Hi everyone! I've had stage 4 metastatic cancer with BRCA2 for a year now. Being treated with abiraterone and prednisone, Lupron twice a year, and had 28 radiation treatments in December 2022.
I would like to know if others are experiencing the symptoms I am. Hot flashes and crying, due to Lupron. General weakness in body. Often somewhat depressed. Slight stomach pain but not nausea.
Any response? Thank you!
I had radiation & lupron years ago & I can relate to those SE which are caused by lupron. There are many choices of ADT hormone treatment, Firmagon worked for me with less SE.
Lupron is always the first choice for many Medical Oncologists because it works quickly, so it is up to you to change treatments.
Others here will offer good advice.
SandyBear: I’m on Lupron (3 mth injection)+ Docetaxel+ prednisone. No hot flashes, but I can’t stop crying and the fatigue is overwhelming. In addition, lots of gas, pain in pelvis,jaw (Xgeva possibly), loss of appetite, can’t sleep, frequent urination
Also BRCA2 for 6 years and 8 months. Hot flashes are common but I live in AZ so hardly noticeable, no stomach pains. My crying turned to thoughts of suicide so shrink put me on Cymbalta and that fixed it. Beat the muscle loss and fatigue by working out 5 days a week lifting heavy. Went from 2 naps a day to none. Sounds counter intuitive but physical exertion helps a bunch. Hired a personal trainer and she has been a God send
Yes, Hallmark movies are something!! Venlafaxine can help the hot flashes and your general disposition as well. Working out is so hard but so important.
I am convinced that Exercise (lifting weights and biking ) has kept the SE at bay.
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Hi Sandy Bear
I am on Firmagon+ Abi& Pres same SE as you + fatigue I think we must accept these SE to fight the war.
You need to try tE2 gel or the patch. Screw Lupron jabs!
As you are BRCA2+ ask your doctor about using a PARP inhibitor, like Lynparza. I benefited close to 2 years from this treatment.
Yes
Venlafaxine 37.5mg for hot flashes. It’s a very mild anti-depressant at the dose but should help with crying too.
Weightlifting is a must. Both for countering side effects and any bone density issues from the cancer and the lupron.
Best wishes.
Thank you!!
No but everyone is different. Discuss these symptoms with your doctor. For fatigue you can discuss Provigil, a medication that has helped me with fatigue and focus.
I have been on Lupron and Abiraterone for almost two years. Yes I have the emotional lability (crying, irritable, going down rabbit wholes) . Also muscle joint aches and pains though some of that is probably me getting older. Got to the point I sought out professional help for the anxiety which helped. Despite it all I have a decent quality of life .
Yes! I cry watching movies more than my wife does. She no longer believes my "I have something in my eye" excuse.
Yup! It is what it is. Living with PC is a whole new lifestyle. Make the best of it as you can. Good days bad days. Walk the dog, go visit family. Get a cup of coffee. Strive for QOL as much as you can.
I've been on Prostap (Lupron) and Xtandi for about 7 months. I get hot flashes and fatigue by the afternoon. Also had a bout of vertigo in December but not had any major depression or crying issues. Maybe Zytiga causes that or it's just that everyone responds differently? I have a very supportive family which probably helps me stay positive too.
Like others have said, resistance/weight training exercises are very important to maintain muscle and bone strength (as well as mental well-being) and cardiovascular to pump oxygen around the body which the mets don't like - plus it's good for heart health.
Hi, my response won’t be much different from the others but it is another’s experience, should it help. My husband worked with Lupron and Casadex on and off for 4 years. He had severe fatigue, weakness, cried easily, mood swings, and horrible hot flashes. At one point, they admitted him to a psych ward for help. That was when they found he was on 2 medications that were fighting each other, making his depression and inability to control emotions far worse. Once that was fixed, he did much better, but he reached the point where he said no more. He has just began hormone therapy 3 months ago but it is not Lupron and his side effects have been minimal. At the same time though, while it has depleted his testosterone, his PSA is not dropping. He may have reached that point of tolerance. His oncology team is not concerned that this treatment is weaker than Lupron. The name of it escapes me!
Thank you. I'm sorry you two are going through this.
Symptoms? Sure, they're these little people on TV. Main character is named Homer and he's married to a woman named Marge who's got blue hair.....
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Friday 03/23/2023 3:28 PM DST
Crying no, ability to cry over things like girls do? Yes. I actually like it. Weakness, yes because my muscles are losing strength. I had mets in my shoulders, so I could not lift weights, in my ribs so I cannot do any exercise beyond swimming or cycling. I am alive after 6 years and seldom in pain though, and my legs are still strong like bull. I've never had stomach pain, but have bouts of Nausea. THAT is worse than pain. Sorry for your difficulties, I hope you have relief.
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