Prostap3 side effects

Hello Vmc 

A warm welcome to the online Prostate group although I am so sorry to find you joining us. 

Prostat3 side effects can all be found in the PIL (Patient Information Leaflet) and these are to be found here:

Prostap 3 PIL.

Not many people read them or the cautions when you are taking other medication which may lead to a medication clash.

My thoughts here are that you have had a 3 month injection of Prostap - you will have to put up with this now but for your next Hormone injection ask to switch medication. I have been on Decapeptyl for the last 3.75 years and although I have had the usual side effects - mothing major.

If you speak to your team well before your next injection is due they should be able to help with this.

It would help us to help you if you can add your journey details up to now to your profile. To do this on your home page click on the computer screen - top left, then profile then edit - once you have written something remember to save it. Your full diagnosis, Gleason, TNM and PSA would be a great help. (You can read someone's profile by clicking on their name or avatar).

I hope the above helps and gives you some reassurance.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Millibob.

Thanks for your reply, I will speak to my cancer team about switching to Decapeptyl.

Fortunately I have had no noticeable side effects from Prostap injections which I have on alternate sides of my stomach every 3 months,so I guess I have had at least 14 so far.

What does the hospital say when you are admitted.Do they have any alternative explanation?

Hi there thanks for replying. 

The doctor told me prostap3 is a very powerful drug and explained how hormones control a lot of things in our bodies which when certain hormones are switched off it can affect a lot of things .

I find that the doctors I've spoken to whilst in hospital are reluctant to comment fully about the side effects of hormone therapy however they never gave an alternative diagnosis.

Hello Vmc 

Yes, sadly both GP's and the General Doctors at hospital are not very well versed in the side effects of Hormone therapy - you really need a face to face appointment with your Oncologist.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thanks again for replying and advice.

I'd like to add something about my 2nd admission to hospital which I am almost sure was down to prostap3 injection. 

I suffered severe diarrhoea and it was that bad I had to be admitted to hospital this time the diagnosis was gastroenteritis , my temperature was 38.9 I was dehydrated despite my fluid intake being around 4 litres per day . I was put on a fluid trip for 24 hours  for 5 days, I had to fill out a stool chart detaing every time I passed a stool logging type of stool ie. Watery soft etc, the nurses took numerous samples for testing and they all came back negative for the usual bacteria that cause gastroenteritis meaning there was no bacterial infection. 

I spoke with the consultant on the ward and he was of the opinion that as no bacterial infection was present that it could have been caused by the prostap3 injection and he went on to explain on prostap3 and what it can to to the metabolism and that he would inform the urology department about my admission and their findings. 

I spent a total of 15 days in hospital and on discharge I called my named CNS again she played this down saying she had never heard gastroenteritis being a side effect of prostap3 notwithstanding it is listed as a side effect in prostap3 patient leaflet,  I brought that fact to her attention and she replied "if you want to stop the treatment the cancer will get worse ".

I was dumbfounded and now getting angry too, I just thanked her for her precious time and ended the conversation. 

This is concerning to me I feel as if I am being ignored .

Hello Vmc 

Yes, I agree - the side effects are all there.

It's quite possible to come across a "gatekeeper" such as your CNS - sadly they are good at dealing with the normal - but not things that are abnormal.

First off - you need a face to face appointment with your oncologist - contact your team and ask for this - if it's refused ask on what grounds - you can also contact your hospital PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) and ask then to take up your case. If all else fails there's the formal complaints procedure.

Second - You have NHS pick and chose so you can elect to be treated somewhere else - even a centre of excellence such as The Royal Marsden in  London or The Christie in  Manchester - it depends where you live - there are other hospitals with a cracking cancer record - Addenbrookes and Clatterbridge to name 2.

Sadly on this journey you need to advocate for yourself.

Best wishes - Brian.