I know this drug is relatively new but I’ve read mixed reports of how long it works for. The range is anything from months to years. Has anyone been told what to expect by their oncologist?
My oncologist just said I will be on it until it stops being effective then we will move to something else. When I asked him how long he said it is not possible to say as it varies with the person.
Yes I remember your previous posts as they affected me and I really felt for you SJ…. After being undetectable for several months husbands PSA has nudged up a fraction to 0.1 and although it’s incredibly low it’s the next few blood tests as you say that will tell if it’s the beginning of a trend. That would be a shock so soon. You are always on high alert with these things. love from Louli x
I just read your profile and you are in the same condition as my husband I believe. You will be going through the same ups and downs and fears as us. It’s a cruel illness. However there are many treatments open at stage 4 thankfully. thank you for your reply. Yes we were told exactly the same about expectations.
Yes it can be a cruel disease but I try and stay positive because you can't do anything else. I am starting my 8th month of Abiraterone so each month is a bonus.
All the studies agree that it 'prolongs survival', but there is massive variation depending, for example, on the stage of the PCa and what treatments have gone before. Anything over a year before moving on to something else would be generally seen as a 'good result'.
One clue is how successfully it reduces PSA when started: the better that result, the longer it will probably work.
But everyone is different, so it's mostly a case of fingers crossed and go for it! Good Luck!
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Heinous
If I can't beat this, I'm going for the draw.
Meanwhile, my priority is to live while I have the option.
Unfortunately dad passed away last month but not cancer related - he had an infection from his gallbladder and he chose at 90 to refuse an operation when the antibiotics didn’t work. He was alert and happy up until the last few hours when he slept - our local nhs hospital were amazing
in December my dads PSA has jumped from 12 to a massive 285 with bone spread everywhere. when he passed it had dropped to 3.1 which was amazing and hopefully the trial he was on will be available on nhs soon
he only ever had pain once from the bone spread and one dose of radiotherapy to his spine stopped that … he was a very fortunate man
he lived many years with prostrate cancer and the treatments he had caused very few if any side effects
My situation is very much like that of your husband in that I had a high PSA reading at diagnosis. Initially, I had a fairly standard treatment comprising Bicalutamide and chemotherapy which, in conjunction with hormone patches, reduced my PSA to a negligible figure for 2 years.
Unfortunately, my PSA readings then started to creep up. My consultant then put me on Abiraterone but did not express an opinion as to how long it would prove effective and, in fact, I didn't even bother to ask the question. However, the question was answered 12 months later at which time my PSA reading climbed up to 70! I really wasn't expecting this as I am aware of some men who have been on this drug for for 2 or 3 years. My cancer has proved to be very aggressive and difficult to suppress although I am still here after 4 years.
The good news is that, after 20 sessions of radiotherapy, my PSA has dropped to 20 and remains reasonably stable, which is important.
Just recently, I have started to experience bone pain in my chest and hip. I'm not sure quite why this is as I have had bone mets since I was diagnosed 4 years ago. I am having my 12 weekly Zometa (bone strengthener) on Thursday so will ask the question then.
I seems to me that all forms of cancer treatment have a limited life but there is usually something else available as long as you keep asking the questions!
Very best wishes to you and your husband. I can tell that you are a true fighter, just like my wife!
