Can Someone Please Answer This Question

Can someone more knowledgable then myself, tell me if it is a common procedure to be given hormone pills in addition to the hormone (Lupron Shots)  that are given once every 4 months?  And can taking to much of the hormone therapy also have negative effects on the patient? The patient is my brother and I'm just very concerned. He has prostate cancer with mets to bone.Thanks in advance.

                                                Sincerely Gracie, 

A few general comments without knowing specific details:

Yes, it is common to be given medication in addition to Lupron; it's wise to do so especially at the start of treatment to reduce initial problems.

The aim of hormone treatment is to reduce testosterone production and levels which has the obvious effect of reduced libido. Some men tolerate the treatment well, while others have acute side effects like hot flashes.

Any acute side issues often reduce over time, and can be helped by lifestyle, remaining active, exercise, diet, nutrition and supplements, which will also assist potential long term issues like bone density problems.

If severe side effects continue, a change in medication can sometimes help as some men tolerate one kind of medication better than another.

I have two friends now doing well on hormone treatment. One had bone mets when he started treatment in December 2006. His PSA has reduced to about 1, he remains very active, he no longer has bone pain, and his bone hot spots from early scans were not evident on his recent scans.

I always suggest the book by Dr Charles Myers as essential reading on Hormonal Therapy, and the yananow site mentors experiences section for specific stories from men who have used the treatment.

i am sure it is if the doctor has percribed it but the thing is that eventually it becomes resistant to the hormone therapy.  my dad has the same cancer and it is in his bones.. he still get the shot (although he is somewaht resistant) but he take also Prostasol (from england..do research) and it has dropped his psa like crazy! Plus he does all organic diet, no sugar, vitamin c therapy etc.. he is currently in Mexico at oasis of hope hospital and we will see what happens there!

Keep fighting - dont ever do chemo or radiation !! NEVER

Sophia

Yes, when men are diagnosed as hormone resistant, they sometimes find that a change in medication or use of "prostasol" can work.

Some prefer "prostasol" to hormone treatment, or use it in conjunction with intermittent hormone treatment.

Dr Myers indicates that he found  most men diagnosed as "hormone resistant" actually aren't, presumably because he found an additional or alternative medication often worked.

He also advocates measuring Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone levels to determine what's happening.

Well my father is back from Oasis of Hope and so far so good, although we had a scare after he got home and had to take him to the e.r.  because he was very dehydrated!  he did not drink enough water and with all the alternative meds he was taking he became very weak.  he is now better and doing good!  he is taking supplements frm Oasis and prostasol still plus the regular dose of vitamins and has to continue his strict diet. 

depending on how bad ur dad is depends if you want him to try these clinics (there are good ones in bahamas too and canada)- my dad was still doing okay so i didnt' want him to get to the point of no return before he went... but also for the past two years he as been doing his own diet and supplements and been getting doses of vitamin c iv treamnets!

sophia