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Chemo and headaches

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 8/27/2013 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, my husband was diagnosed Oct. 2010 with prostate cancer. G 4 + 5. He went to the doctor when he found blood in his sperm. The doctor told him that his prostate was enlarged, but not to worry he will keep an eye on it. Well 1,5 years later when he finely did a biobsy it was too late.
We changed from an HMO to a PPO and found a wonderful doctor at City of Hope. He is getting Luprin every 3 month. He was in a clinical trial, but it did not help. Last week of May he started Xtandi. The se's were bad. Loss of breath, swelling legs, loss of appetite, and loss of lifelynes. He lost 26 lb. He stopped Xtandy and had his first chemo today.
Does anyone know what to do about the bad headaches you get from chemo?
Petra
Posted 8/27/2013 5:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Petra. So sorry for the issues. I was treated at City of Hope at one time for my prostate cancer. It was a good experience for me.

Xtandi is usually pretty tolerable and it sounds like your husband might have has an allergic reaction or just simply bad tolerance of the drug. I'm curious if he had Zytiga.

Side effects from chemo need to be monitored by his doctors. If he is having severe headaches they need to know. Ask them what may be causing them and what can be done to reduce them. There are several things that can be felt under Docetaxel/Prednisone treatment. Headaches being on the list. Under all cases, the labeling says to call your physician.

Tony
Posted 8/27/2013 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
Petra,
I know this document is not easy to read. This is the label for Taxotere (docetaxel) listing many side effects and other things that you might like to know. The drug has been associated with several other issues you might run into...

www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2004/020449s028lbl.pdf

Stay well! And stay positive. Peace to you always

Tony
Posted 8/27/2013 5:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Tony, I don' think he had Zytiga. As soon he saw the doctor at City of Hope he got in a trial. TAK - 700. He also got Provenge treatment.

I will call the nurse tomorrow, thank you.

Petra
Posted 8/27/2013 6:16 AM (GMT 0)
You might ask about cold caps. These are frozen caps that fit overhead and help reduce both headaches and hair loss. They also help with neurologic issues at times. They also have them for hands but at this time it sounds like his hands are fine.

Peace

Tony
Posted 8/27/2013 6:36 AM (GMT 0)
After reading the side effects and the regime of medication etc with the infusion of Taxotere,I wonder is the quality of life versus the survival benefit worth it ?

Maybe making the best of your time without the side effects is the way to go ? Or is this being selfish on your loved ones ?

 

Posted 8/27/2013 7:02 AM (GMT 0)
Rangertug,
Maybe not so fast. Chemotherapy can be well tolerated and be effective. It's a case by case basis to understand why it does help. It's important to look at both sides of the coin...

Peace.

Tony
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