I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in August of 2004 with a PSA score of 470. Im now 53 and had been going for regular physicals each year. The PSA had been 3.0 in 2003. When diagnosed it had already spread to the bones. No symptoms to speak of until the pain started about the same time as the physical in '04.
I'll try and keep this short but we started with Lupron and Zometa right away. Worked great for a little over a year -- PSA down to 2 -- and then went refractory. Added Casodex without any help. Went to chemo and Taxotere -- no help. PSA back up to about 60. Changed chemo to combination of Taxol and Carboplatin weekly. Now in 3 month and last week was first reduction in PSA to 40.
Pain management is under control with 300 mg. of Duragesic and Dilaudid for breakthrough pain.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? How many have heard of PSA's that high? Anyone have a guess to how long I've got? I love my doctor but he won't say and I guess I can't blame him. Too many things can have a play in this.