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Hormone therapy and heart disease

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Posted 11/10/2008 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi my name is Rhonda and this is my first post. My husband is awaiting biopsy, bone scar and cystoscopy to be done on Nov. 12. He had a previous biopsy in 2005 with a psa of 5.2. Biopsy was negative. After moving to new area saw another GP who referred him to different urologist when PSA rose in 2007 from 6.2 to 7.1. We did not realize at the time it had risen to over 7 and the new urologist did no further testing. One week ago my husband had a psa done and his reading was 140. We immediately called our original urologist who saw him on an urgent basis and on digital exam said " I don't like what I feel", and arranged the above mentioned further testing. We are understandably angry at the previous lack of further investigation and worried sick. My husband is havng a great deal of problems emptying his bladder, leaking etc. I am not sure as to the likely course of treatment. He has severe coronary artery disease and I had read somewhere? that hormone therapy can cause heart attacks. Anyone have any feedback or info on this He is 67 years old and his health otherwise is good. Although he has the CAD he is stable and has no angina. Thanks for any advice or information.
Posted 11/10/2008 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rhonda,
It is in the past now, but it appears there was another opportunity to biopsy. I haven't seen much documentation that indicates HT is causing heart attacks, it's not out of the question, but this is best left for the cardiologist and the oncologists. But stay positive. I know it is hard to right now, but it is the only way to go. Welcome to the best site on the web for caring and compassionate support. This is truly a great group of people. And we are sorry to, bud I am sure we all will gladly welcome you.

Tony
Posted 11/11/2008 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rhonda,

As a quadruple bypass patient I was very interested in the potential downside of hormone therapy on my heart. There are several papers that indicate some degree of caution should be exercised in cases of known CAD. A web search will turn up several. Also the Harvard Heart news letter had an article on this connection back earlier in the year. I pay close attention to this as I have had no problems since the original open heart surgery 10 + years ago and do not want any now. I have a family history of CAD and usually the first indication is fatal. Tony's advice to discuss this with your cardiologist is well placed. You should do so and, if possible, ask him to consult with the urologist.

Are you considering any other treatment?

Take care,
Don
Posted 11/12/2008 5:35 AM (GMT 0)
I went through 1-year of Intermittent Triple Androgen Blockade Therapy using Zoladex, Casodex (150 mg/day) and Avodart, and I'm not surprised there might be some correlation between hormone therapy and heart attacks since at times I felt quite unwell while on the hormone therapy. I suggest carrying out more research about this and closely question your oncologist.

 

Posted 11/12/2008 6:42 AM (GMT 0)
taiping,
I noticed in your signature you switched from Avodart to Proscar some three months after you began intermittent TAB. Was there a better feeling about Finesteride during the maintenence period? I know a lot of talk that Proscar has a better early result. Long term info is still shady to me, but, I'm going to enter a vacation in May and a maintenance drug is likely.

Tony
Posted 11/12/2008 8:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Tony,

 

I changed from AVODART to PROSCAR in September 2008, 3-months AFTER I completed the intermittent TAB in July 2008. I used AVODART throughout the 1-year on TAB.

 

There was really no very good reason that I'm aware of for the switch except (a) I know PROSCAR has been around longer so I hope the long term effects are better known, (b) I happen to know someone aged about 85 who's been on PROSCAR for years without any apparent problem, (c) my night time urination remained at about 2 times a night on AVODART, and I wondered if PROSCAR would work better (it hasn't yet), (d) generic PROSCAR is slightly cheaper than generic AVODART on Alldaychemist.com, (e) most of the men on the Leibowitz-Tucker study used PROSCAR, and (f) my oncologist (Dr Tucker) had no objection when I suggested the change to him.

 

My testosterone level is very low 3-months after TAB which probably accounts for the low PSA of 0.01. I will check the PSA & Testosterone again in January 2009 and compare the results with the Leibowitz-Tucker study of the first 100 men on TAB. Looks like my PSA/Testosterone may be below the rising curve of this study, which is fine by me, but if the numbers remain low I wonder if I might be able to stop the PROSCAR as well, at least for a time. I don't really want to take drugs if I can avoid it.

 

Hope this helps.

 

taiping

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