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Decisions, decisions!

User
Posted 06 Feb 2026 at 13:04

I'm 77, fit and 'healthy' vegetarian, non drinker, lifelong non smoker. Have recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer with 'spots' that have spread to lymph nodes, bone and rectum. Already halfway through Bicalutimide hormone therapy tablets and have also had 1 hormone injection, which will continue for life after the hormone tablets stop in a couple of weeks time. I have a meeting with the oncologist mid April to decide if I want to add dialutimide tablets to the treatment plan. I've had phone call today making me aware that I now also need to decide if I want to go ahead with a three pronged attack by adding a course of liquid chemotherapy (probably docetaxel) to the plan. I am very wary of the chemo as I realise this is where the real crunch comes. Other people have told me it was a real problem for them and in one case the person went into a 10 day coma.

Has anyone on here experienced this combination of treatments? I understand I can hold off from the chemo for a while and see how the injections and darolutumide go. It seems a critical decision and, whilst I'm sure my oncologist is academically brilliant, she lacks empathy, social skills and reels everything off at 100 miles an hour. So much so,that I intend to record our next meeting for clarity and memory. Thanks. David 

User
Posted 06 Feb 2026 at 17:59

Dear David,  my 68 year old stage 4 T3bN1M1 husband has been on Decapeptyl and Darolutamide for the last 7 months after his initial diagnosis. He has had no noticeable side effects other than losing most of his post-puberty body hair. He has also had 6 rounds of docetaxel which progressed very uneventfully - hair got thinner and fluffier but he didn't lose it, no nail loss or mouth sores etc. The only side effect was some fatigue 3 days after the infusion and a temporary funny taste in the mouth. Overall, since starting treatment, he feels a bit weaker and more tired but hasn't had any hot flushes so nothing that really that interferes with his QoL. As is often stated, each person is different so hopefully you will have an equally non-evenful triplet therapy journey if you decide on that path.

User
Posted 06 Feb 2026 at 23:20

Hi - thanks for your reply - very helpful to get a sense of how it could be for me too, hopefully. Did your husband have the three pronged treatment all at once? There is a thought that I might add in the dialutimide and docatexal by degrees to 'dilute' the overall side effects? It's the docatexal that's the one I'm most nervous about as it is basically toxic chemotherapy - have heard stories that it can cause you to go into coma? Am hoping that I am just over thinking it all and should just go ahead with fingers crossed!

User
Posted 08 Feb 2026 at 22:22

Hi David, To confirm my husband had all three treatments at the same time. Now he's finished his 6 rounds of chemo he's back to the two drugs. BTW, he did have daily steroids during his chemo, prednisone, which has also finished...they made him have the most magnificent appetite! As to docetaxel causing comas, I cannot comment on that but my husband did have an allergic reaction the first time he had chemo but a steroid injection and then an antihistamine injection remedyed the situation. The staff watch you very closely when having chemotherapy so he was fine then and throughout his chemo journey.  I had dreaded him having the Docetaxel but his consultant said it is very well tolerated by recipients and so it proved to be. LeftField

Edited by member 09 Feb 2026 at 06:23  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 09 Feb 2026 at 10:17

Thanks for that info, very useful to know. I just feel that graduating the treatment, whilst I'm experiencing no symptoms at all, is the way to go for me. If I'm deemed to require another treatment I'll take it of course but feel that all three at once will put too much strain on my system, especially if doctor says the alternative, stepped approach is a reasonable way to go. Thanks again and if anyone else has experience of my situation I'd be grateful to hear from you too. Cheers.

 
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