Oh! more suffering

 OMG the pain is so unbearable!  3 months ago in a near missed car accident whereby I was thrown forward and then backward with my head hitting the car back headrest.  After a few days my neck and head became swollen and the pain hit the maximum point.  Then my head could not move.  My pain killers could not do much, so had to get a doctor to come to give me a steroid jab.  The pain subside in a few days but my head could not move.  

From days to weeks and now months, I am now still not comfortable in a car as there is still pain as the car moves over bumps.  I have been wearing neck brace until now and when in the car I added a neck pillow.  Now I have to keep resting in bed more often so as to ease the pain.

Did a CT scan recently to see what's the problem with my neck and my overall cancer condition.  Mastoiditis.  Infection of the ear bone. Next is fracture of my neck bone.  Today is the last day I am on antibiotic for ear infection.  As for the fracture it is going to take some time to heal.  The oncologist suggested I go for radiation to stop the neck pain.  I'm considering it. 

The oncologist said my cancer is now under control.  However,  more ribs and other bones are damaged as shown in the scan.  I have to be very careful and if I notice any change in my system or other pain I have to contact my oncologist without delay.

I wonder who is it up there that do not like me.

Just thinking

 Yes it's been a long time, a long journey in fact, since I was diagnosed with advanced stage 4 prostate cancer.  I am actually very lucky that my cancer is not the aggressive type and is now inactive.  My latest CT Scan which was done early last year showed my prostate is clear and the two tumors, one on my upper back and the other pressing against my pelvic bone, cannot be detected.  However, I still have to be under active surveillance for the time being.  I still have to continue taking abiraterone+dexamethasone and have my blood test done frequently.

I know I have put up a good fight against my cancer and I am very happy with the result.  The sad point is that my bones are now badly damaged, caused by the cancer cell.  Also due to my old age my movement is restricted.  Anyway, every day I wake up is another day 😊.

Fight, fight, fight - struggle, struggle, struggle.  Day in and day out something will crop up to make my life difficult.  I believed my cancer is now under control.  But to reach this stage I have to go through a string of treatment, injections, medication and change of medication.  My cancer will not kill me yet but the side effects will, or at least will cripple me 😄.  

   

I have been taking abiraterone for about 5 months after trying out Xtandi (enzalutamide) for about a year.  Abiraterone seem to be able to suppress my testosterone more effectively thus bringing down my PSA reading.  This is good news, BUT, the side effects are many.  The side effects of abiraterone, steroid plus low testosterone count really caused havoc to my daily life.  

Insomnia: Sleepless night is very common now.  

Diarrhea/constipation: Every few days I'll get diarrhea and then followed by constipation.

Blurry eyes: My eyes will blur after taking abiraterone and this can last half a day or the whole day.

Mood swing: I have mentioned about this earlier.  Yes this is horrible 😞

Body pain: I sometimes feel like 90 years old or older.  I can't stand, sit or walk for long - a few minutes and I'm exhausted.  I need to take my pain killer every day.

There are many other side effects which I have to deal with my own way.  I am writing all these "nonsense" just to ease my pressure, better than talking to family members who are very supportive. I don't want them to worry too much.

Yes!!

 Yes! Another good result.  My latest blood test done on 31st Oct. showed my PSA dropped to 14 ng/ml.  September's result was 20.66 which was a huge drop from 180, test done in August.  The combination of abiraterone and dexamethasone really works for me.  

This drug is very strong in suppressing testosterone.  Thus, side effects are many and expected.  Well it's either my survival or the cancer spreading.

Good result!

 Very good.  My latest PSA result for September dropped to 20.6 ng/ml from a high of 180 in August.  I was worried that it might go up further.  What a relief.

This could be due to many factors, such as, taking the full dosage of abiraterone, changing prednisone (steroid) to dexamethasone and keeping a strict diet with limited consumption of sugar.  Which ever one is the reason for this good result doesn't matter as I find it is worth all the pain and anxiety in the earlier months.  However the stronger pain killer, tarjin, really help me to overcome my bone pain.

Hang in there

 Yes, hang on and hang in there, don't give up.  My PSA, instead of free fall it is on the way up high.  The latest result - 180.  Requested my oncologist to change the steroid which I am taking with abiraterone, prednisone.  The new steroid I am now taking is dexamethasone.  I have been looking for answers on why my PSA is on the way up while I am on abiraterone+prednisone and this is what I've found: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30099821/ (the change of steroid might help to stabilize the PSA)  

I do not know how's the reaction of others taking the full course (4 tablets) of abiraterone but I could not take it as my body ache is very bad.  My spine, ribs and pelvic bones hurt so much you become miserable the whole day.  To manage the pain I took oxynorm (oxycodone 5mg) morning and night but could not help much.  The oncologist then changed to targin (oxycodone 10mg) which seems to help a lot.  

Why me, why me, why me.

Abiraterone Acetate

 After a year on enzalutamide (Xtandi) I cannot control my PSA which keeps going up to more than 100 points.  I cannot take the full course which should be 4 tablets a day as even when I tried to take 3 tablets a day I suffered extreme body ache.  Now I changed to abiraterone plus prednisone (steroid).  

I started with 3 tablets on my 1st bottle.  Now I am on to my 2nd bottle and I am going full course, that is, 4 tablets a day.  I will be having my blood test early next month and I hope to see better result.

In order to save costs I am taking generic product and purchased online.  This way I saved 50% of the cost.