Dear Teamchris,
Sounds like you've got a plan of action, firmly in place. Take comfort in that --- you are going to get an action plan started with your medical team, and there's lots of things to explore. I encourage you to stay in touch here, as there's lots of support to be found here. It's helpful to hear from others, and to learn from their wide ranges of experience. We've got some common threads in our story ...
I started out being diagnosed in my 40s, with advanced prostate cancer, which had already spread to both of my lungs upon diagnosis in 2013. My PSA at diagnosis was over 100, so started on the Lupron shots with Casodex right away. Saw some immediate results as my PSA began to drop from the Lupron shots, and have since also tried Firmagon shots and now Zoladex injections, all forms of ADT to suppress testosterone. I've tried all three kinds of those shots, because at various times, my testosterone kept "spiking" and so my oncologist has tried these three kinds of ADT shots in an attempt to achieve the greatest control of testosterone to keep my PSA suppressed.
You mentioned that you have been through chemo treatments already in your case. Just as soon as I qualified, I went through a series of Taxotere chemotherapy treatments in the last part of 2014. It seemed that the ADT shots could only bring my PSA down to a certain level, and then my PSA started showing signs of rising, just as I was being approved for chemo treatments. Adding the chemo treatments brought my PSA down even lower, as the ADT shots continued. So, I was able to see the benefit of adding chemo treatments by watching the PSA go down even lower than before it had been on ADT shots alone.
You're at the same juncture now in your story as I was just a few months ago, so once again, our story seems to have common threads. In 2015, some months after my chemo treatments ended, we began to see my PSA creeping up once again. This is what you seem to be experiencing at the current time. In my case, my oncologist recommended that I start ZYTIGA pills.
These past few months, my PSA went down to the lowest level it had ever been, even lower than it had gone on chemo, which was very encouraging to see. My oncologist is now watching my PSA very carefully and I plan to stay on ZYTIGA as long as it continues to help me. Others have experienced success with medications such as XTANDI, for situations like mine. Those are just some of the treatment options that might be suggested for your case, now or in the future. This is where your medical team plays tremendous importance !
I've seen the true benefits of all the treatments that I have gone through so far in my particular case, and each one has helped me. With these encouraging successes, there have also been setbacks in my case, as signs of resistance begin to show after a period of effectiveness ... which is what your post seems to be addressing. It's important to get your battle armor on and stay determined for each new battle, as it arises. Just this week, I talked directly to my main oncologist and we discussed future treatment plans that he envisions for my case --- looking ahead, keeping my head in the game, & setting my sights on the future.
Please stay in touch here --- I am thinking of you as I send this --- hoping that your medical team creates a new and effective battle plan for you --- keep us posted --- we're here to support you in every way we possibly can !
Sent with my best,
"Cyclone" From Iowa State
Post Edited (ISU-CycloneFan) : 1/19/2016 8:53:28 PM (GMT-7)