HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Xgeva despite normal bone density

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/9/2014 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Guys,

I recently met with a new medonc who I like very much and has a great reputation in the community. He wants me to start monthly injections of Xgeva to prevent bone loss due to triple ADT and the effect it has on bones. My recent bone scan showed improvement from my initial scan back in March and noted a favorable response to treatment. Bone density test came back with results that were better than normal with no risk of fracture.
I'm concerned about possible side effects of Xgeva, can anyone share their experience with this drug and should I be concerned with this recommendation?
I want to aggressively treat my G9 PCa and if Xgeva will help prevent future mets and is wise due to the triple ADT and its effect on bone than I'm all for it. I would appreciate your thoughts.

First injection is scheduled for October 17th so I'm doing my homework before starting treatment.

Ed

Posted 10/9/2014 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Minimal side effects.....some times aches and pains in joints (take an Aleve). Check the web site and see what else is noted. Our thinking (husband & mine) on this subject is, that any type of medication that will enhance the bone strength in any way will far out way the adverse (if any) side effects. Generally PC will metastasizes to the bone and making them stronger to not be as prone to fracture will be beneficial to any PC patient. Husband also takes an additional 1200 mg Calcium and vitamin 1000 mg D3 every day to help with promoting bone strength.....

Husband has been on this journey since 1999 and we have tried and continue to try any type of medication (after reviewing the side effects and the medications ability to extend but not cause a demise in the quality of life situation), or homeopathic remedies if they do not or will not interfere with medical prescribed medications from day one.

Needless to say, you will have to be your own judge on what you do or do not want to take infighting this disease. Hopefully that within the next few years the medical research community will find what causes PC and a cure and or actual gene that puts the men in our society at risk.

Good luck on your journey........this is a very good forum for information and feed back from your fellow PC warriors from all over the world. I know that I have benefited immensely from the knowledge and resources that I have been able to find here on this site.

Sal
Posted 10/9/2014 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
It doesn't seem to prevent future mets in men who have already been diagnosed with mets, only in men with no mets who are just starting ADT.

Zometa/Xgeva for mHSPC
Posted 10/9/2014 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
All I can say is that I haven't had any side effects with it.  I was taking monthly injections of it for about a year and then for the past 2 years or so I have gotten one shot every 6 months.
Posted 10/14/2014 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
Dr. Myers has recommended it for my husband also, despite the fact his bone density is that of a 40-year-old. Looking at my notes here (which are legion) and the reason for this is that he has lytic mets that Xgeva should build back. We got so much info out of our session with him that I came out feeling like a bobblehead.
Posted 10/14/2014 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Moonlitnight,

I forgot that you had your appointment with Myers...how did it go? Feel free to email me...
Posted 10/15/2014 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
Xgeva is pretty much a given for those going on HT. My uro/onco are both conservative, so started me with Prolia (a lighter dose of the same drug in Xgeva).

If you are dead-set on having options, you might ask about a 6-month Prolia, to be changed if needed at the 6-month point to Xgeva.

I did Prolia because that was what was suggested based on my bone scans. I'm not a doctor, so often ask for reasons, but rarely second-guess. There are some provisions of my insurance (self-insured company plan) that terminate coverage for conditions if I do not comply with the suggestions of the approved physicians, so changes are discussed and agreed with them.
Posted 10/15/2014 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Jerry! I am going to, for sure. You are #12 on my to-do list, along with three other Myers' patients. Please don't feel insulted by that. I came back to all-H-broken-loose with my clients, and am getting caught up with urgent changes before print and so-on, or trying to. I will say that Dr. Myers (and his staff) were charming, compassionate, helpful, intelligent, very well informed and gave us some hope. Also, how wonderful to be given four full hours without any pressure. Loved the oak forest as well.
Posted 10/16/2014 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Ed-Bar

My husband had his first xgeva shot 10 days ago, no SE at all so far. (I'm with the "probably a good idea maybe for future mets" camp.)

No SE that is aside from those caused by the jaw dropping bill. Check out the Amgen First Step program - if you are on private insurance (not Medicare or Medicaid) it looks like a real good thing (first shot free and pays out of pocket up to $5000 every six months), but you should call BEFORE your first treatment. I just called them this am and they were very nice.

Regards
Carolyn
Posted 10/16/2014 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
Xgeva is indicated for those of us with bone mets; at that point we really need to protect the bones. I've been on it monthly over 6 months and don't notice any SE (but with all the drugs i've got it's a bit tough to tell what SE is which.)

Good luck with it ...

Ray
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply