I was on leupron/eligard intermittent since 2017, w my Urologist targeting to keep my PSA below 5, which worked until early 2022, when I & a 30+ PSA convinced the Urologist to order some scans, last about 5 years prior with ND conclusion. The 2022 scans showed massive metastasis to Stage 4. Oncologist prescribed leupron every 12 weeks like a clock, bicalimate, & zometa infusions. PSA dropped to mid 3.0s & was trending down, but I calced it would take 8 years to achieve his 0 PSA target. Started Xtandi on Jan 1, 2023 & PSA dropped to .77 in 5 weeks and .5 in 7 weeks.
Radiologist report on Bone Scan several weeks ago in comparison with prior showed some lessions actually slipped into ND. Nothing quantifiable, would have preferred some stats, but all good & offered to do an Irish jig for my Oncologist, aka "The General". He seems to be of the same "don't mess with success" school as other commenter. Some fatigue, but a new puppy and phys therapist r helping work thru this. I would say u have to expect some fatigue, especially w Xtandi. The leupron makes me moody at the beginning & end of the 12 week cycle. I used to have moderate body hair, no more; better than waxing. Basically a unic now, but I am alive feel better than at stage 4 diagnosis a year ago. Asking my liberal friends what pronoun I should use. The General dropped the biclimate (sp). I think you need to have some kind of exercise routine before signing up for any PC chemo regime. If you want to stretch your Stage 4 survivorship, you have to accept some downside & unfortunately drop many of your high impact/high risk recreation pursuits. That has been most difficult for me, but I am slowly coming to accept the new rules for life. The good news is you make the rules, but hopefully have competent professionals in helping u weigh the tradeoffs.
Gary M,
Gleason 4/3, OD 2010