After being on Casodex for just over nine months, it brought my PSA
down from 0.27 to 0.10.  It was at 0.10 for quarterly tests in May
2007 and August 2007.  I stopped taking Casodex on August 10, 2007. My
PSA went up to 0.14 from a blood draw on September 11.  The numbers
are still small, but a 40% increase in one month is not encouraging. I
am staying off Casodex and plan to have PSA checked again in 6 weeks.

For anyone who might be interested in another bit of anecdotal
information, here's a summary of the side effects I noticed while
taking Casodex.

Hot flashes (flushes) was the first side effect I noticed.  Initially
it was very unpleasant.  The heat waves seemed to diminish or I got
used to them.  It was not so objectionable after a while.  After the
heat waves diminished, I just feel hot most of the time.  I notice no
difference since I've stopped taking the medication.  I still feel hot
most of the time.

Memory problems became a significant issue for me.  In addition to not
being able to remember lots of things, my mind just seemed "fuzzy".
This was very troubling.  The memory problems and "fuzziness" went
away after about three weeks being off Casodex.

The lack of energy got gradually worse and became very troubling.  I
knew it was bad, but I didn't realize how bad it was until I quit
taking Casodex.  At the end of nine months on Casodex, my energy level
was so low I didn't even feel like taking a walk in the evenings.
Within about three weeks after going off Casodex, my energy level was
so high that I felt like starting to paint the outside of the house.
(The paint job is almost finished.)

Soreness of muscles was a significant problem.  My right shoulder hurt
all the time.  My thighs and calves were constantly sore.  All this
significantly diminished after about three or four weeks being off
Casodex.  It continues to improve.  My right shoulder only hurts when
I move it through certain positions.

Swelling and soreness of my breasts was more than annoying.  Breasts
became puffy and a lump about the size of a golf ball developed behind
and to the outboard side of each nipple.  These lumps became so tender
and sore that any pressure at all on them caused a lot of pain.  This
has gradually diminished after about five weeks  off Casodex and
continues to improve.

I have not significant incontinence problems after surgery and
radiation, but, I do need to be careful about minor leaking when in a
squatting position or when I'm really tired.  Casodex  made this
problem worse.  After stopping Casodex, the problem has returned to
"normal".

G.I. effects:

While taking Casodex, my stool was always in the range of very soft to
almost liquid.  This was unpleasant, but manageable.

Increased sensitivity of G.I. system.  I quickly learned that I had to
totally avoid some foods.  A Costco hot dog, for example, would have
me in the bathroom with diarrhea starting within about 3 or four
hours.  That would last for several hours.

Excessive flatulence was very noticeable.  Flatulence, alone, was not
a big problem.  The excessive flatulence combined with the very soft /
almost liquid stool was a significant problem.

My appetite while on Casodex was erratic, at best.  I frequently felt
the need to eat to suppress minor nausea.  Sometimes I felt this need
although I was not hungry at all.  Since I stopped taking Casodex, my
appetite is still erratic.  I don't feel the need to eat to suppress
nausea, though.

Weight gain was a problem.  I had to try very hard to eat less and to
exercise some just to be able to keep from gaining weight.  Exercise
was difficult with diminished enerty level.  After stopping Casodex, I
have lost about 5 pounds.  My activity level is much greater and I'm
eating better.  My weight is fluctuating and I believe I can lose more
weight after my activity level is more constant.

My mood and emotions were a big problem.  While on Casodex I was sad
and/or depressed almost all the time.  Although I knew I felt sad and
depressed, my wife commented, after I had been off Casodex about three
weeks, about how much better my mood was.

I've been off Casodex for about five weeks and couldn't be happier
about it.  I'll keep an open mind about possibly going back onto ADT
after the next PSA test; but, right now I'm thinking I'll pass on
additional ADT.  Taking medications that may extend my life by some
unknown amount of time doesn't make much sense to me if I'm going to
feel like hell all the time.

Best wishes to all of you!
RP in 1995
RT in 2000
ADT (Casodex) 10/06 - 8/07

burney dot huff at mindspring dot com