Side effects of drugs or progression in the cancer?

Hi all.

My dad was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in January this year. He has a gleason 10 and widespread bone mets.
Since September of last year he has not been well, chronic sickness, no appetite, vomiting etc...he lost 4 stone in 3 months and spent most of his days in bed.
He is suffering with severe pain from his bone mets and is currently in hospital where they are tryin to control it with drugs.
My concerns at the moment are with regards to symptoms which seem to have come on steadily over the last few weeks but have been getting progressively worse. These are arm/hand shaking (which is now so bad he can't even hold a bottle or give himself his tablets), confusion (also saying some really weird things) and also unsteadiness when walking...he fell today in the hospital and hurt himself, he struggles to get to the bathroom without help.
None of these symptoms where around 6 months ago, he was a really intelligent man who could walk for miles.
I know you are net medical but any advice or thoughts as to whether this is drug related or progression of the disease would be gratefully received.
P.S.... We got old last week to only expect a few more months a best as his hormone treatment didnt work so I know his time is not far away...

I'm no Dr. but the tremors and confusion do sound like SEs from pain meds.As long as he is in as comfort zone don't waste your time worrying, use it for loving him as I'm sure you are. wish you the best and your father the peace . . . Q

That is a difficult place to be. It sounds a lot like what happened to my mother when she was dying from pancreatic. It's really a combination of the drugs, the cancer and the body losing strength. It's a difficult game at this stage - balancing the side effects of the drugs while trying to keep the pain at bay.

It's sad and difficult to watch a loved one go through this.
You'll be in my thoughts a prayers this week.
Andrew

I read the post regarding your dad. I am wondering how old he is, and what his last PSA reading was. For me, my PSA at last reading (taken once a month) was 2,036 ... it has been around the two thousand mark for a while now. I have had many years of chemotherapy, and the usual chemical castration with Lupron, and also Zomenta to strengthen the bones .... my point is that I have had periods of intense pain. How much of it was from various treatments or the cancer, I don't know. I do have mets through out, in the bones ... but, it is effecting the bladder area. J stent in place .... etc  

What I find curious is why they have him in the hospital ... where pain can be control at home with various means. I am thinking he is very old, or there are other vitals that need to be monitored in the hospital.