I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 51. I went in for a typical 50 year old check up and 6 months later I was diagnosed with full blown PC. Today marks the 5 year anniversary of the diagnosis. I went to see my Urologist and I am beginning to see the up-tick on my PSA levels after 5 years of hormone therapy. Currently I am researching the new meds such as Provenge and Zytiga as new alternatives. My problem is the extreme cost of this new med technology and the potential to be on it for a long time because of my younger age. I'll get back on the site after my December 2013 medical meeting and update as to if I change my current hormone therapy from Degarelex to another more expensive treatment.
Because of insurance reasons I have had to change my doctor again. I am back on Lupron shots [6mo dosage] and Casodex. My cancer shows itself to be very responsive to this medication. It is now 7 years on this type of treatment. Side effects have really diminished to just a weight gain issue. I exercise to control my weight. We all know that with PC it is a weighting game if we don't catch it at its origin. I'm hoping that new treatments will be developed soon that will actually kill the disease and not just slow it down. The important starting step that my doctor recommended was to do the needle biopsies on my lymph nodes. This proved that the cancer had traveled and sent me on the path of ADT treatments.
2/2/15 just went in for another check up. PSA is at .07. Still showing very low. Doctor did not want to change any treatments. Still on Lupron 4mo dose and Casodex.
On 2/16/16 I saw my urologist for a PSA check. We decided to move my care to an oncologist because it appears that the hormone treatment [Lupron] is becoming ineffective. I'm not sure what the next treatment step may be but will keep the site updated. I'm 8 years into prostate cancer and have only had ADT treatment the whole time.
Having moved on to an oncologist we have started a new treatment of Zytiga. I have seen the PSA increase this past year from .90 to current level of 3.7. The new medication is a result of seeing the PSA begin to climb again.
Now I am 10 years into my prostate cancer. The reality of hormone treatment for such a long time is that fatigue and loss of strength is the biggest issue. I workout 4/5 times per week to try to control these issues. Because my cancer was very receptive to the hormone treatments this was the best choice for me. I have added a Zytiga treatment to my Lupron shots and it really seems to be keeping the PSA low.
It's been 11.5 years since I heard the sentence "you have prostate cancer". Now 11 years later I have settled into a satisfied life dealing with my side effects. I have compensated for the loss of strength and the weight gain associated with the medications by staying active and doing a fitness routine every morning. Weight gain is the hardest aspect to control for me. Last October 2018 after bone scans I can see that the cancer is growing slowly in my bones. It is currently located in hips, lower back and ribs. Pain is minimal but it is beginning to be a problem. I take hydrocodone and acetimenephine to counter the pain. My life is still very active.
Current condition is that prostate cancer is growing in my bones. I have exhausted most different treatments and have just started a "gene-blocker" therapy. My general health is OK and I still am able to workout lightly most mornings. I take naps most afternoons and then stay up late at night. I'd actually rate my lifestyle as good. I have accepted the small side effects that the meds give me.
Jeff's e-mail address is: jbaker1057 AT gmail.com (replace "AT" with "@")
