Psa symptoms and conditions

I am a male 61 who had 2 years of lupron for prostate cancer. It has been a little over 6 years since my last treatment and I am still suffering from the side effects. I have headaches 24/7 and am very sensitive to heat. I have ended up in the hospital twice due to extreme heat. My psa is slowing coming back and I may have to have lupron again, God help me! I also suffer from depression, maybe from being ill for so long, I also have occasional bouts with nausea.

I just started taking Flomax 4 days ago, the 4mg tablets. I have not had any of the side effects that most people on this post have reported. I am 65 years old and have had sky high PSA readings since 1998 and have had 3 biopsies that have all been negative. However, instead of reducing the number of trips to the bathroom the trips have increased but with easier and stronger flow. I take a diuretic for high BP along with other BP meds. I am going to cut down on the diuretic for a few days and see what happens.

I have taken three 500mg doses of Levaquin since Saturday. They were prescribed by my urologist for a "possible" minor prostates that might be affecting my PSA (2.2). The very first night I was unable to sleep, tossing and turning all night. Thought nothing of it, and blamed it on diet or too much sleep the previous day. However, insomnia has continued for three straight nights and last night I woke at 4:30 AM with shortness of breath (had to take long deep breaths to feel like I was getting enough oxygen) that felt like an anxiety attack. Although there was no pain, I felt like my heart was pounding and rapid. Finally got a little more sleep and woke up feeling OK in the morning, but blood pressure was elevated. I continually feel like I'm on a caffeine high. I never associated it, but, I woke up second and third days with a sore throat and have had a few minor muscle twitches in arms, legs and abdomen.

I feel fortunate compared to others on this forum. I have stopped taking the Levaquin and have an appointment with my family doctor tomorrow. As a side note, I had an acute prostates this time last year and took Cipro for over one month with no similar side effects that I can recall. Does anyone know if two drugs from the same group can have such different side effects, or can I expect the same problems if I start taking Cipro again?

I had a shot two weeks ago. I had a radical in 1997. My psa was good until about 5 years later and have been on Luron off and on now since then. It has kept my psa down and doctor says I am lucky my body responds to this treatment. It is hell to pay but I am thankful it works.

I started flomax five days ago and have noticed two things: one, I get dizzy when I stand, and two, my ejaculate is colored..... brownish. My psa is 1.6.

Alas, it has made no difference to my wanting to pee all the time, so back to square one. I've tired proscar and detrol, but neither have helped. At least they had no side-effects

60 YO male: three weeks on .4 Flomax

I went on it because after Parathyroid surgery for kidney stones, I was still having symptoms. Mostly a painful urgency to pee, with only tablespoons coming out. That would last for 3-6 hours. I started out with pyridium (the pill that turns your urine orange). That seemed to help, but I was still having some lower-right abdomen KS pain events with the urgency. The urologist suspects I still have some stones that have yet to come out.

My prostate exam and PSA were good. No signs of cancer. I don't think the size of the prostrate was measured or whether BPH was an issue because of the obvious Parathyroid issue.

I started taking .4 Flomax, got the lightheadedness that evolved into a feeling of being slightly high most of the time. And feeling mildly relaxed.
Flow was improved, maybe a few less pees per day. Still peeing at least twice a night; good stream, good quantity.

Not a runny nose, but a thicker discharge. This week (3 weeks in) the nose is better.

Lower volume and clearer ejaculate. After the last ejaculation, I went right into an urgency and lower right KS pain event that lasted 6 hours. I was uncomfortable, but OK on Tylenol and pyridium. My events frequently happen on Saturday/Sunday. I have tried to figure out what, if anything I might be doing to cause or break this cycle, but there seems to be no correlation. I was hoping to get rid of the painful and disruptive urgency episodes, but so far they are still here every week or so.

Dreams have been a bit weird.

I have a swollen knee and toe, but this could be due to some hiking while on vacation. I saw the posts about painful joints, but can't make a direct connection yet.

Since Flomax three weeks ago, there seems to be a low level feeling in my lower abdomen. Not a pain as much as a presence, a tension. I think it's in the testicles, but you know how that is; accidentally smack one and the pain feels like it's inside the body.

mmm, contrary to virtually all the previous comments, I don't seem to have any adverse reaction to Flomaxtra. I had complete urinary retention, that required insertion of a catheter. My psa is normal, and my prostate size is typical for age. Flomaxtra was suggested as an alternative to surgery. Flow has increased from zero prior to taking the medication, to 12-15cc/second after about 2 weeks . (I am 54 years old). I have been on Flomaxtra for 6 weeks now . The only physical change I have noticed, is an increase in penis size, likely due to relaxing of muscle. Ejaculation and erection is normal. I do not like taking drugs, and will monitor any changes, but life is one hell of a lot better than not being able to pee, and catheters are so dehumanizing.

Very interesting read, I started taking Lisinopril last year to help my borderline high blood pressure. After taking it, it seems that my sexual sensation has decreased dramatically. I thought I would wait to see if it would come back & it has not. I went to my HMO & the Doctor could not find anything wrong, he checked my PSA's & testosterone levels & they were normal but albeit at the near bottom of the normal range. So he prescribed Viagra. This has not helped, in fact I now have headaches, stuffiness, pupils constricted so much that it is hard to look out doors because it is so bright. The Doctor also told me that he has never read anything about what I am experiencing in any medical journal & just by looking at him & reading in-between-the-lines he thinks that it is all psychological. Maybe it is but I feel as if something is wrong. I do the treadmill at least two times a week up to 3 miles at a time & on a 5% incline & walk at a 4 MPH up to 38 minutes at a time.

I am a 68 year old male with prostate cancer that has spread. My first Lupron shot kept the PSA down for more than a year, but the effects were so terrible I refused more until a bone scan showed my cancer had spread all over and my PSA went thru the roof. With 2nd and subsequent shots my doctor had me take Casodex pills for 10 days and drink soy milk to kept down hot flashes and night sweats (yes, men can have them too). With this regimen I have had absolutely no side effects. I also now take soy pills instead of drinking the milk.

Not sure about Casodex for women (I had pills left over from prostate cancer treatment) so check with your doctor. But soy pills are designed for post-menopausal women and sold at drug stores.

My husband and I found out he had Meatastic prostate cancer 13 months ago..We went to the doctor because his lymph glands were hudge.. He has been on the Lupron injections ever since.. He had really bad hot flashes for the 1st few months but that has past, but now he is very moody and angry for no reason.. He yells and gets angry over the littlest things i think he is going crazy and he is driving me nuts, he has no desire for me and is rude and acts like he don't even like me sometimes.. it is torture to me..He has depression he doesn't enjoy anything like he use to.. whenever we go try to have fun he gets all stressed and makes the fun turn into miserable..He acts as if he has no problems..He has some big rashes on his legs and crack and I am pretty sure it is from the Lupron shot also.. he has a little aches and pains. Very tired all the time..just about a week ago we found out the Lupron shot is not working very well anymore, his psa level went up to a 15..I am thankful for the shot because i know it has saved him some time to be here.. I love him so much, but the way he is now has caused me to feel like he is a grouchy roommate on his period 24/7.. There is other things like casodex to take but i heard it does not work as well as the Lupron..Hopefully one of these days they can find something that works even better then Lupron without the side affects..The lupron Shot has helped many people live longer, but what about the quality of life he is miserable but I am sure he rather be alive and miserable.. Good luck to everyone with the Lupron shot, it is a trying time when they or you go through these changes and do not understand why you feel negative and unhappy..

55 year old male and used to be in excellent condition. I had radiation and Lupron Depot injections for prostate cancer and even though my PSA is down to .032, the hot flashes, joint pain, weakness, weight gain and atrial fibrillation caused by Lupron sucks. Now I am on medication for the a fib and it's really horrible.

I am 59. Not overweight and now eat intelligently .Had moderate heart attack in August 2001 and have taken 20mg of ZOCOR every day since.About four years ago I stated getting mild pain in right buttocks muscle and groin but thought this was just "AGE" setting in.Doctor thought it was arthritis in lower back and causing associated musle strain.Went to physio but no progress in pain alleviation, in fact pain and weakness kept getting steadily worse.Pain then started in left shoulder last spring (2007) then about three months ago really severe in left hip and buttocks. Sleep was interrupted every night by pain.Movement from sitting position to standing/walking was like a ninety year old,slow and stumbling.My legs felt nearly numb when walking.Getting out of bed in the morning and putting on my socks became an ordeal of PAIN.
Seen my doctor last week and told him of current status and that I couldn't go on like thisanymore.He said to STOP the Zocor immediately. I can feel the difference already, in one week!!! Not perfect but maybe 50% improvement!!!
He ordered a battery of blood tests including PSA . I just hope something else isn't now really F--ked Up from taking this stuff for six years ?
I will defiately NOT TAKE ZOCOR or any other STATIN again!!!

SINCE TAKING MY FIRST LUPRON SHOT, I HAVE NEVER FELT SO BAD IN ALL MY LIFE. I'M REALLY DEPRESSED ALL THE TIME AND DO NOT KNOW WHY. HAVE THE HOT FLASHES, NIGHT SWEATS ARE SO BAD UNTIL I HAVE TO GET UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO CHANGE MY NIGHT GOWN. WENT TO THE E.R. ON TUESDAY WITH VERY SEVERE CHEST PAINS AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY THING WRONG AND I KNOW I'M NOT JUST IMAGING THINGS. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS SHOT TO ANYONE. ALL I WHAT TO DO IS TO GET RID OF THE FIBROIDS. HA!! WRONG ANSWER

I have been on Lupron for 9 months. I go to the gym regularly (3 times a week) to counter bone/muscle mass reduction. I feel sore and achy all the time, and have regular hot flashes. I never sleep the night straight through anymore. I drink a lot of water to handle the flashes, so I am urinating all the time, it seems. The biggest problem is the 25 lbs I have gained. Fortunately my PSA has stabilized and I will go to an interval without the injections to see how long the 0.0 PSA will hold. I hope to lose some of this weight to bring my blood pressure back down to my 110/70 from the current 120/90.

I underwent prostate cancer IMRT radiation in 2005. As part of the treatment, I was given three four month doses of Lupron Depot. Men who get this drug experience a reduction of testosterone, wright gain, hot flashes, and sometime depression. I had all of those.

Toward the end of 2005, about two months after my last injection, I noticed a tingling, sometimes burning sensation in my right fool near the toes. Over the past year or so, the sensation has spread to my other foot and sometimes up my leg.

My symptoms have all the earmarks of peripheral neuropathy. So far, my motor functions are okay, and I have been checked for diabetes, and found not to have it, which is a relief.

I did have an attack of Bell's Palsy back in 1973, and it was treated with heat and cortisone. It never came back. I see from some of the web sites that there is a connection between Bell's Palsy and peripheral neuropathy, and and also a connection with Lupron and peripheral neuropathy.

I realize there is little I can do about it, but I think the physicians who prescribe Lupron for prostate cancer should also make their patients aware of this possible side effect.

I have been on Advair since nov02. The advair was a great benefit to me and improved my breathing ability alot. Shortly after nov02, I developed urinary problems: slow urination, dribbles, constantly getting up at night to urinate,etc. I went to a urologist who checked me for an enlarged prostate but mine was normal, PSA was normal and DRE exam showed that prostate size was normal. I was also given antibiotis for 10 days as treatment in case it was an infection but that didn't help. Since that time, I've been taking Hytrin to control the urinary problems and it seems to work except at night when I must get up 3-5 times each night to urinate. As an experiment, I did not take the evening dose of Advair on three separate occassions and I was able to sleep 6-7 hours straight (without having to urinate)! Now I'm wondering if all my urinary problems are related to Advair???? I have asked my doctor about this and did not really get any response other than "I never heard of Advair causing urinary problems".
I also have most other symptoms others have described here like sore throat, horseness, fast heart rate,etc.

I would like to know if others have also experienced urinary problems since they started using Advair and what they are doing about it.

After two years of lupron injections I lost six inches in height
due to severe osteoporosis also thyroid had to be removed.
Believe this medication removed normal male protection against what are normally womens' diseases. The reason for
lupron injections was to reduce psa. Bad medical decision.

My Doctor prescribed it because my PSA had risen, I was feeling fine until I started taking these pills, I experienced a fever, chills unable to eat anything, I have stoped takiing them but it takes a while for this poison to get out your system.

I take Guaifen Psa Er Tablets for about 5 days this is my frist time off my bed. this pill teast bed i have to get up every hr at nigth and i still can't hear. when i walk i fall down. but i have'nt got any nose bleed

I had one shot(long period styrength) of lupron a year ago.It brought my PSA down from 12.5 to 1.5 but as a very active 79 year old the side effects,particularly loss of muscle size and strength has really been disturbing. Even going up slight slopes is felt on my muscles and there is an accompanying loss of stamina. I wonder if there is an effect on heart muscles because my stamina has been so much reduced. Genitals shrank significantly (now regained after not taking the hormone a second time). There was also a minor reaction, complete loss of hair on my legs.As a formerly very active person I am really hesitant in having another shot.

I am a 62 year old healthy male. About two months ago I was prescribed 500 mg. Levaquin by my urologist for a suspected prostate infection. Within the first 24 hours I experienced strange visual effects and extreme fatigue. By the third day on the medication I began to notice motor coordination problems. On the fourth day I awoke with chills, major hand tremors, and extreme motor coordination difficulties in my hands (I was unable to pick up a coffee cup with only one hand). I stopped taking it at this point, of course, and the symptoms gradually declined. It was a terrifying experience.

About one month later I had a relapse of the original symptoms and immediately arranged an appointment with my regular physician, who ordered a brain MRI and a prescription for a beta blocker to relieve the tremors. The MRI was negative. My symptoms improved markedly, almost immediately, and have not returned, even though I am no longer taking the beta blocker (after one month of regular dosage). I have my fingers crossed for the future.

I learned that my sister had similar reactions to Levaqui, suggesting that there might be a genetic predisposition to such an extreme reaction. From now on I will indicate to medical personnel that I cannot tolerate any member of the fluoroquinalone family of antibiotics.

As a side note, it turned out that I did not have a prostate infection after all but rather that a sudden upward jump in a PSA reading led the urologist to suspect the infection. A retest showed that the reading was anomalous, completely out of line with my history of lab tests for PSA. The worrisome part of this experience is the physician's willingness to prescribe such a powerful drug without clear indication of an infection.

My husband started with the lupron in July 2003 (he gets a shot every 4 months) for prostate cancer. Happpy to report that the tumor has reduced and his PSA count is now normal, but the side affects of lupron are numerous. He is always hot, and we have a batttle of the covers at night, constant muscle pain in legs and back, very moody and its not natural to see a man cry so easily, because he had 90% of his thyroid removed and is taking thyroid replacement therapy (snythroid), for some reason he is so off balance, which seemed to have improved when he first started taking snythroid. He can't remember anything and is very unsteady on his feet. We live in NY City and his lawyer's office is in the city right across from Macy's Dept. Store in Herald Square. He gets really paranoid when we go to the city and holds onto me like a three year old. I am thankful that the lupron is helping him as far as the cancer is concerned but the side affects of taking this drug are numerous. My husband's breast are almost as large as mine and he complains constantly of soreness. He is just a mess to say the least. The doctor says he has to continue the shot until there is no trace of the cancer and the tumor is completely gone. This does not sound good to either of us. Our lives has changed so dramatically.

I am 36 years old with three psa readings in the last 6 months of 7.9, 2.3 and the last one this week after four weeks of Cipro, 3.5.

Dr. wants to start proscar. Before I consider it, I want to know other men's side effects and feelings about this drug.

I am a male that took a four month shot of Lupron with hormone shots to kill the tostestorone and shrink the prostate. This would enable me to leave town for three months and return in May for a radical prostectamy. Since then with the guidance of my primary physician, we returned and had the surgery after one and one half months. (best decision we ever made). Now the hot flashes are unbelievable and sleep is intermittent in between flashes. I have no other symptoms that are negative. Surgery was a success but hot flashes are terrible. Hopefully at some time in the future the effects of the shot and the hormones will wear off and I can get back to a normal sleepful night