chemo

Hi everyone; has any one been on chemo and how bad is it . runing out of drugs that work.  alf

I don't know that much on chemo but witnessed many using such over the years, in other groups.
I knew one guy whom did Chemo- 1st then Brachy sees back in 2002-3, talked to him less than 1 yr ago., he has still an undetectable psa. But I would need to refresh what his original stats were, I cannot remember, I don't think he was high risk, probably was an intermediate risk patient at the most and that is why the chemo (bizzare protocol for primary treatment). How many docs have done that protocol on a patient or had a patient say let's do that??? (rare from what I have seen). Who knows how this may work in others?

In your situation, if you decide on chemo read about Cabizataxel the newer FDA chemo drug, it was used in abstract studies published recently, on patients whom already failed on Taxotere chemo, and still got results and more survival time. It out performed some other chemo drug in the abstract also. So, looks like as a chemo drug that is more useful, maybe more potent, google it. Personally would look at all other proven second line therapies before jumping into chemo, as the side effects can be rough. If I get to that area, looks like I will someday, would be trying plenty of other things prior to considering chemo, but that is my biased thoughts on such. I question everything the docs do or prescribe out of instinct now. (lol)

The guy you need to talk with after consulting with David E. is moderator at group at www.hrpca.org [email protected] (??? I think it is) Howard H.
Has done it and has coached many people and compared scenarios in hrpca (globally) for years....i.e...has references and knowledge you won't find easily elsewhere. One of the goto laypersons whom is the veterans-veteran lay person, 17 yrs. fighter thus far and helps others on a daily basis. Since we don't have alot of docs discussions for free(and maybe biased), this is worthy territory and more objective overall. You will learn from them about abstracts, journal articles and protocols you never heard of before.

Post Edited (zufus) : 8/6/2010 7:08:03 AM (GMT-6)

Checkout www.yananow.net  for histories ('experiences-mentors') on other patients that you can atleast look at their journies and can usually contact the person also.

Hi I am sorry to hear that you are trying to avoid chemo, I have heard the side effects can be pretty harsh. HOwever, my friend's father has been on chemo for about 4 yrs now (his psa is undetectable as of a month ago) and he has very minimal side effects, I guess its a case by case basis.

Might I suggest Provenge, have you considered it at all? I know the side effects are much less compared to chemo. Just a thought. You are in my prayers.

LuvMyDAD