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Casodex anyone?

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Posted 7/9/2010 6:24 AM (GMT 0)
Anyone have any experience taking or not taking Casodex? I have been on it since June but am now on Eligard (lupron) injections so do I still need to take it? It's makes me tired and gives me a headache nono
Posted 7/9/2010 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Midi,

I took Casodex for two weeks prior to and two weeks after my first lupron shot. It was to prevent the tumor flare associated with the lupron. There are a couple of options for HT or androgen blockade. You can be on one, two, or three drugs. My own was a single anti androgen, lupron, similar to the eligard. I suspect that since you are showing mets your doctor has included the Casodex. This is common. A third drug is Proscar or Avodart if needed for further testosterone suppression. The Proscar or Avodart help suppress the dihydrotestosterone. There is at least one person on this site that has had extremely good results with the combination therapy similar to yours. 

The tired feeling is a consequnce of the low testosterone. Best remedy I know is to get into a regular exercise routing. I know that helped me get through it. Still got tired but the workout seemed to revive me. I don't know about the headache but I believe the execise will help that too.

Good luck with your treatment.

Don

Posted 7/9/2010 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hey agreeing with Don basically on what he mentioned above. Seeing what your stats are as we have some of your above data. You are in serious need of a world class oncologists for your best care  and side effects and quality of life in fighting this. Someone versed in PCa oncology is likely the best concept, guys like Scholz, Lam, Strum, Meyers, Leibowitz, and there are less reknown guys whom are better than average at knowing various ways to treat PCa.

If you were to read some of the P2P replies (by some oncologists on the internet) to patients with serious and usually failed primary treatments, you might be blown away about what they suggest for tests, protocols, manipulations in therapies. Kind of like rocket science (LOL).

John T recently posted Dr. Scholz phone number, I don't know if you have great insurance or means. Worth thinking about, I have one guy here in my Michigan PCa Group (via Dr. Birch a very good oncologist/hemotoligist-Michigan) this member is seeing Dr. Scholz (Californai) 1-2 times a year and on Leukine (not cheap, his insurance pays it), but he is getting good response and been fighting PCa like 10 yrs. and needed new options to fight it and is under his care.

Just suggestions and ideas, have you looked at www.hrpca.org website for information? You can also join their internet group, from a link therein. People from around the world with serious PCa issues, sharing information and protocol informationn. Howard Hansen is moderator 17 yr warrior, done all kinds of protocols over the years. Hang in there.
Posted 7/9/2010 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
OK - trying to get a hold of my Uro for clarification - first he told me to just take it for 20 days - then he said he keep taking it.

I had Hernia surgery last week so quit taking it while I was on the pain meds as it seemed to make me extra tired and groggy - but for some reason after the operation I can urinate again so happy about that.

My Onc was not sure if I should continue on it but told me to ask the Uro - he did suggest going on Zometa but my Kidney Doctor does not think that's a good idea unless I really have a lot of bone pain as it can damage the kidneys, he said.

Otherwise feeling OK & exercising daily with walking & swimming - not ready get back to bike riding yet until the hernia repair heals more - still have some pain from that but not too bad now - thanks guy!
Posted 7/10/2010 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
I was on two years of Casodex in conjunction with a year of Lupron and then a year of Trelstar (new Urologist) and 43 radiation sessions. This is one of the standard courses of treatment for advanced Pca

The Casodex/Lupron/Trelstar/radiation has left me constantly fatigued as others have mentioned.

To address the question at the end of your profile, yes you will still be a man but most probably with a much reduced "manly" function. Each person's experience varies but I would talk to your uro about starting some form of oral ED meds to help maintain your "manly" functioning in the face of what is essentially chemical castration.

The effects of the shots are not immediate but progressively manifest themselves. In my case the effects of the combination of Lupron and radiation were definitely evident after three months.

Another issue to discuss with the uro is the problem of developing osteoporsis because of the loss of testosterone. I ended up with a fractured vertabra requiring a spinal fusion. There are some things that can be done to be proactive about the osteoporsis.

Just remember that you are not alone and we are all wishing the best for you.
Posted 7/10/2010 7:10 AM (GMT 0)
I have not heard of Trelstar - is it new and any different from Lupron?

I talked to the Uro today and told I was urinating a lot more after the Hernia surgery - he thought it could be related or also a combination of the meds - said it was OK to discontinue the Casodex for awhile and not start the Zometa due to kidney issues as the bone pain has all gone away & I am able to walk and move ok. Is exercise & Vit D enough to keep the bones strong?

I'm really hoping for some type of miracle cure throught all this - I know some people have had complete remission of symptoms and can the mind really heal the body?

I'm going to keep praying & thanks everyone for your thoughts and support!
Posted 7/10/2010 7:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Midi,
Good to hear from you. I don't know anything about Casodex - unfortunately, pee pads are my specialty. I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you. I had double hernia repair about 10 years ago and can't imagine how uncomfortable that must be combined with the other issues. JKeep hydrated and eat fiber so you don't get constipated. It will get better in a week or so.
I'm glad you no longer need to self cath. That must be a relief.
Keep eating right, exercising, and learning.
Jeff
Posted 7/10/2010 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
Trelstar and Lupron are in the same class of drug. I was changed over from the Lupron shots to Trelstar shots because my new uro preferred Trelstar and did not use Lupron. From my research they are equally effective although, as with most meds, some may experience more side-effects from one than the other.

http://www.trelstar.com/index.asp

:-)
Posted 7/11/2010 11:00 AM (GMT 0)
This might be kind of a touchy subject here, but has anyone tried or heard of people being helped by Medical Marijuana?

Post Edited By Moderator (James C.) : 7/11/2010 10:46:51 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/11/2010 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe you should be taking Fosamax and or vitamin D3 for bone density assistance both are low priced, Zometa I.V .is expensive and your side effects a consideration along with jaw necrosis (spelling?)possible. However it is like 100-1000 times more potent than Fosamax.

The newest LHRH type drug sounds great Degarelix has no flare issues associated with it and claims testostorone drop that rivals Lupron and others, as huge difference. So in effect it is a new player on the LHRH type field.

Post Edited By Moderator (James C.) : 7/11/2010 10:46:13 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/11/2010 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
medical marijuana is not only a touchy subject, but a Rule violations, as well.
Rule 2 states:

2. No discussion of medical marijuana use.

So I edited parts of 2 posts...
Posted 7/11/2010 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Ok - will check some other forums as well - thanks....
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