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Orgovyx-Start and Stop Advice

Posted by rnpalarino1 @rnpalarino1, Sep 25 9:57am

Hello All:
I am 78 year old man, active with exercise and golf. I had my prostate removed over three years ago. Using Viagra and Trimix peridically works, but at 78 things aren't what they used to be.
PSA reading for first two years after removal was < .01. At 2.5 years PSA began to rise, eventually to .93. MDA Anderson, Jacksonville did a PSMA scan and could not find any cancer. Doctor put me on Orgovyx. I have been on Orgovyx for about 6 months and PSA is now at < .04. I have had very few side effects from the medication; some sleeplessness, a few hot flashes and some tiredness, but nothing major keeping me from activities I enjoy. The oncologist is thinking about giving me a break from the medication or just stopping it and closely follow my PSA readings.
I would rather not be on the medication however, my concern is that if I go off the medication my PSA will again begin to rise and I will have to go back on the medication. My questions are; will the cancer become resistant to an off again/on again regime? At 78 should I just stop taking the medication and take my chances on the slow growth of the cancer? Thanks for your thoughts.
Nick

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linric70 | @linric70 | Sep 26 9:41am
In reply to @jeffmarc "In some cases, stopping and starting, the medicine can cause it to be less effective, but..." + (show)
@jeffmarc

In some cases, stopping and starting, the medicine can cause it to be less effective, but that’s usually with people who have much more serious cancer cases than you have.

I know many people who have stopped taking their drugs because their PSA dropped, as yours has, and some of them have gone a couple of years before their PSA started to rise. Stopping and starting a couple of times is not gonna really cause a problem.

This is something you should definitely consider doing. Make sure to get monthly PSA tests.

One of the benefits of Orgovyx is that the testosterone usually comes back quickly. That will make you feel better, be aware that at 78 testosterone tends to rise much slower than with the younger people.

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Our doctor gave us studies that have shown taking a vacation from ADT is a good idea. My husband is a stage 4 and has been on and off Lupron (he's now in Orgovyx) and Xtandi 2 times in 2 years. He has a blood draw every 6 weeks to monitor the PSA rise. When it reaches 2.0 he goes back on the meds. It gives his body a break from the side effects.

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northoftheborder | @northoftheborder | Sep 26 9:50am
In reply to @michaelcharles "90 days after RP with PSA "persistent" at .19 and a "clean" PSA pet scan, I..." + (show)
@michaelcharles

90 days after RP with PSA "persistent" at .19 and a "clean" PSA pet scan, I was treated with Salvage Radiation to the whole pelvic region and pelvic lymph nodes as the most likely location for residual PCa, together with short term ADT.
My post Salvage Treatment PSA has been < .02 for about 1 yr now.
Very grateful for the results so far. Just sharing my treatment history.
Best wishes.

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Every good-news post here makes me smile. Thanks for sharing!

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