Greetings all. I thought I'd post an update on my situation. You'll remember I'm 86 yrs. old with a diagnosis of g9, T2b. I've completed primary rt and have 14 months of adt under my belt. My most...
At 85, going on 86, I can relate to the use of the computer as a definite plus for cognitive health. I combine research on various issues of personal interest with online poker-playing to keep the...
Hello, all. Another update. My latest psa reading 3 mos after 9 weeks of primary rt and after 9mos. of adt is
A distinction should be made between primary radiation treatment and salvage radiation treatment when discussing side effects....
At 85 I had no treatment choice with localized g9 dx. Underwent 45 rt and began 2yr adt program. Absolutely no radiation side effects, not even fatigue. Finished in early Dec. Psa now undetectable at...
I was tested at 85. Biopsy showed aggressive cancer g9. Ct and bone scans negative. Radiation therapy. 45 treatments, no side effects whatsoever. On adt. psa dropped in half to 3.8. After 2 months of...
Interesting discussion. I'm 85 and was given little choice since surgery was off the table at the outset. I was advised to complete 45 session of radiation, combined with 2yrs. of ht for my g9...
Well I started out with a psa count of 7.8. A urologist at the Geisinger Danville Clinic informed me that because I had been on finasteride for several years my true psa was likely somewhere in the...
Blackjack, you misrepresent what I said. I said these are risks that everybody faces who undergo ht--but not all risks eventuate for everybody. Some have only minor problems and handle adt very well....
You ask, "Do we give ADT and expensive scans to a 92 year old that in all probability will not extend his life one day and will most probably shorten it?" My response is that you exaggerate the...
ADT may have these negative side effects, true. But weakening of bones, cardiac issues, fatigue are risks for everybody equally--age is beside the point. Not everybody responds to ht in the same way,...
Not only am I not arguing one size fits all, I'm doing just the opposite. I only addressed the issue of the OP's friend who, we're told, is a fit 92 with a psa count of 12. But we don't really know...
You exaggerate the impact of ADT on a very old man's quality of life. I would argue old men might very well tolerate hormone therapy far better than much younger men--especially when dealing with a...
I can only use myself as the best example of someone advanced in years who is benefiting greatly from treatment. I've had 45 rt sessions for localized g9 pc and experienced NO side effects. I began...
John T, what right has anybody to decide ADT would not prolong a 92 yr. old's life? And how sure can you be he would not benefit hugely from tx despite some annoying side effects? Come on, we're not...
Herbert Walker Bush did not suddenly stop eating and die of old age. He had been failing for quite some time. He did indeed rally toward the end and enjoyed a hearty meal. But the end was not really...
Cognitive impairment is also a danger with ht....
Blackjack, I've had a long history of prostatitis, going back many years. I had green light laser surgery when I was 70. I was also treated for an enlarged prostate. Then my urologist retired and I...
I am that 85 yr. old poster. I had the biopsy and diagnosed localized g9, t2b. Had 3 mos. of firmagon ht, then a six-mos. shot of lupron while undergoing radiation therapy. I have 7 more sessions to...
I am an otherwise healthy 85 who has been recently diagnosed with localized G9. I am not at all sorry I opted for tx. Yes, the hot flashes are annoying and interrupt sleep, but I take naps to catch...
Fairwind, I agree. My pc is very high risk, but apparently still in the organ, though I realize ct and bone scans don't always tell the whole story. Nevertheless they were negative. In addition my...
Thanks, Allen. I'll do as you suggest....
Andrew, I'm now using a different username, changed from writeblock to Praepositus. Praepositus had been my password--go figure. In any case, I'm still 85 yrs. old and still on adt (firmagon). What...
Going for brachy, I read your post too hastily. I noticed your psa was undetectable in January and assumed the sbrt treatment was successful. I reread your post and realize you're still in the woods....
Chronological age shouldn't matter. If your health is otherwise okay and you've got a problematic psa, you need to look into it. It's good you got after things....
Hello all. Got my first psa result after first month on firmagon. I had been 7.4 and since I was taking finasteride, that equaled roughly 15. New psa is 2.4 which equals 4.8. I'm good with the...
I'm on the horns of a dilemma. I've got a gleason 8 score based on one core from the biopsy: (3+5 with a volume of 20%.) The tumor is also classified as T2a. Involvement is 20%. According to my uro...
I know there's been a drop in my t level in recent years but I do try to keep busy and stay fit. My mind so far is free of fog--but we'll see how long that lasts as I progress with ht. I'm generally...
I said I felt no SE "so far." I also said, "so far so good" in another post. I never ruled out getting hit harder in the future....
My front yard is a quarter of an acre. I use a cordless electric mower--so it's a workout. Hauling the garbage involves heavy lifting of three different containers to the curb about 80 ft away. I...
Day 2 since I received 2 injections of fermagon on Thursday. No SE so far. Mowed lawn yesterday. Put out garbage this morning. Feel fine. Meet with radiation oncologist Wed....
Thanks for the kind words. I expect some discomfort--but hopefully it'll be tolerable. The rt I can deal with. Two months and it's over. The hormone shots will be a problem But most of the side...
Well the bone and ct scans came back negative. Good news. Today I got my first ht shot--firmagon. So far so good. I will be on hormones for two years. I speak with the radiation oncologist next....
Yes, I intend to ask my uro to forward the biopsy report to Dr. Epstein. Interesting, though, about HT which I no doubt will need. It supposedly makes men prematurely old. They gain weight, lose...
I had the biopsy primarily to find out the truth. Now I need to deal with it. They'll do the scans, then put forth a treatment plan--probably radiation and HT. I'll do what I need to do. The two...
Well I just received the dx on the one core taken from the left lobe that felt hard during the dre. The uro said it was aggressive, Gleason 8. He is setting up a CT scan and a bone scan. I'm shaken....
I learned something disturbing today about my situation. I had assumed that my earlier records from Riverview Urological Associates in Kingston PA had been forwarded to the two urologists who...
Hello, all. I went for the biopsy yesterday. I felt no pain but when the first sample was completed I suddenly felt as if I were burning up. Probably a hot flash--which I had never experienced...
How is there right or wrong in whether or not to have the biopsy? Ultimately it's an individual choice, though I did for a while consider canceling everything. I feel it's better to know what I've...
Let me clarify my last statement. I didn't mean to suggest that the pc that hits men over 70 is not in the main indolent. The vast majority of old men have a slow-growing condition. I only mean to...
Sailor, I'm no expert but I've read several articles showing men over 70 are subject to more aggressive prostate cancer. Try searching this, I think you'll find that is the case....
Thanks, all. Your input gave me real pause but I'm going ahead with the bx because of my high psa score. Hopefully, it'll be tolerable. Tall Allen, I did check out the nomogram--but it seems to raise...
I am 85 years old but in relatively good shape. Recently I had my psa checked. It came back 7.4. Saw uro at Geisinger urology clinic in Danville, PA who informed me my psa was probably twice that...