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zytiga update :)

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Posted 11/7/2011 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
11 weeks ago my husband started the Zytiga 4 a day with predisone our first check up 5 weeks ago after being on it for 6 weeks showed psa dropped from 46 to 10 that's a big drop for us but the best thing is he has not had any side effects like he did with taxatire or the jevtana the only side effect is he does get tired sometimes but he is eating well and having fun with friends and family.. I know this will not cure my husband and the amount of time we have together could be less then a year or more I so hope for more .. but the thing is that I want to share is ... My husband and I have not been together long and he got sick not long after I moved in and we got married so we never got the chance to take pictures together ....well a few weeks ago we finally took some pics and u know what its thanks to the zytiga I am not saying its a miracle drug or that it will do this for u but it did it for us and that's what I am sharing I wish and pray everyone has the same response .... I feel like I've been given a second chance to make memories with my husband and for that I am grateful

Best wishes and good health
Chrissy
Posted 11/7/2011 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Chrissy

Make beautiful memories sister.

Your husbands PSA and mine are very close.

Me and my lady wife focus on the today.

Life is good, savor every moment of it.

Bud

PS Sent you a email.

Post Edited (Raddad) : 11/7/2011 2:29:41 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/8/2011 12:19 AM (GMT 0)

Chrissy,

I am so glad your husband is doing so well. Make some beautiful memories.

My hubby is on cabazitaxel at the moment and is not doing so well. Most of the cancer has stabilised except for a large spot in his liver and his right tibia. Having RT on the tibia in 2 weeks for pain. He had to have a blood transfusion due to low red blood cell count and is extremely tired and nauseous all the time. Did your hubby have any of those reactions?

When this chemo fails his next option will be abiraterone so I hope he tolerates it as well as your husband is. It doesn't help hubby is still working though. Finishing up at xmas.

He was given up to a year in August this year. We have an 18yr old son & a 4yr old daughter. I know how hard it is. We have been married for 4 years but together for 26. I was 14, he was 16. I'm not sure if that makes it easier or harder. I have a lot of memories, photos etc, and 2 beautiful kids. But how do I live without him after being together for so long?

Keep in touch, I would like to hear often how your hubby is going. All the best & my thoughts & prayers are with you both!

Karen

Posted 11/8/2011 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
To Chrissy and Karen,

I can only hope that both of your husbands make improvements soon, both sound like tough situations. Good luck,
and please stay in touch.

david in S.C.
Posted 11/8/2011 7:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi: My husband had chemo and his psa dropped for awhile and than rose. he was on zytiga only 1 week and his psa went from 600 to 300 so his uncologist took him off because he wasn't sure if the chemo had cut in or it was the zytiga. After 1 month his psa went up a little so oncologist let him make the decision to go back on the drug or wait one more month. He goes next monday for another psa. If his psa has gone up will go back on zytiga.

My husband has been battling with prostate cancer for 5 years. His psa was around 100 when diagnosed and gleason of 8. He is a fighter and an awesome person. I know what you mean about losing him. I try not to think that way and take each day as a gift to spend it together.

I will keep you updated on his zytiga journey and will look for your updates.

Good luck to you both.
Posted 11/30/2011 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for sharing your stories. My father has been fighting prostate cancer for about 8 years. His history sounds very much like Chrissy's husband. His doctor has written a Rx for Zytiga, but the expense of the drug is a problem. If he had commercial insurance, he could get it for a $20 per month co-pay and if he had no insurance, he could likely get it for free from Johnson & Johnson. However, because he has Medicare Part D drug coverage, he has no help. Medicare Part D will only cover about 10 days worth of the medicine for the entire year before putting him in the donut hole for the rest of the year -- meaning he would have to pay the entire $5,180 per month for the drug plus pay the full amount for the rest of the medication he is on. We sent an application to Johnson & Johnson for patient assistance and it was DENIED because of his Medicare Part D coverage. We have appealed and are waiting on a decision. Has anyone else had experience with tyring to get Zytiga on Medicare Part D? Not sure how much time we have left to go through the red tape, but I'm getting very frustrated and disappointed in a drug company that has a drug that may prolong my Dad's life but would withhold it from him because of profit. Any advise would be appreicated.
Posted 11/30/2011 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
More info re my earlier post:
Age 62 at dx, now 70
Prostatectomy, chemo and radiation
Now in bones-spine,ribs,sternum,femur,and one spot on skull; he has recently started having seizures and is on anti-seizure medicine
Casodex-failed,Docataxel-failed, ketaconazole-failed, still on lupron and just stopped a trial drug for MDV3100 (PSA went from 279 to 26) after about 2 years because it stopped working;
He was given 1 year to live (without medication) in November 2010
PSA: now back up to 50s and continues to climb)
Posted 12/1/2011 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
It is very comforting to know that others have been given a year and have passed it and some :) We r fighting to make sure we will out last that and to prove the docs wrong :) We go back to the Doc on monday this will be our 3 and a half months point check up :) He is still doing well and continues to go to work every day but I am starting to see the tiredness in his eyes :( But he says he feels great which may not be the total truth but as long as he keeps going I will to :) I will update u all as soon as I get back from Doctor I believe we will have great test results and that the meds are still working I keep all of u in my prayers even if I don't know u My granddaughter does to lol She is 5 and told me when asked what sick people is she blessing she said all of them cuz they need her help too :)
May you all be blessed this Holiday season
Chrissy
Posted 12/1/2011 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Snoopy yes my husband had all the side effects they were horrible I wish u both the best I really thought most of the side effects did not out way the benefits we lost so much time on him being sick to sick to talk much less make memories with familyI am sorry this is short granddaughters here and shes wanting to play lol
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