CancerCompass message board discussion started by Sobbactor on 11/16/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,18024,0.htm Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I have had an RP and pre-and Post surgical hormone therapy, the side effects of the hormone therapy made my ''quality of life" and the quality of the life of people around me miserable. Depression, mood swings, leg pain, anger, intolerance, not to mention all the side effects of the surgery itself. I made a concious decision not to take the shot last month. I am strong, healthy, recent CT scan came back w/no sign of metastatic tumors, PSA down to .4 Prior to the surgery it was 17.6 w/a gleasons 9. Has anyone else decided against the therapy, what were your results? I'd love to know what I might be able to expect. Thanks. Sobbactor Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT If you had a RP with the prostate being removed your PSA  I would think should be zero- ask your Doctor and look at the patholgy report was there invasion past the capsule or to any lymph nodes so you need to talk  to him, so maybe there are reasons your taking the hormone.  needhelp Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT PSA should be closely monitored in case there's recurrence, especially with an agressive Gleason 9 and discontinued hormone treatment.Alternatives can be considered: Hormone treatment side effects can often be reduced by agressive lifestyle changes in diet and exercise, use of intermittent hormone therapy, and amending the medication. Dr Myers publications have plenty of information on it. It might be worth reading his book and considering consulting him or compassionate oncology.Men who reject hormone treatment, or use it intermittently have often done well on alternative "prostasol" or Dr Pfeifer's protocol which includes this and other supplements. The full protocol is published on his website, and you'll find postings on the health.groups.yahoo.com site from men who have used alternatives. Johnw100 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT  I was expecting it to be zero too, however, your guess was correct. My cancer had broken through the outside wall of the gland. It is now down to 0.4 Sobbactor Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT I will be monitoring my P S A closer. When the decision to opt out of the ADT was made, a compromise was reached; instead of a PSA test in mid Jan. I will  have one early  DEC. Sobbactor Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT Sobbactor, 'Recently went on intermittent therapy, but not for all of the reasons you outlined. Rather, as it was explained to me, by going on an intermittent therapy ( IHT ) it is believed that the efficacy of the therapy will be prolonged. Further, it is thought that some of the side effects may decrease. Mind you, to keep the PSA down one has to drastically cut the amount of testosterone in the the body, as it feeds the PC which may be lurking about. Still too soon to tell on the side effects. Also too soon to know how long I will be able to go without the need for another injection. Actually, aside from the sweats and muscle loss and possibility of osteopenia. You roll the dice ... you take your chances:) Now, I am 62 and in pretty decent shape. My bone density is neither too bad nor too good at this point; but, I am off the actonel/fosomax regime and now taking about 1200 mg of calcium supplement. Yeah, 'still have the sweats, but figure it is a small price to pay for keeping the PSA down. Actually, that reasoning applies to the other side effects as well. Life is pretty good and my PSA has been less than 0.04 for some time ( which is why the doc suggested going to IHT in the first place). I wish you well with your approach. There are new options coming every day!! Be well, Northstar northstar Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT