very similar I had my prostate “ successfully”removed in 2011. Went six years..." + (show)
Profile picture for Woodbutchertoo @herbertlancaster

My story is very similar
I had my prostate “ successfully”removed in 2011. Went six years undetectable PSA. Because of my general good health and my doctor retiring, I didn’t go to a doctor for 5 1/2 years. In October last year I was found to have a PSA of 37. By the time I got to MD Anderson in January it was 168. I have high volume metastatic prostate cancer with extensive metastasis to spine ribs both femur pelvis right arm and maximal bone in face (plus multiple lymph nodes).
I am now at Houston Methodist and on Orgovyx and Nubeqa.
My PSA was .07 as of last month. So yes, a rapid drop indeed can happen.
I’ve decided to not do chemo and pray that I can hold my PSA low long enough to keep the cancer idle until better treatments come around.

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The 5 1/2 year ignoring it- put you way behind the Power Curve. I m sorry .

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beaquilter | @beaquilter | Jul 7 10:27am

How are you feeling now? I see the post is from 2023, my husband has stage 4 metastatic as well, diagnosed in February, he's still doing monthly Firmagon injections and 4 daily Zytiga pills and now doing chemo (round 2 done so far) The last blood test the PSA was 3.2 dropped from 6.4 the last test, originally I think it was 800 or 300, I can't remember now, but it was super high and PET scan showed outside prostate, all over his body.
So since it's been 2 years, I'm wondering how you're feeling?
I know "google" says 30% make it 5 years with this diagnosis.

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narus | @narus | Jul 7 10:06pm
In reply to @kenshabby "I agree. I just finished a year on degarelix. I had to get monthly injections which..." + (show)
Profile picture for kenshabby @kenshabby

I agree.

I just finished a year on degarelix. I had to get monthly injections which I gladly chose over Lupron (once every 3 months.)

Looking back at the year I was on Lupron, I hit 5.4 miles walked per day for a month about halfway through my year on the drug. Somehow I forced myself to exercise but I recall feeling lousy mentally and physically.

Degarelix is no picnic but I had many days of 10 miles walked while on it.

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I was fat at least 60lbs overweight and it totally floored me. Barely was able to get out of bed and could barely walk. I am still on TRT and my urologist is not happy about it. But my PSA just keeps going down so what can he say. I went on the Carnivore died and lost close to 75lbs and starting lifting free weights and am healthier than I was at 30. Carnivore lifestyle truly changed my life.

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pjsatz | @pjsatz | Jul 8 2:55am

Why wasn’t radiation an option for you? I have what sounds like something similar and radiation is recommeded for me.

Thank you,

Phil

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cwd21682nd | @cwd21682nd | Jul 9 11:26am

I had stage 3 prostate cancer in the prostate as well as in area's outside the prostate as well as the L. nodes. I had 25 radiation treatments for those areas
outside the prostate and 20 in the prostate plus Hormone Therapy last
July and August Aberaterone for a year and now on Lupron every three months and except for Hot Flashes and Fatigue I am doing well.
Glad I had radiation.

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tjs911 | @tjs911 | Jul 11 8:49am
In reply to @narus "There are new alternatives to Lupron, Relugolix is new and a good option." + (show)
Profile picture for narus @narus

There are new alternatives to Lupron, Relugolix is new and a good option.

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Relugolix is the oral form of Degarelix ... the monthly sub-q injection. I was on Degarelix and Abiraterone+Prednisone for two years with minimal side effects other than hot flashes. After that two years I complained about the monthly injection (longish drive and pain at injection site) and my Doc switched me to Eligard (Lupron) every 3 months. I have had 2 of those injections and told the Doc, "No more!" Significant loss of stamina and aches and pains in glutes and hamstrings. So now I'm on a cancer med "vacation" but when I need to go back .... it'll hopefully be to Relugolix.

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