Hello fellow travelers on this journey,

Let me give you some background before my question.

I was diagnosed 9/2006 with PC after PSA of 12 and biopsy showed Gleason of 7. I had DaVinci on Oct. 23.
Biopsy of removed prostate showed positive margins (no lymph node or seminal vesicle involvement) and an upgraded Gleason of 9. This last bit of news seemed to somewhat un-nerve my surgeon and he suggested aggressive treatment.
PSA in 12/06--<.1
PSA in 3/07--<.1
PSA in 6/07--<.1
PSA in 9/07--<.1
(these levels are called "undetectible" by the Lab at UAB)

So, I began Lupron injections in December, 2006 and IMRT radiation in March.........38 sessions which ended June 1, 2007.

My issue involves my Ocologist, who insists that I continue Lupron for another full year.
Many, many of you have experienced the side effects of this powerful drug, and I have had them all.
In addition to the side effects I feel as though I am going through life in a fog.......or seeing life pass me by in black and white. I seem to have lost most of my initiative, energy, and desire to experience what is really a great life.

I am ready to try to FULLY recover....re-gain energy, passion for life, sharpness of mind.

Do any of you have insight into this dilemma? I cannot imagine another full year of Lupron........and its effects.


Thank you all for your input.

Since you've been undetectable for a year, I believe most oncologists today would take you off the ADT and just keep watching you. If your PSA starts to rise, be prepared to go back on the meds.

I think it's time for a second opinion.

-Gordy

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1/2005 Dx PSA 26.5 Gleason 7 (4+3) @Age 61
1/2005 Start Casodex and Zoladex
PSA drops to <0.01 AND REMAINS THERE TO THIS DAY
7/2005-8/2005 5 weeks of IMRT and then HDR brachy
1/2007 Rad Oncologist orders CT scan of pelvis
because of complaints of pain in both thighs
MRI confirms pain not caused by cancer BUT
1/2007 CT scan of pelvis picks up a nodule at bottom of left lung
5/2007 CT scan of lungs shows 1/2007 nodule has grown and
there are numerous nodules on both lungs.
6/2007 Thoracic surgeon removes wedge of left lung for biopsy
6/2007 Path report says 95% chance of metastatic PCa, but she's
never seen cells like this before.
7/2007 2nd opinion at M.D. Anderson in Houston.
They confirm: mutated PCa, very rare, but seen there 2 or
3 times. Recommendation: have CT scans every 6 weeks
and watch for change. At that point start chemo and will
survive for 22 - 24 months thereafter.
PSA STILL UNDETECTABLE

Hey ~ I personally think it's time that you have a chance to recover and heal....  Mentally and Physically.

I had a lower gleason score, but am similar because of the positive margins.  I started Zoladex two months prior to RT and haven't had huge side effects - a little warm flashes.  However, I've only been on it three months.  My doctors recommend two years of HT.  They say that this will decrease the probability of reoccurance.  The longer I can take the HT up to two years the better.  Have you asked about switching to a different hormone.  Since they all do the same thing, I wonder if one would be easier on you than another. 

I have a question about checking PSA while on hormones.  Doesn't the HT surpress any PC cells and thus leave the PSA test not useful?

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PSA 4.7 (up from 3.2 one year ago)

Dreadnought,

I'm with Gordy (Les) on this one. It would not hurt to get the second opinion. I was on Lupron for some time then we switched to Elgard. I know what you mean about the fog and desire to enjoy life. It kind of trys to drain the will out of you. But man you have to fight. Find something that makes you want to get out and enjoy the world. My wife MADE me get off my rearend and engage again. Once I engaged I found my motivation. I still fight it every day, but I still fight. You can too. I know you will. Do what ever it takes to win the battle. "Persist without exception".

I poured myself into my singing and my church. Find your spot and go for it.

We all love you here and are praying for your light to return so it can shine on others. You are a legacy for future generations.

All our hopes and prayers and.................WAR EAGLE.

Walt