Is there any advantage or disadvantage of getting my Lupron injections monthly, every 3 months, 6 months, or yearly?
I'm currently getting getting mine monthly along with Xgeva monthly.
Could it be why I'm getting it monthly is because I also am getting my blood work and PSA checked monthly?
they used to say monthly is best, and remember it is not a monthly injection , it is a 4 week it 28 day injection, same with 3 month is really a 12 week, good to have a testosterone test in the last month of a 3 month to see if it is still working, same with others
I have had Lupron injections using the 1-month, 3-month and 4-month dosages mostly to work around desired travel schedules. While I have not experienced any difficulties, I have heard the longer-term shots cause the patients more difficulties.
After starting 9 years ago with "3-month" Lupron injections that lasted 4 months for me, I moved to "4-month" injections that last 6. Kaiser recognized that the actual time varies according to weight, metabolism, etc. They started testing before I needed it, but didn't give me a sore hip until I did. Eventually, with years of 6-month intervals, I get Lupron every 6 months. What kind of difficulties? A worse sore hip?
I think the most important thing is for you to understand the present status of your PCa and then understand how this treatment ( Lupron injections ) - ADT ( Androgen Deprivation Therapy ) can help to contain your cancer. This is just one treatment protocol.
Such knowledge will help you to look at all the valuable replies you receive In the proper perspective and also develop your confidence in managing your case all times.
Good Luck
Sisira
I would caution you with monthly injections of Xgeva. I developed ARONJ after 3 years of Xgeva shots.
What is Aronj?
“antiresorptive agent-induced Osseous Necrosis of the Jaw.”
There is a lot of info about this problem, causes, etc on the web. Just Google ARONJ.
Hurts LESS !
I opted for three month after injections on the monthly schedule.
For me good choice!
My doctor gave me a three month shot first just to see how I handled it. As he said, if there is an issue there is nothing that they could do. Outside of the normal things (fatigue, weight gain, pain in my joints), I got a six month shot in October. No difference is side effects between the two.
According to my doctor, there is no difference between the 3 month and the 6 month version of Lupron. It's a time-release injection so there is steady release over the six months, not a spike. I chose every 3 months because of the cancer specific insurance policy rider that I have. It pays out every time I get a shot. So it makes more financial sense for me to get them every three months. When i switched from every 6 months to every 3 months, I did not notice any change in side effects, either frequency or intensity.
Thanks c frees, so far, my insurance company has not cried uncle on anything.......yet
I had to spend more than an hour on the phone with my insurance company after they dragged their feet approving the cost for my first eligard shot. WTH? I had an appointment that afternoon for the shot and it still hadn't been approved after the request had been submitted three weeks earlier. It is bad enough dealing with cancer and then feeling like your insurance company is playing games or requires intervention for something that is standard practice in the treatment of prostate cancer.
That shouldn't ever happen. The health insurance companies could care less about YOU! All they care about, is their money. They are all intertwined with Big Brother. Money hungry leaches. I pay entirely for my health care for my wife and I as I'm self employed. As of this January, my monthly premium will be $1,750.00, and I don't have dental or eyes covered. I do have a fairly decent plan though. The 1st thing that came to my mind when I heard the words, You have cancer, is, How will I ever be able to pay for it. From what I understand , when you seek an approval for something, that request goes right to the insurance companies "Money Watcher" firm, Not to a practicing "real" doctor. Statically accountants. What a crock of shit. If you get denied, you should call up and demand to have a list of all people who denied your request, along with each of their education level, years practicing, exact specialty in the field that they denied. I bet you'll get a quick approval.
I used to get Eligard and Xgeva every 3 months now I am on these medications every 4 months! I started to get these every 4 months November 18,2016. And my PSA is <.1 which makes me a very happy man! This is the second time around for me on the hormonal therapy! When I was diagnosed over 12 years ago I was on Lupron every 3 months! I was on hormonal therapy for 3 years and the cancer came back after 5 years! I thank God every day that I am alive!
Delay date for Lupron injection 
How do administration of Eligard, Lupron, and Firmagon differ? How are the shots given?
Lupron and xygeva only
