Can he take to mitigate side effects. Hes post rp, looking to do radiation soon with lupron.
Husband taking lupron for prostate cancer. Bad joint swelling, fatigue, flashes, mood issues. What?
Question posted by suzyqsky on 30 Oct 2017
Last updated on 27 September 2022
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Answers
rlm889
31 Oct 2017
I am 66 years old. I had two injections of the three month version of Lupron for prostate cancer. Lupron is a horrible drug that has had disastrous effects on my quality of life. I had all the side effects that you described, while I was taking it. The hot flashes can be mitigated with "Soy Isoflavones" that can be purchased in capsule form at most health food stores. It's actually what women use for the effects of Menopause. A lot of the side effects will decrease or disappear over time, once the drug is stopped. It took about 18 months after the drug administration was ended for most of my side effects to improve. However, I am still suffering from low testosterone. I was told that Testosterone would come back once the drug was ended. When it didn't, (at least so far), the Urologist said, "Well, everyone is different". I really felt betrayed. No one warned me that this might happen. The symptoms of Low-T are horrible. I'm tired and weak, and I have put on fat around my midsection that I can't lose, so far, my genitals have shrunk, and my libido is low. Exercise doesn't seem to help because, well, you need normal levels of Testosterone to build muscle and lose fat. I'm still hopeful, but after all this time, not very. Hormone therapy with Lupron is, unfortunately, the "agreed upon", protocol for prostate cancer treatment. I am happy that the treatment that I had, (Lupron and radiation), was successful. But I wish there was another way. No one should have to live this way. The makers of Lupron won't tell you that these side effects might be long term. Urologists seem only to be concerned with destroying the cancer and keeping the PSA down. No one seems to be concerned with the patients quality of life while taking Lupron, or afterwards. Hopefully your husband will recover fully from the side effects. But, no one will promise that to you.
Ben Dover
7 Feb 2018
i am 76 and am 2 months into my first of 6 every-3-month-shots for prostate cancer... the hot flashes are about to do me in... i have, basically, one every 40 minutes day and night... i was always crabby, so it's hard to tell about the mood swings... have had none of the other side effects... i watch very carefully what i eat, since i know i probably can't burn off calories and carbs with my low energy level... no joint pain so far and i commiserate with those of you who DO have it... for the flashes, my dr. said bee pollen or Black Cohosh (which may be that soy isoflaven thing)... neither is working for me, but then i'm being very careful about the dosage... i may need to up it a little... good luck to all...
Snows world
22 Aug 2018
Yes everything you said. My husband has experienced the same. It’s been five months and one shot. He’s on short term from work due to pain in his legs and back. I started searching on blogs as we’ve been told this never happened from the Lupron. I feel so bad for him. Healthy guy until now. We’re looking for hope but doesn’t look like many people are doing well . He’s refused any more shots however and going in for the seeds . Any information would be appreciated. Thanks
DocNordic
27 Sep 2022
I used the variety of Lupron where I got an injection every 2 months. I took it for over 3 years along with Xtandi. Yes, with the two drugs, I had my testosterone blocked, had hot flashes, but generally continued an active lifestyle. I walked our dog a mile each day, and continued mowing lawn, and other activities. Now, 4 months after ending the injections, my testosterone level is creeping up. With my form of prostate cancer, testosterone sensitive, it is OK to keep the testosterone down. Once I've stopped the two drugs I'm slowly rebuilding some core muscle mass that I'd lost, as well as some fat. BTW, my urologist, oncologist and radiation oncologist are all concerned about my quality of life. We have discussions about quality of life frequently. There is always going to be a trade off about side effects and life.
DocNordic
27 Sep 2022
I had intended to make a comment about the decrease in testis size. Yes, same here. Without normal testosterone levels spermatogenesis doesn't occur (then again I don't need that anymore) so the size of the organs decrease. The interstitial cells will continue though, and may produce testosterone, over time, to decrease the effects of low T. The goal of any prostate cancer does need to be to cut the T levels. The T levels should stop or slow any cancer cells which remain or have metastasized.
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lupron, prostate cancer, cancer, side effect
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