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Posted 10/1/2011 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed in March this year with advanced prostate cancer and started hormone therarpy , at that point my psa was 1517 , It came down to a 3 in july went to a 6 in august and is now a 18 with the bone pain returning from the mets . I go for a ct scan on tues and will make a oppointment on monday with a new oncologist ( last one i did not care for) . It has been suggested by my urologists the next step will be radation , of course i will find out more with the oncologist . I have been reading what i can on the net and have a couple of books to read and am looking thoughts from those that considered it or been through it . Other options ?  I have a lot to learn and no time to waste

Thanks

Jim 

Post Edited (smokin54) : 10/1/2011 10:48:25 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/1/2011 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jim

I was diagnosed this July with a PSA of 1447, you can read my journey to date here - https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=2169075 - I have not had a PSA done since I started treatments and will not have one done until the end of October or early November. I think what I went through maybe of some help to you.

If you are not, you do want to be taking something (such as Zometa) for bone health.

The bone scan is important as it will tell if you have PCa in the bones and how much is in the bones and where. But - you should also get XRays which will show if there is damage to the bones or not. Cancer in the bones is treated via radiation (and other), but if there is already damage to the bones because of PCa - the radiation will actually further weaken the bones - hence something may have to be done to the bone. But one step at a time, Bone Scan than as needed XRay.

Radiation can help alleviate the pain - so I was told.

I think you really want a full team involved - being a urologist, oncologist and radiologist - ones you care for very important!

I recommend stop reading random "what I can on the net" - I quickly found a lot of what I discovered via goggle was wrong or out-of-date.

One of the books you will see recomended is Walsh's - Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer - Second Edition. Very informative, however I do wonder hos out of date it is - the second edition was published in 2007 - still it does make a great starting point and will get you educated quickly.

You said "bone pain returning from the mets" - Did the HT help with the bone pain?

Bud
Posted 10/1/2011 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
I am on Zometa , Initally the casodex was almost instant relief from the bone mets and it lasted about 6 months but as i said it has returned . I had a full set of xrays done intially and think the doc said there was no bone damage but need to double check that statement . I understand that alot on the net is out of date , I have suffy myers book to read and my wife has the guide to surviving prostate cancer .
Once i see the new oncologist i will then find see what i can do to find a great radiologist , as i am sure many you have found it can be difficult to find the right doctor that your insurance will cover .
Posted 10/1/2011 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Jim

I do not understand why Casodex (Bicalutamide) would have provided any pain relief - one of its side effects is that it can cause bone, back, or pelvic pain. But it did provide you relief so that is great!

The Casodex is taken before the start of the hormone drug - probably Lupron or Zoladex - to stop the Lupron from causing 'flaring'.
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