We may need drugs like Lupron(LHRH drugs) but know what is behind the scenes

I also question very long useage as to bone density issues, memory loss and the other side effects we know about, and the recent article from John Hopkins research about failure side of hormone deprivation drugs (such as the aforementioned) does not help in endorsing long term useage either. But know these things about the industry:

Lupron lawsuits  (TAB or Abbott Co.)   www.hbsslaw.com/frontend?command=Lawsuit&task=vi

Lupron suits for injuries:   www.injuryboard.com/topic/lupron-leoprodlide.aspx

www.annieappleseedproject.org/lupronlawsuit.html

(google lupron lawsuits for more and the same as these)  (FYI-zoladex-Astrazeneca Mfg. lost lawsuits for same reasons also, I would rather give my money for using these drugs to them for being a little less outrageous, not that any of them are Saints)

Yeah we may have to use them anyway, I have used them for 2+ yrs., looks like a good protocol of drug in combo using it as ADT3 (lupron+casodex+proscar). Dr. Leibowitz  13 month protocol and then off of them and maintenance with proscar has value as a choice for us, with some very decent results, especially for the group of patients that fall in the most likely to be non-curative from traditional treatments, high stats-high gleasons-possible mets etc. Long term on such is worth alot of investigation as to its value to us  (we can see the value to the sellers), there are other drugs to consider, some I never mentioned yet on this board, they do exist and are almost never mentioned by uro-docs (for alot of reasons)but often mentioned by onco-docs whom actual know more about PCa overall anyway (such as Strum, Scholz, Meyers, Leibowitz, Barken etc.) Alot of these drugs can cost less or way less, can be very effective, can have alot of undesirable side effects too, some of these can be done on intermittent useage or give you 'holiday' from using them  (not a bad bonus-when side effects drag you to less than sanity at times). There are choices to be looked at and for long term I hope others start looking soon. Knowledge is power, know the forces that are working with you and against you or accept whatever is given out (like the righteous companies actions above). I wish the story was fiction, it is not.

(don't shoot the messenger- the PCa has done well enough at that)

N-Bob

Hey also I did say it is a useful drug, I used it also for 2 yrs.+ and might even use it again for short term (maybe), I am not against using those LHRH drugs, maybe longer term is problematic, I am definitively against any mfg. or method that is marketing and making excessive profits (cashin on us) and has no qualms about doing so, what do we will tell the people whom have no money....no lupron...no zoladex...or whom pays these expensive costs for such patients? Is caring for PCa only about money and profits/marketing or is it about possible results. These drugs have patents when they run out maybe competition will heat up:

The choices for LHRH right now:  Lupron, zoladex, trelstar LA, Viadur, Eligard

To block possible "flare when using those drugs"=  LHRH antagonists= Abarelix or Cetrotide

(another for flare prevention is casodex prior for around 10-14 days)

Main stream anti-androgen effective drugs (non LHRH)= Eulexin, casodex, nilandron, androcur (less costly and can be used in combo with LHRH drugs, casodex commonly used in combo for ADT3-also proscar or avodart used make '3')

Also useful main stream drugs are: proscar or avodart by lowering DHT 70-90% in blood  (DHT is the most potent testosterone conversion our bodies make from normal testosterone=fuels PCa) DHT is 5 times more potent growth stimulator than testosterone is.  (cut the fuel to PCa)

Secondline drugs semi-mainstream:  Nizoral; HDK or Ketoconazole (p450 enzyme inhibitors)

Secondline drugs maybe not mainstream in USA: DES, Honvan, Estradurin, Climara patch, estraderm patch, Stilphosterol, Emcyt, PC Spes(no longer sold atleast in USA)

Other useful (main stream) PCa drugs used on receptors:  Decadron, Hexadrol, Hydrocortisone, Prednisdone, Cytadren, Dostinex, Bromocriptine

There are other choices of drugs out there too, all should be looked at. In my case I also found the DES outperformed the ADT3 with alot of monitored psas and other oncologists markers for PCa testings, so that is why I will take my chances for survival as I see them and not as the friendly uro-doc whom wanted me on ADT for life. I'm glad there is no monopoly on choices.

Peace be with you- I respect your knowledge and helpfulness (hey even docs disgree on PCa issues) These are drugs in the know arsenal right now, they all have a possible use and function for us, and onco-doc might be able to assist one in this jungle.

Post Edited (zufus) : 1/4/2009 9:59:26 AM (GMT-7)