One Year since diagnosis....What a long, strange trip it's been....and a question about propecia

Exactly one year ago today I was given my pc diagnosis.  Yesterday I had a psa test, and it was my second undectable in a row! 

It's almost impossible to fathom the roller coaster ride this has been... but as an occaisional poster and frequent reader of this forum, I just wanted to say my thanks to all for the support and care expressed here.  God blees you all!

I'm delighted to ask a somewhat trivial question:  My hair has been thinning at the crown of my head for several years.   I noticed that it thickened back in a bit since going on hormone therapy.   Now that my thereapy is over, I'm wondering if my hair will thin back out once my testosterone kicks back in.   I have a couple of friends who take Propecia (finasteride) for hair restoration. (which started out as a treatment for prostate enlargement)

Has anyone out there come across any information on taking Propecia  post PC-treatment?

Thanks again to all!

---

Sterd82

Age 46

Initial PSA march of 2006: 28

PSA May of 2006: 39

8 of 12 cores malignant

Open Radical Prostatectomy 6/9/2006

Pathological Stage T3a, Positive Surgical Margin

Gleason 3+4

Post surgury PSA fluctuated between .04 and .09

PSA rose to .24 in November of 2006

6 month hormone therapy initiated December 1. 2006

36 sesions of IMRT Ended Feb 1, 2007

PSA as of May 25, 2007 undectable

Hi Sterd!
Wonderful news on the undetectibles! The sure do feel good don't they?
Diagnosis for us was May 27th and you are right - an amazing year!
Wishing you a lifetime of ZEROOOOOOOOOO's.
:o) Linda & Bob

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Bob (61) - Laproscopic Prostate Removal Sept 27, 2006.

2 of 12 malignant biopsy samples - gleason 3 + 3 = 6.

 

Pathology - cancer completely contained, even a second more aggressive, previously undetected cancer)

PSA UNDETECTABLE Nov 2006 AND Feb2007.

Bob also has two secondary conditions -- Polycythemia (elevated red & white cells & platelets) and . . Myelofibrosis) -- If anyone has experience with or information on these, please email us.

Hi Sterd,
I can't answer your question. I can use logic to state that the reason the PSA lowers with Propecia is because if its effect on a prostate-which you no longer have. I don't believe it inhibits a PSA test however in any other way. I believe your PSA would rise if there is recurrance regardless of the Propecia. But, as my wife tells me, I may be talking too much. You should ask the doctor. We at this site are unique in this discussion.

Also, Er, "happy anniversary"? You've got through the first year and you sound great. Being worried about hairline is a person feeling good about his future and I admire that. My first year will be on October 3rd. And I guess the day we discovered our disease will always be a milestone. My rollercoaster has been well documented here. Stage III (pT3b, 19.8 Pre-op PSA) is not easy to deal with and I finally pulled the plug on decisions. I am two weeks into the HT and have no dise effects at this time. I was in yesterday for the casting for my IMRT treatments. I decided that I want to hit the prostate bed. Have you considered that option?

Take care,

Tony

Kind words indeed --- thanks...we're all in this together.

I had asked my uro about Propecia last year --- he said let's not worry about that just yet (good advice)...   I asked my radiation onco yesterday and he really hadn't heard too much about it post HT/Radiation treatment but is looking into it --- thought I'd check here in the mean time. 

Since I'm out of "localized treatment" options, my next stop IF there's a recurrence at this point would most likely be long-term HT.  Not sure if a little masking of PSA would do too much harm in that scenario --- my doc said they usually let your PSA run up for a while to get a good view of your doubling time, etc..... 

TONY --- thanks for your thoughts.   My 36 IMRT sessions ended in Feb --- aimed at the prostate bed --- wan't bad at all with minimal side effects.   HT therapy not all that bad, either (hot flashes are the biggest thing I've dealt with) --- all worth it if it works --- GOOD LUCK!

---

Sterd82

Age 46

Initial PSA march of 2006: 28

PSA May of 2006: 39

8 of 12 cores malignant

Open Radical Prostatectomy 6/9/2006

Pathological Stage T3a, Positive Surgical Margin

Gleason 3+4

Post surgury PSA fluctuated between .04 and .09

PSA rose to .24 in November of 2006

6 month hormone therapy initiated December 1. 2006

36 sesions of IMRT Ended Feb 1, 2007

PSA as of May 25, 2007 undectable

I guess I should read your info on your signature better. I see the radiation stuff now. Thanks for your good words. And God bless...
Tony