I initially went into the hospital because of extreme exhaustion and pain under my sternum. While in triage, they discovered 2.4 litres of urine in my bladder due to block urethra and BPH.
After 2 days of recovery (and a foley catheter), they were going to release me but I demanded a CT scan.
The CT scan revealed Stage 4 prostate cancer metasticised to the bones in my hips, spine, shoulders, neck and skull. My PSA level was 714.
I started Eligard treatments 30 days after an intial Firmagon shot. Over a period of 12 months, my PSA went to .25 and then started going up again. I decided to stop Eligard (January, '24) because of the side effects after 18 months of treatment. This decision was against doctor's advice, but I told him that I believed in "Quality of Life" rather than "Life Extension").
As of April 2024, my PSA level is 7.4 (will get another test in July)... still dealing with hot flashes and some malaise left over from Eligard. However, my overall QOL has dramatically improved.
P.S. I take Tramadol for a little pain and 1.5mg of Prednisone daily as it helps with arthritic knee pain and energy.
My last 6mo injection of Eligard was a year ago on 7/24/23 with a PSA of 1.6. I skipped my next 6mo injection which was scheduled for 1/28/24. At that time my PSA was 5.0, so the cancer was already developing a resistance to Eligard.
I quit taking Eligard after 18mo of treatment because of the side effects of extreme malaise, weakness and hot flashes. I have not had any other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation.
Since 1/28/24, I have slowly regained my energy levels and no longer have hot flashes. There are days that I feel so good, that I don't even notice that I have Stage 4 prostate cancer. This was my goal, as I value "quality of life" over "life extension" at this point in my life (I'm 74).
Since skipping the injection in January '24, my PSA level has increased to 26. I know that's an indication of "cancer growth" (i.e. bone mets), but I have my affairs in order and am now placing my "times" totally into the loving hands of the Lord.
Will keep you posted every 3 months from this point onward.
Since discontinuing Eligard treatment in January of 2024, my PSA level has jumped to 109. However, the debilitating side effects of the Eligard have gone completely and, other than normal fatigue for someone who is 74 years old, my energy levels are so much better that I feel NORMAL again. (i.e. choosing "quality of life" over "life extension").
John's e-mail address is: tas541 AT yahoo.com (replace "AT" with "@")
