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Chemo for advanced cancer

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User
Posted 01 Sep 2024 at 18:33

My husband starts chemo tomorrow his first of 6 infusions. His blood test shows his PSA has reduced to .6 from 10.5 after one LHRH injection (decapeptyl) and bicalutimide tablets prior. Has anyone experience of decapeptyl? He’s very emotional on it and I wondered if we should try a different one or if they all have the effect?

 His prostate cancer has spread to the Ilium 6cm and pubis bone 1.2cm. No lymph or soft tissue involvement.  Gleason 4+4. Diagnosed 25th July. The oncologist has reported good outcomes in men who have chemo when first diagnosed. 

We are hoping he tolerates the chemo tomorrow but we’re both very nervous about it. 

If anyone has had experience of this I’d be grateful to hear how you got on.

 

Thank you 🙏 

 

User
Posted 01 Sep 2024 at 23:31

Hello,

Great to hear that his PSA has fallen so much so quickly, that should hopefully provide some reassurance, and long may that continue. Just thought I'd chip in with a few reflections. 

The emotional side effects are most likely simply the result of the treatment, which is known as 'androgen deprivation therapy' (ADT) - the intention is to suppress testosterone to very low levels, which tends to create those emotional side effects. So unfortunately changing the type of ADT would be unlikely to change these particular effects, they're probably all going to have the same effect, though feel free to double check with your oncologist (after all, I'm not a doctor!). 

A number of clinical trials show that upfront chemo can be really beneficial for some men with advanced/metastatic prostate cancer. My father was diagnosed around a similar time last year (late July) and started chemo in early September. His scans from July last year showed a huge number of tumours all over his torso, but by February/March his PSA level was untraceable (<0.01) and his scans indicated a complete response with no tumours visible in his bones at all, and a very small number of cells remaining in his prostate. So his treatment was highly effective in his case. 

His PSA has started slowly creeping up since then (about 0.4 a month ago, which is still fine if it stays there, but worrying if it keeps rising), but certainly I think you can trust your oncologist's recommendation of chemo at this stage. Hope all goes well. 

User
Posted 02 Sep 2024 at 09:35

Hi

I finished 10 sessions of Docetaxel around 6 weeks ago,coped ok with side effects,QOL is pretty good at present blood test and scan results end of this month will see if it's worked then 

Regards Phil 

User
Posted 01 Nov 2024 at 07:30

Hi 

I had 10 sessions of Docetaxel in the 1st 6 months of this year,no cap for me,steroid crash for a few days after injection,metal mouth until about day 5/6,no insomnia or constipation,also had a few bad colds,found it was accumulative but coped well,still feel slight numbness in feet and fingers but nothing that holds me back from doing anything, found that keeping a diary and writing down the effects after each session helped.

Hope this helps regards Phil 

User
Posted 02 Sep 2024 at 08:55
Hi

Hope all ok

Alan is just at beginning of his journey and has only had one monthly Decaptyl so far with one month of Bicalutamide and he is very emotional and tires easily already. 🙈

We are under the impression HT of any can cause these unwanted side effects ☚ī¸ Don't think the stress of situation can help. He's due next injection on the 11 sep and this may be Prostap. We are grateful for NHS and 🤞 treatment works and QOL prevails eventually a few years down the line

All the best for today x

User
Posted 02 Sep 2024 at 09:35

Sorry,  'Quality of Life' after treatment  hopefully 🤞

Thanks

Jackie x

User
Posted 02 Sep 2024 at 16:59

Hi

Got a couple of nasty colds,had chemo on a Wednesday was going to pub for a pint by Sunday,didn't go silly and go to crowded places tho.

Regards phil

User
Posted 22 Oct 2024 at 15:42
Holidays are the best medicine for me at the moment 🙏

All the best to you 🤞

Jackie & Al

User
Posted 31 Oct 2024 at 04:29

Interested to read this and would really appreciate an update on how the chemo is going and what I can shortly expect starting next Tuesday…

 

I’m a reasonably active 58 year old and received an expected metastatic prostrate cancer T3 diagnosis in August 2024.  8 (4+4) on the Gleason scale.  In my pelvis and lower spine.  Started on Bicalutimife in late August 2024 and had first injection of Zoladex in mid September.  PSA has reduced from 9.2 to 2 as at 10 October. Luckily very few side affects from the HT though the hot flushes now starting and libido kicked well into touch.  Trying to stay as fit and active as I can.  

 

Starting chemo (Docetaxal) on Tuesday 5 November.  

 

I appreciate us humans are all different but be keen to understand how chemo has gone for your other half?  I understand all the side affects regarding metallic taste etc.  But when are the real “yuk” times?!  How bad was the nausea? Is it the first week which is bad?  I’ve read somewhere to “take it easy” days 5-8… why is that??   Am I right in saying by week 3 the body is feeling back to normal?  Before it all starts all over again?!  Also I’m told this is “accumulative” - does each session get progressively nastier?  Any advice gratefully received!  

 

Also…. did anyone take the cold chemo head cap.  Is it as bad as Chris Hoy says it is?! 

Anthony

User
Posted 31 Oct 2024 at 15:46

Forgot about the hunger feeling when on steroids. I was ravenous the whole 18 weeks, little wonder I had a fat face at the end of it.😮

User
Posted 31 Oct 2024 at 22:08

Thank you for that update – really useful.  Everyone’s experience is different but you must be glad you’re now more than half way through.  Good luck to you both on Monday - enjoy the weekend first!! 

 

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User
Posted 01 Sep 2024 at 23:31

Hello,

Great to hear that his PSA has fallen so much so quickly, that should hopefully provide some reassurance, and long may that continue. Just thought I'd chip in with a few reflections. 

The emotional side effects are most likely simply the result of the treatment, which is known as 'androgen deprivation therapy' (ADT) - the intention is to suppress testosterone to very low levels, which tends to create those emotional side effects. So unfortunately changing the type of ADT would be unlikely to change these particular effects, they're probably all going to have the same effect, though feel free to double check with your oncologist (after all, I'm not a doctor!). 

A number of clinical trials show that upfront chemo can be really beneficial for some men with advanced/metastatic prostate cancer. My father was diagnosed around a similar time last year (late July) and started chemo in early September. His scans from July last year showed a huge number of tumours all over his torso, but by February/March his PSA level was untraceable (<0.01) and his scans indicated a complete response with no tumours visible in his bones at all, and a very small number of cells remaining in his prostate. So his treatment was highly effective in his case. 

His PSA has started slowly creeping up since then (about 0.4 a month ago, which is still fine if it stays there, but worrying if it keeps rising), but certainly I think you can trust your oncologist's recommendation of chemo at this stage. Hope all goes well. 

User
Posted 02 Sep 2024 at 07:22

Hello Magol

 

Thank you for replying and for your thoughts on the Hormone therapy that’s very helpful. 

That also sounds very reassuring that the chemo had such a positive effect for your Father. Did he cope ok with having the chemo? I’m keeping everything crossed that my husband copes well with it and it’s also positive for him. 

xx

User
Posted 02 Sep 2024 at 08:55
Hi

Hope all ok

Alan is just at beginning of his journey and has only had one monthly Decaptyl so far with one month of Bicalutamide and he is very emotional and tires easily already. 🙈

We are under the impression HT of any can cause these unwanted side effects ☚ī¸ Don't think the stress of situation can help. He's due next injection on the 11 sep and this may be Prostap. We are grateful for NHS and 🤞 treatment works and QOL prevails eventually a few years down the line

All the best for today x

User
Posted 02 Sep 2024 at 09:03

Thank you and sorry you are in a similar place as us. My hubby has just had his second injection.

 

What is QOL please?

 

thank you x

User
Posted 02 Sep 2024 at 09:35

Sorry,  'Quality of Life' after treatment  hopefully 🤞

Thanks

Jackie x

User
Posted 02 Sep 2024 at 09:35

Hi

I finished 10 sessions of Docetaxel around 6 weeks ago,coped ok with side effects,QOL is pretty good at present blood test and scan results end of this month will see if it's worked then 

Regards Phil 

User
Posted 02 Sep 2024 at 10:34

Thank you Phil that’s reassuring I hope it’s worked for you 🤞

User
Posted 02 Sep 2024 at 10:37

Sadly my hubbys dad fell the other day and in hospital did you get out without infection during your chemo Phil? We know we have to be careful but just wondered how you found that aspect. Thank you â˜ēī¸ 

User
Posted 02 Sep 2024 at 16:59

Hi

Got a couple of nasty colds,had chemo on a Wednesday was going to pub for a pint by Sunday,didn't go silly and go to crowded places tho.

Regards phil

User
Posted 21 Oct 2024 at 20:56

Hi all

 

just a quick update. My husband is halfway through his chemo. His Psa went from 10.5 down to 0.6 on the monthly hormone injections prior to chemo. After one week of chemo 0.3 and after second it is now 0.2 we will know next week if it has gone down further. 

he’s understandably tired as doesn’t sleep well wakes every 2 hours has hot flushes stabbing pain at times. He gets out for a walk daily. We get away monthly which is really helping and his friends are rallying around him. Still very emotional we assume hormones causing this. Can’t get holistic help until completion of chemo. Can’t wait to book holidays for next year but will have to wait until CT scan done after completion of chemo. 

User
Posted 21 Oct 2024 at 22:08

Thanks for the update, it’s good to know he’s getting through it.
I’ve  found too on  this journey just getting away from it all is the one thing that’s helped me get through it…I just love my holidays!

all the best for the remainder of treatment.

Derek

User
Posted 22 Oct 2024 at 10:34

Thank you Derek yes it’s a highlight for us of the 3 week cycle. I hope you are doing well and thank you for replying. 

User
Posted 22 Oct 2024 at 15:42
Holidays are the best medicine for me at the moment 🙏

All the best to you 🤞

Jackie & Al

User
Posted 22 Oct 2024 at 16:05

Thank you all the best to you both too 🤞

User
Posted 25 Oct 2024 at 04:56

Hi

Been through the same side affects from Chemo and medications. Have since been reading some research on the taking of Lactoferrin in conjunction with Docetaxel may decrease the side affects of Chemo and also possibly increase the uptake of the Chemo into the cancer cells. As hormonal cancers don't respond to Chemo as well as other tumours. DYOR and good luck with the treatment!

User
Posted 31 Oct 2024 at 04:29

Interested to read this and would really appreciate an update on how the chemo is going and what I can shortly expect starting next Tuesday…

 

I’m a reasonably active 58 year old and received an expected metastatic prostrate cancer T3 diagnosis in August 2024.  8 (4+4) on the Gleason scale.  In my pelvis and lower spine.  Started on Bicalutimife in late August 2024 and had first injection of Zoladex in mid September.  PSA has reduced from 9.2 to 2 as at 10 October. Luckily very few side affects from the HT though the hot flushes now starting and libido kicked well into touch.  Trying to stay as fit and active as I can.  

 

Starting chemo (Docetaxal) on Tuesday 5 November.  

 

I appreciate us humans are all different but be keen to understand how chemo has gone for your other half?  I understand all the side affects regarding metallic taste etc.  But when are the real “yuk” times?!  How bad was the nausea? Is it the first week which is bad?  I’ve read somewhere to “take it easy” days 5-8… why is that??   Am I right in saying by week 3 the body is feeling back to normal?  Before it all starts all over again?!  Also I’m told this is “accumulative” - does each session get progressively nastier?  Any advice gratefully received!  

 

Also…. did anyone take the cold chemo head cap.  Is it as bad as Chris Hoy says it is?! 

Anthony

User
Posted 31 Oct 2024 at 08:19

Hi Anthony

We are so sorry to hear your diagnosis so similar to my husband, both of you with a relatively low PSA Gleason 8 4+4 my husband T4.

Regarding chemo my husband doesn’t have much hair so didn’t consider the cold cap. He’s had 3 infusions so far with 3 to go and has lost some hair from his head and also some body hair. 

During the infusions he eats grapes and they bring him tea and biscuits. The staff are so lovely.  He hasn’t had any sickness or metallic taste but takes the ‘bed and breakfast’ meds as prescribed. Initially after the infusion he’s wiped out and very tired. There is a risk of severe constipation during this first week so taking a mild laxative daily may prevent this. His oncologist recommended this. My husband learnt the hard way. He didn’t take them as needed to visit his end of life Dad, this lead to severe and painful constipation followed by days of the opposite which was debilitating. This happened on his first 2 infusions. On his 3rd he took the daily laxatives and avoided it.  Everyone is different but I hope this will help avoid it for you. 

From day 10 your immune system is most at risk of infection so we have avoided Grandchildren with colds and so far he has not picked anything up. Important to have a thermometer nearby in case your temperature goes over 37.5. 

We go away at the end of week 2 in our Motorhome for a few days which lifts our spirits and gives us both something to prepare for and keep us busy. My husband feels well enough to do this. The steroids cause immense hunger which is hard to control! Once back it’s the countdown to the next infusion. 


The hot flushes are the worst symptom they were not as bad on bicalutimide but worse on injections and worse again on chemo. The lowering of the psa goes hand in hand with worsening of the hot flushes. Libido zero on chemo but wasn’t as bad before so hope for some return after chemo but not being too hopeful. 

We have great support from friends and family which helps a great deal although we also have our dark thoughts when things crop up like Chris Hoy for example, which puts us in touch with the reality. 

I hope some of this is helpful the infusion is not as bad as we thought so we hope it all goes well for you on Tuesday. My husband back for his 4th on Monday. 

 

User
Posted 31 Oct 2024 at 15:46

Forgot about the hunger feeling when on steroids. I was ravenous the whole 18 weeks, little wonder I had a fat face at the end of it.😮

User
Posted 31 Oct 2024 at 22:08

Thank you for that update – really useful.  Everyone’s experience is different but you must be glad you’re now more than half way through.  Good luck to you both on Monday - enjoy the weekend first!! 

 

User
Posted 01 Nov 2024 at 07:30

Hi 

I had 10 sessions of Docetaxel in the 1st 6 months of this year,no cap for me,steroid crash for a few days after injection,metal mouth until about day 5/6,no insomnia or constipation,also had a few bad colds,found it was accumulative but coped well,still feel slight numbness in feet and fingers but nothing that holds me back from doing anything, found that keeping a diary and writing down the effects after each session helped.

Hope this helps regards Phil 

User
Posted 01 Nov 2024 at 07:41

Thank you Tony yes it’s a good feeling counting down. 

User
Posted 01 Nov 2024 at 07:45

Thank you Phil we did wonder if the 6 sessions may be extended to 10. Were you initially prescribed 10 or was it extended to 10? My husband is worried about the CT at the end of this. He still has pain sitting so that hasn’t changed. Thank you 😊

 
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