How long on Zoladex

CLDCR

Regular Member

Joined : Aug 2015

Posts : 71

Posted 1/1/2017 12:59 PM (GMT 0)

Happy New Year!!!

2 questions for the smart guys:

I saw my MO a few weeks ago and he tells me the new protocol is 3 years on Zoladex. I have been on it about 18 months. SE not bad except weight gain which I could likely control if I would have some dietary discipline. He told me it seems outcomes are probably better with the 3 year course. Since it really doesn't bother me, I lean toward going for it.

Residual IGRT problems....I finished in May 2016. 35 treatments over 7 weeks. My bowel and bladder control is unpredictable. I typically have a normal movement early, followed by an "emergency" an hour or so later....I get about 30 seconds warning. Keeps me close to home, but that is not always possible. This is almost every day. Followed up with GI, had colonoscopy that was pretty much normal. I am still leaky up front too.....bending, coughing, putting on shoes. Again, haven't been too worried until a few weeks ago when my Daughter told me I "smelled like pee".....uh oh......

Any experience in these issues

Evets

New Member

Joined : Jul 2015

Posts : 15

Posted 1/1/2017 6:40 PM (GMT 0)

CLDCR,

Im not one of the smart guys but have had experiences that may be helpful. Why is it you had chemo? Looks like your pathology was modest unless I missed something.

I was a gleason 4+4 with seminal vesical involvement. Had surgery plus radiation. Been on Zoladex for 1 year with a tentative plan of 18 months total before discontinuing. uPSA been<0.01 since finishing radiation but wont understand if radiation was successful until off zoladex. My 18 month zoladex duration plan is at the recommendation of my RO. My ADT side effects are modest, hot flashes, achiness in lower extremity at bedtime, some fatigue. All tolerable.

My personal research indicates that 6 mo zoladex is better than none at all, 1 year better than 6 months, 18 months better than 1 year.......18 months to 2 year duration data not so clear. All this is dependent on post-surgery pathology.
Like I said I don't pretend to be one of the smart guys, Im not a physician. Im just working through my own prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment and trying to learn as much as possible.

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