Occurring backache

I don't think the backache would be directly Zoladex-related (I don't see how that would work), but with prostate cancer, backache has to be taken seriously.

On the other hand, there are plenty of other possible causes, and you need to consider any past history of back issues, any new activity that might have set it off, whether your sofa is sagging more than it used to, whether you are putting on weigh and/or are less active than you were ... and whatever else comes to mind.

Think big picture, don't assume anything, but if in doubt, discuss with your GP and/or specialist nurse.

all the best to you norfolk boy  i am gleeson 9 on hormone therapy psa was 24 on my 8th off 37 fractions off r/t but feel fine like you just crack on cant change  anything

Looks like I'll have to see GP when I can. I wondered if because I had osteoporosis for many years which has gone down a bit to osteopaena, although I still take zomorph pill twice a day to keep pain away I read hrt zoladex one side effect is onset of osteoporosis. Wondering if it's had an effect on my spine and made it worse again. Here's hoping not. But I'll need to prob ask for an mri again to check.

Thanks Heinous

Hi gaz61

Thks bud. My gleeson was 9 and psa was only 8.8 but doc sent me for check thank goodness. Turns out it's locally advanced and aggressive. Unfortunately after the biopsy they also found it to be in 4 nearby lymph nodes. Good luck with Yr remaining r/t  fractions. After the 3rd week it goes quickly. Guessing you'll poss be on hormone therapy  too for a while if you're having 37 sessions like I had. 

That history, especially with osteoporosis, it's a different story:

Deffo contact the GP Asap. Wouldn't hurt to start taking calcium supplements if there's a delay. With that history, you probably should have been offered them from Day 1!

I'm quite happy and for some reason I don't think about PC much. It's like I don't feel I have it so I just carry on. I mean it doesn't upset me. Why? I don't know. Does anyone else feel like that?

Yes. Me. And I don't know whether it's good thing or not. I was diagnosed over four years ago. Had the da Vinci. Doc told me he hadn't got it all out so I suppose it will return sooner or later. I don't know whether I am in denial or just able not to obsess whilst in remission

I know I've been lucky in that it was caught quickly and hasn't turned aggressive.

Good luck

I was diagnosed about 6 months ago when I thought I'd pulled a muscle in my shoulder, even cancelled a Dr's appointment because I thought I would be wasting his time. After an xray and a blood test I found I had psa of 50.. Still not sure how far up the league table I am with that and cancer on the bones.. Not long had a chat with a Dr who told me over the phone I had spots on my lungs, even asked me if I wanted to swap hospitals and waiting for the chat after the biopsy.. I am a fairly confident person especially after beating a rare bladder cancer, but the mental strain is tough especially with covid holding everything back. Had the 6 month hormone jab, getting the sweats but finding it difficult not knowing what to do. My good wishes to all suffering

Stay positive loads off different treatments out there i am at moment half way through 37 fractions off radiotherapy no pleasant but we plod  on good luck and you ill beat it

Thanks Gaz

Hi Norfolkboy

1. I Picked up on your backache but I was the other way round. I started with intermittent but increasing lower backache, no other symptoms. GP suggested I see an oesteopath which I did, very nice but no diff. Finally he suggested I take up yoga!! By then fed up with ongoing pain so went to see an orthopaedic surgeon privately within a week, had a private MRI scan within two days and he had the image the very next day. Up to that point I was convinced my back problem was muscular but from that image he could see my backache was caused by multiple metastatic bone tumours on numerous vertebrae, one of which was fractured and several were in imminent danger of spinal cord impingement. To this day I’m convinced my private consultation & MRI scan was the best £425 I’ve ever spent and I’m also convinced it probably saved my life. It turned out the primary was advanced prostate cancer with a PSA of 2860 and Gleason of 9 yet I had none of the usual urinary symptoms, ( if ever there’s a case for prostate screening this is one). That said once diagnosed the treatment and attention I received from my local NHS cancer centre was truly astounding and I have nothing but the highest esteem & gratitude to all the staff there. 
   From there I had immediate RT on my spine each day for two weeks, followed by 6 sessions of chemo over 18 weeks all thankfully successful and without significant side effects. Then came the Zoladex HT every three months and two years later I’m still on it but the only common side effects of the Zoladex is weight gain, muscle loss, and enlarged breasts. Went on hol last year with my daughter’s family & on the beach she claimed I looked like a barrel on sticks & that I had bigger breasts than she did. Hell of a cheek but not far from the truth. I’m now coming up to 67 years old and my PSA has been stable around 1.5 for over a year. There are two things I would ask to you to take from my experiences. Firstly none of the therapy’s are to be feared, they can be uncomfortable but are there to save or extend your life. Secondly get your backache checked out ASAP, demand a scan or X-ray from your GP, go private if it takes too long. Early diagnosis is everything. It transpires that metastatic bone tumours especially in the spine are a common association with advanced prostate cancer. It’s not my intention to cause you additional worry but I can be a man-on-a-mission. This crept up on me, I don’t want it to just creep up on others. When first diagnosed I was given a life expectancy of 3 - 5 years and that was 2-1/2 years ago but like you I don’t think about it that much. I’m not in serious pain, in fact sometimes I don’t feel sick at all and I would say in the main I’m quite content, although I recognise I’m one of the lucky ones, there are many far worse off than me. This cancer will catch up with me before too long but I don’t fear it. However it has made me value what’s important- family & friends. Make the most of them while you can. Good luck for the future but meantime get checked out, don’t sit back.