Treatment

Hi Bg65 ,

I can't speak to these drug because I haven't taken them but I hope that but offering and answer others will pick this up. 

The Macmillan information sheets are below. The information should give you enough to ask the right questions, and even get answers. 

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/apalutamide

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/abiraterone

I didn't know abiraterone was spelled like that either. 

As I say, I can't speak to that the drugs but when reading for my own case I saw good things about both.

Guys can I ask if anyone has had really high blood pressure at the start of treatment,I'm halfway through the tablets and have had 1 monthly injection 

Hello Mace 

Really high blood pressure is a trip to your GP, a call to 111 or a visit to A & E.

Please don't wait as this side effect could be serious.

Do let us know how you get on.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hello Bg65 

I had a search through the threads earlier this morning (I need to get a life!!) and no one has asked for a comparison between the two although I did find this thread from last week which may be of interest:

 RE: Enzalutamide v Apalutamide 

I hope this might help.

Best wishes - Brian

Hi Brian they are monitoring me and I'm  keeping a record 

Hello Mace 

I know it's a side effect  - it was the word REALLY high that had me worried - none of us are medically trained here so that's our standard advice to a question like yours.

Best wishes - Brian.

Is it the the tablets or the injections that raise it do you know ?

Hello Mace 

Each form of Hormone Therapy comes with it's own side effects and they are all different, just as they affect each individual differently. Blood Pressure is common to most medications in the group. Without looking through all the posts I am unaware of which ones you are on. 

This is a good reason why we ask people to put their journey details in their profile - so we can answer questions specific to you.

To update your journey profile go to your home page - click on the chair - top right, then "Profile" then "Edie". Once you have written something don't forget to "save" it.(you can read my profile by clicking on my name or avatar).

Best wishes - Brian.

Hello Bg65 . All of the second generation antiandrogens are effective but I have found an article which suggests that Apalutamide might give better long term results.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39417629/

It is interesting that he has been offered sequential treatment for the HT and chemotherapy. Did your brother ask about starting the two together as this can help some high risk patients.

Having Abiraterone as an initial treatment can also give the option of switching to another form of hormone therapy later on if it becomes less effective.

There is still no consensus on treatment routes but generally the higher the number of risk factors the patient has then the harder they hit it from the start provided the patients health will allow it. Also was any mention made about radiotherapy?