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doc says i am at a crossroad

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Posted 7/15/2018 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
its been awhile since i posted anything about my situation.i have been on xtandi for about 2 1/2 yrs.my psa got to a low of 0.20 at one point but it has risen to 4.02 presently.my doc says its time to try provenge,but he wants me to stay on xtandi. if i do the provenge i will lose my clinical trial with xtandi.i cannot afford the drug if i take the provenge.i guess what im looking for is advise from someone that has gone before me as to what i should do.it seems the xtandi is starting to give in to my cancer although my doc says my scans show little or no increase.would the provenge be worth the try?
Posted 7/15/2018 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
When the Xtandi / Zytiga stops working, the cancer can progress very rapidly, surprisingly so..When this happens, Provenge becomes much less effective. The people who provide the Provenge treatment may try to discourage you from doing it at that point...Calculate your PSA doubling time to get an idea of how quickly your cancer is progressing..As with most of these treatments, the sooner you do them the better they work..

How old are you Micky? (What kind of insurance do you have?)
Posted 7/15/2018 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
i just turned 67 and i have medicare
Posted 7/15/2018 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
They generally want to see radiographic evidence of progression before stopping Xtandi. Have you been diagnosed with metastases? If not, you can switch to Erleada. Anything you add outside of a clinical trial is going to cost you a lot in co-pays until you have paid your way out of the donut hole - that's true of Provenge, Xtandi, Erleada, etc.
Posted 7/15/2018 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
i have a bone met on my left hip that was diagnosed at the start.it hasnt grown significantly in almost 5 yrs.
Posted 7/15/2018 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
As you consider your options for either Xtandi or Provenge vs. your existing Medicare and any Secondary Insurance Coverage, these links might possibly be helpful.

/www.astellaspharmasupportsolutions.com/products/xtandi/

/www.provenge.com/reimbursement

Charles
Posted 7/15/2018 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Depending on your income, there are usually ways to get help with the co-pays...The "Special Pharmacy" who supplies your Xtandi can help you with that...Just ask them...
Posted 7/16/2018 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
Mickey - check to make sure that Xtandi is listed in your Part D insurance Formulary. If so, you will have to pay out of pocket for the deductible and copay until you reach "catastrophic level". Then your charge is 5%. But all of this can be covered by a copay assistance foundation if you can qualify. There is an income test. Please don't drop Xtandi because you think you can't afford it. The two copay assistance foundations that I know of are Patient Access Network and Patient Advocate Foundation. I was on Xtandi when I did Provenge.
Posted 7/16/2018 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
thanks for the info.i will definitely check this out.my prayers go out for everyone that is affected by this darned disease.
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