YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

SILVER

Charlie Redd and Beverly live in Florida, USA . He was 64 when he was diagnosed on February 7, 2000. His initial PSA was 8.9 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 4+3=7 and he says he was staged B2 although it appears his clinical staging would have been T1c. His choice of treatment was EBRT (External Beam Radiation Treatment) & Seed Implant. Here is his story:

My name is Charlie Redd and live in Cocoa, FL. I'm 71 years old and married to Beverly.
In 1989, a Staywell Program Health Risk Profile was offered to employees and their families of the Cape Canaveral Hospital. My wife, Bev, worked at the hospital and she thought I should take advantage of the program. A personalized booklet was made up for me, giving the results and recommendations for one's future health. Blood work was done and all results of cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Glucose Levels, and all the results you usually get from blood tests were given in the booklet. At that time, as usual, a PSA test was not given unless specifically requested. However, it was recommended that I set up an appointment with my doctor for a PSA exam.

Looking back over my medical records, and based on my recall, I can tell you that I never made an appointment to have the PSA test. It was some time after 1989 that I found out I was a diabetic and started seeing Dr. Ralph Page, my doctor, every three months. It was Dr. Page that said I should get my PSA checked. I never was in pain or was not aware of anything unusual about my prostate. In fact, I didn't know where or what my prostate was. Who knows,--if Dr. Page had not scheduled me for the PSA test, I might not know today that I have Prostate Cancer.

In November 1994, my PSA was 1.2 ng/ml, .in March of 1998 it was 3.52 ng/ml and in May of 1999, it was up to 5.97 ng/ml. Dr Page sent me for a trans-rectal ultrasound. The prostate was mildly enlarged but no suspicious lesions were identified. This was June 28, 1999, and everything seemed okay. By September 3, 1999, my PSA had risen from 5.97 ng/ml to 6.18 ng/ml. The doctor gave me a choice of getting a biopsy done or just wait and monitor my PSA results each time. I chose to wait until December when I had my next PSA test. My PSA had risen from 6.18 ng/ml to 9.01 ng/ml.

Dr Page made an appointment for me with a urologist, Dr. Leal. He put me on antibiotics for four weeks to see if maybe I had an infection. He then had me take an exam which is called PSA, FREE AND TOTAL. On Jan. 13, 2000, results of this test showed my PSA to be 8.9 ng/ml, with 20% risk of having PCa. On Jan 31, 2000, Dr. Leal performed the biopsy. I got the results that I did have cancer of the prostate on February 7, 2000. This was two days before my 64th birthday.

Dr. Leal then scheduled an Abdominal CAT Scan and a Bone Scan. It was at this time I began to feel scared. These test, of course, were to try and determine whether or not the cancer cells had spread outside of the prostate capsule. These tests were performed on February 11, 2000. My next appointment was on February 17, 2000, and I was on pins and needles waiting for the results. My appointment was at 4:00 PM and I was put in a room to wait for Dr. Leal. He came in and started reading the Bone Scan Report, telling me there was something at the L1 level of my spine raising the possibility of metastatic disease from my prostate cancer. I asked if the cancer could be way up there? Dr. Leal told me that this is where it often goes. This is when I became very scared. An MRI of the Lumbar Spine was given to find out if had been detected at L1 was cancer or scars from an old injury.

On Feb. 23rd, the MRI test was completed and on the 24th I got the results. "An anterior compression of L1 is noted. However, signal appears to indicate that this is old rather than acute. This does not appear to be secondary to neoplastic disease." In other words, the cancer had not spread and has been diagnosed as being localized within the prostate gland. I was staged as B-2, which I was told was the second best stage to be in.

To summarise:

Nov. 1994....PSA was 1.2 ng/ml
March 1998...PSA was 3.52 ng/ml
May 1999.....PSA was 5.97 ng/ml
June 1999 I had a trans-rectal Prostatic ultrasound - findings: prostate gland mildly enlarged approximates 50 gr in weight, some calcifications noted-central gland hypertrophy noted-No focal suspicious hypoechoic nodules are identified. Impression: Prostatic enlargement. No focal suspicious lesions identified.
Sept 1999 PSA up from 5.97 ng/ml to 6.18 ng/ml.
Dec 1999 it was up to 9.45 ng/ml
Jan 10, 2000 PSA Free 1.57 ng/ml (18%): PSA Total 8.9 ng/ml:
Risk of Prostate Cancer - 20%
Feb 02, 2000 six samples were taken from Prostate.
#1: Right Base- High Grade Pin
#2: Right mid - Glandular and stromal hyperplasia, negative for malignancy.
#3: Right apex - Adenocarcinoma of prostate, Gleason grade 3+4=7 involving 5% of core.
#4: Left base - Adenocarcinoma, Gleason grade 4+3=7, involving 50% of tissue
#5: Left mid: Glandular and stromal hyperplasia, negative for malignancy.
#6: Left apex - Glandular and stromal hyperplasia, negative for malignancy.
This was followed by a whole body bone scan. Results: Unremarkable

My urologist recommended radical prostatectomy. I wasn't real sure of what the alternative treatments were. I did not believe I wanted to go through the surgery. I started reading up on the subject. One of the books I read was entitled "Man To Man", by Michael Korda. He was the editor in chief of Simon & Schuster in 1996, at the time the book was written. "Man to Man" is a powerful story and it has been said it is by far the best book on prostate cancer yet written.

This is one of the books that helped me decide against radical prostatectomy.

March 10, 2000 - Consultation For Radiation Treatments with Dr. Michael Dattoli who was, at the time, at University Hospital in Tampa, FL. This was about 135 miles from my home in Cocoa, FL. Since that time, he has opened Dattoli Cancer Center in Sarasota, FL. This is what the doctor wrote after the consultation.

Impression: Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate, Gleason 3+4=7 and 4+3=7 from both lobes of the prostate up to 50% involvement in the apex with associated PIN and PSA level to 9.45 ng/ml. Negative metastatic work up.

Recommendation: In that there was a negative metastatic work up and probably still has localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate, I feel that he is a candidate for definitive treatment. I felt because of the 50% involvement on the one side, that he would best be treated with a combination of external beam radiotherapy to an attenuated dose of 4140cGy followed by palladium-103 brachytherapy boost to the prostate. Because of the approximately 50 gram size of his prostate gland and the high Gleason score, I feel that androgen blockade would be beneficial as an adjunct and for down sizing. I will start the patient on Casodex today and then he will return in about 10 days at which time he will have MRI scan of the pelvis and prostate with endo-rectal coil to further asses the pelvis and the prostate for capsular integrity. At that time he will start Lupron and receive a one month injection of 7.5 mg. Provided that MRI scan of the pelvis and prostate do not reveal any surprises, then we will proceed two months after his first Lupron injection with simulation and the start of external beam radiotherapy to an attenuated dose of 4140 cGy which will be followed by palladium - 103 brachytherapy boost to the prostate. Casodex will be utilized for the first month starting today. Hopefully, this will be able to prevent a flare and worsening of the patient's obstructive symptoms. Hopefully altogether this will be able to control Charlie's prostate cancer permanently.

On March 10, 2000, the same day of my consultation, because of the 50 gram size of my prostate and high Gleason Score (7), I was started on Casodex by Dr. John Koval, an associate of Dr. Michael Dattoli. I returned in ten days for an MRI of pelvis and prostate with the endorectal coil to asses the pelvis and prostate for capsular integrity. At that time, I got a one month injection of 7.5 mg Lupron. Then after one month, I was injected with a three month 22.5 mg of Lupron.

May 23, 2000
I returned to The University Community Hospital in Tampa, FL and was placed on a simulator table in the supine position. An Alpha Cradle was constructed in the usual fashion for immobilization purposes. A CT evaluation of my pelvis was performed after rectal and bladder contrast were administered. No obvious extraprostatic masses were seen, the seminal vesicles appeared normal and there was no obvious deep pelvic lymphadenopathy . After all necessary procedures were performed, a treatment plan was made.

May 30, 2000 started:
External Beam Radiation Treatment Plan
1800 cGy to pelvis and prostate target in 10 fractions.
180 cGy per fraction (day)
After I was resimulated treatment continued with :
1260 cGy in 7 fractions?180 per fraction.
Then they reduced the field size and delivered an additional:
1080 cGy in 6 fractions at 180 cGy per fraction.
The TOTAL DOSE was 4140 cGy in a total of 23 days or fractions.

July 26, 2000
A special volumetric and planning ultrasound was done in the Radiation Dept. at University Community Hospital. Prior to this I was required to take a Fleet enema one hour prior to arrival.

July 27, 2000
World renowned, Michael Dattoli, presently of Dattoli Cancer Center, Sarasota, Florida performed the Palladium Seed Implant. There were sixty-three (63) seeds implanted into my prostate.

Dr. Charles "Snuffy"Myers, who was Cancer Center Director at the University of Virginia, was treated by Dr. Dattoli a year earlier. He also had EBR and the seed implant .One of the differences was that his total dose in radiation was more aggressive with 8,000 rads, almost twice the dosage. I mention this because it made me feel more comfortable knowing someone of Dr. Myers stature, also selected Dr. Dattoli as his doctor.

I stayed over night and was released the next day

September 19, 2000
This was a follow up date when I had a radiographic seed localization and a CT scan to check the placement of the seeds.

PSA after seed implant up to the point of ProstaScint scan.

5-11-2001 ..0.13
7-20-2001..0.06
1-04-2002..0.23
4-02-2002..0.35
8-05-2002..0.991 ultra sensitive at Dr. Dattoli
10-22-2002.1.52
1-10-2003..2.91
3-31-2003..4.97

Dr Dattoli requested that I have a ProstaScint scan which was the most useful technique available for determining whether prostate cancer has spread. Since I live about 175 miles from Dattoli Cancer Center, they sent me a list of places in Florida that performed the ProstiScint scan, nuclear medicine. I selected Indian River Radiology in Vero Beach, about 50 miles from my home. There was a hospital in Melbourne, FL which is about 20 miles from my home but when I inquired, I found out that they only did about two or three each year. I preferred to go to a facility that did them on a more frequent basis. This approach uses an antibody is rendered radioactive and injected into the bloodstream, where it attaches to cancer cells but not to normal cells. If it indicates the presence of cancer, it?s only right about 80% of the time. It can also miss cancer in about 20-30% of the time.

April 17, 2003
This test required that I go in on Thursday and I received an intravenous injection of 6.6 mCi of Indium 111 ProstaScint. Then I was given instructions for thorough bowel cleansing preparation to be completed over the weekend.

April 21, 2003
I returned on Monday for two hours of scanning. First, I received an intravenous injection of 4.5 mCi of 99m technetium pertechnetate tagged red blood cells. A whole body scan was performed to photo peaks (Indium 111 and technetium). Whole body scans were performed along with SPECT images and pelvis going a complete 360 degrees around my body. I could see the camera going slowly around me, while I was required to lay comletly still. This was the hard part of the test, laying there for a solid hour- then a 20 or 30 minute break - then back for the second hour.

April 22, 2003
I went through another whole body scan along with SPECT images of the abdomen and pelvis at the Indium 111 photo peak - following the same procedures as the day before.

FINDINGS: No area suspicious for distant metastesis. Specifically, there were no findings suggestive of adenpathy.
Mild, asymmetric, increased activity in the right side of the prostate fossa. This may represent some very minimal residual disease locally.

In my case, the ProstaScint scan was suggestive of a possible residual of the disease in the prostate bed.

I was also given a MULTISLICE SPIRAL CT SCAN OF PELVIS WITHOUT INTRAVENOUS OR ORAL CONTRAST:

FINDINGS: Implant seeds are seen within the prostate. There is no evidence for local extension of disease. No significant adenopathy. Osseous structures reflect degenerative change of the lumbosacral spine. A few coloic diverticula.

June 13, 2003 - PSA 4.30 FREE PSA 27.7 ACID PHOSPHATASE, PROSTATIC (PAP) 2.3

October 22, 2003 - PSA 6.24

February 25, 2004 - PSA 11.16

At some point between my ProstaScint scan and March of 2004, Dr. Dattoli took twenty-two (22) biopsies from my prostate. No cancer cells were found.

March 9, 2004
This is the date that I received a letter with enclosed prescriptions for the hormone regimen that I was to start. Before starting I took a bone densitometry test. Then I could begin the regimen which consisted of the following:

1. Casodex, 50 mg, one tablet a day, which I started five days before I received the Lupron injection. I received these three injections, three months apart.
2. Dostinex, o.5mg. One tablet two times a week , i.e. on Mondays and Thursdays.
3. Avodart, 0.5 mg. one tablet twice a day.
4. Fosamax, 70 mg. one tablet once a week.
5. Rocaltrol 0.5,mcg. Onr tablet every night at bedtime.
6. Calcium Citrate, 400 mg. one tablet at evening meals and one at bedtime.

I also had blood drawn every 4-6 weeks while on this hormone regimen. These tests were to check on anemia, liver functions, testosterone levels, calcium and magnesium. I was to be on this for a nine month period.

May 21, 2004 - PSA 0.59

August 09, 2004 - PSA 0.02

November 04,2004 - PSA 0.00 Testosterone 39 NG/DL

As you can see, my PSA dropped down to zero in eight months after starting the hormone therapy. However, it was not without the normal side effects, Hot flashes, breast enlargement, loss of libido etc.
However, I was able to get off of the hormonal regimen in November.

January 24, 2005 - PSA 0.00

June 27, 2005 - PSA 0.64 FREE PSA 31.7 FREE TESTOSTERONE 10.0 TESTOSTERONE, TOTAL 578


My testosterone was back up and I was feeling better. I was getting my strength back and wasn't fatigued all the time. Also, libido seemed to be coming back.


December 06, 2005 - PSA 9.2

December 21, 2005
Started hormone therapy for the second time since 2000, when I had EBRT and Brachytherapy. I took Avodart, Casodex, Dostinex, Lupron, Climera patch, Arimidex, Fosamax, Cholecalciferol , 4000 units daily, Calcium Citrate 400 mg,Periostat 20 mg and a diet/vitamin list that Dr. Dattoli wanted me to follow.

I stayed on this hormone therapy until September 2006.

March 1, 2006 - PSA 0.721 Testosterone 46

April 28, 2006 - PSA 0.18 Testosterone, Total 13

August 2, 2006 - PSA 0.08 Testosterone 12

February 06, 2007 - PSA 0.95 Testosterone 404 FREE TESTOSTERONE 34.7 PAP (Prostatic Acid Phosphatase) was high 5.1

PSA RISING RAPIDLY
July 17, 2007 - PSA 8.49
July 31, 2007 - PSA 11.04
August 21, 2007 - PSA 11.09
September 04, 2007 - PSA 13.03

September 15, 2007 - TOTAL PSA 14.0 PAP 19.5 TESTOSTERONE TOTAL 599 TESTOSTERONE, FREE 1.13

June 2006 Started New Life Style

In June I had an appointment with my opthomologist and he found that I was taking about 22 different pills each day. He asked if I had ever heard of the book "The China Study" by Colon Campbell PHD? I had not. He went into a little detail about the book and convinced me to make the purchase. Dr. John McDougall was referenced in the book and a challenge was made to eat a vegan diet for 30 days. I took the challenge and started this life style, never stopping. "The China Study" convinced me that this life style could help slow down the progression of the prostate cancer. I am a diabetic, and I took medication for diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and I also had a 5 bypass heart surgery in 2000, the same year I was diagnosed with my PCa. Sooooo I knew this change was good for me and my over all health.


Because of this lifestyle change fifteen (15) months ago I?m feeling great. I'm not taking any medications at all. I check my sugar every morning and my average runs between 90 and 100. My blood pressure averages around 125-130 over 65-70. I'm walking 3 to 5 miles each morning averaging about 5 miles every day.

However, I feel certain Dr. Dattoli will want me to start back on the hormone therapy. I am debating whether to start back or just to watch and wait. I have sent an email expressing my reservations about going on the therapy. So far, a new test has been recommended and is called 18F FDG PET/CT.

I will keep you posted. I know this has been a long story but it has been 7 years and 7 months since my diagnosis. I believe diet is more important than the hormone regimen, but it is a tough decision.

 

UPDATED

December 2007

 

SEPTEMBER 14, 2007

I am updating from this date because this was my last reading of my PSA when I told you my story of more than 7 years. My PSA was 14,0 ng/ml on this date and had been rising and Dr. Dattoli was saying that I should start back on ADT. I did not want to go back on this hormone therapy at the time. I was in hopes that my PSA would stabilize or maybe drop. I was hoping my plant based diet of fruits and vegetables would help.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2007

A prescription was sent to me for a nuclear test called 18F FDG PET/CT. In this letter from Martha, nurse at Dr. Dattoli's, a regimen was included:

Avodart 0.5 mg twice daily which is claimed to block the testosterone pathway preventing the conversion to DHT (more potent form of testosterone that can fuel prostate cancers to grow).

Casodex 50 mg daily which is an anti-androgen that blocks your body's ability to use the circulating testosterone.

Climera 0.1 mg transdermal patch once weekly which will produce an estrogenic effect and diminish hot flashes.

Reequip 0.25 mg three times daily to diminish the proactin levels

Maintain Eligard, Lupron or Trelstar injections for a period of twelve months along with oral medications; it is an LH-RH agonist and the main medication that will keep your body from producing testosterone from the testes.

Included with letter was prescriptions for routine bloodwork every 6-8 weeks while on these medications.

I was also told that due to the potential bone loss on the hormonal agents, I will need to begin a 'bone integrity protocol' to protect bones from weakening and developing an osteoporosis. These meds include:

Fosamax 70 mg once weekly
Cholecalciferol/Vitamin D 5,000 IU's daily which can be ordered online at LifeExtension.com Periostat 20 mg twice daily to enhance action of Actonel

Also I was to have my bloodwork monitored every 6 weeks as suggested above to include CBC/platelets, testosterone, liver function panel and prolactin PSA&PAP every 6-8 weeks. The creatine, calcium, bone specific alkaline phosphatase & 25hydroxyvitamin D is to be done every three to six months.

I did get my PET/CT scan done but have not started any other meds.

OCTOBER 03,2007

On this date I went for the 18G FDG PET/CT nuclear scan. After fasting I was injected 15.8 mCi of fluorine 18 FDG. Whole-body scan from the skull base to the upper thighs was performed. Incidental note was made of right maxillary sinus disease. Prostate radiation seeds were noted and there was no prostatic enlargement. There was no abnormal localization of FDG activity.

IMPRESSION:

No abnormal FDG localization to suggest metastasis. Incidental note of right maxillary sinus disease.

I had this done at Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach, Florida, about 11 miles from my home in Cocoa.

The results of this test was a relief to see there was no metastisis or spread to the bones.

OCTOBER 09, 2007

PSA still rising up to 16.51. Have not started on ADT.

OCTOBER 24, 2007

WOW! PSA up to 19.28. I was getting more nervous. Still have not started on ADT

OCTOBER 30, 2007

PSA up to 21.4 and rising. I still am reluctant to start on ADT and have not yet done so.

NOVEMBER 08, 2007

PSA had risen to the max, mine had ever been, 23.910 Still have not started ADT.

NOVEMBER 11, 2007

On the second Sunday of each month "The Healthy Planet of Brevard", a vegitarian-vegan organization that my wife Bev and I belong to, has a Pot-Luck Dinner. We met a very nice couple, Christiane and Roger, who we got into a conversation with about my PSA rising. Christane told Bev about a product called Prostosol that her husband had been using for a long time and assured Bev that it would bring my PSA down.

NOVEMBER 12, 2007

My wife and I checked Prostosol out online and found the cost to be $75 for a bottle of 80 capsules. Aminimum of two bottles had to be ordered. I was not optimistic about these capsules helping but my wife suggested that we try it because our new friend had assured her that Prostosol works. We placed the order online.

November 17, 2007

My order of Prostosol had come in and I started the dose of 2x2 or two capsules twice daily along with the avodart and Cholocalciferol Vitamin D.

NOVEMBER 20 2007

PSA DROPS TO 12.390 FROM PREVIOUS READING OF 23.910. UNBELIEVABLE...I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. After only three days of being on Prostosol. I have found out that this is similar but an improvement to PC-SPES.

NOVEMBER 27, 2007

After a week of continued use of Prostosol my PSA has incredibly dropped to 3.980. My doctor does not know yet that I am taking Prostosol and have not started the regimen that I received from his nurse. I really am not sure about the effects of Prostosol but it has dropped my PSA very fast and I have only recognized one side effect, my breast and nipples have enlarged to a degree...no more than what happened with ADT the two times I was on it. I will keep you posted.

 

UPDATED

February 2008

 

Nov. 11, 2007 PSA was 23.91. I started using Prostasol on Nov.17,2007 @ 2x2 per day.(4 capsules)

Nov. 20th...PSA 12.39
Nov. 27th...PSA 3.98
Nov. 30th...Reduced Prostasol dose to 2 per day 1x1

Dec. 11th...PSA 0.89

Dec. 14th...Reduced Prostasol dose to 1 per day

Dec. 18th...PSA 0.697 Dec. 26th...PSA 0.501

Dec. 30th...Reduced Prostasol dose to 1 every third day

Jan. 02, 2008 PSA 0.405
Jan. 08th...PSA 0.339
Jan. 15th...PSA 0.437
Jan. 16th...Prostasol back to 1 per day
Jan. 23rd...PSA 0.430
Cholesterol.....136
Triglycerides...123
HDL............. 49
LDL............. 69
VLDL............ 25
CHOL/HDL RATIO.2.78
Feb. 04th...PSA 0.31

Feb. 11th...I was admitted to the hospital with a blood clot in the calf of my right leg. Drs. put me on 5 mg of coumadin and was on heparin drip intravenously up to the day of discharge.

On or about
Feb 14th...I had a CT Scan, of the Pelvis, Abdomen and Chest, with an injection of dye or a solution I don't remember the name of.

Feb. 18th discharged from hospital
Feb. 11th...The last dose of Prostasol.
Feb. 20th...PSA 0.323

Prior to starting Prostasol, I was warned that it could cause blood clots. I am not saying that Prostasol was the cause...I only wanted you to know that I did get a blood clot about 2 1/2 months after starting Prostasol. It is unbelievable how fast the Prostasol lowered my PSA. Even though I am not currently using Prostasol, I have not totally decided to give completely up on it. Some men have used a much higher dose for several years without any trouble with blood clots. It is my understanding that we guys with PCa are more prone to get blood clots.

The same member that warned me of the possibilities of getting the blood clots now bets (if he were a betting man) that it has diethylstilboestrol (DES) or estradiol as an ingredient. *1*

I spoke with Dr. Kirk Donsbach yesterday, Feb. 21, 2008 as to whether or not it had the two ingredients, mentioned. He said that his Prostasol had neither of these ingredients. He said his Prostasol has a phytoestrogen, a natural ingredient.

Before any of you tell me that Dr. Donsbach is a "Quack"...I am aware of what has been said about him on the "Quack Watch". There are letters that dispute these things and also I have listened to a number of his 2 hour radio program each week. There are people who call in that love him and has followed him and taken his products for years. He is a nice man to talk to. You can hear the questions that I posed to him if you go to his archives. You can also question him, if you are interested. This is a very complicated disease of which we have so much to learn.

I wanted to let you know that I did get a blood clot after using Prostasol.

I am scheduled for a color-flow doppler ultrasound/3D Reconstruction and I may get a Helical CT of the Pelvis, Abdomen and Chest. These tests are no longer covered by Medicare. These tests are done at Dr. Dattoli's Cancer Center.

I will be giving an update after these tests

 

UPDATED

April 2008

 

I had my annual exam, Color Doppler Ultrasound. No evidence of any cancer cells and Dr. Dattoli was pleased with the results I have had with the Prostasol. I was off of the Prostasol for one month when I had the blood clot and my PSA went up from .31 to 3.05. I was started on Coumadin during this month and thought it would cut down the risk of any future blood clots. I don't know for certain if the Prostasol caused the blood clot but I am aware of others that have also had DVT*2* and of course you warned me.

 

UPDATED

October 2008

 

 

I am back on Prostasol, only 2 capsules per week and my PSA is 0.81. I believe it would come down to undetectable, but I'm keeping my dosage down to only two per week.



Best Regards,

Charlie Redd
Cocoa, Florida
Phone 321 632 2898

**Footnote 1: What Charlie reports here is very similar to the effects that compounds such as diethylstilboestrol (DES) and estradiol create in some men. DES is used fairly commonly in Britain but more rarely in USA and is virtually impossible to use in Australia because of the perceived danger. It effectively lowers the PSA but must be monitored carefully and supplemented by Coumadin to reduce the chance of thrombosis. Like charlie's pal, Iwould also bet that prostasol contains an estrogen compound similar to DES.

**Footnote 2: anyone interested in the story of a man who suffered a stroke while on prostasol should read Paul Hed's story.

Charlie's e-mail address is: credd@bellsouth.net