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Lupron shot, etc.

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Posted 6/11/2012 3:19 PM (GMT -5)
Hi all,

I have a quick question. I am undergoing some additional treatment, 3 years after Prostatectomy.
I will be having some Radiation Therapy, but i am first taking 2 months of pills (Bicalutamide, 50MG), and two 30 days shots (Lupron, 7.5 mg).

My question is about the Lupron. I am not experiencing any of the side affects, and even not experiencing the primary affects (read on).

It was my understanding from the Onc. Radiologist that the Lupron decreases Testosterone, and directly affects/decreases interest in sexual activity. I have been on the Bilalutamide for over 3 weeks. And, i had the Lupon (7.5 MB) almost two weeks ago (tmo will be 2 weeks). I have not had any decrease in my sexual interest. I am not complaining. I am just surprised. The nurse reassured that it would be temporary, and after all Radiation, and the last Lupron shot, that my interest could slowly come back. Well, sorry Doc, but it never went away. If anything, it seems to be stronger than ever. I am hoping this 'post' will not be a "knock on wood" wishing i had not posted it, and tomorrow i will suddenly lose all desire. I was also told I would probably have some hot flashes (none so far). And that i might gain some weight. I have been exercising a lot, to offset anticipated weight gain: (jog 1/2 mile in morning, ride bike 7 miles during lunch hour, and walk 1-2 miles with wife at night), probably 4-5 times per week, in order to fight off any weight gain, and i have actually *lost* 8 lbs in 3 weeks. I am pleased, just surprised.

Do the affects take a while before they kick in? I should not be asking, because i do NOT want the effects. I am just surprised.

thanks
Posted 6/11/2012 3:22 PM (GMT -5)
Do the affects take a while before they kick in?

yes.  about a month or so.  everyone thinks they are the exception at first cool .

ed

 

Posted 6/11/2012 3:24 PM (GMT -5)
I was told the first 2 weeks can actually spike it up some and after that you will lose the desire. Wont mean you cant have sex or orgasms but the desire is just not there.

Mine kicked in around the 3rd and 4th week.
Posted 6/11/2012 3:25 PM (GMT -5)
F8, love your humor, thanks.

Casper, thanks also.

Oh well, enjoy while i can. :-)

thanks.
Posted 6/11/2012 3:26 PM (GMT -5)
How about the weight gain?
Posted 6/11/2012 3:44 PM (GMT -5)
How about the weight gain?

i think if you struggle with your weight under normal circumstances you'll probably gain weight.  i gained 30 lbs in nine months, which was the most i have ever weighed.  but i also ate like crazy.  my appetite went ballistic.  i took the weight off in three months though after my testosterone returned.

ed

 

Posted 6/11/2012 4:54 PM (GMT -5)
Typically with Lupron there is a brief surge in your testosterone lasting several weeks then it plummets...sometimes referred to as a flair, which is the primary reason why casodex is prescribed, it blocks the androgen receptor.. thus it will keep the increased testosterone from feeding the cancer. The typical hot flashes generally will start after several months, as will the loss of libido. Many guys experience a lot of fatigue as well.....I've been on lupron for many months and the way around this is exercise, which also will help with weight. After a while you will crave carbs.....and raise your blood sugars as well.

 

Posted 6/11/2012 5:03 PM (GMT -5)
Ziggy, thanks. I should only be on Lupron for about 3 months, so hopefully effects will not be too severe. My post-op PSA (after 3 years) is still under 0.2, but they want to get it before it starts going up up up.
Posted 6/11/2012 6:27 PM (GMT -5)
It's takes a few weeks and builds over time. It be surprised if you don't get the hat flashes soon. Lose of libido too. Took me a good 6 weeks before I KNEW I was on lupron
Posted 6/11/2012 8:22 PM (GMT -5)
I should only be on Lupron for about 3 months, so hopefully effects will not be too severe.

i've never heard of only three months of lupron.  you know the radiation keeps working for months after the last session.  i ended up doing 9 months of lupron but i did have BT and IGRT.  originally i was told six months but because of how scheduling went down my uro wanted me to get the extra shot.

ed

 

Posted 6/11/2012 9:13 PM (GMT -5)
I mention the 3 months of Lupron because i was told i would have 7 weeks of Radiation, that was preceded by approx. 2 months of Hormones, with possibly a shot overlapping the end of the radiation. Which if there are two shots preceding, and one after, then I suppose there could be one 'during' the radiation, which could be a total of 4 shots = 4 months. As I said above, this is not officially being considered "Salvage Treatment", since the PSA has not even reached (official) detectable levels. Official medical/chemical "recurrence" is usually considered 0.2, and by some: 0.3. Mine is still 0.151. But since it has continued to increase from 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, etc. up to 0.151, then they see it as a slope upward to be dealt with (earlier rather than later). Not sure if that made since, but hopefully so.

thanks again for the responses.
Posted 6/11/2012 11:47 PM (GMT -5)
Hormone treatment is insidious..it just kind of sneaks up on you and then it's THERE...You should always have your testosterone level checked along with your PSA tests. With some men the Lupron is not as effective as it needs to be to stop the cancer....
Posted 6/14/2012 11:10 PM (GMT -5)
I am curious (and will find out soon enough), when guys talk about desire not there, and no libido. Is it to the point where you see your wife naked and don't even have the thoughts? Or you have the thoughts, and yet no interest in pursuing or doing anything about it. I don't mean to belabor the issue/question, but I am perplexed. If you watch a movie that has sexy women in it, or walk through a store and see some young pretty women, has that receptor in your brain been switched off, to where you don't even notice. Or do you still get crazy thoughts, but no personal interest, no fantasy?
Posted 6/14/2012 11:41 PM (GMT -5)
"If you watch a movie that has sexy women in it, or walk through a store and see some young pretty women, has that receptor in your brain been switched off, to where you don't even notice."

I still notice, thank goodness, 50-60 year old habits are hard to break..But the desire (and the ability) to have sex is simply not there...It takes almost a year before the full impact hits you...As I write this, I'm having a major hot-flash, 8 months after my last 6 month shot...
Posted 6/15/2012 1:48 AM (GMT -5)
"If you watch a movie that has sexy women in it, or walk through a store and see some young pretty women, has that receptor in your brain been switched off, to where you don't even notice."

on lupron you know that woman is pretty but you only look once.  there is no thought of having sex.  it sounds terrible but in a way it's really quite freeing.  i bought a new computer while on lupron and i never once looked at anything X rated unless it was by accident. 

ed

Posted 6/15/2012 8:49 AM (GMT -5)
I can see why it's sometimes referred to as "chemical castration".....lol

I was sad cause I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet!

Posted 6/15/2012 12:11 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks all. I can understand the comment about it being "freeing'. I have been a horny dog from an early age. I almost think the wife is looking forward to the temp change, so i will stop chasing her around the house (not really, not literally, but I have always been one who would have sex every day is she were interested. While dating, it was sometimes twice/day). I'm not trying to brag or be weird, just trying to state how prominent sex and libido have been in my life. I have always noticed women walking by, even from my peripheral vision. At times, i *am* tired of being "on" all the time. You can imagine 'where' my wife says my brain is located (in my pants). Some of this is hyperbole, and tongue in cheek, but much of it is the truth. I have even wondered, on rare occasions, if my P/C is payback for my high-interest in sex/etc. Oh well. Thank goodness none of us (on this forum) know each other. It is very helpful, to be able to vent, and to be very honest.

Thank you to all who read and respond.

Have a great weekend.
Posted 6/15/2012 12:22 PM (GMT -5)

FiftiesMale said...
Thanks all. I can understand the comment about it being "freeing'. I have been a horny dog from an early age. I almost think the wife is looking forward to the temp change, so i will stop chasing her around the house (not really, not literally, but I have always been one who would have sex every day is she were interested. While dating, it was sometimes twice/day). I'm not trying to brag or be weird, just trying to state how prominent sex and libido have been in my life. I have always noticed women walking by, even from my peripheral vision. At times, i *am* tired of being "on" all the time. You can imagine 'where' my wife says my brain is located (in my pants). Some of this is hyperbole, and tongue in cheek, but much of it is the truth. I have even wondered, on rare occasions, if my P/C is payback for my high-interest in sex/etc. Oh well. Thank goodness none of us (on this forum) know each other. It is very helpful, to be able to vent, and to be very honest.

Thank you to all who read and respond.

Have a great weekend.While dating, it was sometimes twice/day.....come on now, for awhile I was starting to believe you!

Posted 6/15/2012 12:51 PM (GMT -5)
no joke, no BS.
Posted 6/15/2012 12:52 PM (GMT -5)
FoxRun - i am 56, almost 57. This was 33 years ago, when we were dating.
Posted 6/15/2012 1:01 PM (GMT -5)

FiftiesMale said...
FoxRun - i am 56, almost 57. This was 33 years ago, when we were datingI beg your pardon, we never dated....lol

 

I'm sure, if so,  it was not a regular occurrence......The one time I had sex twice in one day, I was totally exhausted and unable to do anything else, so it would be very diffucult to hold down a job or attend school or perform any other normal activity......lol again!

Posted 6/15/2012 2:03 PM (GMT -5)
It was not an everyday occurrence. My apologies if that was implied. I 'wanted' sex every day. While dating, we had sex very often. And on rare occasions, twice in a day. Ever wake up in the morning, make love, then go out do your day, eat lunch, run errands, eat dinner, have some drinks, and have sex again that night? I was not saying that we did it twice within a couple of hours. Seems like the thread has gone way off course. My apology if i went off course. As i said, i thought this site allowed us to be candid and honest. Now, I guess i need to temper what i say, lest someone disbelieve me.
Posted 6/15/2012 2:58 PM (GMT -5)

FiftiesMale said...
It was not an everyday occurrence. My apologies if that was implied. I 'wanted' sex every day. While dating, we had sex very often. And on rare occasions, twice in a day. Ever wake up in the morning, make love, then go out do your day, eat lunch, run errands, eat dinner, have some drinks, and have sex again that night? I was not saying that we did it twice within a couple of hours. Seems like the thread has gone way off course. My apology if i went off course. As i said, i thought this site allowed us to be candid and honest. Now, I guess i need to temper what i say, lest someone disbelieve me.

PC shouldn't deprive us of a little humor.....lol
Posted 6/15/2012 3:01 PM (GMT -5)

Southern Comfort said...
FiftiesMale,
Stay optimistic on the libido aspect. I have been on HT for 18 months. Yes, some things change (fantasies, dreams, etc. seem to go away). Maybe I am the exception, but my wife and I continue to do just fine in that department and are very active. I enjoy it and seek it out. (I do have total ED .. use a VED for that.) Foxrun, I hope you are kidding about disbelieving twice in one day. And, twice in a day ain't limited to the young folks. [img]/community/emoticons/devil.gif[/img]

What can I say, it was a slow day and I had to question something....lol
Posted 6/16/2012 9:06 PM (GMT -5)
Anyone due a shot before before they removed prostate ?
My doc wants to while I figure out though surgen I talked to said I didn't need it.
7 of 10 cores positive 3 + 3 Gleason up to 80 %
Bone scan was clear but MRI found a small Kinney tumor they think is cancer.
Oh boy I get to have the robot twice
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