"A common hormone therapy to treat prostate cancer may double a man’s risk of dementia, regardless of his age, Penn Medicine researchers reported in a study published in JAMA Oncology.
Recently, researchers discovered a dramatic association between Alzheimer’s disease and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), a mainstay of treatment for prostate cancer since the 1940s currently used in over a half million men in the United States.
This study suggests a broader neurocognitive risk associated with the testosterone-lowering therapy"
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cesanon
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I suspected that years ago; that among cardio vascular issues is why I delayed ADT for 18 years. Doctors wanted to put me on it in 1999. I took my first Lupron injection this year. There comes a time when you don't have a choice, if you want to live more years.
radiation,72Gys; later cryosurgery, since 2004 ww. my key was clear scans and doubling time less then 6 months. I went from PSA 17 to PSA 27 range; until scan showed tumor in pelvic lymph nodes.
Personally ADT evokes mental fog ......my , memory and cognitive skills have fallen off a cliff. I agree with the findings. I thought it was just me. Thank you.
I do not know if it helps mental clarity, probably does.... I am taking estrogen transdermal gel ("estrogel" brand is best imho) AND progesterone cream. I found I needed BOTH to get a result estrogen alone did not cut it
My dad lived to be 97, and did not die from his prostate cancer. Docs could not find a cause, actually.. He took hormone therapy shots from 1999 to 2009, and didn't get dementia. He had a higher PDA than my husband, who has a low PSA (5) & yet my husband has 4th stage cancer that has metastasized into his lymph nodes. He takes Lupron shots, Zytiga, and now is diabetic (takes insulin shots)..and cannot take the prednisone (with the Zytiga), because it made his sugar over 600! Husband was one of the lucky guinea pigs for a newer drug now named Ibrance that worked 2.5 years. Took PDA down to 0, but now climbing again slightly. Every case is different. Docs think he is more likely to die from diabetes or a heart attack, so he is watching his diet now.
based on my own experience and others I have talked to, I think this is commonplace, not rare, unfortunately.....there is even a phrase now, "lupron brain"
To Nalakrats: I just ordered Acetyl l-carnitine from Amazon. We used to take arginine from LEF until I began rubbing off skin while bathing. We both need SOMETHING to cross that brain barrier. By the way, are you aware of a positive result so far from the BIRM? How much are you taking? Are you buying that from Amazon? As for chess, I can’t make Les play; for that I need my dad. But we are still discussing New Yorker articles. I want him to read the current one on infidelity. Not about us, please God, but rather about the slew of people losing their careers because of it. Interesting viewpoint by Zoe Heller. Mrs. S
If I’ve made you revisit old turf, I sincerely apologize. We agree that the grant to the U of Miami medical school is positive, preliminary evidence as are the anecdotes about BIRM in Amazon reviews—well, many of them.
Mostly we were interested in how YOU are feeling taking BIRM twice daily. You appear to be thriving, thank God.
As for Leswell’s supplements, we are keeping the BIRM option open. We can’t remember the last time we had a cold and never the flu. Our immune systems seem to be functioning well thus far.
Btw, I did begin a subscription for the l-carnitine.
Our biggest immediate concern is his chemo or TRUS-caused bilateral lymphedema, especially in the left leg. The past couple months he has developed a swelling just above the groin which is sometimes hard and painful but, with massage, gurgles and softens, and the swelling goes away temporarily. When in the swollen stage, it feels more like a soft-boiled egg than tumor. I should probably post this PCa-related problem in another post.
Right now, I’ll restrain myself, cut you loose, and join Leswell at the TV throne. We ordered seven tiny brass bells from Lee Valley today for our niece and two nephews’ children, table favors they can keep for their Christmas trees someday.
May bells ring for you and all those who are contributing so much of yourselves to the rest of us.
Leswell and spouse— since you prefer to remain annonymous
My husband has recently been diagnosed with mild dementia per brain MRI and cognitive testing. There is also suspicion of Parkinson’s and he will have more consults for that.
He was only on ADT for 2.5 years of his 17 year PCa journey and then had orchiectomy so I don’t know if we can blame ADT for the mental drop off. This may alter his treatment plan as he is 75.
Interestingly I have been on degarelix for twelve months and it does not seem to have affected me mentally to a great extent.
I can still read The Guardian, do crossword puzzles, etc. I was always a bit forgetful about everyday things but I still have my formidable recall of facts, dates, spellings, etc.
I have just taught myself to touch type on a French AZERTY keyboard and I can do everyday French as well now having lived in France for the last three and a half years.
I still have a libido but my body is sensually unresponsive.
The things that do get to me are the occasional hots flashes and sweats that wake me up at night and the pains in my legs and groin, also at night.
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Interesting report on the efficacy of IMRT on prostate cancer
Prostate cancer study at Wash U. school of Medicine shows promise leading to a cure
Long term AR signaling‐targeted therapy with taxane sometimes associated with visceral metastasis in castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Common Treatments for Advanced Prostate Cancer
