I underwent prostate cancer IMRT radiation in 2005. As part of th...

I was diagnosed with an agressive form of prostate cancer in March of 2005. After seed implantation, radiation and 24 months of Lupron-4 shots my feet are killing me. They are sore, they tingle and they are tender. I have been tested for diabetes and it was negative. My doctor says there is no relationship. I think otherwise. I'm done with the Lupron-4 shots. Any Idea how long the foot symptoms will last? BMS Orchard Park, NY

I have also had a radical prostatectomy. Following my surgery, I still had a 3.5 psa. My surgeon said 2 of 6 lymph nodes showed microscopic cancer cells, and reccomended Lupron injections. Following several months of injections, depression beyond anything I'd ever known, anger at everyone, no patience at all, (walked out of my surgeons exam room because I was kept waiting too long, by the time I was in the parking lot I was looking for a fight, not finding one I proceeded to beat my fists around the interior of my truck, screaming and yelling obscenities the entire time). I finally decided to no longer take the drug. My Oncologist, agreed we'd monitor me monthly and then make up our minds based on the PSA levels. Off the meds, my levels continued down for two months, hitting a low of 0.2, however four weeks later, I was at 3.6 again, 4 more weeks and I was 4.8, and four weeks following that over 5. I began the shots again, and within a four week period, my levels had dropped again to 0.2; however the anger, the depression, hot flashes, night sweats, and aches and pains have returned. Including a muscle spasm in my abdomen, not unlike a charlie horse, I mentioned this to another doctor who immediately said, "you have an internal hernia, you need to see me sooner rather than later." Well I waited a few weeks had no problems, suddenly, I got 4 attacks within a 24 hour period. I returned to the dr who said I had an internal hernia, he did all my pre-testing, which included an ultra sound to rule out gall bladder, I underwent surgery for a hernia, guess what, nothing could be found! I can only assume this charlie horse in my stomach is a result of the Lupron as well, since I also had leg, and foot cramps and have started feeling the "pins and needles" on my feet. I have also gained a considerable amount of weight during this time. I've been told Lupron is the Gold standard, I'd like to know what's in second place. I also (fyi) tried hi dose casodex, to no effect. I'm now considering going back off the Lupron, between the anger, tears, aches and pains, anxiety, incontinence, and impotence, I think I'd rather have cancer.

Your situation is a bit different, but I can empathize. When you referred to an "internal" hernia, idd you mean "hiatial" hernia? Anyhow, the tingling, burning sensation that started for me a few months after the last Lupron injection are still with me, and are even a little bit worse, but there seems to be nothing that can be done about it. Lupron supresses testosterone, which prostate cancer cells need to grow. Fortunately, my psa has fluctuated between zero, 1.2, and 0.8 iver the past few years, so I feel lucky.

The effects of Lupron are horrific. No one who has not been subjected to Lupron can really appreciate this fact.

Best of luck to you.