Erleada and Lupron: Does this combo wipe anyone else out?
I am on Erleada 240 mgs per day and Lupron one injection every 6 weeks. Some days I am wiped out from the medication. Anyone else feel this way? ~Don
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I was on Lupron and Erleada for a year. I have been advised that I have beginning bone issues and I am presently taking over the counter meds for bone weakness. I also have joint issues in my fingers. These are some of the ADT side effects.
Comparable drugs- Trelstar and Arbiterone wipe me out too, need to lay down a lot and rest for no reason as Low T does me in.
Don. That is a common side effect. As I recall, things got better as I was on it ( maybe because I changed my routine ) but being tired and some brain fog is common. I have been off of it for 20 months and those effects are gone.
Curious as to your changed routine. For me, Firmagon, Prednisone, and Abiraterone. I'm thinking you posted one time about changing the time of taking the dose. This stuff kicks butt and any suggestions are welcomed. Not sure I'll be able to stop taking these meds. Best to all.
We all know that 1st generation hormone therapies (ADTs) result in suppression of testosterone, and that 2nd generation hormone therapies (ARPIs) inhibit androgen receptor pathways. Between the two of them, there is no question that you will feel the side-effects you’re experiencing. (Your doctor should have explained this common knowledge to you.)
In a very short time your testosterone level dropped from many hundreds down to the single or low double-digits. The hormone that gave you all of your male characteristics is pretty much gone and is below most women’s levels.
The ADT (by suppressing testosterone) puts you into what’s called “male menopause,” with many of the same side-effects related to menopause.
Many men experience these side-effects to varying degrees — some more, some less —> brain fog, forgetfulness, confusion, memory loss, mood swings, emotions, depression; fatigue, loss of libido, ED, insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, muscle atrophy, loss of energy, weight gain, etc., are side-effects that are typically mentioned.
I have been asked about how I changed my routine. I was diagnosed 3 years ago with high risk G9 PC and my routine change has been gradual and is now a new routine, however:
1. Now eat a plant based diet and there was a learning curve for this. I like it and do not miss meat.
2. No longer gym member but walk 3-5 miles daily on the beach north of LA. Gained weight, loss hair, got older, got ED and accepted all of this as the new me. Glad to be alive.
3. My wife and I watch a movie daily in our media room with an ice cream ( a small cheat from plant diet) No sad movies.
4. Avoid depressing people. Give no unsolicited advice. Avoid discussing religion and politics
5. Sleep routine is: hot evening shower, 1 tylinol PM, 1 pill for depression and in bed by 10 pm.
6. Keep reasonably busy with little jobs at my homes and my kids homes and select neighbors. If the job is big, I break it down in smaller parts and if too big or complicated I hire expert help.
7. I try to keep a good attitude and hope that family and others will think of me as a nice old guy
@aquinas, it's been a few days. How is it going with the addition of Erleada?
Just finished 6 injections of Radium 223 Feel great Bone scan shows possible 9th rib new growth and T 5 Others are stable
PSA up in a yare from 1 to 10 to 31.4 How do I get it down On Zolodex and Xgeva and calcium 600 mg
Is chemo worth it with stage 4 bone only mets
"Worth it" is a complicated decision you have to make after long discussions with your care team, but I have read that an increasing number of oncologists believe in adding early chemo when there are too many metastases (bone or otherwise) to treat individually with external radiation. It probably varies from patient to patient, including other factors like age and general health, but it seems like it's a real option. I wish you the best while you talk and mull it over.
I'm not sure what "is it worth it" means. Can mean different things to each of us. I have stage 4 metastasized to the bones, top to bottom. Chemo and Firmagon were my first treatments. I didn't pick that option, I was still stunned that I had the problem. I will say that it made my pain go away and that it has been 15 months since diagnosis. I had 10 rounds of chemo and as doc said, I'm finished with that for now. For me it was worth it, without it I would be in a bad place. Last scans in june showed it wasn't spreading. Best to you on your journey.