Decapeptyl

Good Morning

I have been on 6 monthly injections of Decapetyl for the past 16 months (with 3 more injections to go). I am aware that whatever hormone treatment you are on at the start you get 28 days worth of bicamutide to stop tumour flare and to let the hormone blocker kick in. I think it's just the choice of the urologist/oncologist which HT brand you get.

The HT starts to work right away and slows down the growth of the cancer to allow treatment.

The side effects vary from person to person. Mine are ED, Weight Gain, A great pair of boobs (thanks NHS) itchy skin, I can be moody - not too often, hot/night sweats and I can cry for England!!. These are all under control and to be honest I am not too bothered by them. It's better than the alternative!!!

I am now 16 month's down my PC journey and I now feel amazing after what I have been through - I am positive about the future too. (you can check my journey by clicking on the beach icon!).

I hope this helps - if you want to know any more, just ask.

I hope all goes well.

Kind Regards - Brian.

Hi everyone,I am now coming to the end of my 3 weeks of tablets and have had my first injection.I am now just a bit concerned that I will now go about 3 months before radio therapy starts.so in theory nothing is happening now with regard to treatment.Does this mean that the cancer could now keep on growing in that time.Hope you are all staying strong.Cheers Brian

Good Morning

No need to worry as:

* Prostate Cancer is a slow growing cancer.

* You have received your first hormone injection. The Prostate Cancer cells live on your testosterone. The hormone treatment reduces the testosterone in your body and stops the cells reproducing.

The radiotherapy treatment then kills them off. Happy days.

I have been down the HT/RT route and now feel amazing so it looks like you should have no issues. I hope this helps.

Brian.

The bicaulatamide prevents the 'flare' that would happen if you went straight on to the injections. My husband has decaceptyl. I think the most troublesome side effect is the 'slowing down' he is experiencing. He seems to be in a permanent state of slight (not major) jet lag. I don't think other people notice it but I do. Obviously there are the sexual issues. That said, I would rather he still be here alongside me and can tolerate the side effects if the injections are working.

Some on here have been prescribed added calcium and vitamin D to prevent bone damage. Our urology consultant said it wasn't necessary but we bought some vitamin tablets with added calcium. If you go down this route, be careful!  There are some very beautifully packaged, very expensive vitamins supplements out there! We paid £1.50 for 50 - far less attractively packaged and not so sugary etc but with the same vitamin content etc!

I think the choice of which injection to give depends on cost and supply but I'm not sure?

It sounds as if you might be going down the radiotherapy route? If so, please don't worry as much as I did. I got in a real state and now realise that it was nowhere near as bad as I had expected!

Good luck

Thankyou for the information,, that is really helpful.I received a letter in the post today saying I have a oncologist phone appointment on 25 May. which seems a long time to wait but I suppose that is probably normal.Dont know how long after that my radio therapy will start.Thanks again,take care Brian 

Thanks that information was very helpful. Brian 

Hello Bridog

the norm seems to be that you have 3-6 months of hormone therapy before starting radiotherapy so your appointment with the oncologist seems to be timely.  My husband started hot on 3 rd November, saw the oncology consultant sometime in December, went for two planning appointments in the radiotherapy department in January, started radiotherapy about 3rd Feb. The journey through urology was horrendous - waits, tests, etc etc. oncology was a whole new ball game - everything running on time, very professional and very caring staff etc. we were warned about dire side effects but apart from anxiety, tiredness for both of us and some abdominal discomfort for my husband it really was not as bad as we had expected.

I hope it all goes as smoothly for yourself and wish you all the very best.