Today at lunch-time I went
to the Cancer Center at Mayo Clinic to pick up the new drug I am starting
tomorrow as part of clinic trial “Alliance #A031201”
which is studying the effectiveness of treating patients
with progressive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with
either enzalutamide (Xtandi) alone or a combination of enzalutamide (Xtandi),
abiraterone acetate (Zytiga,) and prednisone.
It is a randomized study, meaning
some patients get the Xtandi and some get the Xtandi, Zytiga and
Prednisome. A computer spits out who
gets what, and after much consideration I have been hoping for the Xtandi
alone.
Yesterday I received an
email from the study coordinator at Mayo Clinic informing me that I would be
receiving the Xtandi alone –exactly as I wanted.
My rationale has been that
there are currently “X” number of treatments available for my type of prostate
cancer and both of these drugs are currently in my arsenal…separately. If I use them both up at the same time, once they
stop working, as they typically do, I have fewer options.
I am also not keen on taking
so many drugs, and have concerns about the side effects and the negative impact
on my body. Each drug has its own side
effects but combined, they seem to be out-of-control.
The side effects for Xtandi,
without the Zytiga and Prednisone, are still scary as hell. The standard side effects include:
-
weakness
or feeling more tired than usual
-
back
pain
-
decreased
appetite (I need that – even though my doctor doesn’t want me to lose weight)
-
constipation
-
joint
pain
-
diarrhea
-
hot
flashes (I’ve been having these for 1 ½ years already)
-
upper
respiratory tract infection
-
swelling
in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
-
shortness
of breath
-
muscle
and bone pain
-
weight
loss
-
headache
-
high
blood pressure
-
dizziness
-
A
feeling that you or things around you are moving or spinning (vertigo).
There are even some more
serious side effects:
- Seizure
- Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome
(PRES).
- infections
- Falls and injuries from falls.
None of it sounds much fun,
and I am hoping this drug doesn’t negatively impact my quality of life. Up to this point, other than when I was doing
the chemotherapy, my disease has had little impact on how I live my life. I don’t want that to change and suddenly
start feeling the effects of the drugs and that becomes my entire life.
We leave for vacation in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks in 14
days and I plan to hike a minimum of one hour each day. I am hoping Xtandi doesn’t change that.
Wish me luck!
Below are a couple of links
regarding my clinical trial….
