New Direction

Don-

I can't remember why you were taken off Lupron. Were the SEs very bad, or was it a vacation, or both?

Don: Send me an email so we can discuss Zytiga off-line.

FC:

Glad to read that about MediCare!

Mel

Hi Don, I sent you an email reply and await your reply to my email with respect to Zytiga.

With respect to Provenge, as long as it is covered by insurance, I can't understand why anyone would not do Provenge as in theory it makes all future therapies more effective. Worst case, it can't hurt and might help was my thinking.

Todd1963 whose PSA was in the several thousands is the poster boy for Provenge success. As a G9, my PSA never got higher than 3.68.

The reason I was even diagnosed was PSA doubling time from 1.6 to 2.6 to 3.68 on consecutive semi annual PSA tests.

I am one of the lucky ones who tolerate Lupron, Zytiga, Provenge, SBRT etc very well with minimal side effects.

It's impossible to know whether to attribute my treatment success to Provenge, or to Zytiga, or to SBRT but most likely it was a combination of all of the above. I stopped all treatments 19 months ago. Both my PSA and my Testosterone (hovering around 42) remain undetectable.

I got your email Don.

Spot radiation to that nuisance single met seems like the way to go.

Good luck and keep us posted.

JR, thanks for the encouragement. I have good insurance now with Medicare and supplemental plan. My insurance issues were early in my journey. I certainly learned some things about the business side of medicine. Luckily I can afford the copays.

Last spot treatments in back and neck knocked out the pain immediately. I am not having neck pain but one of the spots previously treated is growing and pinching my spinal cord. Doc was concerned when I told him I could not hold a drink in my left hand without it flopping to my side. Will treat next Tuesday. I went over the scans and plan with the doctor as I am very concerned about collateral damage to my esophagus. I told the doc that my QOL had taken a nose dive with chemo and I have just barely regained my sense of taste. Sex was gone with the first treatments 8 years ago and I have been steadily drifting downward. I was quite active before with regular gym attendance, frequent bike rides, kayaking, hiking and walking the green belt in Boise where I lived at the time. Now I am lucky to walk to the end of the block. about all I have left is the enjoyment of a good meal. No wine, no beer.... meds say no alcohol.

My leg was a new met in the thigh bone and we elected not to treat when first found. Now it is causing some problems. Was like turning on a light switch. Walking across the room and bang! Leg was pounding and pain pill did not bring under control until second dose six hours later.

Hope this works.

Don