When I had my recurrence in December of 2005, my PSA made it’s way to 87.7 and I had a PSA doubling time of 4.2 months. Hormone deprivation therapy (ADT) caused the PSA to “drop like a rock” and within six to eight weeks my PSA was happily <0.04 (undetectable). Things could not have progressed any better. After ten months, because of the very harsh side effects I experienced, which I have already described in this blog, I elected, against medical advice, to stop the hormone treatment, to go intermittent. When I decided to stop the treatment I anticipated having nine to ten months before I would have to go back and again start ADT. Needless to say I was not happy with that possibility of having to return to ADT, but I had decided that I would “bite the bullet” and recommence ADT at the appropriate time. Since stopping the therapy I have managed to stay off the drugs for 32 months and I am still counting, an unexpected long period of time. As of my last PSA test my level is still only at 0.40 (as of July 1, 2009). I celebrate this low number. My doubling time is about 5.36 months, longer than the doubling time of 4.2 months I experienced at the time of the recurrence. I often think about why the doubling time has gotten so longer (a 25% chage). The bottom line is that I don’t know and will never know. But I am willing to share what I have done with diet and supplements, my only currently active treatment. I have no way to know if this is the reason I have experienced a slowing down of the PSA velocity, but it is the only things I can think might have contributed to the situation. 1- Maybe having been on ADT for nine months managed to kill off the more aggressive cancer cells, leaving behind only the less aggressive cells which just grow at a slower rate. 2- I continue to take anti-inflammatory medications for an arthritic condition, but I was also taking these drugs at the time of the recurrence. These drugs include; sulfasalazine, sulindac, folic acid, and methotrexate. They definitely combat inflammation which I believe encourages prostate cancer cell growth. 3- I now take a number of supplements that I was not taking until I had the recurrence. They include; vitamin D3 (1,000 iu/day), pomegranate (Pom Wonderful), vitamine C (2,000 mg/day) and green tea extract. Clearly something has changed, but I do not know what has caused the slowing down of the PSA velocity. I just thought I would share this information even though none of it may explain the positive change I have experienced. Joel T Nowak MA, MSW
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You mean sulindac not sukindac
Thank you John, I will make the change
Joel
Well Joel…this is news for me as I too stopped ADT after 3 mos. when PSA dropped to .5 from 2.1. I am now feeling much better and working 4 to 6 hours/day again. I will test again end of October to see if PSA is going up.
I too take pure pomegranate juice daily but will now add some of your supplements.
Your post is giving me hope. I just can’t see living in the state ADT was keeping me in when the PSA was under 1. I want active, enjoyable life…not a life of coping.
Thanks Again!
TP
TP,
I choose to take pomegranate extract (pill) to avoid all the sugar in the juice.
Joel
8 months ago my psa was 23 and gleason of 8. since then I’ve had 5 weeks external radiation,follwed by seed implants and about 7 months of hormone therapy. the psa is now 0.10. my urologist wants to continue the hormone injections [every 3 months] for another year or two.
your unprofessional opinion….. should i try intermittent treatments?
thanks
ray
Ray, As I am sure you realize there is no way of knowing what the best answer is for your situation. If you look at my history you will see that I am a fan of intermittent ADT. Your gleason sore of 8 and the PSA of 23 indicate that your cancer is aggressive and is probably out of the gland. Eight months of ADT might be too short a period to start a vacation given your numbers. You need to respond aggressively to try and completely stop the cancer. I think I would continue the ADT for another year. I would also see a medical oncologist who works with prostate cancer and get a second opinion. Remember, I am not a doctor and I have no medical training. I am not recommending that you follow what I would do for myself. No matter what you decide there are potential problems, so when you do decide be clear that you are comfortable with your choice and the possible consequences. – Joel
After prostatectomy 11/24/17 (Da Vinci) and extensive lymphadenectomy, 23 lymph nodes, I had GL 4+3, histology double checked and DNA identity proven, no cancer outside the prostate, nowhere, but persistent PSA, 01/08/18 0,33 ng/ml. III 02/26/18 0,43, III 04/26/18 1,59, III GA68 PSMA PET/CT enhanced with diuresis 04/18/18 with no metastasis visible in my body, III 05/08/18 2,31, III 06/12/18 4,47 III 07/02/18 9,16, III, and 08/03/18 which is now, I have 12,4, ng/ml PSA. The PSA Doubling Time goes up and down without any therapy, diet or whatsoever. I refused RT, because I considered it senseless without any visible aim. I want to enjoy the summer without ugly side effects of any therapy. Nobody can explain those things.