HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

First "zero" after finishing HT

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/22/2014 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
I guess this is sort of a milestone: I got my first PSA test after finishing HT, and now with some level of testosterone in my body, it remains undetectable (<0.03). I am now 14 weeks post-Lupron. Libido is very good. I still get the occasional hot flash when I get warm. Chest hair is visibly sprouting. I think they will measure my T level at the next 60 day PSA check. I am pleased so far.
Posted 2/22/2014 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Great news!! Hope things continue to go well for you!!

Tom
Posted 2/22/2014 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
SC:

WAY TO GO!!!!

Interesting, I was surprised that my PSA was <0.02.

I thought 0.01 was the lowest possible reading.

Looking at yours, I see it varies -- I assume 0.03 is your lowest possible reading?

Also, when did you go OFF HT??

I know I will once again be anxious for my next PSA (mid-April) since I will be off all medications (except Avodart).

Mel

Posted 2/22/2014 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,
Yes, my doctor's test only goes as low as 0.03 .. anything less than that is undetectable.

My last Lupron shot officially expired on November 14.

SC
Posted 2/22/2014 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
SC:

Then you are not on anything and your PSA actually decreased? Am I correct?

That is amazing...and wonderful... and hopeful for my situation.

Also, how often do you have to get PSA tests while on this HT vacation?

Mel

Posted 2/22/2014 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats SC. You threw the book at it right off the bat. Herez to continued zeros.
Mel. I believe sc tx was all adjuvant. I would assume he wouldnt do IHT unless he has a psa relapse. I am feeling very optimistic for him!-_-
Posted 2/22/2014 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Good news, congratulations!

Andrew
Posted 2/22/2014 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
That is sure some great news. Thanks for sharing. I have been on HT now almost 2 weeks and can't wait to see what it does with my 92 PSA.

Guys like you give me great hope,

Sonny
Posted 2/22/2014 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
SC,

Awesome news...

I can surely relate to the good side effects of normal testosterone...been on a HT vacation for longer than I would have imagined. Last Lupron was like 17 months ago.


Jerry
Posted 2/22/2014 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
SC,
Congratulations to you and all the others who are having great results! Long may it continue.
I am certainly glad that your libido has or is returning. I read an article that those men who are on 3 years of lupron and are at age 70 have a "slim" positive outlook as far as ED. That seems to be my case, but I can accept that. I have no frustration since at the range I can shoot the bad guy with my Remington-Rand .45--lol.
Simply a great forum with great people--that's why I am here.
Bill idea
Posted 2/22/2014 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
Excellent news
Posted 2/22/2014 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats, happy for you!!!

Bill from Florida cool
Posted 2/22/2014 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
yayy!

ed
Posted 2/23/2014 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Great news. I've followed your journey and happy you can report non detectable PSA.
Posted 2/23/2014 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Mel,
To clarify, my PSA has been undetectable for 3 years while on HT. But, since going off HT, it is nice to see it hang in there and remain undetectable .. fingers crossed that is stays that way .. forever. I am getting tested every 60 days for now.
SC
Posted 2/23/2014 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Jerry:

You have been doing very well for yourself on your "vacation" away from HT, hope it continues that way for you for a long, long time.

David
Posted 2/23/2014 10:25 AM (GMT 0)
congrats on finishing Ht - congrats on getting a zero reading - congrats on your rising T levels - here's to a lifetime of zero's and keeping those numbers low no one can find them.
hugs,
Bronson
Posted 2/23/2014 11:50 AM (GMT 0)

Southern Comfort said...
Mel,
To clarify, my PSA has been undetectable for 3 years while on HT. But, since going off HT, it is nice to see it hang in there and remain undetectable .. fingers crossed that is stays that way .. forever. I am getting tested every 60 days for now.
SC

Comfort,

How appropriate the screen name is with this news.

What flavor of Lupron were you taking prior to your holiday, one month, 3 month, 4 month or 6 month? I know it's actualy multiples of 4 weeks but close enough for govt work.

Given Jerry's excellent results on IHT, perhaps the half life is not that big a deal.

Congrats, here's hoping you and Jerry et al can stay off the Lupron as long as I have to be on it which is forever.

LupronJim
Posted 2/23/2014 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
May the "zero's" go on and on! Congratulations!
Posted 2/23/2014 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
LupronJim,
I have been on all flavors of Lupron: 4 mo, 6 mo, 3 mo, and 1 mo. For the last year and a half I was on the 3 month plan. But, I switched to 1 mo shots for the last two months just because of timing. If I had stuck with 3 mo shots, I would been on HT for 37 months .. unh uh, no way. I was determined to not overshoot the 3 year plan.

Thank you to all for your positive comments!

SC
Posted 2/23/2014 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Great news, SC!

I'm curious, when you had 6 month shot(s), by any chance were your side effects more evident than with the 3 month shot?
Last shot for Mr. was a 6 month shot and something was kicking his butt bad. All previous shots were 3 month shots. Our west coast doctors said they have had people take the 6 month shot who complained of worst side effects than the 3 month shot.
At any rate, they are moving him to a 1 month shot. His local urologist will be giving the shot and he uses Eiligard instead of Lupron. From reading post here, the Eligard shot seems to be a painful one in comparison to Lupron.
Posted 2/23/2014 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
MsWorryWart,
I never noticed a difference in overall side effects. (Theoretically there should not be a difference .. the side effects are due to Low T). However, the 6 month shots seemed to make my butt really sore for a few days. However, those shots were given at the urologist's office before I switched over to getting them at the oncologist's office. So, who knows .. might have been skill of the person injecting me.
SC
Posted 2/23/2014 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Southern:

Great news! ... Keep vigilant and enjoy your life my friend :-) Love to see that ...

Ray
Posted 2/23/2014 11:36 PM (GMT 0)

MsWorryWart,

Could it be possible side effects of the Zytiga? (Is he on prednisone as well? I think taking prednisone can help with certain side effects of Zytiga)

With traditional hormone therapy and I would imagine the new generation of hormone therapies - the longer you are them, the more noticable the side effects might be. Do his docs suggest anything to combat these side effects?

Jerry

Posted 2/24/2014 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks SC!

Jerry L... It's possible that it is the Zytiga. He has been on it for 16 months, but has been off of the prednisone for almost a year. Med Onc had concerns about prolonged predisone usage so he was titrated down from 10mg a day to none over a 3 month period. His other Med On is also fine with him not taking the prednisone, but has put him on a fluid pill. The name escapes me at the moment.

I guess it was just coincidental that the 6 month shot is when the side effects got a lot worse. More memory than anything. Fatigue has been a given, but that increased as well.

Aside from taking him off of the Zytiga and Lupron, exercise has been the only option offered to counter the side effects.

We personally think that traveling helps tremendously. :)
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12