Hormone treatment

Hi Alwayshope

thank you for your reply. 6 months ago my husband PSA was 8.4 level for the last 3 years. The urologist press him to take Finasteride to decrease the size of the prostate which is very large. He reassured him that no cancer there. He took the Finasteride for 6 months and BOOM. The PSA level which supposed to drop by half with Finasteride increase to 11.8. Reading about the Finasteride it can in certain cases cause aggresive PC.  So 11.8 PSA is consider 22 PSA  taking into account the blooming Finasteride. We made a decision to park this otherwise will not concentrate ton the mission ahead. 

Lots of love

Hello mariasusan68 . A warm welcome to the group.

I am so sorry to read your story so far - you have both been "through the mill" so to speak. I can full understand where you are with your situation. With my "Community Champion" hat on can I suggest the following which may be of some help.

* Do you have a "Maggie's" centre near you. They are a support centre for anyone suffering from cancer and you can pop in for a chat and help.. To find you local centre 0300 123 1801 or enquiries@maggiescentres.org or www.maggiescentres.org

* Give our support line a ring on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week) There are some great people there who can offer support.

And there's always us on the Community - if you feel like asking any questions, need some help or advice, or just want to vent your feeling there's always someone here - the Prostate Cancer gang are a good bunch and are all happy to chat.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Jacobanddafna,

You are at the start of a rollercoaster but it will get better.  Firstly you are already getting treatment to lower his PSA so no need to panic.

Once you have a proper diagnosis, people on this site will have had similar experiences to guide you through.  My personal experience of advanced PC has been over 6 years and lots of quality time.  Yes it has changed our lives (my wife has supported me throughout) but in some ways it has enhanced it.  We don’t take things for granted as much, have planned ahead and do what we want to do (appointments permitting).  It pays to have a sense of humour.  On my first radiotherapy session the radiographer put some music on and the Bee Gees  ‘staying alive’ blasted out. I just laughed.

Good luck with your own journey.  Stay positive.

David

Hi Brian,

Thank you for your warms words. It is encouraging to hear that you are surviving this and although life will be different but there is lots of hope.

Lots of love

Dafna

Hi David,

Thank you for taking the time to write to us and to be so positive. Yes, we only started the journey but my husband although 75 is otherwise really fit. Swim every morning and walking ( weather permitted in Brighton!) 

Thank you again, i feel much better readying your message

Lots of love

Dafna

Dafna,

Thanks for your kind words. I think being fit and having a good diet really helps (well it can’t do any harm).  Easy to say ‘don’t worry’ but just take it day by day at the beginning.  If you have any concerns, just post, someone will have been through it already! Make sure that he listens to his body.  David

Hi jacobanddafna, just read your profile, regarding finesteride i would hope if any drug was suspected of causing cancer it would be banned. Saying that i did come across it when i was in healthcare where it was used to help with incontinence by reducing the size of the prostate, and not very effectively if memory serves it took forever to get results, as for raising your husbands PSA score i wouldn't know. Good to see your starting HT and alwayshope has mentioned possible side effects and how to prepare so i wish you well. take care Eddie

Thank you Eddie,

The FDA has a warning on the box about Finestaride  and aggressive cancer. However I have to park my feeling and anger about it aside and just concentrate on the PC and the now. Thank you and have a lovely evening!

Best wishes

Dafna

Hi mariasusan68, Sorry i didn't reply to you earlier, regarding my reply you are welcome. Just read your profile. It's tough to read and even though i have been through many hard times, they never came all at once. I can't  imagine how tough  it was for you. As you probably guessed i am  not a woman though 18 months on HT  i have developed moobs and can cry for England so probably not 100% male either. Anyway i hope Keith and you are having a good day and you have someone to talk to, talking of which i have counselling, had session this morning at hospice, anyway on new meds for bleeding which make me drowsy at times. Fell asleep Joanne my counsellor knows i have long term insomnia, left me to it. 7 hours later they woke me up, mariasusan68 even on a ordinary day something nice can happen. please take care. Eddie

Morning jacobanddafna, just been reading the posts your new friends on here have sent and can echo everything they say. You say hubby goes swimming every day, is that in the sea?, braver man than me i have ben going to the local baths forever and have never been brave enough to dive in. I suppose we all have blind spots. take care, Eddie