Hotter than a firecracker

[Drphil1938]

Right now I am sitting her dripping wet and very hot. From experience I know that in a few minutes I will be chilling. The wonders of "hot flashes". I am currently on Zytiga and Lupron. Do these spells of temperature fluxes get worse, stay the same or subside over time. I get them two or three times around 9 to 11 am every day.

[Hidden]

My power surges were the worst when I first started ADT. At one point I was getting them twice per hour. Now they are around 2 hours part, much better. There is also a cold part, but it's much longer so I wouldn't call it a "flash". The cold/hot ups and downs are fairly typical.

[LearnAll in reply to Hidden]

Does hot flashes occur in first month ? I am for last 25 days on Lupron and zytiga. No sign of any hot flash...I wonder if the meds are even working or not ?

[Drphil1938 in reply to LearnAll]

I am in the 6th week of lupron, 4th week of zytiga the hot flashes started last week and have become more intense this week.

[Break60 in reply to LearnAll]

Wait a while!

[LearnAll]

So in next 2 weeks...I should expect the psunami of hot flashes. There are 3 treatments which are known to control hot flashes (1) Black Cohosh (2) Venlafaxine (efexor) and (3) Gabapentin...

[Hidden in reply to LearnAll]

If you plan on using any of these, make sure you check the side effects. Sometimes the solution is worse than the problem.

[Break60 in reply to LearnAll]

Estradiol patch .1mg changed twice weekly stops hot flashes. Or you can use just patches and skip the ADT. See my profile.

[Tall_Allen]

Here are solutions that have worked for some men:

• acupuncture

• estrogen patches (with tamoxifen)

• venlafaxine

• progesterone patches

[Drphil1938 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks, I will explore these suggestions with my MO.

[abmicro in reply to Tall_Allen]

I am a fan of the estrodiol patch. No hot flashes, and a lot of benefits using it. I never used tamoxifen, just the patch.

[Tall_Allen in reply to abmicro]

The tamoxifen is to prevent breast growth.

[GeorgeGlass in reply to Tall_Allen]

Allen, none of those for things effect the length of time that your psa is suppressed? Is the pregesterone patch a similar technique as what they do in the BAT TRIAL?

[Tall_Allen in reply to GeorgeGlass]

Estrogen is the first drug ever used against prostate cancer, and transdermal preparations are still used. There is a big trial in the UK. No, they use testosterone for BAT, not progesterone.

[timotur]

My hot flashes seem to occur at night, at the end of sleep during REM. I'll have a dream, then wake up sweating like crazy, pretty much 4-5x/week. For some reason, don't have any during the day.

[Drphil1938 in reply to timotur]

Opposite of mine

[GeorgesCalvez in reply to Drphil1938]

Mine are always at night.

During the day I feel completely normal if you discount the shrunken testicles, etc.

I try and sleep in the evening because about 1am to 7am, the insomnia hits, if I fall asleep I will wake up with shooting pains in my muscles and I can wake up soaked in sweat.

I have to rearrange the blankets, hang arms and legs out to keep cool, etc.

Just after the LARP I used to wake up freezing cold, I would then cuddle up to the wife to try and get warm and then I would have a hot flash

[harryb48 in reply to GeorgesCalvez]

Sounds exactly how I react, always experience the hot flashes at night. Normally two each night with the last being just about the time to get up and take my Zytiga. Kind of glad they have settled into a pattern after fifteen months on Lupron and Zytiga.

[Cmdrdata in reply to harryb48]

My hot flashes is similar. Go to bed, covered up and a few minutes later flipping the cover off as a wave of hotness comes with much sweating and wet pillow. SAme in the morning when waking up.

[Hidden in reply to timotur]

Do all of you 'flashers' have ceiling fans? I've found that helpful in just staying comfortable when the house is a bit warm and I'm trying to sleep.

[Hidden]

Mine got better but I’m hearing others are different. I get the three month shot and normal 1000 mg of Zytiga. I actually changed back to the name brand because I had no hot flashes after taking the Mylan generic for two months. Docs say it is the same so maybe their is something there for people that have bad hot flashes. Mine never were much but the fatigue is killing me.

[LearnAll in reply to Hidden]

I noticed a trend...the day I complete my 5 miles walk (divided thru out the day) ,I have much less fatigue. If I sit and lie down most of the day, fatigue is really bad.

[Drphil1938 in reply to LearnAll]

I wish I could walk just a mile but my arthritic back hurts like hell if I walk two hundred feet. I have a met in the L5 area that maybe part of the pain.

[Drphil1938]

Ty, my fatigue is improving, and my hot flashes I hope will do the same.

[RayF]

My heat waves have subsided, but I still have them. I kept track one day a few months ago, and counted 21 while I was awake. So roughly once per hour. I get them less now, and they are less intense for the most part. Some nights I am drenched, some mornings wake up with a dry t-shirt.

[Stegosaurus37]

I've been on ADT for 2 years now and the hot flashes continue. I've gotten used to it. I'm on tamoxifen but it doesn't eliminate them, though it may be lessening the intensity.

[DarkEnergy]

I've been on 3 month Lupron shots and daily Zytiga/Prednisone for about 10 months now. Early in my diagnosis, was working from home, but this didn't workout too well because at home - depression, insomnia and couch potato behavior took over.

So, now work at the office and get hot flashes about 4 to 6 episodes during this time. When the sweat starts, I turn on the desktop fan and get by.

But, at times when meeting with someone, they notice my breakout sweating, get funny looks, but so far no comments. And soon will start chemo, so you brothers and sisters can imagine the reaction from the office (large company).

""Oh my God, he has cancer...", does anyone here have this delima, wondering should I tell HR about my condition?

I'm the type of never having "retirement" plans, love my work as a healthcare software developer...

[Drphil1938 in reply to DarkEnergy]

Yes, be sure and tell HR, because during chemo your performance will probably decrease and performance reviews will be affected. If HR is aware of this they will give you consideration, maybe not because they want to but because they have to under the Disability Act

[j-o-h-n in reply to DarkEnergy]

Best was to cope at work: Fall on the ground... and yell out "look a sweat angel".....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 07/15/2019 11:37 AM DST

[Drphil1938 in reply to j-o-h-n]

You are something else. You make me laugh thank you. 🤪🤠😂🤣

[j-o-h-n in reply to Drphil1938]

My Pleasure indeed....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 07/15/2019 6:03 PM DST

[DarkEnergy in reply to j-o-h-n]

I'm flattered, being called an angel, nevertheless a sweaty one, is kewl...

Regards,

DarkEnergy, formerly known as NYMets...

[j-o-h-n in reply to DarkEnergy]

Better a living one....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 07/15/2019 6:09 PM DST

[DarkEnergy in reply to j-o-h-n]

We have the special, Filipino powered!

[j-o-h-n in reply to DarkEnergy]

Yep... and they control the money👀

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 07/15/2019 7:57 PM DST

[GeorgesCalvez]

Interestingly I never had a lot of fatigue, the worst bit was immediately after the operation when I was recovering and during the radiation, by the end of that I felt seriously run down and it took me about six months to recover from that.

Now I am about 16 months in with a few months to go if I stop at the nineteen month mark I feel pretty OK for a man of almost 57.

The crunch will be how much I recover after nineteen months of Firmagon and if and for how long the cancers stays in remission.

I fully expect it to recur but that could be immediately or after several years or more.

[dougnola]

Im just now entering year 3 of the 1000mg Zytiga/5mg prednisone daily and 6 month Lupron injection.

For hot flashes, they were most extreme (as were nightsweats) the first six months. I had about five flashes per day then. My work involves public speaking and I have moderate performance anxiety (which makes me sweat)so you can imagine how the water works played out if I was having a hot flash while making a presentation. I just told the audience I was having a medicine-related hot flash and it did wonders since at least the anxiety went away. Post menapausal females seemed to rally with me. Hilarious and heartwarming. Meditation helps a lot.

Fatigue came in extreme waves back then too.

Nowadays, it’s mostly cold and mild fatigue. I’m just generally a more chilly person so I bring layers. I have a VERY mild warm flash perhaps once or twice per day. Mild fatigue sets in most afternoons. I exercise a lot which helps and try to take a 20 minute siesta every day and it’s manageable .

So, the worst of it got MUCH better over time (with good food, rest and exercise). Good luck!

[larry_dammit]

Mine have gotten a little better over time, daughter bought me a small hand held fan that’s rechargeable think from eBay , also wear a large kerchief most of the time 😜😜. Doctor did put me on Effexor to help with the hot flashes and depression. I guess it was amazon that she got the fans. Hang in there. Fight that monster

[Tjc1]

I take Magace for the hot flashes. Thats one drug i told the doc i would keep over any other. As far as the heat goes i cant take to much. I volunteered helping weed flower beds in town also sort donations at the interfaith service Coalition. 3 hrs is all i can do in a stretch. I work i come home and rest, No problem.

[Johnkelsey]

I carry a folding fan like the ladies of yesteryear, and always have a sweater or jacket for the inevitable wet-shirt chills once the hot flash passes. I get some amused looks in meetings snd pubbluc places but screw ‘em. Gets me by. And better, I thought, than taking on yet another med with yet another list of side effects.

[Litlerny]

I’ve been on ADT for over 4 years now. My hot flashes and night sweats were much more intense and frequent in the “early days” after I started ADT. Over the years they have subsided in both intensity and frequency. I still have night sweats on most nights, but not the “soaking”;type I used to experience. Others here have posted suggestions for ways to alleviate the discomfort associated with hot flashes. Try some of them and see what works for you. Hopefully, they will become more tolerable for you soon.

[EdBar]

I used to get severe hot flashes - about 15 per day. Then Dr. Myers had me start using estradiol patches, I use 2 per week and hot flashes are nearly gone. I get them from time to time but nothing like it used to be. I don’t take tamoxifen which is used to prevent manboobs. I take enough meds with enough side effects and don’t need to add another. I find if I watch my weight and exercise it helps to keep that issue in check.

Your body normally converts some testosterone into estrogen which gets converted into estradiol, without estrogen you get hot flashes like a menopausal woman.

Estradiol patches benefit bone health and don’t cause the cardiac issues like estrogen pills do in women. Dr. Myers has several YouTube videos on the subject. I’ve been using them for about 5 years now.

Ed

[Muffin2019 in reply to EdBar]

Has this affected your psa ?

[EdBar in reply to Muffin2019]

No, been undetectable for about four and a half years now.

Ed

[Muffin2019 in reply to EdBar]

Mine was .6, rose to 1.8, cat and bone scans were good and showed improvement, psa last time 1.6, next shot is august 13 and psa check. Scans showed no active bone met and no new cancer.

[3putt]

Going on month 19 (zytiga & Lipton) and although the flashes, both hot & cold persists, they both become somewhat bearable as time passes. Can’t say same for our home’s thermostat as I’ve worn out 3 thus far trying to keep up with the hourly body fluctuations. Hang in there as regardless hot or cold we’re all still sweating & chilling on the this side of the dirt!

[gamemaster34]

I am also taking zytiga and lupron and have hot flashes at night and day. I have a small fan that blows on me at night and a ceiling fan also. Fan on my desk at work and fan in the livingroom also. This has helped.

[Crmp55]

Your lucky Phil, mine continue 24 hours a day but I’m almost 7 years into this damed thing. Lucky to still be here. Hang in there it’s a long road.

[keepinon]

I have been on Lupron for 10 weeks and Zytiga for 6 weeks. Don't hate me, but I have 1 or 2 "warm" flashes a day that last 10-15 seconds. No fatigue or any other noticeable symptoms. I am still waiting for things to kick in, but hope not!

[j-o-h-n]

I sleep in my bathtub...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 07/15/2019 11:40 AM DST

[Drphil1938 in reply to j-o-h-n]

I know why, it's got a drain and you dont have to get up to pee.😂🤠

[j-o-h-n in reply to Drphil1938]

LOL And a rubber ducky....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 07/15/2019 6:05 PM DST

[Drphil1938 in reply to j-o-h-n]

I am sure the rubber ducky is named daffy. 🤣

[j-o-h-n in reply to Drphil1938]

Daffy jr.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 07/15/2019 8:14 PM DST

[Don_1213]

Also on megestrol (Magace) 20mg 2x daily. Seems to help with daytime flashes. They are now rather rare. Night flashes aren't as severe. The thing to watch with it is weight gain.

[Boywonder56]

2yrs on the stealor of my manhood....and sweats are not prrdictable for me...living in houston it aint fun...but like they say still breathin....

[Muffin2019]

I get 10 to 13 a day

[Break60 in reply to Muffin2019]

Use the estradiol patches !!!!

[Cactus-Jack]

I feel for you and the rest of you warriors...on Lupron and Xtandi with Provenge..some warm flashes occasionally but nothing drastic but living in AZ in Summertime who can tell. Just sweat a lot. Still in remission since December 2018 and hoping the Xtandi holds up for a while.

[Patrick-Turner]

Welcome to what many women go through when their hormones instruct their bodies to pause from men.

I found the hot flushes tolerable, but when I was having them over a couple of years I was also cycling 220km a week, and the regular hard exercise seemed to diminish all side effects and maximise my possible health while entering the Legion Of Castrated Men, being converted from a ready to go rooster man to a feather duster. and I had a series of uretic stents which bled and then radiation made me bleed, so I got to know what Men's Truation was, and from both orifices. Welcome to early old age.

If you can exercise, then I think you ought to if you are not doing much.

Patrick Turner.

[orangeup]

I have the same medications and same sweats followed by chills - several times day and night. No solution, but I do do something that improves the situation: I place a piece of Kleenex between my skin and undershirt - both on my chest and neck in front and my neck and back in back. The sweat is readily absorbed into the Kleenex, which evaporates very quickly, without being absorbed into the T-shirt , which dries out very slowly and helps produce the chills. This has definitely helped, but not cured, my situation.

Hope this helps someone else!