Hey Lupron, where's my side effects? - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Hey Lupron, where's my side effects?

Lewellen profile image
59 Replies

Hello everyone,

I got my first Lupron shot about 9 weeks back. When I saw my Onc at 7 weeks I told him that I could not clearly identify any side effects. He wasn't surprised, but I sure am!

He did say that I would have noticed by then, but I'm wondering if the bomb has yet to drop..

I have had some changes,but not so dramatic that I couldn't get away with attributing them to other things.

What do you think? Am I just crazy lucky? Or maybe I had almost no Testosterone to begin with 😂

(gleason 6 and PSA dropped from about 14 to 1.5 and falling)👍

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Lewellen profile image
Lewellen
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59 Replies
Gearhead profile image
Gearhead

Very interesting. Please keep us updated.

tango65 profile image
tango65

What is the value of your testosterone? The symptoms of Lupron are related to the castration (testosterone less than 50).

dac500 profile image
dac500 in reply to tango65

Side effects from Lupron can linger for a long time after the shot even when testosterone is much higher than 50. I have been on Lupron since November 2018 with two nine month to one year breaks. During the break I had hot flashes nearly after a year from the last 3 month shot. if some one is not having any significant side effects even when testosterone is in the castrate level, that person is lucky.

Lewellen profile image
Lewellen in reply to tango65

I don't think a baseline was established. It's on my list of Qs for the Onc!

Lewellen profile image
Lewellen in reply to tango65

So maybe I just started with less T than average. Interesting. Could have been an advantage if so.

tango65 profile image
tango65 in reply to Lewellen

For treatment of metastatic cancer less than 50 is accepted but the ideal level seems to be less than 20.The symptoms usually appear when the level is below 50, but it is very variable.

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber

It takes a while ( after your T is undetectable ) to grow those nifty new manboobs and for your junk in the trunk to shrivel and disappear. Be patient, and check back in 15 months. Lol

😂😂😂

Lewellen profile image
Lewellen in reply to Kaliber

Aha! Well I'm prepared with my pump in the mail, and will want to find out if some estrogen patches might be in order before long as a preventative measure.

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber in reply to Lewellen

It was kinda shocking , for me, at first …. but then again I’m old , been married to this same woman for 44 years … and mostly it’s worth it to stay alive a little bit longer. 😁😁😁

treedown profile image
treedown

9 weeks is a bit early in my opinion for all the bodily changes. Loss of body hair, muscle, the crotch of your pants having more room. I never got the hot flashes, fatique but I did have the physical changes and loss of libido. I am at almost a year since being on Lupron and the body changes have all reversed back to my previous state. If you have literally 0 side effects consider yourself one of the lucky ones.

Lewellen profile image
Lewellen

😬🤦.

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber in reply to Lewellen

Lol

EdBacon profile image
EdBacon

Lucky guy with no hot flashes! I got one every time I stepped outside today. Not surprising though with temperatures like this. (note: this is an actual reading in my backyard and no it doesn't help that it's a dry heat)

Backyard Temperature
Lewellen profile image
Lewellen in reply to EdBacon

Well Mr Bacon, I do feel for ya. I was born in Phoenix AZ and have a nostalgic longing for what used to be called a dry heat. But that was bearable in those days. It's a different world now. I hope you like your bacon crisp!If not, you may want to consider Northern Minnesota 😂. Cold? You betcha! But not so much lately! 😏

Schwah profile image
Schwah

Do you lift weights?

Lewellen profile image
Lewellen in reply to Schwah

I've just started with some help from a trainer. Not my thing, but I'm on board with it's value. I'll never be a full on gym rat, but I'll do my best.

London441 profile image
London441 in reply to Lewellen

It’s early for side effects despite what the doc said.

However it’s definitely not early for lifting. An absolute must and a slayer of side effects. Great luck to you!

Schwah profile image
Schwah in reply to Lewellen

ADT depletes muscle mass and creates bone loss. Loss of muscle causes fatigue in a vicious cycle. Resistance training stops the cycle. 3 times a week for an hour to all Muscle groups. You won’t regret it.

Schwah

mrscruffy profile image
mrscruffy in reply to Lewellen

That's what I said and no i go most every day

Hailwood profile image
Hailwood

I’ve had 4 x 4 monthly shots and list all body hair, with a little fatigue but so far no issues that have stopped me working full time, so I’ll just continue with PSA of 0.02 and T of less than 0.5 so far

dhccpa profile image
dhccpa

How about libido? Was that there before? And after?

Lewellen profile image
Lewellen in reply to dhccpa

like with the other side effects, if there has been a change in libido it's minor enough so far that I can't be sure. 🤷‍♂️

dhccpa profile image
dhccpa in reply to Lewellen

that's normally the one that kicks in right away.

Benkaymel profile image
Benkaymel

Everyone is different. I had my first Prostap shot 8 weeks ago and the only obvious SE is that I get what I would call "warm" flushes that last a couple of minutes. I have been doing weight training since the shot which has probably helped. Unfortunately, I have already noticed some shrinkage in the manhood department as well! ☹️

cesces profile image
cesces

Not everyone gets the same side effects.

Some of the side effects are more nuanced and less noticable, like the metabolic ones.

EdinBmore profile image
EdinBmore

Lucky, lucky you! My SEs were at the other end of the spectrum.

Yes, to exercise. Yes, to pump. Yes, to ED meds.

"Androgen Deprivation Therapy: An Essential Guide for Prostate Cancer Patients and Their Loved Ones" is worth a read.

Continued good luck to you,

EdinBaltimore

Lewellen profile image
Lewellen in reply to EdinBmore

Great title! I'll get on that one right away!

Grandpa4 profile image
Grandpa4

I am on Abiraterone and Lupron with minimal side effects. I have always felt that was because I exercise extensively. Once I took 5 days off and started to feel a vague fatigue. Went for a bike ride and it was gone. I will rarely feel hot for a minute but no sweating.

Grandpa4 profile image
Grandpa4 in reply to Grandpa4

I have been in them 7 months and my starting testosterone was 850.

Cooolone profile image
Cooolone

Hahaha, be careful spitting in the wind!!! You've just jumped on the boat, give it time before making assessments in regard to side effects ;)

Some take time to reveal themselves... Otherwise, yeah, we don't and aren't all guaranteed to experience the same result or side effects as others... Our cancer is our own, and it will behave as it wants with us, regardless of how others have had theirs!

Best Regards

I didn't have any noticeable effects until month 7. Then lots of fatigue, weakness, and general pain.

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers

12 months into Lupron and minimal side effects - see my profile for more info

I attribute situation to resistance training and being in love which I believe to be the most powerful drug in our toolkit.

Lewellen profile image
Lewellen in reply to Scout4answers

I've been suspicious that my libido might already have been on the low side, despite having a partner I'm well in love with. ED had already been an issue for a while so that could be why I haven't noticed the change as much.

And I could not agree more Scout. Love is the greatest 👍

TylexGP profile image
TylexGP

I didn’t have any real side effects until 6 months. Excercise is your friend. Also ask about low dose viagra to help keep Mr. Wiggly from atrophying. Lupron can cause ED in some men, but there are options when that occurs. Also if Lupron starts to mess with your head don’t put off talking to a mental health specialist. I hope you continue to have very few side effects!

Lewellen profile image
Lewellen in reply to TylexGP

I actually found a Sexual Health clinic in my health plan (yay!!). That Doc has me on low dose Ciallis to help boost the Viagra (which I can't take much of because of THOSE side effects 😄)

So its great to find out that Mr Wiggly is already getting some help staying in shape. Alright!

BanjoPicker profile image
BanjoPicker

I’m starting my 7th week with my first, and hopefully last, Eligard shot coursing through my manhood. I have been having minor warm flashes, enough to cause a little perspiration. Doing resistance training 3 times a week and stationary cycling 30 minutes on the other 4 days.

Vangogh1961 profile image
Vangogh1961

I was on Lupron for a year, I only had occasional hot flashes, to go with the fatigue, but daily exercises seems to limit that. I get tired in the AZ heat, but I can't say it's the ADT or just getting older. I'm still working full-time, marching to 65 when I can retire. Glad to hear you're doing well.

Bvilkid profile image
Bvilkid

The LUPRON fairy left all your side effects with me. I’ll send them over to you as soon as I get the energy 😂

Lewellen profile image
Lewellen in reply to Bvilkid

mighty generous pardner. 🙄

Let me know when the package is wrapped and I'll tell you where to send it 😂😂

Lupron fairy. Now that's a knee slapper! What a picture! Does this app have a place for a mascot??

Bvilkid profile image
Bvilkid in reply to Lewellen

Ha! Good idea. I’ve been on Lupron since I had my six month shot in June. Not much different until just in the past two weeks more brain fog and a little dizziness. My OC started me on Xtandi in May so it’s hard to tell which is causing me trouble- probably both!

I’ll just hold on to this package cause the Lupron fairy won’t be back till December. 😂

Lewellen profile image
Lewellen in reply to Bvilkid

celebrating minimal SE for any reason 👍

And I love the image of the Lupron fairy 😄

SteveTheJ profile image
SteveTheJ

I think you are fortunate and you should accept it like it is.

LessPaul profile image
LessPaul

shhhhhhhhh! Don’t let the cancer know!

I’ve been on Lupron since diagnosed Oct 2018 and Zytiga for a couple years now. Hot flashes were titanic. Went thru 3 or 4 tshirts a night. Flashes have calmed down some, but still irritating. There’s nothing left of my libido. Shrinkage. sex life is long gone. Losing body hair everywhere. Lost weight. About 20 lbs down from my normal 170. I’m weak, lethargic.

But….the upside is that My PSA has been at no-detect for a year and a half.

So yes, I complain. But not too much.

Bvilkid profile image
Bvilkid in reply to LessPaul

Hey Paul- did (do) you have any issues with brain fog or memory farts? My first Lupron shot in June (formally on Firmagon) and just now noticing some of this 12 weeks in.

LessPaul profile image
LessPaul in reply to Bvilkid

Oh yeah. Brain fog is a good description. I used to be pretty verbally quick. But I have to search for words now when they used to fly off my tongue. Makes me feel really stupid at times. I get it.

Bvilkid profile image
Bvilkid in reply to LessPaul

I feel your. . . uh. . . mm. . . pain.

🤪😂

Horse12888 profile image
Horse12888

About 15% of men experience virtually no SEs. Apparently you're among them. Great news!

Lewellen profile image
Lewellen in reply to Horse12888

15% huh? That's a surprise. Here's to hoping I get to hold onto that brass ring 🍻

Horse12888 profile image
Horse12888 in reply to Lewellen

I think you've already done exactly that. I'm very happy for you.

jfoesq profile image
jfoesq

FYI

Despite what appears to be your good fortune, You may want to look into treatment for "manboobs" just in case they begin to develop. I guess I am vane, but I have been on Lupron for 10 years and I am pretty unhappy with mine along with not being informed of the possible prevention of them when my treatment began. I haven't taken my shirt off in public since they appeared.

Lewellen profile image
Lewellen in reply to jfoesq

I'll look more into that at the next meeting with Onc. Preventative seems wise to me to.

GummyToad profile image
GummyToad

stay positive, stay active, and pray for continued grace. 🙏

Izzygirl1 profile image
Izzygirl1

My husband was switched from Firmagon to his first Lupron shot about 2 weeks ago along with taking Darolutimide pills every day. He starts chemo (Docetaxel) on Tuesday. So far his only side effect is fatigue but he has been riding his stationary bike every day and that seems to help both mentally and physically.

cancerfox profile image
cancerfox

I wouldn't celebrate yet. The longer you are on ADT, the more side effects you experience, with the possible exception of hot flashes which can diminish with time (at least mine did). I didn't start to notice some of my side effects until several months in.

Lewellen profile image
Lewellen in reply to cancerfox

right 👍. No jumping to conclusions. Thanks. I'll keep my wits about me

Wow, i'm jealous. I feel like crap is my best description. Hot flashes are so annoying. Also fatigue, apathy, lethargy. I keep taking off my shirt to cool off. No girl boobs yet, but two guys liked my sunglasses.

Lewellen profile image
Lewellen in reply to

hey Red,

Sucks that you got the full ride on symptoms. After not getting any meaningful preparation from my doctors, then trying to educate myself, your situation is what I was expecting!

I'M grateful it's not bad for me (yet!), but it sure would have helped to know ahead of time that there is so much variation in how we respond to this treatment! Im always finding things out AFTER instead if BEFORE !! So annoying!

Rodeoz15 profile image
Rodeoz15

My father has been on Lupron for 16 months now. No hot flashes. But his cholestrol and blood sugar increased very marginally. Not sure if that is a side effect of Lupron or Zytiga.

bandgeek profile image
bandgeek

Lucky! I've been on Lupron 18 months without the usual side effects. Good luck.!

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