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psa after 44 imrt

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Posted 1/12/2011 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
I finished my radiation yesterday and got results of new t level [30] and psa .02  today. Took 5th monthly injection also of lupron yesterday.  Do these numbers tell me anything at all.  Thanks Cyrus1
Posted 1/12/2011 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
The .02 means your PSA is undetectable..Radiation does not work that fast so the HT is working very well...Your "T" level is okay but "castration level" is under 20..The lower the better..

You are "high risk"..If Lupron is the only ADT drug you are on, ask your doc about adding Casodex to suppress the "T" as much as possible, or at least ask him what he thinks...How long will you be on HT?
Posted 1/12/2011 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
Fairwind I dont know, I am having hard time on this stuff as it is.  Initially I agreed to only 6 months.  Doctors are wanting more Im sure but im doing the monthly versions until a decision is made.  I am really struggling with this one. Thxs Cyrus1
Posted 1/12/2011 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
I hear you brother...They want me on it for 2 years..My R-doc says it's important, gave me a 6 month Lupron shot called Eligard..Like you, I'm thinking that may be enough for me...My wife certainly thinks so...
Posted 1/12/2011 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
That .02 is great not sure it gets any better. ADT3 is a tough treatment to be on but well worth the effort. You have made it this far go the distance and get this thing behind you once and for all.
Glad you got those results go out and celebrate.

peace to you
Dale
Posted 1/12/2011 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Fairwind, yeah aside from night sweats, insomnia, hot flashes, ed, no libido or interest in my girlfriend romantically, and an ocassional panic attack, Im having a ball. I am a single dad of 11 year old twins, wife passed away 3 years ago at 40, I would not consider more of this if it were not for them. I am a big believer in quality of life
Posted 1/12/2011 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
Age 62

Gleason 3+4=7 with PSA 4.8

RP in 2006

PSA .05 after RP

Had 38 IMRT treatments ending Sept. 2010 after PSA went up to .4

6 months Trelstar HT ends this month.

Had no real issues at all with the IMRT. Went very well.

The HT causing real bad insomnia problems. Had to get Ambien sleeping pills which has helped a lot.

The hot flashes i can handle. The ED will be around forever.

Posted 1/12/2011 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
Cyrus,
The PSA is a good number and I agree with what Dale said about going the distance, but know that it is your call. So far, so good.
Michael
Posted 1/12/2011 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, the night sweats, hot flashes are bad but not as bad as dieing..I'm trying some things to suppress those, stuff menopausal women have had luck with, Dong Quai and Black Cohosh..Gotta be careful with this stuff though..The Dong Quai is OK but the Black Cohosh contains phytoestrogen which some feel can FEED prostate cancer...Everybody will tell you something different.. Insomnia? I have to get up every 3 hours to pee anyway...
Posted 1/12/2011 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
besides mentally and emotionally i wonder if the one-month shots cause more side effects than the 90- or 120-day shots?  i noticed (i think) a cycle with each shot where the side effects progressively got stronger and then weakened somewhat.  i'm not sure i'd want to go through that every month.

ed

 

Posted 1/12/2011 3:50 AM (GMT 0)

Cyrus, I feel for you brother.  My med onc at Mayo started me on HT with Lupron only.  I asked why not ADT2 and he said that might be the case, "lets see how monotherapy works first" since my PSA was 1.0 when I started in November.

Fairwind, the Neurontin seems to be working on beating down the hot flushes.  They are less frequent, shorter and I am finally able to sleep fairly well.

The Old Sailor

Posted 1/13/2011 1:27 AM (GMT 0)

.

Thoughts and prayers from Australia.. 

Keep fighting..     It's what the twin's mother would have wanted.

I feel for all you guys !

..

Posted 1/13/2011 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
Neurontin ... Thanks, I'll check that out..
Posted 1/13/2011 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Cyrus, if the Lupron is giving you that many side-effects, have you talked to your doc about switching to Zoladex or Firmagon?
Posted 1/13/2011 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
pogmothoin yes, onc has suggested firmaqgon as they did a one year study at the center im being treated. I think I have reached critical mass on my complaining about lupron but i do hate it. Am hearing from the guys taking firmagon that its the rapid drop to a near zero t level that is appealing and side effects are prertty much the same. It is a monthly inj but I am considering it because i hear rebound is much quicker than lupron when I get off this stuff. Thxs Cyrus1 (Scott)
Posted 1/13/2011 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
livinthedream Thxs for your response Are you completely convinced that men with high risk like me doing radiation, mine included wide target area for 25 and 19 prostate only, must do the distance on ht. When I google studies I find conflicting conclusions. Read the Bolla last week. The Euros go 33 months it seems. Mycroft suggested I am looking fora way to avoid the side effects of ht and frankly he is right. I want my old self back as soon as posible withou making an absolute critical mistake. I am under the impression that if u pull the distance we are getting only a 10% edge vs the 6 months. What do u think. Thanks Cyrus1 (Scott)
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