Connect
New here with prostate cancer.
Hello and thank you for being here. I am 75 years old and have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I have been reading posts here and anywhere else that has information about it.
I am getting use to most of the acronyms and abbreviations I read but not all of them. Is there a page that spells them out?
I have read that some people have 3+4=7 or 4+3=7. My biopsy shows both plus some kind of nerve invasion so does that make me a little different from others?
I also have had a psma pet scan that showed it has not spread past the prostate.
I have a doctors appointment Monday morning to go over everything but I’m not sure about what questions to ask about the different options regarding surgery or radiation as there seems to be options for both.
I am using the VA in San Francisco for my treatment if that helps you with any response you may have.
I am sure to have more questions after the appointment and I am very grateful for your help and support.
Jim Carr
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.
Connect
@jimcarr
Have you tried this address?
Marshall-James@comcast.net
@lag Thanks, he may not have a surgery.
So I have been doing lots of reading and have narrowed it down to one major concern for each procedure. For surgery it is incontinence and for radiation it’s depression.
The depression worries me more as I already have a few things in my life that are going down that road and at my age and amount of time that it can take after the whole thing is over I may not get out of it.
I am hoping to be able to get the Retzius surgery if I can so I am looking for a hospital somewhat close to me and see if that is possible.
If anyone knows of a place especially in Northern California I would appreciate it if you could let me know.
Thanks, Jim
@jimcarr
I’m not sure where you find the information that radiation lead to depression. I know an awful lot of people that have had it that have no depression at all.
I had 40 sessions of IMRT radiation and have not at all been depressed.
Some people that take ADT get depressed, but that’s not normal. Most people do not have a problem. You have a Gleason 4+3 you do not necessarily have to do ADT. It could be your choice. There are plenty of medicines you can choose from for depression caused by ADT.
Is the nerve problem you mentioned Preineural invasion. That one is not a big deal. It is very common. Most biopsies I look at including my own and my brother have it.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHey Jeff, I should have been more specific it’s not the radiation but the Lupron they want me to take for 6 months that I am concerned about.
I keep reading posts about it and I know some people don’t have any problems with it but enough do that I am concerned with it. They write about muscle soreness, joint pain, fatigue and other problems that concern me.
I was doing pretty good last fall and spring hiking and backpacking but then some of my body parts started to hurt and limit what I could do.
If I were to start taking the Lupron and increase the problem I don’t know what would happen to me.
I asked about Orgovyx but it is not covered by insurance which I don’t have anyway and the VA has a long list of things that you have to comply with and when they reached the one about having to try Lupron and not tolerate it is where I figured I would fail.
I am hoping that I can get the Retzius procedure and get it over with without all the side affects.
Thank you for all your help and insight, Jim
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy experience with radiation was not only semi-incontinence in urination--don't walk, run--and enhanced gas production. I haven't found a remedy for the gas..Any ideas. I also had the hormone treatment and am still wonder if, or when, things might return to normal!
@jimcarr
3 1/2 years after my prostatectomy My PSA rose and I was put on a six month shot Of Lupron. It was interesting that I had no noticeable side effects at that time. When I went back on it three years later, I had serious hot flashes, no joint pain for at least four or five years.
Reactions very a lot you may not have serious problems with it.
@jimcarr My husband has been on Lupron shots for many years and spot radiation to spinal metastases off and on at the same time, and has had none of the serious side effects mentioned. Everyone reacts differently to Lupron. Please don't refuse radiation based on fears of depression from Lupron. It may not affect you that way, and you may be able to request another drug with the same benefit.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@jimcarr
Given your age, and that you are considering treatment options, I thought you might be interested in the below thread from 2 years ago entitled: "Is 76 too old for prostate cancer surgery?" I had just had surgery at 78 years and you can see my detailed reply to that question on page 2 of that thread. I'm 80 now and still glad I chose surgery. My PSA remains undetectable, I do have ED and incontinence but just use a single Tena pad a day. Both the incontinence and the ED are manageable and wouldn't have changed my decision.
Best wishes and congratulations, you've come to a most helpful resource!
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/76-too-old-for-surgery/
@wheel1 thanks i needed this list in my life.