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Posted 8/9/2012 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
New to this forum. My spouse has been battling PC for almost two years now. His PSA is either going up or going down. We can't seem to catch a break. PSA was 76 at diagnosis started Lupron/Casadex immediately and continues with Lupron shots every 3 months. He has been on Zytiga since November 2011 when his PSA hit all time high of 198. PSA dropped to a low of 13.6 in April 2012 then began to increase again to 14.5 in May, 20.2 in June and doubling to 40 in July. He's now tampering down the Zytiga and attempting a second round of Taxetere August 15th. He complains of bone pain in right hip and ribs area. He's tired the Vegetarian diet, craniosacral therapy, all kinds of supplements. Don't know what else to do.
Posted 8/9/2012 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
welcome to HW, so sorry to hear about your spouse's PC case, sounds pretty serious. He was pretty young at 49 to have it be Stage 4 and a Gleason 8. But it sounds like you are doing most of the normal things. Have you considered the new drug, Provenge? Not sure if he would qualify or not, but it would be worth looking into it.

I wish you both the best, and hope he can have some kind of positive turn around soon, sounds like a very aggressive case.

Please keep us reported.

David in S.C.
Posted 8/9/2012 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
motorider

Welcome to our little corner of the world, definitely is where you and hubby need to be.

First - You - As many of our sisters will share with you, its going to be very important you take care of yourself so can take care of hubby.

Next - His pain. Have you talked with his medical team? They maybe able to do some spot radiation to take care of the pain. Or prescribe some drugs.

For the bone health - Zometa is what I've been on for about a year. I get a infusion once a month.

MDV3100 is something to look at if you have not already.

My email is available in my profile - feel free to write.

We are here for you two.

HUGS!

Bud

We will beat this crap!
Posted 8/9/2012 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
David, have considered Provenge but doctor wants to retry Taxotere since last time around it was a clinical trial before he was in refractory and PSA did decline, but who knows if that was the chemo or the hormones. He was diagnosed in October, staged by November with Lupron and Casodex started immediately. Chemo was started 3 months later in clinical trial. With such an aggressive cancer we thought maybe hitting it hard from the start would help. Did have drop in PSA from 96+ in November 2010 to 3.4 in May 2011 but before the 6th round PSA started to rise in 3 weeks to 4.6 and go up steadily from there. We just can't catch a break.

Bud, haven't talked to the doctor yet about Zometa will ask about it tomorrow. Any side effects? Have thought about MDV3100 but haven't made any calls yet. I will call two sites in the area tomorrow.

Thank you both for the kinds words. Can should use a HUG right now. Will keep you posted.
Posted 8/9/2012 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
There are a number of new drugs just approved or about to be approved.

Are you seeing a good medical oncologist specializing in PC?

My understanding is that there is still a lot that can be done.

Mel

Posted 8/9/2012 10:28 AM (GMT 0)
Motorider, I agree with what Mel wrote: there are lots of options. Some of them might work for just a little, others might work longer. Anything to manage this beast until the next good treatment.
My husband is on the MDV3100. We don't know yet if it's working but the emotion in this household right now is hope. We are very hopeful.
You can see by my signature that we have been battling this for 10 years now. How? We just live by the new normal standards is how.
And this is the best forum ever for us spouses! I have felt so welcome here. And supported. Raddad hugs are the best!
We will beat this crap!
Posted 8/9/2012 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
Motorider, I hope you will return and let us know what decision your husband has made (with your support).  It is difficult when you, as his wife, feel a bit helpless.  Do take care of yourself during this stressful time.  I do like nhwife's attitude of hope!  Wishing you and your husband the very best.

*Hugs*

Aimzee

Posted 8/9/2012 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for posting. Your support means a lot right now! Hubby has been a rock through all of this. Just so tired of being being knocked down after every treatment. So was being optimistic about the Zytiga and hoping for a much longer time before PSA rise. It always rising so fast. We do feel confident with our team of doctors, but always open to new options. Our doctor states MDV3100 has strict guidelines and since last Docetaxel was over a year ago, we need to try again and if/when it fails we can then pursue MDV3100. I did speak with another doctor today who sounded optimistic about approval even though it's been a year since failure. Now what to do? We have to decide to not do Docetaxel next week and hope in 5 weeks we can start MDV3100 or just stay the course with Docetaxel and move one from there with MDV3100 or whatever looks promising at that time. Hubby is dreading starting chemo again. UGH!!
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