Oncologist Visit

Me and my husband went to see a new oncologist yesterday.
Steve will stay on the casodex but the lupron will be a little different.
The urologist wanted him to get a lupron shot every 6 months but the oncologist wants it every 4 months.
He said sometimes it tends to not work as weel when it is close to 6 months.
Steve also has to take B12 shots because his B12 is very low.
He will take them once a week for 4 weeks then once a month for 6 months.
Tomorrow he has the pet scan to see if he has bone mets to his hip.
The oncologist suspects it isnt the cancer because on the bone scanned showed something.
His blood count continues to go down and he lost 7 pounds in 10 days which is not good.
His PSA is down to 46 from 59 after being on casodex for 2 weeks.
Jacky and Steve

My first shot of Lupron was 4 months. The Dr did not want to give me the 6 months shot in case I had a bad reaction. He stated once it is in you there is nothing they can do.

No bad reactions (except for the normal). My next shot will be a six month one.

Hello Mews2Much,

Along the way, once you have started the LUPRON shots, please ask your oncologist to add a simple TESTOSTERONE test to your usual lab work.

You'll want to ascertain whether or not the LUPRON shot is working effectively in lowering the testosterone level, to help "starve" the cancer.

My urologist did not do this when I was first diagnosed --- my oncologist then asked for a simple testosterone test and we started to see that my testosterone was showing "spikes and flares" --- which drove my PSA level up and down, accordingly.

We worked, over time, to work the testosterone level down --- which has helped control my PSA more effectively.

In the end, we moved away from the multi-month, long-lasting ADT hormone shots, because we continued to see those "spikes and flares" in my case --- in the end, we decided to go back to MONTHLY dose shots, and this has consistently kept my testosterone level below 10.

Just some simple advice, once you get started on the LUPRON --- ask for an occasional testosterone test, when you are doing your usual blood work in the lab. You want to be ASSURED that the shot is keeping the testosterone level LOW. If it isn't, there are other forms of ADT shots such as FIRMAGON and also ZOLADEX, in addition to LUPRON --- and different doses --- single month doses and multi-month doses.

Many doctors never ask for a testosterone test --- it gets overlooked quite often, and you want the assurance that your shot is working well for you.

Just a thought to share with you, in the hope that it may be helpful ---

My best, from across the miles,
"Cyclone Fan" ~ Iowa State University

ISU-CycloneFan

The TESTOSTERONE test has not been mentioned.
I will ad Steve's oncologist about it.
I also will keep a list of the meds you mentioned in case they are needed.

Fairwind
Zytiga and Xtand have not been mentioned I will bring them up to Steve's oncologist.
We have Kaiserand the Lupron is covered but I do not know if they would cover Zytiga and Xtand
I just did a fundraiser for my husbands surgery and we have applied for hardship.
My husband is still waiting for the results of the pet scan with is nerve wracking.
He also has to have B12 shots because he is -150 on his B!2.

PaulWright I hope the casodex will keep working I heard so many stories.