Leuprolide for Prostate Cancer User Reviews (Page 2)

• bless...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2012

Lupron (leuprolide) "I got this shot about two years ago. I was told by the urologist that it was a one month shot. I had the shot becaue we wanted some time to research and decide what treatment would be best. Found out later that it was a 3 month shot! Suffered severe side effects! PSA dropped from 13 to 7, but the side effects were NOT worth it! Hot flashes with some of them causing me to nearly pass out were often (20 a day), memory problems, muscle/joint pain and on and on! Once, while teaching I suddenly didn't know where I was or what I was doing! After radiation I was recently put on Trelstar on a MONTHLY basis, nearly the same side effects but NOT the really bad ones!"

• Mikey...
• October 18, 2011

Lupron (leuprolide) "Got a shot of it on Friday, some soreness on Saturday; but saw immediate results of reduced urgency to void every hour, sometimes 4-5 times per hour, depending on consumption of liquid. Some sensitivity to right side of groin and scrotum. Seemed like it might be some blockage in semen tubing or possibly the medication impacting the two lymph nodes that showed some cancer invasion. Now it is Tuesday evening and the sensitivity on the right side groin is minimal. It is really amazing how fast the medication impacted the symptoms. I got a 3 month shot and expect to do a blood draw in 6 weeks to evaluate the impact on the PSA levels. So far so good."

• Mr Ch...
• October 26, 2016

Lupron (leuprolide) "Diagnosed with stage 4 with PC in my right hip. PSA for years was between 2.0 to 3.5. Went from 3.5 to 29 in one year ! I encourage all with a PSA of over 3.0 get a bone density test ! Started Luprone 30 day shot on July 5th 2016. First 3 months went from 29 to 3 so headed in the right direction. Bone pain reduced after first shot by more than 75%. Hot flashes around the clock roughly 10 to 12 a day with a intensity level of about a 5 or 6. Very annoying but tolerable. Miscellaneous aches and pains in joints and muscles. Occasional foggy headed and definitely wake up to much to pee. I'm trying Flo-max now I hope to see some improvement. Fatigue is real! I can't tell if this is harder on my Family than me! So far so good. God Bless to ALL!"

• K Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2019

Lupron Depot (leuprolide) "I was given this poison, for the first time , May 2nd, 2019. The Doctors/nurses would NOT tell me the name of it. Only referred to it as: Hormone Therapy. 60 seconds AFTER the nurse shoved a 22.5mg 3-month dose of it, into my butt....the 'Doctor's assistant, walked up to me , handed me a booklet: 'Understanding Lupron Therapy", said: You better TAKE THIS HOME AND READ IT", she 'laughed, turned around and said: "see ya". When I got home, I turned to the 1st page. It said: "side-effects': "heart attacks, strokes, bone damage, diabetes, AND, "SUDDEN DEATH......" I was so angry. She injected me with a POISON. For 10 weeks, I was l was so angry, mad it was indescribable bad. The "worst 3 months of my life" !"

• WWII...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2014

Lupron Depot (leuprolide) "Had my first injection of Lupron 7.5 mg in July; second injection at the same dosage is set for August 21. So far no hot flashes or side effects. Have been taking Casodex simultaneously (30-day supply) which will end shortly. Only side effect from that initially was fatigue, which resolved after 5 days. Decided to insist on 1-month Lupron injections instead of a 3-6 month extended dose as PC support group participants on the once-a-month dose had far fewer side effects. I'm sticking to my guns on this one; MD tried to give me a 6-month dose right off the bat. I'm switching MDs and glad I did it this way. Hope this helps others."

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2011

Lupron (leuprolide) "Second injection started night and day sweats. This has increased to every 2-3 hrs during the day - less frequency at night. Dropped my PSA from 30 to .07 post prostate removal. Time on medication - 6 months."

• Screw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2020

Eligard (leuprolide) "Husband got Eligard shot to minimize size of prostate to prepare for radiation with 6 month follow up. When he returned the cancer had spread to his bones and PSA went from 32 to 182 in those 6 months with no additional PSA tests given. The shot was ineffective and we were not informed that it could metastasis to other body parts giving us a choice of a different treatment that would not limit his life.... Demand monthly PSAs!!!"

• Len...
• July 13, 2016

Lupron (leuprolide) "8 months into Lupron plus Casodex and I am refusing the next 3 month shot. PSA went from 5.7 to .2 to .1 and am just finishing up 9 weeks of radiation. GL scores were mostly 9's but no metastatic found. To say a less common side effect is loss of libido is just plain BS. About a month after the first shot I was done with sex, doc said once the testosterone is gone that's normal. Little aches and pains linger, balls shrink, lost all hair under my arms and slow growing elsewhere. Sometimes seem in a fog mentally. Hot flashes like you wouldn't believe till they offered me other meds, which help somewhat, Put on 5 lbs of blubber below the belly. Lack of energy as well. It works but I think DRs. keep you on it too long for Stage 1 or 2 cancers."

• ano
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 28, 2016

Eligard (leuprolide) "I am the wife of a man currently taking Eligard. I have to say it has worked to keep the prostate cancer from spreading. Which is absolutely wonderful. However it has caused a lot of other problems which has effected both of us. He has absolutely no sexual desire, he has developed which appears to be breast, his penis has become inverted and his testicles have decreased in size. His muscle mass has decreased as well and the weight gain is mostly in his belly. I can only hope that he will regain his man hood if and when he is taken off this medication."

• Inline...
• December 30, 2011

Lupron (leuprolide) "Recently received my first Lupron injection. Within one week my PSA dropped from 69.7 to 11. I have not noticed any severe side effects a of today. I am also starting Alendronate Sodium tablet for healthier bones."

• Bill...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 6, 2016

Eligard (leuprolide) "I must say if I only knew what this medication was going to do to me I would of never taken it. At the age of 61 this medication has destroyed my life. After each injection it caused deeper and deeper depression. What at one time brought joy to my life is gone. There is no since of any type of sexuality at all. Nothing brings joy to ones life. after each shot it just makes it worse. The hot flashes are so severe I will have to change my work shirt a couple of times a day. I will soak a shirt with in minuets. One has to remember that the Eligard will get rid of all your hormones. we are not made to run that way and there is no support that will help you deal with that or tell you what to expect. You are no longer male but not female either."

• illini
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 30, 2019

Eligard (leuprolide) "Received an 6-month injection of Eliguard. Approaching 8 months since injection and I am still having several HOT FLASHES every day and night. Unfortunately, there is not a remedy that will bring an end to the episodes."

• Nishp...
• August 5, 2016

Lupron (leuprolide) "Diagnosed Stage 4 Prostate cancer-- July 2012--PSA=8 Radical Prostatectomy-- October 2012--PSA=0.6 Forty days radiation--April 2013---PSA=0.1 PSA=0.3---Jan 2015 PSA=1.0---March 2015 First Lupron Injection---April 2015--PSA=0.1 Second Lupron Injection--Oct 2015---PSA=0.1 Third Lupron Injection---April 2016---PSA=0.1 Fourth Lupron Injection---Oct. 2016--PSA=??? Lupron Injections accompanied by daily tablets of Bicalutamide. Side Effects: Penis shrinkage(afraid it will soon disappear), libido absent, hot flashes, some insomnia, increased neuropathy, some itching, inflammation in hands, extreme fatigue. All side effects manageable--beats being dead-- and has allowed me time to tie up loose ends and who knows--I may have years ahead!"

• tuppy
• August 30, 2016

Lupron (leuprolide) "I AM 87 AND HAVE BEEN TREATED WITH LUPRON FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS. I JUST HAD A CHECKUP AND MY PSA LEVEL WAS .430, MY LAST SHOT WAS IN APRIL. It is hard to tell when i will have another shot, i will check in with my doctor in four months, So far the only side effect is the hot flushing. It is fairly regular, last about 45 seconds or so and is a bit annoying, but considering it is keeping the cancer at bay i can live with it,"

• albert...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2016

Lupron (leuprolide) "This is pure poison, I have very bad side effects from this poison and the doctor said he can do nothing, the physical and mental pain is so bad , hot flashes, very high blood pressure, head aches every day, pain urinating, joint pain, mental confusion , brain fog, memory loss, total itchy all over, sleeplessness , very bad fatigued, and a lot more, my doctor never told me anything about this poison just injected my with a 6 month supply, at 6,000.00."

• Marcus
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 28, 2019

Lupron Depot (leuprolide) "On lupron beginning July 2017. Now 2019 and still on 3 month dose. I experience all the known side affects and it is not much fun. I am 66 years old and have advanced prostate cancer stage 3. My PSA undetectable since surgery and 40 radiation treatments. Hot flashes, weight gain, fatigue, tingle in feet, itching, impotence and bone aches. PSA is still undetectable...going off lupron in May 2020...we will see what happens then."

• Patient...
• July 24, 2021

Eligard (leuprolide) "I just got my 3rd shot of Eligard. Hard to say exact side effects, because I also have end stage COPD. I haven't got a PSA yet, prior to Eligard, it was 7, then 17, then 24. Due to Covid...I put off seeing an Oncologist for 7 months. I got both Moderna vacs in March...I started Radiation in April and finished on June 9. It seems each shot of Eligard is getting a bit worse. This last one hurt and burned longer.. a minor issue. Hot Flashes seem more frequent. I too go to bathroom about 9 or 10 times a nite...every 1 to 1.5 hours, but that was happening before Eligard. I am dizzy a lot...and I don't have much energy (I used to be quite active). I am 66 years old. My cancer rated as Stage 3...there were tumors on 8 of 12 biopsy samples. Surgery wasn't an option since scans showed it may have spread to lymph nodes. I will update this (if possible) with my PSA score this September. Good luck to everyone. I can't recommend Eligard or condemn it as of this writing."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2010

Eligard (leuprolide) "I was given two injections of Elgard before beginning radiation therapy. Following the 48 radiation treatments, I am still being monitored by my oncologist and urologist. My last PSA was 0.01. The side effects of hot flashes, lethargy, and muscle weakness are where I am today, although at my age, 79, I can't complain. The first of the injections was in April of 2008 and the second in August. Radiation began in early September 2008 and ended at end of October. It was determined that I am not a candidate for Androgel as there is a possibility of developing cancer again. So, as you read from the preceding paragraph, I'm lucky to have passed my first year without problems."

• seven...
• February 8, 2019

Lupron Depot (leuprolide) "My father has prostate cancer and he was given the Lupron shot. Everything was going fine for my dad until 2 weeks after the shot. He started having side effects from the shot. Now before I go any further let me just say if anyone has PTSD do not take this drug. My father started seeing things that were not there, hearing things that no else could hear, and smelling things that no one else could smell. Now not everyone will have the same side effects, but if you have PTSD it will kick it into gear.This might be the right treatment for you, it is not for my dad. Again if you struggle with PTSD this may not be the treatment for you. I hope this was helpful in some way. "

• Grumbly
• September 30, 2016

Lupron (leuprolide) "My PSA was rising after RP to 0.59. Started radiation with Lupron. If you exercise really hard with lots of caffiene, no sugar in the morning and minimal sugar all day long with high quality food, then the effects of Lupron are minimal other than the muscle pain and some joint pain. Sex life is about once a month. The more you exercise, the more likely you are able to have a sex life. After six months on Lupron I can still have sex. I took Bicalutimide with my first shot. I highly recommend to avoid the hot flashes"

• bluec...
• January 10, 2020

Lupron Depot (leuprolide) "69 years old. Had seed implants 16 years ago . PSA slowly creeped up and due to an incompetent doctor, it spread to my spine before getting any treatment...Thankfully , I made a visit to another MD and got 1st class care. I just had my 2nd Lupron injection (3 month interval). No side effects other than mild hot flashes. I keep a strenuous exercise program in place and I thinks that helps a great deal . On Zuniga also. PSA down to .50 from high of 17"

• Fly4e...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 13, 2017

Lupron (leuprolide) "at age 60 biopsy showed prostate cancer psa was 10. had it out. After it was out, psa still ten. Started Lupron and psa dropped to 0 for two years. Then my doc suggested I go without the lupron... I did for 8 months and my psa climbed to 4. back on lupron and it dropped to zero. Did lupron for another year, then went off of it again. Why? The side effects, bad arthritis hot flashes, weight gain, 30 lbs in first two months, then no more. No libido and everything shrinks. No body hair. It was a joy to get off that stuff for awhile but my psa started climbing again. Now back on Lupron, but no change in psa. Went to a monthly shot, my psa stayed at 4. Added Casodex, grew boobs, really bad. My psa is now 2. I've been fighting cancer now for 6 years."

• Tarheel
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2016

Lupron (leuprolide) "Diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer involving bones. PSA was 130. Gleason score is a pair of bad 7s (4 3) and a pair of 8s. Also undergoing chemo with docetaxel. I've had 4 of 6 scheduled treatments. I also have xgeva injection monthly and lupron quarterly. I've had one lupron injection and 3 xgeva injections. After 42 days PSA dropped to 2.9. Three weeks later it was .7. That's a 98% drop each time. Was urinating 12 times a day about 4 to 6 ounces at a time and storing 9 ounces all the time. First treatment was docetaxel, xgeva and lupron on same visit. Relief was almost immediate. Eliminating 12 to 14 ounces now 4 to 5 times a day. Also take prednisone twice a day until chemo is done. Side effects have been fairly nominal."

• Jerry
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 30, 2023

Eligard (leuprolide) "I have had my second dose of Eligard 45 mg, 6 months apart. Radiology convinced me I should do this to prevent the recurrence of cancer. I had a Grade 4, contained to the prostate. Had 28 radiation treatments. My PSA now is at zero. I have told the doctors I "will not" take any more hormone injections. My life has been ruined. I am turning 76, but been an active walker, biker, lifted weights, etc. all my life. Now I have intense bone pain all over my body, my muscles are half what they were, and I have hot flashes all day and night. I force myself to exercise, but life is now hell. I get depressed and emotional. Wish I had never taken the first injection. Not sure if my body will ever recover. The doctors need to educate their patients with proper data and let them make a choice."

• Woody
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 9, 2020

Lupron Depot (leuprolide) "I’m a 66 yo male who was diagnosed with moderately aggressive prostate cancer with Gleason score of 8 and PSA of 7.2. I’ve had 2 Lupron injections which have caused the following side effects: a chemical smell, muscle weakness, hot flashes, fatigue, PSA - <.01, insomnia, anemia, decreased leukocytes, decrease size of penis and testicles, bone pain in back and sacrum. I have one more shot in July. I was taking Zytiga for a while."