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Posted 10/15/2014 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Casodex is used to shrink the prostate and make it more sensitive to radiation. In these cases it it usually given for 6 to 9 months starting 3 months before radiation and going for 3 months after. The side effects are about 20% of lupron. The SEs are: loss of libido which returns about 2 months after stopping the drug, breast enlargement, which can be prevented by Fermera or other drugs, and some hot flashes. They are very tolerable and all disappear within a few months of stopping.
Posted 10/15/2014 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
Casodex (Bicalutamide) blocks the effect of testosterone but does not interfere (much) with its production. Men on Bicalutamide have normal(ish) levels of testosterone but its effects are blocked because the drug binds to the receptor sites on androgen-sensitive cells where testosterone usually attaches. Bicalutamide doesn't (usually) activate the receptor and testosterone -- which would activate them -- can't attach because the drug molecules are in the way. When you stop taking it and after it has a while to flush away the testosterone -- which was there all along -- can start working again. So it wears off quickly compared to other hormone therapy drugs.

The down sides are 1) like all hormone therapy drugs it just plain sucks to be on the stuff, 2) you have to keep an eye on your breast tissue since "moobs" can be a problem with it, 3) it can tend to be a bit hard on the stomach when you first start taking it. I made it a point to take it with food for the first couple of months.

Good luck whatever you decide. You get full credit for doing your homework
Posted 10/23/2014 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Had my first Office visit with Dr. Dattoli and was equally impressed so far with the facility, the staff and Dr. Dattoli himself. I'm kicking myself for just not going to him in the first place because the color Doppler ultrasound showed why I went through a 20 core biopsy(negative), Contrast MRI(positive) and a second targeted biopsy(ouch) to find what Dattoli would have probably found the first time. It was apparent that the cancer has either penetrated or is close to penetrating the capsule and he was also able to see probable prostatic tissue that would have been left by surgery. I feel and hope that I have made the right decision but feel better about having a path to follow. Wish me luck.
Question, when you don't do what your urologist suggested(especially Dattoli) do you need to get a different urologist to treat you for future urology problems? I just would feel kinda funny going back to a doctor if there are any "I told you so's".
Posted 10/23/2014 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats on making your treatment decision.

I am in Citrus county FL an hour plus north of you and too far to commute daily to Dr. Michael Dattoli.

Speaking of Sarasota, see this email I had form USToo.org about a November 20 USToo chapter meeting there. You and others relatively local to Tampa or Sarasota can contact Terri L for the logistics if interested. Big Mac, maybe we can link up there.

in my case it would involve an overnight hotel stay but may still go.

From: "Terri Likowski" <email me if you want her email ID as HW does not want us including email ID>
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2014 8:31am
(Lupron Jim email info)
Subject: RE: Nominations for Us TOO Edward C. Kaps Hope Award - Rcik Davis at UCSF

Jim,
Thank you so much for sending in the nomination for Rick. I have known Rick for many years and he is a wonderful candidate! Let others know to send in letters of nomination for him too….the more letters he receives the better!

On another subject, we are having an Us TOO Town Hall “Teaming for Success” Meeting in Sarasota, Florida on Thursday Nov. 20. I will add your name to the invite list!


~terri

Here's what I found via Google where I have deleted last 4 digits of phone # you can find in the link

www.ustoo.org/Chapter_NearYou.asp

Us TOO Sarasota
Doctors Hospital Cattleman and Bee Ridge
Third Thursday of the month 6:00 PM Information: Ginya Carnahan - 941-365-xxxx
Steve Gordon [email protected] 941-374-yyyy

LupronJim
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