HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

ZYTIGA: Our Collective Experiences

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
1 23 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/25/2017 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
I just started Zytiga a week ago. I have been on Lupron for a year. My medical oncologist came back from a conference where they covered the results from the U.K. Stampede trial which showed very promising results using a mixture of Lupron and Zytiga for those with advanced cancer. So far the only issue is keeping when you take the pills straight. Zytiga on an empty stomach and the steroid that you have to take with it on a full stomach. My PSA is still <0.1. However, I have a rare form of cancer (Ductal) that can not always be monitored by PSA.
Posted 6/26/2017 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
Zytiga was the drug that finally dropped Gary's PSA to single digits and continued to be effective for a fairly long time. It worked better than xtandi, but it was the first drug of the two used, so it might have been the order he was given it, not the effectiveness of zytiga over xtandi The prednisone was rough on his stomach, and it was hard for him to find a block of time to keep his stomach empty to take it. It seemed important to the MO not to fudge on that, so it must be important to its effectiveness. There were quite a few tx that required added prednisone. Chemos did also. The doc finally gave Gary dexamethasone, and he tolerated it better. He's still taking it because it increases his appetite.
Beth
Posted 6/26/2017 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie, my guess is that it is approved for use before chemo. Here's a recent article (April 2017 that reports on the sequencing (order) of taking abiraterone and enzalutamide. (zytiga and xtandi)

Exploring the optimal sequence of abiraterone and enzalutamide in patients with chemotherapy-naïve castration-resistant prostate cancer: The Kyoto-Baltimore collaboration

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28455853
Posted 6/26/2017 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
DebbieMH,
I was just on the NCI site concerning zytiga and docetaxel (chemo)for prostate cancer.

It says they are only approved for hormone refractory (castrate resistant PCa)

Zytiga
/www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/fda-abirateroneacetate

Docetaxel, taxotere
/www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/fda-docetaxel#Anchor-Prostat-16229
Posted 6/26/2017 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
I am wondering if red wine is ok with Zytiga?  I take the Zytiga first thing in the morning and may have a glass (usually 9 0z.) late afternoon.  I checked the "University of Google" and really got conflicting answers.  Same goes with caffeine.  That morning and midmornig coffee/tea is great. 

Has anyone received some definative advice on either of these two "vices?"

Our daughter gave me a bottle of Gnarly Head and Coppola for birthday/father's day and I don't want to regift.

Thanks,

Mr. Bill

 

Posted 6/27/2017 7:03 AM (GMT 0)
Mr Bill,
I know that coffee is okay if you wait the two hours before and after taking zytiga. Others have said black is okay with it, but our MO was pretty adament about the stomach being completely empty. The wine is a definite nono, so go ahead and send it on to me. (Just kidding, Gary doesn't drink, so we didn't ask about alcohol)
Beth
Posted 6/27/2017 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
Dear DebbieMH

Yes, you can start Zytiga before chemo. That was the case for me. I have been on Lupron. My MO added Zytiga to the mix based on the results of the U.K. Stampede trial that was published this month.
Posted 6/27/2017 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thank y'all for posting. After my husband has his next scans - we will talk to the doc about adding Zytiga instead of doing the chemo. Seems like less side effects, however a longer treatment time. Again, thank y'all for your insights and experiences, it really does help!
Posted 6/27/2017 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Beth,
Thank you for the reply. Once again, I admire your steadfast courage.

Mr. Bill
Posted 6/27/2017 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
After a tumour board discussion, my husband has been approved for a prescription for Zytiga. The only problem is that both our insurance and the government don't cover a cent of the cost unless the man is CR.

However, a recent abstract presented at ASCO suggests that if Zytiga is taken with a low fat breakfast (rather than before/after fasting), 1/4 of the dose has the same effect as the full dose. Also, it seems that this medication (likely a generic brand?) can be purchased from India. Does that seem to good to be true?

/healthunlocked.com/advanced-prostate-cancer/posts/134954671/zytiga-combined-with-breakfast-lowers-cost-of-treatment-to-one-fourth

Post Edited (Annie88) : 6/27/2017 11:40:47 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/30/2017 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for starting this thread, CycloneFan. Very timely for us.
Posted 6/30/2017 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Alephnull, I didn't read the linked articles, but I will share that our insurance has covered Taxotere only one month after starting Lupron.
Posted 7/1/2017 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
I was admitted to Clinic a few days ago (just one night), for another issue. The Pharmacists sometimes make rounds with Physicians. I asked if a glass of red wine was OK now and then. Pharmacist checked her repository of information and came back with a no. Has something to do with liver function. Bummed me out.

Lord, give me coffee to change the things I can change, and wine to accept the things that I can't. ~Internet joke, c.2013
Posted 7/2/2017 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
Mr Bill,
Just my opinion, -All respect to Pharmacist, but they are not Doctors, and all respects to Doctors, but you will get conflicting answer there too, and they might not be nutrition or alcohol/effects experts. I just checked my repository of non-conflicting information, and my advice is-a 9 oz glass of wine will not hurt you any more than many other things, and may actually be a benefit, i e relaxation and stress relief!

Less stress is definitely good for fighting your PC, I could not find any info from Jensen Drug Co. about the subject either, So my advice, be bold, go for it, it is your life after all, you can decide for yourself. Cheers!

I think I'm safe in posting this as there are only two other PC posters online right now, I think some of our friends are enjoying their red wine right about now!
Wings(and I dont even drink alcohol)
Posted 7/2/2017 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
Mr. Wings,

I agree with your theory. I only have a 6 oz. glass every few days, maybe twice a week.
It is relaxing and allows me to put things in proper perspective. The five year rule does apply here. That is in five years you don't want to ask, "why didn't I?"

Used to enjoy a glass of Bailey's or Sambuca, but with dairy in Bailey's and who knows what in other "adult drinks," I now avoid them.

Mr. Bill
Posted 7/3/2017 9:06 AM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to bump it up.
Posted 7/5/2017 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Just finished three months on Zytiga and Lupron. Finally got on a good rhythm taking prednisone in morning with breakfast. Usually non fat yogurt with berries, a banana, couple slices of multi grain toast with organic peanut butter and no sugar jam (just a little for some taste). Wait a couple hours and then the Zytiga with water. No stomach problems and the treatment has been pretty effective. PSA from 4.5 to 0.4 in three months.

I live just south of Boston and played pretty hard this weekend. late night working Friday. Boat and fishing Sat with my daughter and her boyfriend. Spent all day on the water, then pool and bbq with friends and family. Sunday was some errands and working to get some thing done for a client. Full day on Sunday. Monday fishing all day of Cape Cod, on the water for 12 hours, and celebrating the 4th. No exhaustion of fatigue after a good four days. Then it hit went to bed around 11 pm Monday and woke up around noon on the 4th feeling pretty good. I am guessing this would of hit me a lot harder on the Casodex regime.

Overall a great weekend. Hope everyone else's was similar.
Posted 7/8/2017 11:33 PM (GMT 0)


Here's a first-hand experience to share with every fellow who is taking ZYTIGA ...

It's important to drink plenty of WATER when taking your daily dose of ZYTIGA ... to help avoid any sense of nausea ...

Here's how I learned my lesson ...

One morning, I was in a rush ... so, I "wolfed down" all four of my ZYTIGA tablets in a hurry ...

Within an hour, I lived to regret that ... and ended up with the DRY HEAVES ... a fairly severe case.

LESSON LEARNED from that moment forward !

Ever since then ... and I highly recommend this strategy:

Before taking your daily dose of ZYTIGA, start by drinking some water first.

From there, I take each of the four daily tablets ONE AT A TIME ... and definitely with WATER in between each of my four daily tablets ... and I drink some more water after taking the last pill, as well.

So --- a word to the wise --- take your time and remember to DRINK THE WATER ... before, during, and after taking each one of your ZYTIGA tablets each day !

I've got a few friends who said they had a bit of nausea shortly after taking their ZYTIGA tablets ... I told them to try drinking a bit more water ... and this helped them quite a bit.

It's a strong medication and it is taken on an empty stomach ... four 250 milligram tablets ... so remember to drink plenty of water ...

I thought this first-hand experience with ZYTIGA might help someone else ... remember, fellows ... DRINK THE WATER !

Iowa State University "Cyclone"
Posted 7/9/2017 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
great tip! Thank you Cylone
Posted 7/9/2017 7:08 AM (GMT 0)
Been on Zytiga almost 4 years now. Sometimes I eat prior to taking it. Sometimes I eat shortly after. Sometimes I take my Zytiga with a burnt toast chaser. I recently noticed my prednisone bottle says Take with food. Bahahaha!!! Stupid!!!!!! I have grown complacent. My liver enzymes are good. My potassium is borderline low. Bananas don't cut it and I hate Avacado's. I take a potassium supplement. Sometimes I forget to take
My meds ......11 years of Lupron.... I forget lots of $&@? I am so GD tired. Well.... it is midnight. I wonder


How
Long will it last. What's next.......too much wine tonight. Gnite
Posted 7/9/2017 7:14 AM (GMT 0)
Also.... I take
My Zytiga at 5:30 a.m with a cup or two.....sometimes 3 of black coffee
Posted 7/19/2017 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Just thought I would give a little bump so the thread does not get lost in the shuffle.
Posted 7/22/2017 6:52 PM (GMT 0)


So --- another first-hand experience to share with ZYTIGA ...

A lesson that I learned, the hard way ...

My morning starts out with a large glass of water and four 250 mg ZYTIGA tablets ... large, white, chalky pills.

One morning, I shook four of the ZYTIGA tablets out of the medication bottle and put them on my kitchen counter.

I didn't realize it, but the countertop was wet with water from the sink nearby ...

By the time I went back to take my four ZYTIGA pills, they were dissolving ... all over the countertop ... I hadn't noticed that there was water on the countertop where I placed my ZYTIGA pills!

I did my best to "rescue" the dissolving tablets that morning.

Lesson learned! Keep your medications in a DRY place!

Also --- ZYTIGA is to be stored at room temperature --- a reminder to all when traveling, especially in the wintertime!

Sent with my best,
Iowa State University "Cyclone"
Posted 7/22/2017 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Cyclone,
Due to the price of Zytiga I probably would have licked the counter clean. I take them the old fashioned way. Put four in one hand and throw one at a time into my mouth and throw a handful of water into my mouth with each pill. Just like I did as a kid. Some habits are hard to change.
Michael
Posted 7/22/2017 7:35 PM (GMT 0)

Hello 60Michael,

That's about what I had to do, literally!

It was like eating dissolved, wet, blackboard chalk!

Yes, with ZYTIGA prices at about $9,000 a month, each day's dosage is worth about $300.00!

A little testimonial, though, and a story of hope to share with others ...

I just ordered my 25th monthly bottle of ZYTIGA ...

As a way to track my progress, I started saving those empty bottles each month ...

So ... visualize 25 little ZYTIGA bottles, all lined up in a row on a shelf ...

I told this story to a good friend, who is also a health buddy of mine ...

He was needing to go to a "new step" in his treatments ... he talked to his doctor and asked if he could try ZYTIGA next ... and it is helping him, as well.

I look at those 25 bottles lined up on my top shelf, every single morning!

Iowa State University "Cyclone"
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12345678910

HealingWell

Connect With Us
© 1997-2024 HealingWell.com LLC All Rights Reserved. Our website is for informational purposes only. HealingWell.com LLC does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.