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

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sterd82
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 187
Posted 5/26/2007 5:35 AM (GMT -6)

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!

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GreenAcres
Regular Member
Joined : Jul 2006
Posts : 474
Posted 5/26/2007 6:48 AM (GMT -6)
Hi, Sterd - not here for the propecia question, but that's an amazing observation.

Just want to give you a big congrats on the undetectables! It was nearly this time last year that we got the "news." It is a ride indeed. Yours is a great accomplishment with many additional kinks in between then and now. Glad to see you're still hanging around out there!
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lawink
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2006
Posts : 621
Posted 5/26/2007 6:59 AM (GMT -6)
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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Izzyblizzy
Regular Member
Joined : Oct 2006
Posts : 411
Posted 5/26/2007 11:30 AM (GMT -6)
Congrats on the undectectable!

On the propecia, just one thought. I know it artificially supresses PSA (similar to avodart and proscar) ... so one thought is the doctor might not want you to take it until you have "undectable" under your belt for a while.

If (god forbid) your PSA was to start to creep back up for any reason, the propecia might inhibit the detection of that? But would ask your doc's opinion on that.

Anyway, wishing you continued thick hair and 0's :)

Tanya
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Tony Crispino
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2006
Posts : 8151
Posted 5/26/2007 1:07 PM (GMT -6)
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
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Swimom
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2006
Posts : 1732
Posted 5/26/2007 2:59 PM (GMT -6)
Sterd,

Since Propecia is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and you've recently had antiandrogen/hormone therapy, you may want to ask your oncologist about it. May not be in your best interest to mess with the androgen receptors without the Doc knowing. He's already been messing with those for the last 6 months :>)
Glad to hear your're doing good.

Swim
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sterd82
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 187
Posted 5/26/2007 3:08 PM (GMT -6)

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!

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bluebird
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2006
Posts : 2543
Posted 5/26/2007 7:04 PM (GMT -6)
Yea !   ~   Sterd82 ,   ….. PSA’s…    !!! ~~~~ >>>   Woo ~ Hoo   <<< ~~~~ !!!   undetectable   Cause   for    celebration!!!!!      What a wonderful day it is ~ each and every-day ….           Enjoy it to the fullest ~ dear friend.   Yippeeeee!!!!!! From   Lee & Buddy   *       *      *      *      *      * The ultimate “goal”… we all strive for… Thank you for sharing ~ that your goal has been met…. It is very important to “all ”of us!   This is a way of positive feedback… A way of showing others Hope… and a way of Sharing.    J   Caring is Sharing ~   Thank You for Sharing   J   Threads Started by: Sterd82   (Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open!   Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there) I Could Use Some Help Cocoa?   Sterd82 reply postings to: POSITIVE MARGINS FOLLOWING SURGERY. WHAT TO DO NOW?
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Tony Crispino
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2006
Posts : 8151
Posted 5/27/2007 12:00 AM (GMT -6)
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
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