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About to start ADT3, quick question about Avodart

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Posted 11/14/2014 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I bit of troubling news today. My dad's PC has metastasized to the pelvic lymph nodes once again. This time it's a bit more aggressive, and more nodes are affected/enlarged. While we're waiting to see oncologists at North Shore/LIJ, his urologist started him on ADT3. A stent will be inserted into the left kidney, to prevent damage, as we wait for the enlarged lymph nodes to subside and release pressure.

Previously, in 2011, he did ADT2 (Casodex + Trelstar) intermittent therapy, and got 2.5 years off ADT. Now we're adding Avodart to the mix. He didn't explain much about how or when to take the Avodart, so I just wanted to tap the collective wisdom of folks who've done ADT3.

We got a subscription for Avodart liquid gels, 0.5mg, to be taken daily. I assume he should take the pill together with his Casodex?

We're waiting for the oncologist to see if they can hit at least some of the lymph nodes with radiation, or if he would benefit for chemo as well. His PSA spiked from 0.7 to 14 in 6 months, which is unprecedented for him, after 14 years of keeping this beast under control. The urologist's explanation: "PC doesn't follow logical or linear growth." We're hoping to do intermittent ADT3 and push him into a remission for a few more years.

This would be his second HT cycle in 14 years, so we hope that HT will respond for a least 1 or 2 more cycles after this one. I remember a Snuffy Meyers video where he talks about HT lasting 4-7 cycles on average.

Thanks again!

Arthur
Posted 11/14/2014 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Avodart works to block the formation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is an enzyme synthesized in the adrenal glands. It is a more powerful food for the cancer than the gonadal testosterone. Avodart (and the generic version Proscar) is a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor. The use of ADT-3 is to reduce as much as possible all forms of testosterone which the Lupron and Avodart do; and establish a blockade between the testosterone and the cancer cell, which casodex does. The combination attempts to control the cancer by starving it of the testosterone, resulting in remission.

I used Avodart as part of my initial ADT3 and continue with it as a maintenance treatment while I am on a holiday from Lupron and Casodex. I take Avodart in the form of Jalyn that combines it with Flomax and take it in the evening. I have had no adverse side effects from it.
Posted 11/14/2014 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks JNF!

Two quick questions:

Is your Avodart dosage at 0.5mg? I assume the standard dose is 0.5mg.

What is the benefit of adding Flomax in the mix? We'll mention Jalyn on our next visit to the oncologist.
Posted 11/15/2014 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
I'm in the same mode as JNF in that I was on ADT3 and then just on Avodart as a maintenance drug. I've not experienced any side effects with just Avodart.

I don't think it matters what time of day you take it...nor if it should be with casodex. I take my at breakfast in any event.

My doc checks my testosterone as well as my dht level. On Avodart it should be very low...less than 5...

The dosage I take is .5mg.
Posted 11/15/2014 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jerry,

We'll be checking the T and DHT levels regularly, and hope that ADT3 will work even better than ADT2 did back in 2011.
Posted 11/15/2014 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, that is the dose. I had two forms of radiation and my docs always use Flomax to relieve any urinary problems. My urologist was a principle investigator in the COMBINE clinical trials for Jalyn that showed the combination enhanced the drugs' efficacy. I was among the first to use Jalyn as it was on the market for only about a month before I was diagnosed. A pleasant side effect of Flomax that is good for me is that it lowers blood pressure.
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