Hello, I’m new to the forum but not new to Parkinson’s as I’ve had the disease for 17 years. I’m writing here as I’ve just been diagnosed with prostate cancer and have been advised to take radiotherapy and hormone treatment. At present my Parkinson’s symptoms are well managed with oral medication and an apomorphine pump but I’m terrified that the hormone treatment will unbalance the fragile equilibrium that has been established. I’ve been told that prostate cancer is common so I’m hoping that there is someone on this forum who has had experience of this treatment?
Thank you
Hello Nen … I’m 70 & was diagnosed with Atypical Parkinson’s following a positive datscan in June 2023. I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in December 2013
aged 59. I was going the hormone / radiography route but was advised against it as
I was young, so I had my prostate removed a few days later as the form of prostate cancer was aggressive. Cancer now gone I have not regretted that decision.
You don’t say how old you are.
Any questions please ask.
Best wishes
Steve2
Thank you Steve2
I’m 72. Obviously in my case the Parkinson’s first 2008 and now the prostate cancer diagnosis. Other people have also said better surgery than therapy
The way it was explained to me was that if you go the hormone / radiotherapy route & your cancer returns it is difficult to remove the prostate.
The first consultant I saw said the choice of the 3 treatment options was down to me & he would not advise which one to take. So I decided the hormone route but the consultant I saw for this advised the removal route.
As I said I think removal was the right option. I do not know if procedures have changed since I had the operation.
Best wishes
Steve2
Try " Prostate Cancer UK" very active and informative. I had prostate cancer before PD diagnosis. I had brachytherapy which has put the prostate cancer into “remission”. There are different grades of PCa and which sort of treatment to have is strongly dependant on what grade you have. Usually there is no rush so consider your options carefully, there are side effects with all treatments. MM
Thank you. I have been on the prostate cancer Uk web but I’m really interested in how the various treatment options will affect my Parkinson’s symptoms
I don’t have an answer, but I will say from my experience that Brachytherapy was an easy one off treatment, no pain to speak of, some bowel upsets but it soon subsided, I just didn’t fancy open surgery or repeated doses of radiotherapy. I have a feeling that Brachytherapy would not affect your PD, but of course I don’t really know. Making a treatment choice is hard, we all (PCa sufferers) have the same hard time I think. Anyway, good luck, feel free to PM me if you want. MM
Hell;o Nen,
I posted a similar appeal 6months ago. For what its worth, I have recently turned 90 and have had P.D. for aprox 12 years. Roughly 6 months ago, I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer following a high PSA in exceess of 200, Hormone treatment was prescribed and, like you, I was fearful of any adverse effect on my PD. My treatment was commenced involving, initially - a daily drug named Bicalutamide. After one month this was changed to a monthly in jection of something else. About thisi time, my P.D, symptoms were becoming more aggresive and I naturally questioned whether the injection could be the cause. In reality , I do not truthfully believe it was but it might have been, However, following some ,medical debate, the injection was stopped, and I reverted to the daily intake of Bicalutamide, I am pleased to now tell you that my PSA has fallen from above 200 to normal level 0,6. This was confirmed again when I had another blood test last week, My PD symptoms have been advancing for some time but I attribute this to the natural progression of the disease., I hope this story is helpful to you. Good Luck, Gerrard
Believe it or not a oncologist in Canada is having great success treating cancers with ivermectin and fenbendazole. If interested search X , you will be astounded with the results.
I am 62 now my history is below. 30 days ago I started taking Bicalutamide for my prostate cancer. It feels like my PD has suddenly got worse in the last week. Has anyone else experienced there issues please?
Hello Mark Kirwin,
Coinciding with the commencement of Hormone Therapy (Bicalutamide) I am also undergoing quite serious increase in my PD Symptoms. However, it is not possible to conclude definitely that the two are related. I have had PD for12 years and would expect some deterioration at this stage. I have found it impossible to
obtain clear advice from medical “Experts” and am having to reach my own conclusions. One has to weigh in the balance which is the more fearful “PD” or “Prostate Cancer”. At present, I am more concerned about Cancer but may change my view at any time, One might just as well toss a coin. Good Luck -if you do? Gerrard
Thanks Gerrard. My concern is that up until now my PD symptoms have been advancing slowly - since taking Bicalutamide this has sped up. May be coincidence - ill wait another month and see what happens. Happy New Year.
Hello again,
Following my previous response to your posting, I suffered a particularly stressful night which has caused me to re-think the views I expressed. I managed to sleep for only 2/3 hours and my upper ]body shook throughout the night, I spent much of the time reflecting on this correspondemce and slowly concluded that there may well be a connection between the Bicalumatide and increased PD Symptoms.I have written to my Doctor requesting a break from the Therapy so that I can try and determine the truth. Below is a copy of my letter. Gerrard
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As you are aware, I am undergoing Hormone Therapy (Bicalutamide} for Prostate Cancer. Alongside this, I also suffer from Parkinson’s Disease which I have had for 12 years.My Parkinsons symptoms have recently increased quite dramatically and I am wondering whether this is due to the Bicalutamide. I am loathe to connect the two as the Bicalutamide has very successfully reduced my PSA. However, my symptoms include, increased Shaking, Constant Freezing, Loss of Balance, Inability to walk any distance, Poor Sleep,and I now need help to dress and undress myself. This may all be due to the natural progression of the disease coupled with my age. I am anxious to know what the long term treatment is for my prostate and if and when I can cease the medication. My PSA has considerably reduced and I would like to cease the therapy for at least a short term to see if things improve for me. Your advice would be very much appreciated.
Sorry to hear you are having trouble. As I may have said I had Parkinson’s when I was 59 & had my prostate removed. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in June 2023 when I was 69. I seem to have all the sleep issues you have, although I have just started using Clonazepam which helps a lot.
Best of luck
Steve2
Thank you for the update Gerrard, and sorry to hear of youur difficulty. I look forward hearing the view of your doctor.