Seizure after taking apalutamide - what next?

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I started my prostate cancer journey with a diagnosis is April 2016 followed by pelvic radiotherapy and triptolerin hormone treatment which reduced my PSA to negligible levels. 

All was well until spring 2024 when my PSA rose above 2 and I was sent for scans. which revealed at metastasis on C7. High intensity radiotherapy was considered but ruled out as too dangerous.

I was given one dose of Diagerlix prior to Relugolix becoming available in November 2024. I have been on relugolix ever since.

In October I was started on alendronic acid and the enzalutamide on 17th November On the 18th Nov I was taken to A&E by ambulance suffering severe nausea and diarrhoea. The cause is uncertain but the alendroic acid was the key suspect and immediately stopped.

Enzalutamide was stopped in early Feb 25 due to brain fog and balance issues.

On 6th March I started on apalutamide but this was stopped on 12th March following further balance issues. On 24th March I suffered a seizure and was taken to A&E. The discharge papers cited apalutamide as the probable cause.

I have an appointment with my Oncologist next week but I am very much wondering what my options might be.

  • Hi Ever Hopeful. 

    Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the online community. My name is Helen and I’m one of the cancer information nurse specialists on the Macmillan support line

    I’m sorry to hear about the side-effects you have been experiencing. It’s understandable you would want to know what alternative treatments may be available to you.

    As we are independent from the NHS and do not have access to people’s medical records, we are unable to offer personalised advice about treatment.

    You can find information about what the general options may be on the Prostate Cancer UK website.

    It is worth thinking about the questions you may want to ask your oncologist about your options, when you see them next week.

    You can find information about questions to ask your health care team on our website, along with help with making treatment decisions.

    I see you have joined our prostate cancer forum, it would also be worth posting your question here to see if other people have experienced similar symptoms and what changes to their treatment were made.

     

    I hope you found this information helpful.

    Best wishes

    Helen-Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    Please don’t hesitate to get back in touch. We’d always be happy to talk this through with you in more detail. It’s free to call our nurses on 0808 808 0000,or send us an email. We’re here 7 days a week from 8am-8pm including bank holidays. 

     

    Ref: HK / RH