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Stage 4 prostate cancer treatment options

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Oct 19 5:41am | Replies (140)

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@alanr

I'm a Lupron user for the past two years and feel quite blessed that my issue is being managed quite well to this point. I receive an injection every 6 months. Very little side effects with the Lupron, some hot flashes, which have reduced in frequency over the 2 year period, and possibly experiencing some cognitive issues but that could possibly be an age related problem, I'm 78. PSA has been staying less than 1. I do exercise fairly vigorously 2-3 times a week and do other activities most other days. I'm in good health and have maintained my weight, approx170# for the last 10+ years. Also maintain sensible eating habits. Have discussed Zytiga as possible course if PSA begins to rise so have an interest in its cost, side effects and efficacy. Predisone will be part of the Zytiga treatment. Has Zytiga gone generic? Have had prosecetomy, 2010 , radiation and chemo over the years buy only Lupron when PSA started going up about 4 years ago. Just recently started taking Alendronate, the generic for Fosamax, for bone health. Last scans about 6 months ago look fairly clean some evidence of metastasis but that has remained unchanged for last 2-3 years. I would like to remain part of this conversation and will contribute any info I can. Thank you all and best of success in you courses of treatment.

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Replies to "I'm a Lupron user for the past two years and feel quite blessed that my issue..."

I have had a similar experience with prostatectomy and then external radiation in 2009 right after I turned 60. My psa staid down for almost 9 years and started going up. It was 2.88 then 6 months later 6.22. Because it doubled in 6 months they had me start Lupron about 3 weeks ago and since the cancer has spread I started the Zytiga with Prednisone 5 mg daily this morning. Not sure what to expect. We were shocked that the cancer had metastasized so much with no symptoms and a low psa. My monthly cost is about $37 for both meds. My urologist and oncologist agreed that the best course for longer term is to take the treatment now rather than wait for my psa to rise again. However I won't really establish a base line until next week when they want more blood work. They will be doing a bone density test soon as a base line. Hang in there and enjoy the holidays.