Femur was envolved with mets, luckily avoided having fracture and pin replacement work (thus far), radiation finished a few weeks ago....finally the pain is gone and improving leg seems to be happening more and more (easier to get around, used cane thing a couple times weeks ago). Radiation area was like 10-12" long area (didn't have pains until all the sudden, scans earlier would have been wiser). Two new things happening, Blue Cross Blue Shield would not approve Xtandi unless you do chemo prior, not a fan of chemo just yet. Luckily I got my hands on Xtandi and using it now (don't ask don't tell), so far I don't notice any really nasty side effects and I hope it stays like this.
How long for others herein, did it take for Xtandi to kick in for side effects or possible results? Probably have to do for a month to see if tangible results for this drug is effective, I guess. I also am on Metformin now as my glucose level got to like 327 (freakin high) had no clues, and this happened over the last few months,
otherwise been normal forever (prior). This drug too may help drive back psa and the dragon PCa pac-men.
Also, I am scheduled for Prolia soon and will likely be doing this monthly for awhile. My psa did recently stabilize and went back 3 points while on Zytiga+DES, even though rising ever 2 weeks prior (that was unexpected). But although the Zytiga seemed useful since July 2013, drove down psa pretty fairly well, then since Jan. been rising until this last psa, recently. Must be the DES added effect, even though I was failing on DES after a nice long 8 yrs. run of great results with it.
Down the dragon road I may be into Radium-223 Alpharadin perhaps and/or chemo goods, would not be looking forward to either, but may have to make those types of choices. Always hard decisions on what, when, whom, how and is it covered??? I will listen to your possible responses, especially those whom have been there and done that, hard to trump real experiences.
Weaning off of Dexamethasone (used with Zytiga), weaning off of warfarin used with DES and patch not long ago too. Stopped using DES or patches for now, want to see results of Xtandi and Metformin and see.
Later....
Post Edited (zufus) : 3/31/2014 3:17:04 PM (GMT-6)