Update - Provenge Therapy Completed

Thought I would post this information to help someone who is considering the Provenge therapy.

I began my process on Monday April 10th with infusions of my cells on Thursdays of each week. April 27th was my last day and I was able to complete the process in 3 straight weeks. Reason being, my veins were not good enough to handle the process so they put in a temporary port which allowed me to go each week instead of every other week.

My only side affects was being very tired and fatigued after having the white cells removed and also on the days I received my infusions.

Removing the port was somewhat strange. I chose not to receive anything to take off the edge. They put a lot of pressure in the area the port, pulled really hard, heard a pop and out it came.

They also took blood for a PSA which they called this morning and said it was 4.54. I was expecting a much higher reading if you check my stats back in March when everything went a bit crazy. The 2nd reason was based upon what I had researched which led me to believe many patients have experienced much higher PSA readings with Provenge. Maybe it's a good sign, I just don't know at the moment. I also have an appointment the end of May at which time they may prescribe additional meds.

I have a lot of hope the Provenge will work for me and others who decide upon this treatment. As our Brother Todd Seals well stated, " we need all the bullets we can get".

Glad your done and just a little fatigue. Time to let those T-cells to do their thing, killin' the bad guys!!
Tom

Lee - I could have sworn I had already replied to your post, then realized... that was on a different message board!

Dammed Lupron, got me all messed up.

Anyway, I'm glad it seems to be working well for you!

I also finished Provenge last month. I had no fatigue after the leukapheresis, but of course did from the benedryl on the day of infusion. I did not have a catheter, so I was uncomfortably strapped in a chair for 3.5 hrs, unable to move my arms or use the bathroom--no fun, but I lived through it.

I've also experienced intermittent days of feeling fatigued after the infusions, but I think I'm mostly over that. April 10th was my last infusion.