Due for next injection on the 6th March and hot flushes are getting more frequent and intense. Is this because it's towards the end of this last injection and will die down after next injection or should I expect this to be the new norm?
Before I would just sweat on head\face, now it's my whole body.
It's often cumulative - the longer you are on Lupron, the more side effects. Some men have gotten relief using one of the following:
1. acupuncture
2. estrogen patch
3. venlafaxine
4. Megace patch
Ditto on the estrogen patch. Here is what I do. Cut one 0.1 in half change it every 3 days. You will burn thru 1 complete patch every week. Cost for generic patch is about $38 for a box of 8 using goodrx dot com discount. That is $38 every 8 weeks to get complete relief from hot flashes and get other benefits from having some type of hormone running in your body, including better bone health and better memory. Take a baby aspirin to counter the cardio risk with the patch because the patch thickens your blood.
I've been on "Lupron for Life" for a little over 5 years, with no specific other treatments specially related to hot flashes. In my experience, the hot flashes were persistent during the first several years. They often did develop into brief, full body sweats. It sometimes seemed that my internal "thermostat" just got stuck for a few minutes, and then returned to normal in between. Some men notice them more in warm or hot weather. I can even get them in cold weather as my body overshoots in response to the cold. I dress in loose layers that can be added or taken off throughout the year. I keep a small table fan in the bedroom where I sleep, and have lots of experience of awakening with a hot flash, throwing off the covers, evaporating, then covering back up after a few moments. I sometimes get one soon after my head hits the pillow. After a while I got kinda used to them through familiarity. They did sometimes seem to come and go a bit, but I don't especially think that may be due to any swings in testosterone or Lupron release while on ADT, or other drugs. The past couple of years mine have been a little less frequent. Interestingly, sometimes I can feel a kind of precursor "aura" that I am about to get a hot flash. Sometimes I feel a kind of prickly-under-the-skin sensation that starts at the back of my rib cage and moves its way along both sides toward the front, just before the feeling of warmth hits elsewhere. I speculate that it has something to do with the subtle neural activation of thousands of little sweat glands to "do their thing" at the beginning of a hot flash. And, of course, I get a lot of mirthful conversation about my hot flashes in social settings involving lots of post-menopausal women. Sympathy? Not so much. Ha. Ha.
Charles
Having also been on lupron for five years and recognise all of what Charles reported and I would say the hot flushes and rosy cheeks are much less annoying than during the first couple of years. But still one of my delights on a cold winters day is to nip out in the garden in shirt sleeves that soon sorts the problem out. I also now regret teasing wife during her menopause 20 years ago her revenge is sweet.
I've found venlafaxine stops about 95% of the severe hot flashes and sweats, whether day or night.
I did double adt until an orchiectomy , still on one form of adt . I’ve had the same hot flashes and intense night sweats for almost four years. My “T” is 3 and undectable Psa .. whoohoo! Thank God I’m even here.. still I have all of the same side effects since day one.. We live with (castration) if lucky. That’s Nothing I ever thought I’d say.
other then to me the injections were painful but if your doing the 3 months go for 6 months
charlie
I’ve been getting 3 month Lupron injections for nearly 5 years now. For me hot flashes were frequent (hourly) and intense. Dr. Myers prescribed an estradiol patch Which did the trick. I still get them now and then but nothing like they were before using the patch. Like you mine would seem to get worse as I got closer to the next shot.
Ed
Ineresting?
The estradiol patch which supplies .1 mg daily of estrogen , does a great job of halting hot flashes.
Very interesting? Thanks..
While I was on Lupron and Casodex for 3 years, hot flashes and fatigue were my constant companions. Megace reduced my hot flashes about 75%. Dr. Myers is a proponent of the estrogen patch idea, which sounds completely reasonable. I don't know why that isn't a standard approach to help men on ADT. He suggests 0.025 to 0.05 estradiol patches. That's well below the levels people take to purposely cause feminizing effects for other reasons.
It is well below the dose necessary based on my experience. The .1mg per day patch does the job. I suggest getting the twice weekly patch because it’s smaller and stays on better. Change it every 3-4 days. You get 8 in a box which is good for a month.
Bob
Good advice. Thanks! How well did that dose offset the loss of testosterone as far as reducing hot flashes and fatigue? Loss of testosterone also causes a lack of interest in doing, well, anything at all. Did the estradiol help with that? Thanks for any info, it seems hard to find anyone with this experience.
Estradiol - an androgen found in women but also to a lesser extent in men- adds back estrogen to your body which counteracts the loss of testosterone ( mans primary androgen)
which causes (among other bad side effects) hot flashes. Interestingly, not only have I used estradiol for that but I’ve stopped using an lhrh agonist like Lupron and started using just estradiol patches. I’m feeling much better. The only side effect is Gynecomastia ( little man boobs) which I can live with considering how much better I feel.
Sorry but new norm. My doctor gave me a script for Effexor to help, I carry a large kerchief with me all the time and daughter bought me a battery hand held fan on amazon which really helps. Lots of showers. Fight the monster 🙏🙏🙏🙏
At least folks are no longer worried that you’re having a heart attack 😀
Hahaha, at least others are looking out for you.. f the monster dammit!
Effexor is bad stuff. Meant for depression. Use the estradiol patch .
Well it may be bad but from my side it did help the depression and anxiety that this monster has caused. Along with the hot flashes being less active . 🤪🤪
Good to hear. I found most depression and anxiety meds had bad side effects. I use duloxetine which also reduces pain and anxiety. 🤕
Not really, my wife said it did calm me down a little, helped with the anxiety. Already on eligard so no change in the ED
I get my next Lupron in March 6th as well. I noticed during my recent 6 sessions of chemo that I did not have many hot episodes. Now, that I am 5 weeks out from my last session I am getting them again, but not as bad. I like seeing how many have gotten 5 years on ADT. I'm less than one year in and that sounds pretty good to me.
I’ve had no negative side effects. My wife says that the positive is that, being an anti-depressant, my “attitude “ has been adjusted.
Now, if you ever have to come off of this stuff be aware that it is difficult. It takes weeks of careful tapering off.
I opted for Eligard shot every six months it's more cost effective and I seem to have alot less flashes and not as severe. The shot stings a little but if it keeps me alive I'll take the little sting.
Thanks Guys some great replies, can I get these patches over the counter or have to get a prescription ?
Had 3rd round of Chemo yesterday Oncologist is really pleased, said blood indicates bone marrow is now producing platelets etc and suspects the bones have started repairing themselves. PSA down to 1.2 (Initially 1386 in Nov). Feeling very positive and uplifted.
Congrats , ride this good wave .....
I have had luck over my many years on ADT with Gabapentin. Others have tried it without much success.
Was prescribed Gabapentin for foot neuropathy. Doesn't seem to do much for the neuropathy but "almost" eliminated hot flashes. May feel the hot flashes more in the summer. Can't remember, have been on lupron and etc. for 2 years, so memory is challenging. Really think first thing MO should tell you is to keep a daily digest of symptoms and etc. Maybe she told me and I forgot. Enjoy.
We thankfully are able to run from the desert heat to the Rockies for the summer .. I can’t do the high heat easily anymore..
For many men, this is a typical response. Try to find ways to react when the heat wave starts to manifest itself. Wearing layers helps. There's also some foods and perhaps drinks like coffee to avoid. IF you are fortunate, you will see this condition improve over time. I have met both types of men - those that really have an ongoing 'flashing' condition that can be frustrating and some men, that over time, found the amount of flashing reduced and easier to manage. I was on ADT for 16 months. My LAST shot was in July of 2018. I am still flashing, but it has been reduced by about 75 %. I expect to STOP eventually - that's what they tell me, UNLESS my testosterone is shut down permanently. If you are in a state of hormonal imbalance (lack of), the flashes MIGHT continue. Your age might also be a factor. The older you are, the less likely you are to get the worst of the side effects.
Of course, this is an opinion, not the gospel truth, based on personal experience and research. There are some drugs that may help. Perhaps that is what you should be searching for .....
personal experience IS truth.. agreed the younger one is the tuffer the sentence... it is what it is.. for me i feel it just payback for the 53 macho disease free years .. time to pay ....
Venafaxine did nothing for me. They tried something else (progest- something or other - part of the female hormone family) which made me suicidal. Unfortunately, 4 me, there was no relief. I quit ADT arbitrarily, lucky for me, my PSA has stayed at an undetectable level for the last 6 months. I keep my fingers crossed.
Fingers and toes... thanks I won’t try that progest ever. I don’t need anymore to help with suicidal ideation.. fly low RonnyBaby , I’m in the same raggedy craft floating above the treetops. Keep your wings up☝️
I'm into my sixth year now of Lupron every 4 months. Hot flashes were extremely bad in years 2, 3 and 4 but are less intense and of shorter duration since them.
I was reading all the posts in this thread. I can only state my own experience. My first Lupron injection was May 2018 (30 day) - hot flashes hot and heavy, sweat dripping off my face while sitting in a cool environment, very uncomfortable. June 2018 (3 month injection) - the hot flashes continued as with previous injection. September 2018 (3 month) - I was still getting the dripping sweat hot flashes, but towards the end of the 3 months they began to taper off, they became mild and less frequent, no more dripping sweats, hot flashes twice a day. January 2019 - they continue to taper off, some days I don't even have one, even when I do have one it's VERY mild.
Zytiga/Prednisone during the duration. I don't take anything else.
Keep trucking..🤙🏼
I tolerated my hot flashes and did not want to take another pill or drugs with their own side effects. Then they started increasing in frequency & intensity. (this was 14 months after Lupron started) My oncology Pharmacist suggested DHA Ultimate & my MO approved. Cost at the pharmacy is about $45(1 month) and covered by my FSA. I have just finished about 6 good weeks-less intense & less often. Early results but I'm happy so far. YMMV.(your mileage may vary)
Love that stuff. Caught a pars defect and went from 5-11 to 5-9 in a nanosecond from a parachute wreck in '90, my coccyx is broke off and hanging unattached (separate accident) c2 and c3 fractured, a poorly -repaired lisfranc dislocation and some minor stuff that have without a smear of doubt have been positively effected by Effexor. Don't know why and don't care. Way smooth on hot flashes.
Don't jack with it, though. Forgot to dose for 4 straight days, and I was just doing normal chores and tears started gushing down my face. Popped one immediately and got back in the groove; lesson learned
Very few and very rare and very mild hot flashes but like Monti one thousand one hundred and eleven said I've been taking Gabapentin for foot neuropathy (for years). Could be that's why.
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Thursday 02/28/2019 6:05 PM EST
Hello Zetabow, I am on long term Lupron and have found that the hot flashes are subsiding with time, which was unexpected. Perhaps, just like women that go through menopause, the hot flashes and other symptoms decrease in the long term. A good exercise regimen may help as well. I have not tried Tall_Allen but they appear to worth trying. There are no herbal remedies worth trying. Cheers, Phil
Boy , that great if the fan does it for you . You are lucky.. and basically that’s who I look at stuff. Always lucky it’s not worse... so we trudge thru. Good luck SSamO...
Tried it for same reason. Big Back Fire. Worse neuropothy, lost balance, Eye sight from 20/30 to 20/300 in two months. Back to megace at new higher dose. 20 mg x 4/day. Also gabapentin at 600 mg x 3/day. Eye sight recovering and no hot flashes. Neuropothy still bad, but not worse.
Intense Hot Flushes 
Depression from 2nd-generation hormone therapy is worse
Just keeps getting worse 
