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What happens after Chemotherapy for prostate cancer?

Posted by cal77 @cal77, Jul 5, 2025

Hi,

It looks like they might start Chemotherapy next month. The oncologist said it would be every 3 weeks for about 10 months! Just wondering if anyone has had Chemo and what is it like once Chemo is over after almost a year of treatment? Are you better? Are you back to somewhat being normal?

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

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dennislee | @dennislee | 4 days ago

Hello guys. I'm new to this group. I was diagnosed April 1st.. Fools day... well, close enough, April 2, this year. I always knew that had a larger than normal chance of this cancer. Family history and Navy service in Vietnam.

I asked the question "What happens after completing Chemotherapy for prostate cancer?" I was diagnosed late in the game, stage 4, high volume. The doc stamped a 6mo to 24mo expiration date on my forehead. 6 mo with no intervention and 24 with 6 cycles of Taxotere, Lupron and Xgeva, Abiraterone and Prednisone.

No answer to my question above. My doc recommends 6 max cycles, and I read that some of you guys have had more, up to 10. Doc was afraid that my advanced age I couldn't handle it. But honestly, with only chemo, no radiation, I am handling it very well.. have to admit the fatigue is monumental. But my question remains, after the 6 cycles, does the PSA number fall way down, and the prostate shrink, and no additional cancer cells, what about the bone cancer. Like one of you guys, the PET Scan look like a Christmas Tree.

Very glad to have run into this forum. I'll watch it closely.

Drop a line. Interested in your stories. Any Agent Orange guys out there?

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dennislee | @dennislee | 4 days ago
In reply to @stevecando54 "Just my two cents. I finished 10 rounds of chemo about 18 months ago. For me..." + (show)
Profile picture for stevecando54 @stevecando54

Just my two cents. I finished 10 rounds of chemo about 18 months ago. For me I would say it worked, my psa was 932 before and around .4 when I finished treatment. I had alot of pain in my leg before starting and that went away. My believe is it stops it from spreading which scans confirm. I still get treatment, Lupron and Xgeva quarterly, daily take Abiraterone and Prednisone. I'm 27 months into my journey, I'm 70 now. My "normal" changed when I was first diagnosed. I believe there is a reason people on here say you have to fight on, if we don't we are in a bad spot. I've accepted the diagnosis, accepting the new normal is a bit harder. For me, everything has slowed down, I just try to keep moving ahead. At the beginning my Dr. said I have stage 4 metastasized to the bones and is aggressive. He never gave me a time line, thank goodness. For me, it's all about keeping my head in the game, the body stays the same but if I convince myself I'm having a good day, its awesome. That chair may feel great but I need to do something, anything, and then I feel better. Forget that "end" time, just try to enjoy as best you can. I wish you the best on your journey. Best to all.

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@stevecando54

Hi Steve, Dennis here. read your post with interest. You are telling my story. I'm 78 and a Vietnam vet. Started a VA claim. Will see where that goes. I really fit the mold you set, even the drugs. Your comments about New Normal hit home. After I got out of the "denial" stage of dealing with mortality, I finally established a "new normal". Your comment about "the chair feels great" Oh yeah! I also discovered that I had to do SOMETHING everyday to keep my head in the game. Even if its do the dishes, feed the cat, hell, clean the toilet. Well, Just wanted to say hello and thank you for your story. I would love to make it to 80. Ha! Regards, Dennis

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gbrickler | @gbrickler | 2 days ago

Dennis and Steve, you both have pretty much written my story. Veteran, diagnosed at 73 (4 years ago), chemo then Abiraterone nd Lupron since. Definitely a new normal to adjust to with the fatigue, weight gain, muscle loss, etc. But we are alive so let’s enjoy it. I (usually) resist giving in to the mid-afternoon slump and the call of the chair by going to the gym, bike ride, or dog walk. As Dennis says, do something, and be grateful for each day. And Steve do file that VA claim. Since the passage of the PACT Act the VA mentality toward claims has seemed to changed for the better. See you both on the other side of 80. Gary

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dennislee | @dennislee | 2 days ago
In reply to @gbrickler "Dennis and Steve, you both have pretty much written my story. Veteran, diagnosed at 73 (4..." + (show)
Profile picture for gbrickler @gbrickler

Dennis and Steve, you both have pretty much written my story. Veteran, diagnosed at 73 (4 years ago), chemo then Abiraterone nd Lupron since. Definitely a new normal to adjust to with the fatigue, weight gain, muscle loss, etc. But we are alive so let’s enjoy it. I (usually) resist giving in to the mid-afternoon slump and the call of the chair by going to the gym, bike ride, or dog walk. As Dennis says, do something, and be grateful for each day. And Steve do file that VA claim. Since the passage of the PACT Act the VA mentality toward claims has seemed to changed for the better. See you both on the other side of 80. Gary

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@gbrickler
Gary, thank you for that reinforcement. Doing something everyday has been key here. I had
stepped away from my hobbies for a short time, but have been re enthused with it, try to do a little of that every day! Plan to do something everyday. Got tires to get rotated tomorrow!

Welcome Home Soldier (Sailor?)
Dennis

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