Regular readers will be aware that my wife and I recently moved to Chile, South America. One consequence has been, that we have had to source out my medications, and their availability, here in in Chile.
Well, two things became apparent quickly, firstly the only med that wasn't readily available was Androcur (Cyproterone); and secondly, the price was going to be astronomical - given that: the price here, reflected the lack of ready availability; and, I no longer qualify for the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) while I'm out of Australia; so importing the meds was out of the question.
This led to a series of emails and phone calls back to Australia to: Medicare (re my PBS status), our Oncologist (re: my options), and our Pharmacist. The upshot being that I was to switch to Casodex 50mg (Bicalutamide) which was readily available in Chile rather than sourcing Androcur (Cyproterone) from neighbouring Argentina!
This outcome however, led to futher discussions re my current progress - 3 months after completing the IMRT. It was decided that I should have my PSA levels tested, and if the result indicated: 'no detectable PSA', then I would immediately stop the anti-androgen altogether!
And so today, I'm off to have both my PSA and Testosterone levels checked; I'm quietly confident that the results will be favourable! More to come next week...
For those of you who are not familiar with Casodex I have sourced out the following slide presentations; available for download from ... here.
Slide Presentation 1: Are all Anti-androgens the same?
Slide Presentation 2: The Efficacy of Casodex (Bicalutamide) 50mg in Combination Therapy
Decision Making
Management algorithms are often used to help to clarify the different options for each stage of diagnosis, disease staging and management of prostate cancer. An example of such an algorithm is shown below.
Well, two things became apparent quickly, firstly the only med that wasn't readily available was Androcur (Cyproterone); and secondly, the price was going to be astronomical - given that: the price here, reflected the lack of ready availability; and, I no longer qualify for the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) while I'm out of Australia; so importing the meds was out of the question.
This led to a series of emails and phone calls back to Australia to: Medicare (re my PBS status), our Oncologist (re: my options), and our Pharmacist. The upshot being that I was to switch to Casodex 50mg (Bicalutamide) which was readily available in Chile rather than sourcing Androcur (Cyproterone) from neighbouring Argentina!
This outcome however, led to futher discussions re my current progress - 3 months after completing the IMRT. It was decided that I should have my PSA levels tested, and if the result indicated: 'no detectable PSA', then I would immediately stop the anti-androgen altogether!
And so today, I'm off to have both my PSA and Testosterone levels checked; I'm quietly confident that the results will be favourable! More to come next week...
For those of you who are not familiar with Casodex I have sourced out the following slide presentations; available for download from ... here.
Slide Presentation 1: Are all Anti-androgens the same?
Slide Presentation 2: The Efficacy of Casodex (Bicalutamide) 50mg in Combination Therapy
Decision Making
Management algorithms are often used to help to clarify the different options for each stage of diagnosis, disease staging and management of prostate cancer. An example of such an algorithm is shown below.
