YEEHAW!! Looks like Lupron alone is working

For the benefit of those that may not have seen my recent history, here is a short summary:

My current PSA from yesterday's test is 8.8

I began this latest phase of my Pca journey with a PSA of 92.5 back in February. This is when I started the S1216 Lupron/TAK700 clinical trial.

For the first three months my PSA dropped to 20.0, 9.7 and 8.0. Three months later in August my PSA was 11.97. So I was taken off of the TAK700.

In October my PSA was 9.9 and now one month later it has dropped further to 8.8.

I have been on Lupron alone since I quit taking the TAK700 on August 15th. For whatever reason my PSA looks like it is continuing to go down. Now although these decreases are keeping me from being enrolled in Provenge Therapy, I kind of like the downward trend. And if the company survives, Provenge will be there for me later if needed.

I see my Onco this Friday. Yesterday I also had a soft tissue CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, in addition to a nuclear bone scan. These scans were done as part of my exit from the trial and are being compared against the scans done at the beginning of the trial. While I am there to see my Onco, I will also be getting my next 3 month Lupron injection.

There is happiness here in my house over this and the "Bonus Days" are brighter than ever.

Sonny

Good for you! Keep smiling!
Bob

Sonny -

That's great to hear!

As a Lupron experiencer myself, I know it can do good stuff.

How has it been with the Lupron SEs, have you discussed that here already? Some of us have more than others. Personally I remember the hot flashes pretty vividly, but on the whole it wasn't so bad.

Here's hoping the stuff keeps doing its thing for you!

YEEHAW! That's great news ... glad to see the positive trend and many more days waiting to have the life choked out of them!

In Pennsylvania we don't really know how to pronounce YeeHaw...but let me try:

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAWWW...

 

Excellent.

Keep that PSA trending downward and that quality of life upward.

So happy for you and Sherry.

LupronJim

We hear a lot of discussion about the negative effects of Lupron, and many have developed a fear of HT because of it. We have many who have been kicking and screaming to avoid HT.

In fact, this is another success story of a successful treatment. Lupron is prolonging many lives here on HT. We need to quit fearing HT, and the side effects of it. So many guys have made it through the sued effects without devastating results, and have successfully arrested their PC for many months and years.

Men like Sonny, and Todd and been pioneers in my book, who have graciously endured Lupron, without giving me a great fear of taking it if and when I need it. My sincere thanks to all of you who have avoided crying about the awful side effects of HT, and have focused on the positive. This isn't directed at anyone else. I am just reminding myself how important it is to not scare the crap out of new guys on HW about whatever treatment or procedure we endure, from biopsies, to surgery to radiation. To chemo to HT.

Goodlife

Sherry and I just returned from a celebratory dinner. Just as we were finishing I received a call my Onco's nurse. She was working late and wanted to give me the preliminary results of the scans.

The bone scan SHOWS NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE.

Additionally, the CT scans show that a previously found lymph node had COMPLETELY RESOLVED and there was clear evidence of REGRESSION in the other nodes. No other evidence of any activity.

Now I don't want to jinx myself here, but there were a couple of comments/questions about how I am handling the Lupron SEs.

My libido is lagging, that is a given. I have NOT put on any weight that I have not been trying to. I have lost some chest hair. I have the occasional, BUT infrequent hot flash and they only last a minute or two. I am working the advanced levels of Sudoku puzzles every day and I don't forget too many things when I go to the store. But then again I am 66 and some things can't be blamed on Lupron.

The one thing I have noticed, yet never seen reported by anyone else, is really dry and flaky skin. May have to go to a dermatologist to have that one checked out.

I want to again thank each and every one of you in your continuing support and sharing in my celebrations of good fortune.

All in all, this has been a "Great Farkin Bonus Day" in my book

Sonny

Sonny, I have the skin problem as well but at this point I have not seen a dermatologist. I see my body hair in the shower drain ever day, but I can live with both of those problems.
Michael

WOW! That is some terrific report Sonny!
Very happy for you both, looks like you'll need to go out for another celebratory dinner!

Goodlife - thansk for that post. The same holds true to Chemo that used to be considered the treatment of last resort, avoid as long as possible, but has recently been shown to have the best survival stats.

Sonny - my Lupron side effects are almost identical to yours. The dry skin around my right wrist seems to have magically disappeared without the aid of a dermatologist but persisted about 6 months.

As a fellow Floridian it was hard to distinguish the hot flashes from the sunny Florida weather but at night, Karen said the sheets would be soaked with my sweat that I nonetheless slept through.

I too do the advanced Sudoku, and now that I am not researching PCa treatments for time being will go back to being an avid college basketball fan. Kakuro is interesting too.

Keep on keeping on.

LupronJim

Sonny that is the best news. I spoke to a friend at Dendreon yesterday. He said the Provenge will keep flowing. My best to you and the Mrs. Todd

Sonny:

Not to create doubt, but I remember your trial participation.

Now that this is done, what about adding Casodex to the mix?

You might inquire about that.

(Of course, if it ain't broke....)

Mel