Starting ADT

I had persistent PSA of 0.5 after RP.  Like yourself PSMA scan Identified pelvic lymph nodes. 

To compare notes, my treatment regime is:

ADT for 3 yrs

Chemo ( just finished 5 of 6 cycles)

Abiraterone to be added to ADT after chemo (they can also use apalutamide or something similar instead)

RT.  8 weeks to pelvic area plus additional to lymph nodes.

Sounds like we are on similar patjways.  Interesting that they are talking about chemo in your case.  My understanding is that this is an aggressive approach in high risk cases where they think the patient can cope with it.  I have not found it too bad...have been on 3 holidays and back at work, so if it is recommended for you I wouldn't worry too much.  I have just come back from the pub with old college mates and they couldn't believe how well I looked after 5 chemo cycles.  So it is all doable and hopefully you will avoid the worst side effects.

My approach is to swallow all the treatments now and hope that in a few years it is all behind me.  If not, well, I'll have given it my best shot.  Best of luck with everything.

My thoughts exactly... Throw everything at it now and keep my fingers crossed 🤞 You will. said you were back at work. At what stage did you take time off? And yes our paths seem very similar 

Many thanks for your reply. 

I have my first Hormone treatment injection (Prostap) on Thursday 16th and will be starting 14 days Bicalutamide 150 mg 2 days before. 

I'm not sure what to expect. Did you have a similar start to your treatment? Did you need time off of work after your first injection or after each inlection. Or did things build up to needing time off? 

Additional Treatments will be discussed with the Oncologists in April - chemotherapy, additional hormone therapy and possibly radiation therapy. 

Did you take time for the additional treatments that will only last for a certain period of time. 

Sorry for the questions... I will be speaking with work next week and some idea of what to expect may help. Even though side effects are individual to each person. 

Any insight into what might happen will be useful. 

Kind regards 

Mike 

If you go on to have chemo, you might to take off a few days (or WFH) in each cycle around days 5 to 8 - it is essential that you try to avoid exposure to infections during that time.

Not sure about the Welsh system but in England, if you started chemo (or were hit hard by HT induced fatigue) you could request a carer's assessment. The LA would be obliged to look at your wife's needs and your changed circumstances and decide whether additional support could be put in place, e.g. more PA time, etc.

Many thanks Lyn. 

That's pretty much what I have told work.

Chemo or other treatment likely to start end of April.

Marcella, my wife has substantial PA hours. Carers were in place b4 Covid but she can manage most all the time at present, but yes if things worsened for her we would ask to be reassessed. 

Thanks again 

Mike 

Thanks for the advice. 

First ADT injection this afternoon. 

I met with the Oncologist on Tuesday its a choice between chemo docetaxel or abiraterone. Also have appointments with Oncologist about Radiation treatment. 

The discussion has veered towards chemo - possibly because of Gleason 8 and cancer in pelvic lymph nodes, plus I am relatively young and in good health to manage the possible more troublesome sife effects? 

Chemo put forward as having harsher side effects but lasting for only a few months whilst Abiraterone would last for 2 years with its side effects. 

The Abiraterone kept back to be used later if cancer continues to progress. 

Or I could opt for the Abiraterone first and docetaxel later. 

Radiation therapy is to be discussed on the 11th April as a third option and in place of above. This has been presented thus far as a unlikely choice because of diffulty of treating lymph node and likelihood of damage to the pelvic area. 

I will have a new appointment quickly after the 11th April to decide which treatment to start. 

Oncologist did not give an opinion just infoation, but did seem to lean towards opting for chemo. 

Is this a similar scenario to anyone? 

Regards 

Mike 

Hmm, food for thought! 🙃

Consultant did imply I would be on ADT for the duration. 

I have the Oncologists secretary's number I will message him and ask him a couple of specific questions. 

Thanks for the info. 

Mike