Prostrate Cancer and Hot Flashes from ADT Therapy
Has anyone found a successful way to ... - Advanced Prostate...
Has anyone found a successful way to minimize hot flashes from ADT therapy without creating more problems with additional side effects?
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Sam1962
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I use to take a soy supplement but there is some controversy about soy being harmful for Pca. I don't buy it but do your own research.
You can use the patches your wife may have used in menopause.
eje.bioscientifica.com/view...
I second the Estradiol patch. Works for me and has other benefits such as helping with bone density. Monitor your E2 levels - you don't really want it going over 30. Some robust exercise is also recommended for the patch users to mitigate the risk (low) of blood clots.
in reply to Pleroma
I third that. Zero T is bad enough. What is the reason for zero E?
I used estrogen patches instead of Lupron. My T was zero and held at zero.
But if someone is sold on Lupron or Relugolix then at least investigate a low dose estrogen patch to replace some E.
Sloan Kettering did an observational study with their advanced PCa patients and found that two thirds of them experienced great benefit in using acupuncture to reduce and, in some cases, eliminate hot flashes caused by ADT. I had started exploratory conversations with acupuncturists before starting ADT but my hot flashes have been so minimal I did not follow up.
I answered this same question just a few weeks ago here, look at my back posts. Basically I suggest becoming as much of a naturist as you can. Your body can react better if not confused over which parts to heat vs cool.
I am the wife🙂. I will speak to our Oncologist and have “my King” try the patches. Many thanks for the quick reply.
Acupuncture works for some guys. I know 2 guys who say it helped, 1 who says it didn't. The literature says yes.
Gabapentin for foot neuropathy took 98% of my hot flashes away. Don't think it's prescribed for hot flashes.
Can you advise the dosage of gabapentine? Thank you so much.
I was started on 300 mg 3 times per day and then upped to 600 mg 3 times per day. This was for foot neuropathy. The hot flashes are a distant memory. Just once in a while now. Don't know that it has helped the neuropathy, which is slowly, slowly getting better. The first 2 winters after chemo I had to coverup while on the couch, last 2 winters no. So my overall body is slowly getting better? Too bad my brain is fried.
in reply to monte1111
Too self critical my friend . Although my brain is fried m hurts more ., hell of a gig?
I agree with Monte1111 - Gabapentin took my hot flashes down from 40+ per day to a manageable 5-10. I had no success with acupuncture. They become less bothersome over time.
Good luck!
James
in reply to JamesAtlanta
Hey James, you take it for neuropathy? How is that going ? Any side effects ? Thanks Scott🏜
JamesAtlanta in reply to
Initially I was taking Gabapentin for 2 reasons. Back pain from the damage a met caused in my spine caused. And for neuropathy following chemo. My MO told me it was also effective for some people for hot flashes. It helped mea lot.
As for neuropathy, I only have it lingering in the balls of my feet and my toes. I kept my finger tips in ice during chemo, which kept my fingers from developing neuropathy.
I don’t find the neuropathy to be too bad. Just feels weird walking without shoes on. When I put on my shoes I really don’t notice it.
Best,
James
in reply to JamesAtlanta
Very good ! Take care 😎✌️
in reply to
Gabapentin for me made my legs so weak I had trouble walking up stairs. Dumped gabapentin all is good. Allergic I’m told.
in reply to
😳woah
Some soy , either tofu or edamame per day can help . Also sage tea .
Different solutions for different people. I have made so many changes that it is difficult to determine exactly what did help my hot flashes. Megestrol definitely did nothing and who need another hormone added to the mix if it can be avoided? I tolerate gabapentin which many do not. So I might try that if magnesium stops working. It is a heavy duty drug and I would rather use something benign.
Told 3yrs ago I would likely just "outgrow" hot flashes and they would fade away. NOT.Maybe getting a little worse. Not painful but sure try your patience. Always seem to occur when you want to concentrate. I tried one shot of something with no success..
2Dee
in reply to 2dee
My rack is a growin !😳
Gabapentin and transdermal Estriadol works well for me
Estrogen patches
My oncologist boot me on Effexor for thr depression and hot flashes. My daughter got me a small battery operated fan that I carried for the first year or two. Still get the hot flashes but not as bad usually. Going on 5 years in a few days 🤣🤣🤣
I cut carbs down to to less than 100 grams per day, i int. Fadt 8/16. Only two meals no snacking between. Not a keyto fiet. Once a month, i water fast for 3 days. I have no joint pain like n4, hot flashes r more i just feel warm, no sweats. No fatugue like b4, i mean none. Weighed 225 b4, 240 after being on eligard. Now at 217.
Dr. Eric berg has some good int. Fasting utube videos. Good luck
in reply to Billybob2
👏👏👏 very good .
Estradiol patches work great for me, I used to get wicked hot flashes, I counted 15 a day at one time. Snuffy Myers prescribed the patches and they “snuffed” out the hot flashes. I’ve used them for years, they’re good for bone health too. They don’t cause cardiac issues because they are absorbed through the skin not processed by the liver.
Ed
A mild antidepressant such as venlafaxin 37.4
I got relief from venlafaxine (effexor). I tried acupuncture, Chinese herbs, soy nothing worked for me except venlafaxine.
A quick solution is to complain to your post-menopausal wife about them. More than likely she'll have you in an unconscious state wherein they won't bother you. Trouble is, most of us don't want to try this method more than once. 😀
I have had success with megestrol
The most natural solution is some add-back estradiol, since it secondary loss of estradiol that caused the hot flashes. This is an off label use for men but part of a clinical trial in Australia.
I have used both the patches and the gel product and personally I prefer the gel as I can put more or less on as a see fit.
Richard W.
Hi Dr. Wassersug:
I'd like to try the Estradiol patch, or the gel, for hot flashes from Lupron but my RO won't prescribe it. He also does not believe in the DeCipher DNA analysis (is experimental), or in the usefulness of the new PSMA/PET scan. But am stuck with him coz of Kaiser.
Any other way for me to get the gel?
Are the bio-identicals being sold online the same?
Go on line. Pull up:
Russell N, Cheung A, Grossmann M. Estradiol for the mitigation of adverse effects of androgen deprivation therapy. Endocr Relat Cancer. 2017 Aug;24(8):R297-R313. doi: 10.1530/ERC-17-0153. Epub 2017 Jun 30. PMID: 28667081.
The full paper is there for free and it has Nick Russell's email address. Bring the paper to your oncologist and ask here/him to contact Dr. Russell, if he has concerns about either safety or the efficacy of estradiol reducing ADT side effects.
Admittedly. it is an off label use of the drug and you may need to request to sign a waiver to get it from some MDs in the USA. Also, you probably shouldn't be taking it if you are castrated resistant or have estrogen PCa (e.g., PRCA 1 2, ATM etc).
I don't know what you mean by "bio-identicals", but in certain countries, like Thailand, one doesn't need a prescription to buy it.
Thank You !
Yes: Estradiol parch or gel. Take a vacation to Mexico and stock up over the counter. Find a sympathetic post menopausal friend with excess. Just for a trial so you can report to your (new) MO on the results. (Sorry, I’m feeling rebellious again this morning. Better to convince your oncologist to go for a trial. Share the PATCH trial results to educate them.) 👌
That article also says: However, although available data are reassuring, the potential for cardiovascular risk and pro-carcinogenic effects on PCa via estrogen receptor signalling must be considered.
The risk is real, but:
1. greatly reduced with topical application
and
2. a reason for getting estradiol levels checked, if one is using transdermal estradiol to limit ADT side effects. Virtually all meds have risks if taken in excess. YOu don't want to be taking way more than you need of any medication,
I would drop such a narrow minded and ignorant doctor like a hot rock. Not a good partner and advocate on this journey. But that’s me.
Been with Kaiser 25+ years, paying their top premium, now finding that getting caught with PCa under their 'thriving' care is the least favorable situation I could be in, to put it mildly. The 'thriving' must be for the PCa.
Empathy is non existent everywhere, and at every step their focus is on cost cutting and staying with 15-20 year old tests/scans and treatment procedures. Anything new that is available is not provided, or not covered. 😟
.05 mg estradiol patch changed twice weekly has eliminated hot flashes for me. Metabolic panel, bone density, insulin resistance all improved . And brain fog greatly reduced. The patch has been a game changer.
Yes. I take 75 mg of the generic antidepressant venlafaxine each day. Knocks out 95% of the hot flashes and sweats. No obvious side effects other than a positive attitude adjustment (per my spouse).
I had no problems with Zollodex, but have hot flashes with Zytiga. It's winter here, I find wearing summer clothes helps.
Yes, I'm taking Over the Counter "Evening Primrose Oil - 1000mg" nightly. I've had a dramatic reduction in hot flashes!
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