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Posted 10/9/2007 11:34 AM (GMT -5)
My husband "Bill" was diagnosed with PCa in Oct. 2005. At first the usologist thought it was infection and gave him antibiotics.  His PSA level was 19.0.  The antibiotics did no good and a biopsy was done. 

The first biopsy was unclear so another radical biopsy was done.  This came back positive.  His Gleason score was 8 of 12.  The urologist said his PCa was very agressive so a radical prostectomy was suggested and performed in Oct. 2006.  Two tumors were found on the outside of his prostate one on the left and one had adhered to his rectum. The surgery went well and he came through it well.  Post Surgery there was still a PSA level.  A prostascint scan was done and some of the cancer was still in his prostate bed.  He went through 36 sessions of radiation  ending in June 06 and the PSA level did not go away.  The past 3 PSA levels taken monthly have went from 0.41 to 0.52 to 0.67.  The oncologist is going to do another prostiscint scan on Oct. 23 and is suggesting starting Lupron Depot the first of November.  Has anyone taken this harmone and how were the results and side effects?  Bill and I are both 63, very active, ride motorcyclists with the Christian Motorcyclists Association.  Have a Gold Wing Honda and a Hyabusa Sportsbike.

Please advise about the Lupron Depot and what to expect.

Thanks, Lannie

 

Posted 10/9/2007 12:18 PM (GMT -5)

Here's a site with info:

Lupron Depot: Prostate Cancer

I had Lupron injections, one every three months for 9 months.  I experienced cold sweats, and some crying bouts that I learned to wait out.

Posted 10/9/2007 2:23 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Lannie,

I have been taking Lupron since June of this year and the only problems I have had are hot flashes and night sweats. These have been quite intense at time and I inquired of my Doc for something to combat it. He prescribed a medicine called megestrel which has lessened the symptoms a lot. I also believe my muscle tone has diminished somewhat, however I counteract that with lifting light weights putting emphasis on my chest and arms. Your husband will have a tendancy to gain weight....don't believe it makes you eat more, maybe changes your metabolism a little. I have had no depression or related issues. My psa after robotic surgery was .62 then .59 and three months after starting Lupron it was .08 so it does work in dropping psa scores. There are several others on the forum who have been through Lupron treatment and maybe some of them will weigh in. My doc has me scheduled to take them for 2 year. Tell your hubby to take one day at a time, keep a positive attitude and pray a lot. Good luck...
Posted 10/9/2007 6:01 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Lannie,
I started Lupron five months ago and am well. The hot flashes are not overbearing for me. We have a little in common in that I love to ride bikes but basically just offroad bikes. A told a story in another thread that I was up in the mountains in Utah this weekend riding through the snow thinking, darn it's cold, where's a hot flash when I need one? But it has not slowed me down a bit. I am 45 but it's a positive atitude that I need to start the bike and go again. And I recommend that should you choose, and it sounds like you have to, to take on HT, that you know the side effects ahead of time and be prepared to work though them. There are those here who don't like this treatment, including me, but have resolved that it's just a way of life now. I am doing very well and will continue as long as my oncologist suggests I do. There are things to do to prevent side effects and I suggest that you read a book entitled "Beating Prostate Cancer: Hormonal Therapy and Diet" by Dr. Charles "Snuffy" Myers. There are other books probably equally as good but I adhere to the advise in this book.

Tony
Posted 10/9/2007 9:18 PM (GMT -5)
I'm now taking Casodex, and I have to say the side effects are almost non-existant compared to Lupron.

Additional benefits: CHEAPER! Two small pills a day. No doctor visit required. No hurting behind!
Posted 10/9/2007 10:45 PM (GMT -5)
Hi   ~ Lannie & Bill,   Welcome    to…    ~ HealingWell ~   and   A    “ Special ”    Warm Welcome   to   You !   Knowledge gives us POWER….   POWER takes away the fear.   Click here for… Prostate Cancer Resources, Helpful Hints , and Topic Thread Links This link is also located at the top of the HealingWell’s Prostate Forum where topics (threads) are viewed.   Invitation to New Members… Welcome to HealingWell (Special Request)   (Direct Links ~ just click on the titles above and a new window will open! Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there)   Threads asking a specific question will get specific replies…   A personal thread is a way of allowing us to learn a little more about “you” and you get to learn a little more about us!!!   It allows us information as to where you are on your journey.   A “name” (even one made up : ) makes it a little more personal… and we really do get personal in a HealingWell way…!! Please ~ keep posting, keep questioning, and stay close …   The information (links) listed above is to help you get started on your journey. It is a journey best traveled with friends. Welcome ~ New Friend from all the members here... on HealingWell.com   v       IdahoSurvivor ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1160/1313099593_9f819e3ff8.jpg   v       bluebird ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/mamabluebird1955/mamabluebirdWelcome.jpg
Posted 10/9/2007 10:48 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Lannie and Bill ~ We’re sorry for the reason you’re with us, but so glad to have you here. Please feel comfortable to share as if you’ve always been here!   The more information you are able to share with us, the better your new friends on HealingWell can respond to you. Finally, a very warm welcome to you! Keeping you close in our thoughts and prayers. All the best,
Posted 10/18/2007 3:19 PM (GMT -5)
Helping to keep this information together....taken from:  Thanks & Update Lannie said...   Thanks for the replys on Lupron. We just returned on Tuesday from a ride to Camp Creek, West Virginia where we participated in a Biker Sunday Church service on Sunday.  11 people - 6 bikes from Augusta.  This will probably be the last long bike trip Bill and I will take for awhile.  He gets really tired and he complained on Friday night about his hips hurting which he has never done before.   He attributes all of his bone pain to arthritus and I try to agree with him and not make him angry.  He gets angry very easy these days. We start the prosticint scan on  Tues.  Please pray that they will find where the stuff is hiding so that the doctor will know how to treat it. Thanks again - Lannie    v       bluebird ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum
Posted 10/18/2007 3:23 PM (GMT -5)
Hi ~ Lannie & Bill, We are keeping you extra close during this time... Feel our prayers and the strength we are sending your way.  Hugs from Lee & Buddy
Posted 10/18/2007 9:40 PM (GMT -5)
Lannie - I know your worry and it's difficult to come to terms with this life changing disease when it affects someone you love. You're in a very hard place, not knowing what's going on and that creates fear. Try not to let that overwhelm you.

My husband has been on Lupron - successfully - for a year. He has most of the side effects but they are not so bad that he can't work through them.

This whole process, the diagnosis, the decision to have surgery, the pathology report and higher than pre surgery PSA, then HT has been so very difficult, but once we decided that fear was not going to dictate how we live it got much easier.
"Our lives have changed, for sure, but I never would have imagined how full and good it would be." That's a quote from my husband. I feel the same and am amazed.

I'm hoping Bill gets a get a good report, please continue to post here...we all need each other.

Susan
Posted 10/19/2007 12:58 AM (GMT -5)
My husband has been on Lupron since June, and apart from the normal side effects, he's doing fine. Exercise is making him feel very good. Take care. Dutchy

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