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Snuffy Myers talks about Firmagon


Paul Edwards

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Dr Charles Myers Jnr (nickname Snuffy Myers) is one of the best known medical oncologists specialising solely on prostate cancer in the USA. He produces a free video on prostate cancer treatment each week, and a paid monthly newsletter service. He also writes books.

 

In a recent video (15 August 2014) Dr Myers talked about Firmagon.

 

See this Dr Myers Video at:

 

http://askdrmyers.wordpress.com/2014/08/15/firmagon-pca-remissions/

 

Firmagon requires a monthly injection.  There can be severe pain at the site of the injection (caused by bruising and rashes which can last for 3-4 days each month).  I was interested in Dr Myers' comments about how the Firmagon injection should be given so as to reduce the pain at the site of the injection.  

 

Click this link to read more suggestions from Malecare about how to minimise the pain from a Firmagon injection.

 

After putting up with monthly Firmagon injections for 9 months, I'm fed up with the injection site pain each month and I'm now on three monthly Zoladex injections.

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Importance of the GnRH antagonist Firmagon/degarelix when prescribed for patients with known Prostate Cancer metastases; Appropriate administration by staff

In a video presentation by Medical Oncologist Charles E. Myers, a specialist specifically in research and treatment of recurring or advanced prostate cancer, Dr. Myers provided the following important observations regarding the preference of the GnRH antagonist Firmagon/degarelix over that of LHRH agonists, particularly for those men experiencing metastases at the time or prescribing androgen deprivation therapy:
 
If there is known metastases when moving to androgen deprivation therapy, the GnRH antagonist Firmagon/degarelix takes effect within 24 hours with noticeable PSA decline, thus much faster than any of the LHRH agonists that can take four to five weeks before becoming effective with noticeable PSA decline.  Thus, speed of effectiveness is important, particularly when we want to rein in metastatic prostate cancer development.
 
Another advantage of Firmagon is that bicalutamide/Casodex is not necessary to prevent the flare effect of sudden testosterone production that occurs when injected with one of the LHRH agonists.
 
A downside is that Firmagon requires injections every 28 days, wherein the agonists are available in dosages for longer periods of effectiveness.
 
Important with the injection of Firmagon and less discomforting at injection is that the patient be lying down, not standing, when administered.  Experiencing some pain at the injection site is not uncommon.
 
Since the injection can be somewhat discomforting, to ease that discomfort when Firmagon is injected subcutaneously fairly deep into fatty tissue, the syringe/needle should briefly remain in that deep tissue to give time for the medication to be absorbed and somewhat solidify and not leak before being withdrawn.
 
For a list of side effects that might accompany this medication, please see:
 
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