Hello, I started on Zytiga several months ago. My PSA went from 56 to less than 1 in about 2 weeks. However, my liver enzymes rose beyond acceptable levels and I had to lower the dosage from 1000 milligrams to 750 milligrams per day. For now, things are stable. I have blood drawn every 2 weeks to
to keep an eye on liver enzyme activity. I hope this helps. Philnob.
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer approximately 8 years ago. After external beam radiation the prostate was cancer free.
However metastasis had already occurred. The PSA number started to rise and I went on to harmone therapy.
This was discontinued due to extreme side effects.
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer approximately 8 years ago. After external beam radiation the prostate was cancer free.
However metastasis had already occurred. The PSA number started to rise and I went on to harmone therapy.
This was discontinued due to extreme side effects.
What kind of extreme side effects did you have and how soon? I have just started Lupron this last Wed. My prostate was removed 10 years ago and I had external beam radiation that same year. Recently my psa went from 2.8 to 6.22 in 6 months and a bone scan found that it has shown up in 5 spots in my bones. One spot in my left shoulder, one rib, both pelvis and the prostate bed area I think. I am seeing an oncologist this coming Wed to see what else they recommend. My urologist thinks they will recommend chemo. Understand there are at least 3 options and I don't know what to expect.
My side effects included hot flashes, slight breast enlargement, muscle stiffness, frequent urination to the point where I was getting out of bed 5 times a night every night for 3 weeks, weight gain, and a sense that my equilibrium was challenged to the extent that I would not chance driving my car.
After discussing everything with my Doctor the Lupron was discontinued. Please keep in mind that everything I have mentioned was predicated with the exception of the problem with my equilibrium. It’s just that in my case the side effects were extreme. I have spoken with people on Lupron that experience no more than slight headaches, and hot flashes that lasted only for 2 weeks. It seems that everyone is different and we can’t know how things will work out until we give it a try. I wish you the very best results.
My side effects included hot flashes, slight breast enlargement, muscle stiffness, frequent urination to the point where I was getting out of bed 5 times a night every night for 3 weeks, weight gain, and a sense that my equilibrium was challenged to the extent that I would not chance driving my car.
After discussing everything with my Doctor the Lupron was discontinued. Please keep in mind that everything I have mentioned was predicated with the exception of the problem with my equilibrium. It’s just that in my case the side effects were extreme. I have spoken with people on Lupron that experience no more than slight headaches, and hot flashes that lasted only for 2 weeks. It seems that everyone is different and we can’t know how things will work out until we give it a try. I wish you the very best results.
I wanted to share my experience with Lupron as well. I was originally treated in 2015 with Stage T2a prostate cancer with external beam radiation, Firmagon, and brachytherapy (66 seeds). PSA remained low until August of 2018, then it went up, went down, then up again to 9.5. So I was prescribed six sessions of chemo (taxotere) which I completed in July, and I am supposed to be on Lupron the rest of my lfie, one shot every three months (I am 62). After recovering from the fatigue and hair loss side effects of chemo --- fatigue is almost gone, hair is coming back --- I am now experiencing those classic side effects of Lupron --- muscle loss, frequent urination, though the hot flashes are not as bad as they were originally, they are still there. It's rare to be able to sleep through a full night without a trip to the bathroom, though I have done it once or twice. My longer-term goal would be to get off the Lupron if I can, if a new drug, perhaps other than Zytiga, is developed.
I wanted to share my experience with Lupron as well. I was originally treated in 2015 with Stage T2a prostate cancer with external beam radiation, Firmagon, and brachytherapy (66 seeds). PSA remained low until August of 2018, then it went up, went down, then up again to 9.5. So I was prescribed six sessions of chemo (taxotere) which I completed in July, and I am supposed to be on Lupron the rest of my lfie, one shot every three months (I am 62). After recovering from the fatigue and hair loss side effects of chemo --- fatigue is almost gone, hair is coming back --- I am now experiencing those classic side effects of Lupron --- muscle loss, frequent urination, though the hot flashes are not as bad as they were originally, they are still there. It's rare to be able to sleep through a full night without a trip to the bathroom, though I have done it once or twice. My longer-term goal would be to get off the Lupron if I can, if a new drug, perhaps other than Zytiga, is developed.
To be honest, my doctor has not mentioned it yet, I was just reading about some of its side effects on liver enzymes, but of course any drug will have side effects. I would simply like to get off the Lupron/hormone therapy, but I'm not sure that will be possible in the short-term.
I have been on it for about a year. I take one, 250 mg tablet daily with a light breakfast. The only side effects I’ve had so far how many real problem or a moderate increase in my blood pressure and a moderate increase in my lipid profile, I take an antihypertensive for the blood pressure and Lipitor for my lipid problem. The dose that I take is much less than what is recommended by the manufacturer, and as such is considered some what experimental. so far it has been very beneficial as an adjunct to my Lupron therapy. Keeping my PSA levels consistently around 3-4. The cost is somewhat prohibitive unless you have an insurance plan as I do where I only pay a $10 co-pay. It is available generically otherwise the co-pay would be much higher.
I have been taking Abiraterone (Zytiga) for a few months at 1000mg per day but because of recent elevate Liver function numbers was told to cut back to 500 mg per day. Other than this, the radiation and hormone treatments have only caused me to have very tolerable hot flashes and some reduce energy. However the cost of Abiraterone has been in the neighborhood of $1600 and now $1300 per month thru Mayo's pharmacy.. I recently learned that using a discount card through other pharmacies I can get this med at 1/4 this amount. Is there any problem or negative reason in switching to a cheaper pharmacy?
I have been taking Abiraterone (Zytiga) for a few months at 1000mg per day but because of recent elevate Liver function numbers was told to cut back to 500 mg per day. Other than this, the radiation and hormone treatments have only caused me to have very tolerable hot flashes and some reduce energy. However the cost of Abiraterone has been in the neighborhood of $1600 and now $1300 per month thru Mayo's pharmacy.. I recently learned that using a discount card through other pharmacies I can get this med at 1/4 this amount. Is there any problem or negative reason in switching to a cheaper pharmacy?
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Welcome to Connect, @philnob. When were you diagnosed with prostate cancer? Are you comfortable sharing a bit more about your treatment options/plan?
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer approximately 8 years ago. After external beam radiation the prostate was cancer free.
However metastasis had already occurred. The PSA number started to rise and I went on to harmone therapy.
This was discontinued due to extreme side effects.
What kind of extreme side effects did you have and how soon? I have just started Lupron this last Wed. My prostate was removed 10 years ago and I had external beam radiation that same year. Recently my psa went from 2.8 to 6.22 in 6 months and a bone scan found that it has shown up in 5 spots in my bones. One spot in my left shoulder, one rib, both pelvis and the prostate bed area I think. I am seeing an oncologist this coming Wed to see what else they recommend. My urologist thinks they will recommend chemo. Understand there are at least 3 options and I don't know what to expect.
My side effects included hot flashes, slight breast enlargement, muscle stiffness, frequent urination to the point where I was getting out of bed 5 times a night every night for 3 weeks, weight gain, and a sense that my equilibrium was challenged to the extent that I would not chance driving my car.
After discussing everything with my Doctor the Lupron was discontinued. Please keep in mind that everything I have mentioned was predicated with the exception of the problem with my equilibrium. It’s just that in my case the side effects were extreme. I have spoken with people on Lupron that experience no more than slight headaches, and hot flashes that lasted only for 2 weeks. It seems that everyone is different and we can’t know how things will work out until we give it a try. I wish you the very best results.
I wanted to share my experience with Lupron as well. I was originally treated in 2015 with Stage T2a prostate cancer with external beam radiation, Firmagon, and brachytherapy (66 seeds). PSA remained low until August of 2018, then it went up, went down, then up again to 9.5. So I was prescribed six sessions of chemo (taxotere) which I completed in July, and I am supposed to be on Lupron the rest of my lfie, one shot every three months (I am 62). After recovering from the fatigue and hair loss side effects of chemo --- fatigue is almost gone, hair is coming back --- I am now experiencing those classic side effects of Lupron --- muscle loss, frequent urination, though the hot flashes are not as bad as they were originally, they are still there. It's rare to be able to sleep through a full night without a trip to the bathroom, though I have done it once or twice. My longer-term goal would be to get off the Lupron if I can, if a new drug, perhaps other than Zytiga, is developed.
If I understood you correctly you would rather avoid Zytiga?
To be honest, my doctor has not mentioned it yet, I was just reading about some of its side effects on liver enzymes, but of course any drug will have side effects. I would simply like to get off the Lupron/hormone therapy, but I'm not sure that will be possible in the short-term.
I have been on it for about a year. I take one, 250 mg tablet daily with a light breakfast. The only side effects I’ve had so far how many real problem or a moderate increase in my blood pressure and a moderate increase in my lipid profile, I take an antihypertensive for the blood pressure and Lipitor for my lipid problem. The dose that I take is much less than what is recommended by the manufacturer, and as such is considered some what experimental. so far it has been very beneficial as an adjunct to my Lupron therapy. Keeping my PSA levels consistently around 3-4. The cost is somewhat prohibitive unless you have an insurance plan as I do where I only pay a $10 co-pay. It is available generically otherwise the co-pay would be much higher.
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2 ReactionsI have been taking Abiraterone (Zytiga) for a few months at 1000mg per day but because of recent elevate Liver function numbers was told to cut back to 500 mg per day. Other than this, the radiation and hormone treatments have only caused me to have very tolerable hot flashes and some reduce energy. However the cost of Abiraterone has been in the neighborhood of $1600 and now $1300 per month thru Mayo's pharmacy.. I recently learned that using a discount card through other pharmacies I can get this med at 1/4 this amount. Is there any problem or negative reason in switching to a cheaper pharmacy?
I received Zytiga at no cost through a grant.