Time for long term treatment.

Gotta start off with my appreciation to the core group here who provide council to the masses. You are amazing.

Got the results from my latest PSA and Bone Scans. PSA was a 70.0 and Bone Scans showed 2 new "areas of interest" on my spine (L4). I probably didn't need the scan, because my back had been giving me problems for the last week or so. May have also been due to mixing 35 bags of cement that week, but who knows.

So it's time (maybe beyond time) to move to the next phase. Gonna start out with Firmagon injections and looking at chemo (taxotere) probably by years end. Not really looking forward to it, but the options aren't good either.

I did the Lupron/casodex regiment while I was doing SRT, and the SE's were manageable, except for loss of cognitive functions. Hoping that Firmagon won't give the same SE.

Appreciate any comments on dealing with the shots and chemo treatments. I've reviewed lots of threads with tips on handling it, so learning what I can.

Mostly posting here to help me move on to the next phase. It is pretty amazing how putting things in print (especially to a group of people) helps you deal with things.

Thanks!
Rob

I am impressed, 35 bags of concrete? I mixed 3 bags of concrete two weeks ago and I am still feeling it.

I haven't had HT or chemo, but I suspect you'll do just fine.

35 bags, dude,
Andrew

Hello WyoHawk,

Sounds like you're formulating a plan ... taking a proactive stance ... looking ahead ... considering the treatment options ...

We're in the same age range, WyoHawk ... my course of treatments are shown below in my signature.

You mentioned FIRMAGON shots ... I've been on continuous ADT shots since my diagnosis three years ago ... I've done LUPRON shots, then FIRMAGON shots, and now I'm on ZOLADEX shots ...

You also mentioned the possibility of chemotherapy treatments ... I pursued the "early chemo plan" along with many other members of this forum ... if you pursue chemo treatments, the members of "The Chemo Club" are here to support you through your series of treatments ... we formed a thread called "Taxotere Side Effects" which you can find easily by placing the title in the search bar at the top of your screen and that thread will help you navigate through chemo treatments ...

Just a message of support, from "one brother to another brother" ...

Assemble a top-notch medical team ... together, you will formulate a plan of action ...

Meanwhile ... we're here to encourage you ... and we'll leave the front porch light on for you, WyoHawk ... check back in with us often and let us know how you're faring !

Sent with my best, from across the miles,
"Cyclone Fan" ~ Iowa State University

Hi Wyohawk,
Sorry to hear about your rise in PSA. Looks like you are in need of more systemic therapy and from what I understand, taxotere is the first form of systemic chemo that you will qualify for. Going through taxotere will also get you ready for more advanced ADT. After my chemo was completed, I was prescribed Zytiga in November 2014 and have been undetectable ever since. Ask you oncologist what would follow chemo.

Hi Wyohawk, yup, the chemo road for you. To me, after the crash days, it is like being on a stronger dose of ADT. If you are active it helps with some of that. I wish you luck on the upcoming treatment journey. Take care. -JR