Too much at once???

So heres my situation...after I went Mets to the bones....My PSA has gone from 381 to a 1.5 where it currently stands....Im currently on HT (eligard), Zytiga and prednisone, Xgeva for bones, and Xofigo (get last infusion this month).

My Urologist whos working closely with my mediacl onc and radiation onc now want me to try Provenge.....I was leery because Ive read Provenge doesn't work good with Prednisone (steroids) as it messes up the immune system. Well supposedly they've done a study saying its OK to do both Zytiga and Provenge at the same time....My new Urologist who is the Provenge guy at my cancer clinic sent me a letter stating this and the case results. I guess he also went to a conference about it.

My question is..do you think Im doing too much at once? My biggest fear is running out of options too quick and have nothing left but Chemo......That would put me on 4 treatments at once.....HT, Zytiga/Prednisone, Xofigo and Provenge....not gonna care about xgeva as that's not really a treatment. That just seems like quite a bit at once to me...so far Im handling the SEs OK.....I do have considerable nausea each day but that's about it.

I just feel like theyre pushing stuff at me kinda quick.....My insurance has already approved Provenge and wont cost me a dime.....I just feel I don't even know the results from the Xofigo yet and now Im onto the next treatment.....what do you guys think?

My docs like the multiple attack approach and are very positive on Provenge. They want to use it as early as possible. I'd go for it, personally.

Casper, I think you should continue with the 3 treatments you are already doing. Save the Provenge in the event the others ultimately fail. With your PSA in check right now, and you dealing with the rectal cancer, you have a lot going on. You don't want to use up all your ammo, since you are no longer in a curative state. That is my personal opinion.

142 - my doctor has said all along with my unique situation, that he was considering chemo before considering using HT, as he has seen cases similar, where the chemo can do a good job of shocking the remaining cancer. It's a question of choosing one's poison, neither HT nor chemo is "normal" for the body to deal with.

David

Thanks for the replies guys.....Im gonna talk to him on the 6th....Since provenge is attacking in a totally different approach thru the Immune system...I was leaning towards going for it if they think I can handle the SEs at once.....Not only that Provenge can enhance other treatments down the road......Purg....never had rectal cancer....you must be thinking of someone else.....once again appreciate your views....chris

sorry, casper, got you mixed up with another brother here, I apologize. but still would give the same advice as above. since Provenge is an entirely different approach, I can see some merit in adding it to the mix. its really a between you and your trusted doctor to decide, for sure.

david

Thanks jerry...great video....also allen haven't read your link yet but am getting ready to...appreciate the great info.guys...chris

142.....Ive been lucky so far.....only thing I had denied was the choline Pet 18 bone scan...my insurance made me get the traditional one instead which showed the confirmed mets anyway.....I was kinda surprised I had all this stuff approved at once because Ive got Tricare (retired military) which is basically the same coverage active duty soldiers get but Being retired I pay a small premium.....I figured they'd be tough to get provenge approved but it was quick

I'm a little earlier in the progression, but am combining up Provenge and Zytiga. Provenge was mild from a SE stand point and seems to me to be a long term play -- build up the immune system. So i put them together ...

Ray

Thanks gunfighter....I agree with your views and am taking that route. I really don't want to do the chemo until the last option and my Drs agree with that.