Lupron and prostate cancer

My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005
the doctor did the 8 weeks radiation treatment,,,,,,it has been a mess ever since,,,,,,,,,his numbers are still going up and his dr. gives him a shot of lupron every 3 mos.........it only brings his numbers down,,,,,,, i know if the numbers keep going up they did not get all of the cancer.....anyone else going through this.......thanks

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 am in month 4 of a 4 month Lupron shot that my doctor gave to prepare for surgery. I was told I might get hot flashes, loss of libido, increased urinary symptoms for a few weeks. No one said anything and there was absolutely nothing in all the drug leaflets they gave me that would have prepared me for the the horror story that my life was about to become. As if having cancer was not bad enough.Since day 2 I have suffered so many bad side effects that I have lost count. The worst is insomnia and nothing has helped including high doses of Ambien. They suggested Lunesta but my health insurance company balked and even if they had said yes, my co-payment would be unaffordable. This stuff is more expensive than gold. I am exhausted all the time. I have terrible memory problems that are so bad that I can be talking to some I know really well and not remember their name. I am unable to concentrate on anything, my mood swings are unbelievable, I feel mentally disoriented and dissociated all the time, high blood pressure, racing pulse, high blood sugar, hot flashes, raging night sweats, dizziness, bad balance. The side effects that I can handle include nausea, headaches, diarrhea, joint and muscle pain. I am supposed to be on Lupron for 2 years. The only difference I see with my Lupron experience and others here is that my gender is MALE and I have early stage prostate cancer. Being male, my other serious Lupron side effect is complete impotence which is going to go on for a long while due to the radiation. I had radioactive seed implants into my prostate gland done a week ago and I have to follow this with 5 weeks of beam radiation. Lupron seems to be an equal opportunity drug. Lupron has messed me up so badly that for the past 5 weeks I have been off work on disability status with no chance of going back for at least a month and my Dr thinks that may be optimistic. No one seems to know how long it will take to get back to some kind of normal. I just could not function at work and ended up in my doctors office having a complete emotional meltdown. I would caution anyone, male or female, to consider Lupron very carefully before having it.

Lupron is a dangerous drug. There are over 10,000 adverse events reported to the FDA about this horrible drug. It causes significant bone density loss and many, many other horrible long lasting side effects. Check out the FDA website for yourself. This drug controls the release of estrogen, which is vital for all body functions and brings your estrogen levels dangerously low. Check out the Center for Endometriosis Care in GA or The Center for Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery in NY or Dr. David B. Redwine in Bend, Oregon. This drug was originally approved in 1985 for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. It is a highly toxic drug!!

One year after my shot of Lupron I have severe joint and muscle pain and breast tenderness and pain. I am a male who had the Lupron in concert with radiation therapy for Prostate Cancer. My MDs suggest the joint and muscle pain is a result of arthritis, and a mammogram is recommended for the breast swelling and pain. Any males out there with similar symptoms?
PB

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..

I started IVF and Lupron was my first injection I had to take along with birth control pills. I feel like I've experienced every side effect possible and it is making me crazy! My vision is blurred, I can't even focus long enough to read a book. Migraines, night sweats, hot flashes and I feel on edge all the time like I may freak out at any moment. Very moody thank goodness only ten more days!

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 read up on Lupron and was very hesitant in taking the shot, However, my doctor convinced me that it would be helpful with my Endo which is a stage 4. My doctor said well any medicine is like a restaurant if the side effects are bad then everyone knows just like if you get bad service.
Well I got my first shot about a month ago and I think I should have listened to myself, I traded one pain for a ton of others.
I have severe depression at times and the bone pain is almost more than I can bare. I live on Advil to keep the pain under control. I can barely get out of bed in the morning b/c I hurt so bad and I can barely walk. I am losing hair and it is thinning out horribly. I too have put on weight with regular exercise and watching my diet.
I get heart palpitations to where my heart feels like it is going to jump out of my chest and this is the first month. I am afraid of what the next month will bring. I am only 35 and didn't want to get a hysterectomy.

In 10/2001 I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and my MD prescribed a Lupron 3 month Injection to reduce the size of my prostate prior to radiation seed therapy. l started having the following symptons immediatetly frequent hot flashes which disrupted my sleeping at night from 4 to 6 times per night and which lasted for 9 months, I was no longer able to achieve an erection, although immediately prior I was able to have sex with an orgasm. I loss muscle and gained weight. Seven years have past and during that time I developed a heart arthymia which I was hospitalised for all this despite forcing myself to stay physically active, by walking, lifting weights and doing manual labor. I have never been able to regain my strength despite my exercising. I am now suffering from an undiagnosed skin disease and low blood platelets which my doctor thinks is an auto immune problem. This drug has had a severe impact on my well being and I tell all my male friends that if they ever have prostate issues to avoid hormone therapy at all cost.

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 taken Lupron for 2 months for prostate cancer and the worst side effect has been dry mouth, which has become painful and promoting unhealthy gums and teeth.

I am using Lupron for treament of prostate cancer. I have had radiation and radioactive seeds. I get hot flashes, joint pain is almost unbearable and skips around all over my body. I am tired most of the time and today, it even settled in my hands and wrists to where I can't pick up a glass. I am supposed to be on this medication for 1 to 2 years. I don't know if it is worth it or not.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2004. Began taking Lupron Depot in 3 month intervals for 13 months because of the advanced stage of the cancer before radiation treatment. Almost immediately, side effects occurred, to wit: hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, aggitation, severe headaches, ringing in the ears, dizziness, muscle and joint pain--particular in the neck, shoulders, elbows, knees and ankles--anxiety and panic attacks, bewilderment, night and day sweats for no apparent reason, high blood pressure and incidents of weakness accompanied by unexplainable general feeling of being ill. Ceased taking the Lupron in fall of 2004. I am still experiencing most (not all) of the side effects. Blood tests have shown the presence of the drug in amounts higher than expected still in my body however continuing to diminish. Good luck! Being strong willed is a must to endure many of the side effects delineated here. I anticipate I have 2 or 3 more years of hell before the Lupron dissipates from my body. "And this will pass..."

severe chst pains -more than tingling-nocturnal; wakeups 2-3-4 times, occasionally accompanied by hot flashes - been going on for 19 months since twice injected pre-prostate cancer cryosurgery op - I'm going on 82, great physical shape Ret USAF Col, widowed, - pains occur nightly and daytime w/o warning-triggered when I lay on right side in bed - 19 months??

Injected pre-Cryosurgery for prostate cancer (twice in the butt) April '05 and STILL experience serious, hurtful pains, wakes-me-up several times nocturnally, during daytime also, pains across chest, triggered if I lay on right side in bed - more than mere tingling, pains are sharp across chest-breasts - going on 19 months?!?

Is male breast "enlargement" and tenderness a side effect of Lupron? Only the right breast has been affected. It has been about a year since the patient had taken Lupron in connection with radiation for prostate cancer.

I have been getting DEPO LUPRON 11.25 every 3 month for
prostate cancer for the last 15 months and I have swelling of my legs can this be one of it's side effects?

Diagnosed with early prostate cancer in April, I chose external beam radiation and two three month injections of lupron as my treatment. Aside from the daily hot flashes and total loss of libido, I've experience extreme weakness in my pelvis and thighs after sitting for a period of time. I am now in the last week of the second injection. How long will it take for my libido to return and is the muscle weakness permanent or will it end when and if my testosterone ever returns to nomal levels. I am quite annoyed the full extent of the side effects of lupron were not discussed with me prior to treatment. I fear that the exhorbatant cost of this drug creates too great an incentive to proscribe it. I anyone can answer these question please post your experience.

Has anyone heard of shortness of breath being a side effect? My husband is on his 2nd shot for prostate cancer.

22.5 mg every three months for prostate cancer. hot fllashs, sweats, body took on female appearance, hair loss on upper torso, swollen breasts, sensitive testicles, shrunken penis, Low back ache, weak legs, loss of equilibrium. Second opinion urologist took me off lupron, said it wasnt necessary. No problems with prostate at any time. Reaction disappeared except for low back ache, weak legs, equilibrium, shrunken penis which I have had 4 years and may be permanent.

am 56 year old male taking lupron injections for prostate cancer for the last 10 months. Experiencing hot flashes, am very emotional, easily exhausted, used to play racquetball regularly but now can only handle a slow game of doubles, pain in pelvic area and legs, lost sex drive. Now I have a different pain -- my left leg feels like a boa constricter is wrapped around it -- it has been that way for almost a week (i got a three-month shot 1-1/2 months ago on my left side -- i'm trying to figure out if this pain is due to lupron

I am a man in my 6th month of what is predicted to be a 2 year program of Lupron injections, one every four months. This program is to control a prostate cancer and will be done in conjunction with radiation therapy which will begin in 3 weeks. I have some arthritis in my wrists and fingers which was started from ski injuries. Since starting the Lupron injections these joint pains have become much worse. Is this normal. Thanks, Les

9 months after marriage, prostate cancer was discovered. The choice was surgury or Lupron with radiation. I chose the latter because radiation is pervasive and could pick up micro cancerous cells as well in the vicinity of the prostate. I experienced the usual symptoms from Lupron, but the prolong effect, 2 years after ceasing injections is lethargy and laziness. In addition to insomnia and weight gain, some 15 Lbs and a breasts simiar to Cushings syndrom. But I am alive, because the actuaries for cancer are 4 years to death and it is a miserable death. So I am grateful. There is no sex drive, neither with Viagra and I no longer have the desire, but I owe a responsibility to my new wife, who has told me it does not matter, but I am sure that she would be much happier if I could perform that ritual. The most important ailment which affects me is my inability to generate income due to tiredness, sleeplessness and memory loss which leads to poor decision making and certainly less aggression. These are the symptoms that have remained after the hot flashes and the noctornal presperation has past. Prior to cancer inception, I had the discipline to make the 6 AM swim at the YMCA for a mile. Now I am trying to get into the pool twice a week for 1/4 mile after which I have to repair to bed for an hour to recover. Medicine has pushed us too far past the normal limit of existance and we should not be ungrateful for that if uncomfortable side effects accompany our efforts for preservation on this earth. I am grateful for Lupron for its curative effect regardless of the side effects

As i said before as guest #4939/40, i forgot to tell you that at 55 years doctor discovered a small prostate cancer, was given since july 1975 to feb 1997 4 to 5 shot of LUPRON, every 3 months, I got side effects of:Hot flashes, my penis reduced,no erections(has to take Viagra)in order to have a 75% erection,My breast grew a bigger size like a B cup, with tenderness poain on my nipples, after finished the treatment doctor said they will come back to their size, but not still there, feel frustated and angrybecause that small cancer at age 55 could have been treated with seed implants, my testicles got small,the semen is minimum and a lot of thinking that it worries me.

From july 1995 to Feb 1997, i had about 4/5 shot of LUPRON. every 3 months for Prostate cancer. My breast increased to a bigger size, breast tenderness pain. after finished the treatment they did not go back to their orinal size tell me if that if correct.

I took lupron for one year after prostate cancer and stoped in nov a yearago and still have hot flashes and nausea and my head jerks from side to side.I think lupron caused it.

I am a 59 year old male and just had my first lupron shot two days ago.So far everything including sex is normal except I do not get an orgasm. Not a bad problem if it kills the prostate cancer. I went to Germany for hyperthermia treatment and the lupron treatment is an added precausion. Would like to hear from males who have gone through this treatment with side effects.

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.