Eligard: What symptoms can I expect?

Posted by pbgentile @pbgentile, Aug 20 8:39am

Good morning folks. I had prostate cancer 23 years ago and had it removed. PSA was zero for about 6 years, then started going up. Had radiation treatment that brought the PSA down to zero. In 2019 took a PSA test that showed below 1, then it started moving up slowly for a couple years and I saw my urologist who monitored it. This past summer it moved up almost a full point (still below 4) so he prescribed and Eligard injection. Aside from the hot flashes and sweats what else can anyone suggest I should expect?

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slick64 | @slick64 | Aug 21 5:32pm

From my experience, I received two Eligard injections before receiving Proton radiation. The hot flashes and sweats were nothing, in fact I didn’t know I was having a hot flash till after the fact. The worst was the day after the injections, I felt like total shit, as if I was torn in two, or had part of me ripped away. That subsides, what will continue will be the tiredness, I would wake up and go to work and be able to make it thru about half a day, then bam ass dragging. While it was difficult, you can overcome it. During my treatment, I got those two and another of Firmagon. That was all and I rang the bell in May of ‘23. To date, I’m doing very well, no issues however, the shots last longer than you will be told, after almost 18 mths, while I’m feeling much better and “normal”, recovery will take time, my testosterone is just now starting to come back up. I wish you all the best brother.

mike72 | @mike72 | Aug 22 5:37am

In reply to @slick64 "From my experience, I received two Eligard injections before receiving Proton radiation. The hot flashes and..." + (show)

I am 12 months from my last Eligard injection. My psa is undetectable and my testosterone is starting to rise👍.
Sweats are the norm and fatigue affects others differently….we all are on our own different journey battling prostate cancer

pbgentile | @pbgentile | Aug 22 5:50am

Glad you’re feeling better, sounds like you have a great attitude, keep it up!!!

chamblee54 | @chamblee54 | Aug 23 9:15am

I had some occasional joint pain in my knees and left shoulder. It comes and goes.
Some weight gain around my middle despite working out.
Some mood swings. Have to stay away from drama people.
Regular hot flashes.
Had a couple times when my heart rate would go up for a few minutes.

koji480 | @koji480 | Aug 24 5:01pm

I'm back on Eligard after being off for two years. There are meds available that can help with severe hot flashes should that occur. Don't know of what helps with fatigue other than good diet and discipline in engaging in exercise.
Keep up the fight!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 7 1:32pm

@pbgentile, checking in. How are you doing on Eligard?

pbgentile | @pbgentile | Sep 7 2:49pm

I'm in my third month since the injection. The PSA test after the injection showed that it went down to below 1 from close to 4. I still get the sweats at night, but the hot flashes, which lasted 6 weeks, have subsided. I will never tease a woman about hot flashes again, they are completely terrible.
Have not had an erotic or carnal thought since the injection, very different for me.

The thing I want to chat about with my urologist is if he is sure that it is prostate cancer that caused the sudden rise in my psa rating (almost a point). I'm curious because the PET scan I got showed nothing about cancer.

I really appreciate your asking about this. Thank you!
Paul Gentile