Posted 2/16/2021 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, Alphenull ~~~
Those of us on ADT shots will be interested in your experiences, going forward, with RELUGOLIX. Keep us posted, good sir!
I can echo the importance you shared about seeking out the best doctors for one's medical team.
My original urologist was solid in his experience, but was not VISIONARY. There's a difference ...
He saw brick walls, during times I needed to see open doors and windows, in terms of my treatments.
He did not measure my testosterone, after we started ADT, and refused to consider anything but LUPRON.
He finally said one day, "I'm just not sure what else I can do for you. We'll just keep going with these LUPRON shots and see what happens."
THAT is THE day I put him "on the bench" of my medical team. I have not booked an appointment with him since.
When I added my oncologist to my team, right after that, he opened MANY new doors --- new thoughts, new considerations, and new possibilities.
I met him for the first time on a Monday and we started new treatments that same week --- treatments that had never even been mentioned as possibilities in my urologist's office.
My oncologist quickly found that LUPRON was not fully controlling my PSA to its best advantage, and vowed he would try other forms of ADT, in the strong belief that he could find another form of ADT that worked better for me.
In my case, ZOLADEX worked far better than LUPRON did. He also began tracking the testosterone levels to SEE what was going on with the ADT shots. (My lesson learned: if you are on any form of ADT, make sure you ask for an occasional testosterone test, to make sure it is helping to control your PSA level to its best advantage).
From there, my oncologist told me that the "early chemo plan" had just become approved --- and I was his first patient to sign up for those treatments. It was an important step forward in my treatment plan.
I was also his first patient to try ZYTIGA --- which I still take today.
From there, he also asked me to be his first patient to try two new forms of genetic tests for prostate cancer patients.
Over time, I went to Mayo Clinic, and added Dr. Kwon to my team.
Dr. Kwon has often said, "If you keep using the same old things, you will keep getting the same old results."
For my case, I didn't need "old school, textbook approaches" ...
I needed someone who was VISIONARY and forward-looking.
Your post is a testimony to the importance of becoming --- and remaining --- your own ADVOCATE!
I am thankful, each & every day, for the doctors who look after me with such care, insight, and compassion.
Keep us informed on your experiences with RELUGOLIX! Hope it works well for you! Fingers crossed!
With my best ~~~
CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University