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Prostate Removal Jan 2013

Posted , 8 users are following.

george28545
george28545

Prior to removal my PSA was only 9 but with a Gleason score of 10.   A year later the cancer returned to the prostate bed I then commenced Radio Therapy (33 sessions) which ended in June 2014.   Zoladex  commenced in Febuary 2014 and since June 2014 my PSA has been 0.01 - suffer with hot flushes and joint pain shoulders, hands (maybe arthritus)  Anyone know why 2 sizes of Zioladex 10.8mg (I am on) and 3.6mg.   Consultant told me I would be on Zoladex for life - any views

3 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • georgeGG
    georgeGG george28545

    Posted

    I don't have Zoladex but my HT , Triptoreline comes in two sizes the bigger slightly less than 3 times the volume of the smaller. The have quite different carriers and the larger, designed for 3 monthly injections did not suit me very well. Thus I am on the smaller designed for 28 daily injections. It works better although feels as if it runs out at about 25-26 days. Perhaps there is some siularity. I started in August 2015 and settled down comfortably after about 6 months. I use sage tincture to control fluses. So now I get the occasional mild flush.  I have bone thinning and am on Alendronic Acide for that.

    I hope this helps.All the best.

  • carl05115
    carl05115 george28545

    Posted

    Hi George.  You might want to read Stephen Strum, M.D.'s work A Primer on Prostate Cancer.  It is rather complex (he was the physician who promoted intermittent testosterone blockade as a strategy rather than continuous blockade).  My takeaway from the book is that your typical generic prostate cancer feeds on testosterone.  Blocking the supply starves cancer cell growth.  Unfortunately, by fully blocking testosterone the cancer mutates into testosterone-independent cancer which tends to be a more lethal and a treatment resistant version, hence his recommendation of intermittent testosterone blockade.  This one isn't really my area of expertise and I would definitely read more were I you.  My Best,  Carl
    • george28545
      george28545 carl05115

      Posted

      Thank you carl I will investigate Stephen Strum and discuss with my Consultant - mind you he is a surgeon and a bit "Wham bang thank you Mam"

      My main concern is that often The More you Know - The less you understand.

  • Kombi_Cruiser
    Kombi_Cruiser george28545

    Posted

    george28545...welcome to the forum...It sounds like you are in a very similar place as myself... I get an injection of the Zoladex 10.8mg which lasts for a 3 month period...the lesser dosage @ 3.6mg is used for monthly treatments of prostate cancer and also for metatstatic breast cancer... I also have been told I'll be on Zoladex for the rest of what's shaping up to be a relatively short life... My take is that the Zoladex simply buys you some extra time although such time frames are unknown... good luck with all your treatments and remember top enjoy whatever makes you happy...
    • george28545
      george28545 Kombi_Cruiser

      Posted

      Thank you Kombi - although our cases seem similar you do sound a bit down and negative - may I ask your age group ?   I am just 78 last week and have been fighting the battle for three years and apart from the sweats etc, wearing a light incontinence pad, and aching joints I feel better than for a couple of years.   My plan inforced by my wife is never bring up (or answer too) PC in conversation because everyone knows better than you, with experiences about their 95 year old uncle who contines to survive or altertively their cousin who died at 51!

      Sweats come mostly after a drink, either hot or cold, (how about you others?)   Just about to open a bottle of Merlot which makes it all worth while !  Chin up and best wishes

      George

    • Kombi_Cruiser
      Kombi_Cruiser george28545

      Posted

      G'day george28545... sorry for seeming to be a little down as it's usually not me... I'm just 54 years old and have also been 3 years into my journey... I am quite the opposite when it comes to talking about prostate Cancer and I grab every opportunity to talk about it as much as I can...I hope this might just prompt someone to do something sooner than otherwise as with this battle I believe that time is all we have... I find the hot flushes are worst when I wake up in the morning...My biggest issue with the Zoladex is I find it really affects my focus and concentration...  Merlot is not my #1 choice in reds as I prefer Shiraz...

      Take care and here's cheers!!!

      ​

  • ken47739
    ken47739 george28545

    Posted

    Hi George

    Sounds similar to my experiences Surgery Dec 2010 Radiotherapy Dec 2011 2 years Zoladex.  Still 0 PSA which is brilliant.  My first Zoladex implant lasted for 4 weeks and my subsequent ones lasted 12 weeks.  Seeing as 3 x 3.6 is 10.8, I think this could be the answer.  My hot flushes have really subsided now but it took a long time.  Keep in there

    Best wishes

    KenW

    • george28545
      george28545 ken47739

      Posted

      Hi KenW

      what a positive response.   Well done you for getting through the "sweats" you have given me real encouragement, at a very sad time, as only yesterday my brother in law died after an 11 year fight with PC.  He and his wife have been so disciplined - non dairy - green tea etc.   in the end it spread to his bones and into his back.   He had had two sessions of Radium 223 and there was a distinct improvement for sometime.   On a positive side and that is the only way - my PSA on 2 July was 0.01

  • glamour
    glamour george28545

    Posted

    hi george,

    Since March this year i have had 2 Zoladex at 3.6mg for march and april. In May i received a 3 month implant of 10.6mg. I expect my next 3 month implant late in july.

    In March my PSA was 13.1. now my PSA is only 0.1,so I am well pleased. When discussing matters with my consultant,we expect if my situation does not deteriorate by November this year there is every chance i will come off the Zoladex.

    Like yourself i have suffered some muscular discomfort with some very light semi hot flushes. My real concern is a loss of muscle density, but i hope to overcome this with more exercise.

    My understanding is that the current view is to stop Zoladex when results are good and re-introduce it if and when circumstances demand such intervention.

    My last period of Zoladex was in 2005, so I was "okay" for almost  10 years. I am hoping for a similar time period.

    Keep up the fight

    • george28545
      george28545 glamour

      Posted

      Hi glamour

      Another very nice an encouraging response.- well done you.   I next see my consultant on 17 Sep and I will tackle him regarding intermittant Zolatex.  

      My sweating has not calmed down had a bad one this morning in our local coffee shop - often brought on with a hot drink - also cold drinks - seem to be OK with my red wine at the right temperature !!

      Joint and muscle pain is helped by exercise which I do twice a day..

      Keep up the good work - your are an example to us all.

       

  • carl05115
    carl05115 george28545

    Posted

    Hi George,

    This is largely out of my rhealm, but the book written by Steven Strum, M.D. talks about intermittent hormonal blockade.  He was a pioneer in that work and found it to be as effective as continuous blockade.  With the adverse effects, it seems wise to employ intermittent.  I Wish You The Best,  Carl

  • glamour
    glamour george28545

    Posted

    hi George 28545,

    i was on Zoladex in 2005 for 8 months when my Psa was 0.2. It remained the same for almost 8 years but in the last two years increased to 13.1. i have been back on zoldex for 4 months and my PSA is now 0.1. If this stays I expect to come off Zoladex in Nov 2015. My consultant I am told likes to take patients off the Zoladex and re-introduce it should circumstances demand it.

    Keep up the good fight.

  • supercargo
    supercargo george28545

    Posted

    Hi george28545

    The Prostate Cancer Charity have a good fact sheet.

    Hormone drug:Goserlin

    ​I started Zoladex 10.8mg September 2013 and expect my final one 25th September 2015. Next visit to Oncologist April 2016 and hope Zoladex is history so hot flushes and night sweats are a thing of the past..

    • george28545
      george28545 supercargo

      Posted

      Thank you supercargo - I think you must expect hot flushes to go on for sometime after stopping Zoladex.   I get them after drinking either hot or cold drinks and have just about got use to them - although during the night is not fun.   I see my Urologist on 17 Sep to check my latest PSA so I wil ask him abut the future and also about Tincture of Sage .   Good luck
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