Hormone Therapy with Zoladex

Email this conversation Print this conversation

User

Posted 11 Dec 2022 at 13:37

I was interested to read that LHRH agonists such as Zoladex cause the body to produce more testosterone for a short time after the first injection and this temporary surge in testosterone could cause a flare, making the cancer to grow more quickly for a short time. It was suggested on the Prostate Cancer UK site that you’re having an LHRH agonist, you’ll be given a short course of anti-androgen tablets as well. This should stop any problems caused by this surge of testosterone. I was only given Zoladex and wondered had others receiving Zoladex also received anti-androgen tablets as well?

User

Posted 11 Dec 2022 at 14:17

It is standard practice to prescribe a course of Bicalutamide before starting injectable HT. Yes the testosterone rises briefly and then drops quite sharply. The Bicalutamide ‘ hides ‘ the testosterone from the cancer. Best check ?

User

Posted 11 Dec 2022 at 14:58

You are nearly always prescribed 14 days (might be 28;days) of bicalutamide with the first zoladex between day 7 and 10.

Dave

User

Posted 11 Dec 2022 at 19:13

From memory the bicalutamide can be administered before starting Zoladex as Chris says above. My anti-androgen was delivered as a single injection. I agree that you need to check on this. I don't think you've been told definitively if you have spread to lymph nodes and if so exactly how many and which ones, though it's implied by your treatment.

I'd suggest you get on to them very quickly about the bical., particularly since you might have lymph node involvement. Lymph nodes and more exactly lymph, can carry cancer to other places so the last thing you need is a little burst of activity from a lymph node sending a few cells out to hibernate somewhere until you stop taking Zoladex.

Jules

Edited by member 11 Dec 2022 at 20:41 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 11 Dec 2022 at 21:33

Well I had deduced this from other posts and reading but I've gone straight in with Zoladex. Maybe I need a stewards enquiry?

Gabriel

User

Posted 12 Dec 2022 at 03:05

Stewards aside, how would you feel about contacting a PCUK nurse? I haven't done it myself but others say they're very good:

specialist nurses

Jules

User

Posted 12 Dec 2022 at 19:29

Zoladex is always preceded by bicalutimide. Are you sure they haven't given you degarelix instead of zoladex?

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 28 Dec 2022 at 04:28

Lyn

Not for the first time in your many pronouncements, you are wrong. Bicalutamide is usually prescribed before Zoladex. Not always. Your posts should be moderated. I made a previous allusion to the fact that you make statements as though you are a medical professional.

Also how rude to suggest that I don't know my own treatment. I didn't come down the Lagan in a bubble.

Gabriel

"In regione caecorum rex est luscus"

Erasmus

Edited by member 28 Dec 2022 at 10:56 | Reason: Typo

Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.