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Prostrate Cancer Chemo - Pain Side effects

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Posted 7/25/2016 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Guys,
My dad was detected with metastatic prostrate cancer last February. His PSA before the chemotherapy was 65; so the doctor advised him to get chemocycles done as soon as possible. He finished 7 cycles of chemo and his PSA dropped down to 4. To keep the PSA levels in check, the doctor advised my dad to take oral chemo Abiratarone. His PSA has been in the 7-11 range since last october. His cancer is under control, however, he is facing horrible side effects. He has horrible pain in his legs and back. We spoke with the doctor about the pain and he said he will have to continue taking Abiraterone till his PSA stabilizes in the 4 region. We have taken our dad to several doctors to see if he can get any relief from pain. He is currently undergoing accupuncture sessions but is hardly seeing any relief. He is slowly starting to lose confidence and is usually depressed about the pain.

Has anyone had this experience before and what did you do to get relief? Any medicines/natural therapy you can recommend?

Sujay
Posted 7/25/2016 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sujay,

I have undergone chemo and am currently on Zytiga (Abiraterone Acetate). I too suffer from pain in my lower extremities, however mine is in my left heel and now moving to my right heel. I have had this pain before but it went away. Now it's back and moving to the right side. Can't give you much more information than that. I am planning on making a Doctor's appointment soon and if something comes from that I'll be sure to update you.
Posted 7/25/2016 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Sujay-

Abiraterone is not chemo -- it is hormone therapy. It is always taken with prednisone. I assume he is also taking some other hormone therapy (e.g., Lupron) with it.

The pains in his legs and back are probably not from the chemo he took or the abiraterone, it is more likely to be from metastases. Maybe the abiraterone and additional chemo will lessen the pain. Sometimes radiation (internal or external) will help with the pain. Where are his metastases and how many are there?

- Allen
Posted 7/26/2016 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
Sujay, I am in the middle of chemo and get leg pain on the fourth day following infusion. However, prior to the chemo I did an MRI, bone scan and CT scan that revealed bone mets in my spine. I was in terrific pain from the bone mets. My oncologist recommended radiation to the affected areas. I did five sessions lasting about 8 minutes for three spots on my spine. By the third treatment the pain was gone. I have not had a recurrence of the pain since the radiation.

Your Dad may benefit from a bone scan and spot radiation to the mets. Ask his doctor.

Best to you and your Dad,
Don
Posted 7/26/2016 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, almost a ten. Let me knkw what your doc says.

Don and allen - thank you. I did not know that abiraterone is a hormone therapy. We were assuming that it is a form of oral chemo. He had metastasis in 14 spots before he started the chemo. Now it is only in one area that is his shoulder. But, he gets pain in the legs and hips area and he doesnt have metastasis there. Do you think it could be something else?

We will talk to the doctor about spot radiation. Thanks for the recommendation.
Posted 7/26/2016 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
Sujay,

Bone metastases permanently damage the structural integrity of the bones. Of course it's better that many of the sites where there were actively growing metastases are no longer expanding, but they can't reverse the damage that has already been done. Those damaged bones can cause pain, and may sometimes fracture. In the spine, the vertebrae can collapse. All this can cause pain even where there is currently no active growth.

I hope he is taking a bone strengthener because long term hormone therapy can weaken bones. Often, doctors will prescribe Zometa or Xgeva. Lately, they found that adding Celebrex to that is a good idea.

- Allen
Posted 7/26/2016 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Allen.

My dad is taking Prednisone with Abiraterone. However, the dose has been reduced because he had UTI as a side effect from Prednisone. Dad is also taking a bone strengthener once a month. It is called Zoldria and is a type of biophosphonate.

I looked at this reports again after your reply and he did have cancer in the femur and vertebrae region. It makes sense why his back and legs would hurt even when there is no active growth. It looks like there would never be permanent relief from the pain due to the permanent damage that cancer has caused. We will continue to give him bone strengtheners and wish for the best :)
Posted 8/20/2016 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Question: the pain is getting worse everyday and my dad has lost a lot weight. I spoke to another doctor and he said that radiation might help to reduce pain. Thoughts? Experience?
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