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Firmagon vs Lupron?

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Posted 6/15/2014 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Doc is putting Paul on Lupron three month shots, with Casodex starting first day of the injection for a couple weeks.

Soon to follow with Taxotere (maybe same day, unsure yet).

From what we are reading though is that Firmagon will bring him to chemical castration levels within 3 days and also drops PSA much faster than Lupron.... works as well as at the very least for long term... (one being agonist, other being antagonist).

My questions....

Are side effects better or worse with one?

Is there a reason to choose one over the other?

What have been your personal experiences with these medications?

I can't seem to find anything that is clear about this and I just want to make sure we make the best choices possible.

Of course Tony's web presentation isn't until day after he is scheduled to start... I kind of wish we could hold off just a little bit longer...
Posted 6/15/2014 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
I think Firmagon is a great choice. It starts to work immediately, doesn't require Casodex pre-treatment to prevent testosterone flare, provides superior oncological control, and has fewer adverse events associated with it. It is associated with injection site reactions that seem to diminish after the first couple of booster doses.

A Phase III Extension Trial With a 1-Arm Crossover From Leuprolide to Degarelix: Comparison of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist and Antagonist Effect on Prostate Cancer

Disease Control Outcomes from Analysis of Pooled Individual Patient Data from Five Comparative Randomised Clinical Trials of Degarelix Versus Luteinising Hormone-releasing Hormone Agonists

Degarelix versus luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists: Safety outcomes from six comparative randomised clinical trials

Tony did a version of the presentation on the PCAF site that you can access here. I don't think there is any reason to delay treatment, although your trepidation about starting any kind of chemo is very understandable.

- Allen
Posted 6/15/2014 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Husband's first shot was Firmagon (degarelix) for reason's Allen mentioned above.
After that he was switched to Lupron, after having been on Casodex.

Degarelix left two huge knots on his stomach for over a month. Lupron was just an achy rear for a day.

Now that local urologist is giving the last of his injections, he uses Eligard, which has similar red hot spots for a while.
Posted 6/15/2014 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
PS... Aren't you supposed to be on your honeymoon????
Take a day away from studying. :)
Posted 6/15/2014 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
HI!!!

No time for honeymoon but we haven't gone out of the house (or bedroom) for anything but food and water! ;)

Thanks for the info, we are going to ask the docs opinions tomorrow and see what they say.

Trying not to research but want to fully understand this before he starts treatment on Tuesday.

The wedding was amazing!!
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