Bob
and Marilyn Jones live in Florida, USA. Bob was 58 when he was diagnosed on 15
December 1993. His initial PSA was 78 ng/ml and his Gleason Score was 3+3=6. He
was staged T3c. The treatment he decided on was External Beam Radiation & ADT
(Androgen Deprivation Therapy). Here is his story:
I
thought that one went to the doctor when they were sick so I was well along with
my PCa when I was diagnosed. It was a shock to me as I felt great and was in good
physical condition.
I
imediately started ADT (Androgen Deprivation Therapy) with Eulexin followed by
Lupron ten days later. I started EBR (External Beam Radiation) one month later.
I
stayed on Eulexin for 2 years and Lupron for 3 years. Back in 1993 the standard
protocol for ADT was to remain on it for the remainder of one's life. I told my
Doctor that I would be his first patient to go off of Lupron and I was. I had
read about Intermittent ADT and told my Doctor that I would like to try IADT.
He also read a study on IADT and agreed on this protocol.
My
first "off cycle" lasted 32 months before restarted ADT with Lupron, Casodex,
and Proscar. The second "on cycle" was for 12 months followed by a 9 month "off
cycle". My PSA had reached 3.6 and I needed to restart ADT but I did not want
to resume the use of Lupron so I tried 150 mg of Casodex and 10 mg of Proscar.
This protocol reduced my PSA to .7 and has gradully increased over the last 37
months to 3.91.
I
plan to resume ADT-3 with Lupron, 50 mg Casodex, and Avodart before my PSA reaches
8.0. I have been fighting this PCa for about ten and one half years and plan to
continue for another ten years! I am willing to answer any question that anyone
might have about my treatment.
After
38 months of using 150 mg of Casodex and .5 mg of Avodart my PSA has reached 7.41
with a T of 507. I started on this protocol when my PSA was 3.6. It decreased
to .7 and then has gradully increased to the present 7.41. I just started a new
protocol of 4 month shot of Elegard, 50 mg of Casodex, and .5 mg of Avordart and
will monitor my PSA on a monthly basis.
After
11 years of ADT, ADT2, ADT3, IADT, and High Dose Casodex, I have just started
HDK+HC (High Dose Ketoconazole plus Hydrocortisone). My PSA has reached 8.0 so
it is time to fight my PCa with a new treatment - HDK+HC.
My
bone scan shows no evidence of PCa in my bones as yet so I feel very fortunate.
I am now 70 years old and am very active. I bowl on four leagues and golf when
I have time. The secret to maintaining good physical conditioning while on ADT
is to keep very active with hard physical work and sports. This also helps the
mental health as well.
I
would be glad to answer any question that one might have concerning ADT treatments
and side effects.
I tried HDK but my body did not like this protocol as I broke out with a rash
and had headaches. I reduced the Keto to 200 mg x3 times a day(LDK) with good
results and have been on this treatment for 16 months. My PSA was about 8.0 in
Nov 2004 when I started on this protocol and has decreased each PSA test until
the present.
My
PSA was 0.12 on Jan 9, 2006. I am also on a variety of LHRH over this period.
I am on Trelstar now but have used Lupron and Eligard in the past. I feel better
now than I have for many years and am very active with my bowling, golfing, boating,
and yard work. Twelve years three months and still going strong at 72!
My
current treatment of ADT using Trelstar, LDK + HC, Actonel, and Celebrex has worked
well for 2 1/2 years but my PSA is rising from a low of .11 to 2.1 over the last
year. My T is 0 so the current treatment is working well to limit the growth of
hormone dependent PCa cells but the hormone independent PCa cells are starting
to increase. I do not know what treatment I will try next but I will have to decide
in the next few months as I do not want my PSA to continue to rise without trying
something.
I
continue to stay as active as I can and enjoy riding my motorcycle, bowling, golfing,
boating, and working in my yard.
The
last year I have been following a protocol of a LHRH, LDK+H, Celebrex, and Zometa
infusions. My PSA has been holding quite steady at about .11 to .21 until August
2007. At this time my PSA gradually started to increase to .52 in November 2007.
At the present, my PSA is doubling every 3 months. In August 2008 it was 1.65
so my Dr. suggested that I try adding 500mg of Casodex. It has been about 4 years
since I had to discontinue the use of Casodex because it was causing my PSA to
rise rapidly. I will monitor my PSA each month for a while and will stop the Casodex
if my PSA rises rapidly. I have considered trying diethylstilboestrol (DES) but
my Dr. is reluctant. My next treatment may be Taxotere but I am reluctant to start
Chemo. My bone scans continue to show no evidence of spots on my bones.
After
15 yrs. of fighting my prostate cancer, I am still very active and at the age
of 74 enjoy bowling, golfing, boating, and riding my motorcycle.
Bob's
e-mail address is: rcxjones@yahoo.com
