Questions About Lupron: I received my... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Questions About Lupron

50 Replies

I received my first Lupron shot 3 1/2 weeks ago. Age 72. Gleason 7. Had PC since 2002. RP in 2002, RT in 2003, PSA finally reach 4.2 in 2012, Cassodex from 2012 and now Cassodex + Lupron. 6 Bone mets.

So far side effects are manageable. Hot flashes are coming more often, but I try to ignore them and stay active working out , lifting weight, walking and golf.

Here are some questions for all of you Lupron warriors out there. Sure appreciate your input:

1. Are there any meds that I can take to lessen the effects / magnitude of the hot flashes?

2. I eat a very low fat diet. Are there certain foods that magnify the ADT effects? Are there foods that help the effects of the ADT?

3. Have 1 glass of red wine a day and an occasional beer. Does alcohol increase the side effects?

Thanks so much.

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50 Replies
Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen

Here are things that work for some men for hot flashes:

• acupuncture

• estrogen patches

• Megace patches

• Venlafaxine

in reply to Tall_Allen

Thanks for the info

I find that alcohol tends to trigger hot flashes, not that it stops me :)

Also any kind of stress triggers hot flashes, so trying to stay calm helps me.

NPfisherman profile image
NPfisherman

Megesterol acetate tabs or suspension or estradiol patches...The beauty of the patch is put it on and then take it off--Q72 hrs-- the tablets are $14 for 60 tabs of the 20 mg--scored tabs--could cut in 1/2--someone gets good relief taking 1/2 tab--those a couple of times daily... Good luck... check out here....

goodrx.com/megestrol?dosage...

Don Pescado

in reply to NPfisherman

Thanks so much Fish. What do you take?

NPfisherman profile image
NPfisherman in reply to

I just suffer....LOL....between the meds, supplements, etc... I chose not to take anything else and decided to accept suffering...it teaches me humility.....good for my immortal soul... the truth is I get about 3 hot flashes during the day or less, and usually 1 at night--- not so terrible... the megesterol acetate works and is cheap, but if you hate taking pills, the estradiol patch makes sense... I am thinking about the patch.... Certainly, if it gets worse...

All the best,

Fish

in reply to NPfisherman

Thanks fish

Shooter1 profile image
Shooter1

Started with Megace 20 mg x2/day. Went to venlafaxine and it was a disaster for me. Back to megace 20 mg x 4/day and added Black Cohosh root 570mg x 3/day. No hot flashes in over 6 mo. Works for me, but we are all different. Good luck.

in reply to Shooter1

Thanks so much. Is Megace a prescription?

Shooter1 profile image
Shooter1 in reply to

yes, but easy to get from pcp, urologist, or oncologist.

in reply to Shooter1

Thanks

Wassersug profile image
Wassersug

Sorry about this sounding like self promotion, but the many options for avoiding hotflashes as well as the pros-and cons off certain diets while on Lupron are all covered in detail in the 2018 edition of the ADT book.

in reply to Wassersug

Thanks - where do I get it?

Wassersug profile image
Wassersug in reply to

The 2018 book "Androgen Deprivation Therapy: An essential guide for prostate cancer patients and their loved ones" is available via Amazon.com

in reply to Wassersug

Thanks

marykg46 profile image
marykg46 in reply to Wassersug

What's the ADT book??

Wassersug profile image
Wassersug in reply to marykg46

I repeat, the "ADT book" is "Androgen Deprivation Therapy: An essential guide for prostate cancer patients and their loved ones" is available via Amazon.com

Also see: LIFEonADT.com

marykg46 profile image
marykg46 in reply to Wassersug

Thank you I'll order it.

in reply to marykg46

Did you get it yet marykg46? If so , how is it? Thanks

marykg46 profile image
marykg46 in reply to

Nope not yet LuLu but will eventually get around to it. Had a lot going on. Ron has had some really bad one off attacks of nausea where he simply can't get out of bed for the whole day. Was supposed to come to Melbourne to me last week as I was going for work but had to cancel his flight & I reduced my time there. In between these bouts he's great. Doesn't seem to have any side effects as yet. He's lost 4kgs...down to 108. Hope you're still celebrating your great results.

marykg46 profile image
marykg46 in reply to

Nope but still plan to...just a bit snowed under at the moment...

marykg46 profile image
marykg46 in reply to marykg46

oops ignore this last one....was responding to wrong one... m

actually the more your taking the lupron lessor effects. me i've been on it off and for years and i have no,0 effects from the lupron. make sure u are getting good results from the shot

charlie

in reply to charlesmeyers1964

What do you take for your PC?

Boywonder56 profile image
Boywonder56 in reply to charlesmeyers1964

Or have you forgotten what it's like not to be on Lupron can you get a hard-on that's a side effect

CalBear74 profile image
CalBear74

You may find the following helpful when considering diet change:

nutritionfacts.org/video/tr...

nutritionfacts.org/video/tr...

nutritionfacts.org/video/ho...

nutritionfacts.org/video/dr...

Good luck. You have received some good advice. You will do well.

CalBear74

in reply to CalBear74

Thanks CalBear74 - I am SunDevil69

CalBear74 profile image
CalBear74 in reply to

I look so kindly on the SunDevils, I married one. Actually truth be known she became a SunDevil after we got married to get her Master's. Good School even though you can't see the Campanile from Tempe.

in reply to CalBear74

Well at least half your family went to an academic powerhouse!!!!

in reply to

Hahaha

in reply to

Sundevil? ASU

in reply to

Me to Sun devil 69.

We just had our 50th reunions

Did you graduate from the business school

in reply to

My god man

69 is the most iconic year .. you’re a marvel..

leo2634 profile image
leo2634

Crank up the Air Condition and relax. My hot flashes have submitted but returns from time to time. We are suddenly thrown into a world of never before life changing emotions and side effects but the key word there is " Life" . Never give up never surrender. Leo

in reply to leo2634

Thanks - other than air conditioning have you tried any of the above suggestions.

leo2634 profile image
leo2634 in reply to

No I take enough medication I just go with the flow. They do subside and get barable.

in reply to leo2634

Yah , me too.

in reply to leo2634

👏

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

I'll tell you my secret if you give me a good tip on an investment. And not buy low sell high.... (pssst secret is I had a very few in the beginning and none at all now, it's the luck of the draw).

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 04/03/2019 7:11 PM EDT

Boppa60 profile image
Boppa60

Gabapentin 100mg helped me with hot flashes.

in reply to Boppa60

Thanks so much Boppa60.

Is it a prescription?

Boppa60 profile image
Boppa60 in reply to

Yes. It’s actually generic for Neurontin.

in reply to Boppa60

The side effects when I googled Gabapentin 100mg look pretty severe.

Did you have any other issues?????

Boppa60 profile image
Boppa60 in reply to

Not from the gabapentin. My doctor said I could take up to four a day. I never took more than two, though. Usually one would take the edge off the hot flashes and help me sleep.

The list of possible side effects is alarming, I agree! I was apprehensive myself. I never experienced any of them other than a little grogginess sometimes.

in reply to Boppa60

Thanks - you are so helpful. How are you doing on ADT?

Boppa60 profile image
Boppa60

I took Lupron and Casodex for 18 months. I had my last Lupron shot in Sep. ‘17. My experience was never painful but it was not something I’d want to do again - loss of: energy, muscle mass, strength, body hair, man region size and usefulness, etc. But, ADT did it’s Job and I’m grateful for that. I also had IMMRT during that time (44 sessions). I was Gleason 9 - no Mets. My PSA has been <0.01 since early ‘17. I consider myself fortunate, indeed!

in reply to Boppa60

Wow - congratulations. I've been on casodex for 6 years and it is really done its job but my Mo seems to be concerned about my PSA being around 1.5 . Even though my PSI is low I do have six bone mets that's are not going away. Who is your MO. Sounds very knowledgeable.

marykg46 profile image
marykg46

Fortunately he seems to have no effects from cancer or hormones....he wonders if they're working!!! We'll find out next PSA. He's pleased that he's started the treatment and at least knows something is being done. He's got a great disposition and easy nature so I guess that too helps him cope. He's busy planning out trip to Paris with some of our family - and some of the grandkids especially his favourite one. You've made amazing progress and hopefully that continues.

in reply to marykg46

He sounds like a great man .. Love those grandkids. Good luck.

marykg46 profile image
marykg46 in reply to

Thanks Lulu. Yes indeed very special and patient.

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