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Posted 2/29/2016 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
I've been getting my PSA checked every 6 months since 2006. Urologist put me on finesteride in 2006 because My father (67 yrs) and younger brother (57 yrs) both died young from PCa.

My PSA numbers were always low but a change in 2014 along with an even bigger jump in 2015 led to the biopsy that led to the diagnosis. I was aware that Finesteride users have a greater chance of aggressive tumors. Looks like I fell into that group. I also know that Finesteride users need to at least double their PSA reading

I'm currently staged at T2c.

I went to another urologist for a second opinion. He thought that I was a good candidate for surgical removal. However, My wife and I decided that there were fewer Side Effects from the treatment plan that my Urologist recommended.

I researched proton beam treatments. Sounded like it was a good option but it is not available where I live.

I'm relieved that the treatment has started.

My last PSA reading a month after the lupron shot on Feb 16 was .62.

Urologist still has me taking finesteride along with Uroxotral
Posted 2/29/2016 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
Manfred, Sorry to have you join our club.

Could you provide some additional data? How old are you? Is your psa 6.2, or something else? How many biopsy cores were positive? Where located, and what percentages? What Gleason scores were reported on your pathology report?

No proton centers in your area? Where do you live?

You might check out some member's signatures to see examples.

The more data that is available, the more that this community can relate to you and offer their similar experiences. Thanks, and good luck.
Posted 2/29/2016 5:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Manfred and welcome,

So are you getting any treatment other than a Lupron shot?

Finasteride users do not have a greater chance of having aggressive tumors - that's been disproven (which explains why your urologist still has you taking it). So your urologist felt lumps on both sides of your prostate? What was your PSA? What was your Gleason score?

- Allen
Posted 2/29/2016 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Manfred, sorry you have to join us here. I think with your father and brother you always had a worry that you would be in this situation. That alone had to suck. Many experienced pc people on here who will give you some great advice as soon as you fill in the details. Take care and keep us posted. -JR
Posted 2/29/2016 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
age 66
Pca diagnosed 1-4-2016 GL 8, 20 cores, 9 positive. 1 lesion where they found the GL 8. Prostrate volume = 16cc

Finesteride since about 2006.

PSA

10-16-13 .53
4 - 10-13 .60
10-9-14 1.9
10-30-14 1.0
04-19-15 .89
10-8-15 2.22
Biopsy on 12-21-2015. MRI before Biopsy

Bone Scan and CT scan on 1-12-2016 Negative

Lupron shot on 1-12-2016

Treatment plan HMT - at least two treatments
EXRT 25 treatments, started on Feb 25
Brachy - two weeks after EXRT

PSA on 2-16-2016 .67

2nd opinion agreed with pathology but thought I was a good candidate for surgical removal
Posted 2/29/2016 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Manfred and welcome. You are on the same treatment plans for high risk patients that I had and CaliJR is currently taking. (In fact, I think CaliJR will have his first brachy session today...good luck!) Several others here as well. I'm about three years out from treatment and, for the record, I'm doing very well. There's data showing that's a good treatment option for high risk guys like us.

Your PSA is doing well considering what a short time you've been on HT. How are you doing in general?
Posted 2/29/2016 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Manfred,
That sounds like an excellent treatment plan for your diagnosis. The stats with that are excellent. The thing about finasteride is that it makes PSA a very accurate indicator of progression, so when your PSA rose while on it, that was a sure indicator that something was going on. The other nice thing is that your prostate is now so small that the brachytherapy is likely to have very little toxicity for you. Let us know how it goes for you.
Posted 2/29/2016 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Michael-T Thanks for the encouragement. Also, appreciate hearing from someone who had the same treatment that I'm having. I talked with several PCa survivors but no one who had the triple play

I feel fine at this point. The Lupron hasn't been a problem yet. Reduced Libido and a few hot flashes.

Too early in the EXRT to tell if I will have side effects from radiation.

I'll report results as I work through the treatment.

My Urologist initially told me that I would require two Lupron shots, 4 months apart. When I last saw him, he clarified, 2 shots was the minimum. I might need more than that. I see that you had HMT for 18 months. Should I expect 18 months? Also, how was the Lupron, Casodex and Zytiga spread out over the 18 months?

Again thank you
Posted 2/29/2016 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
Tall Allen. Appreciate your insight into finesteride. With my family history, my Urologist put me on it in 2006. When I got the Lupron shot, I though he would take me off finesteride. He told me to keep taking it. Is there a point when he might take me off this?

Thank you for your support
Posted 2/29/2016 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Manfred,

At this point, with the Lupron, any positive impact of finasteride is a drop in the bucket. As you probably know, it prevents testosterone from getting metabolized into DHT (a more potent androgen). Since you have negligible amounts of testosterone after the Lupron shots, this is really not a concern. If your next testosterone test shows it is at very low levels, your doctor would probably be amenable to taking you off the finasteride if you want to raise that with him.

- Allen
Posted 2/29/2016 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Manfred, I had a similar treatment plan five years ago and am doing fine with an undetectable PSA and minor side effects from the HT. I was on Jalyn (Avodart and Flomax) and stayed on for most of the period I was on Lupron and Eligard (three years). At the time many doctors used Proscar and Avodart as an ADT component to control the DHT. I think that may be changing as Tall Allen has related.
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