husbands psa rising fast- help

 hi everyone: sorry i haven't posted for awhile. last week we saw our oncologist. the news was devestating to us. Rob's psa jumped from 80 in Oct. to 439 last week. boy were we ever shocked. we suspected his psa was rising more due to ongoing back pain but we didn't expect such a high jump. Dr. has now switched him to Casodex at 150mg. per day. hopefully this will do something otherwise it looks like Rob will have to start chemo in Jan.08.  Just when things look rather bleak (tight finances and xmas coming) things get worse. Does anyone know how long it takes for Casodex to start working if it does work? Anything else we can try if it doesn't work? Rob is still resisting chemo, don't blame him. he has lost app. 1-2 pounds but hasn't eaten properly when he was in pain. i know i watch him too closely because from day to day when i look at him i can't tell if he is maintaining weight or losing some. Can changing meds have an affect on weight?  App. one month ago he developed a cough which isn't all the time. At first it sounded like a cold and after awhile it disappeared. every now and then it comes back. boy, you sure tend to get paranoid about every physical symptom after awhile. Has anyone heard of the research done in regard to prostrate cancer and Cesium Chloride. I believe it has to do with PH levels and alkaline in the body. It is Cesium High PH Therapy. I have a couple of articles i printed out and after reading them we are considering trying to find a dr. who will read the material and help us if we want to try it. The articles were printed in 2004. Considering all of the toxics put into the body from chemo, what do we have to lose trying something alternative first. If anyone knows of anything else we would really appreciate knowing.  To us chemo means it's our last kick at this thing and if that doesn't work we are finished. If anyone else has ever had their psa jump so drastically and still manage to survive this and be here it would be really good and hopeful for both of us to read. thanks everyone for all you do. hope to hear from you soon.  you are all in my prayers. lifeline * Edit to add title to thread : ) Post Edited By Moderator (bluebird) : 11/29/2007 8:13:14 AM (GMT-7)

Geezum lifeline,
I'm sorry to hear of Rob's PSA rise. Don's doc said yesterday that once he shows a PSA rise (our question to him) that Casodex would be added to his treatment regimen. That is a standard treatment and one can go a long time as Tony said. I haven't heard of Cesium Chloride but that means little as I'm not the best read on all of this. Have you asked the Oncologist about it? He may have an explanation on why he thinks it would or wouldn't work. Keep reading and checking things out, Rob may come to the decision that it's not for him or maybe it will be. Once he starts on the Casodex and his PSA drops you can take a breather, I'm sure others will post about this.

Lifeline - Thank you for your good wishes. We're here for you Check your email, please.

Susan

Hi!
We are truly sorry to hear your news. Know that our thought and prayers are with you both and that a positive attitude can do wonders towards the future.
;o) Linda & Bob