How long do Lupron side effects last after treatment concludes?

hmm...My urologist doesn’t give me much feedback and just says “stay on the Luperon forever”

Does he say why?

Depending on your clinical data, he may not be "wrong," albeit he may not be right.

Intermittent ADT (IADT) is a possibility in advanced PCa. If so, discuss with your medical team the criteria for going off ADT, how you will monitor for recurrence after and what criteria will result in a decision to go back on.

I am high risk, advanced - GS 8, GG4, 18 months to BCR, rapid PSADT and PSAV, yet the two times I have done ADT, they have been for defined periods, 18 months of Lupron and 12 months of Orgovyx.

The Lupron was planned for 24 months in conjunction with chemotherapy and WPLN radiation. Dr. Kwon agreed to stop at 18 based on my response vice 24. The 2nd time my oncologist wanted to do 24 months of ADT + ARI and SBRT, I wanted do six of ADT, no ARI...we settled on 12 months of Orgovyx and based on my response, would decide then whether to continue in three month intervals until the 24 month point, then come off if the clinical data supported it. Same with the ARI, we decided not add it unless the Orgovyx did not drop the PSA to undetectable within the first three months, it did...

IADT may not be appropriate for all in advance PCa, here's one article, you can find others. Discuss with your medical team. If they say no, ask them for their reasoning and what data supports heir decision based on your clinical history, not the "populationbased data!"

You say "I’m experiencing some muscle loss and some testicular shrinkage already and wondering if it can be reversed if I stop the Luperon? Yes, in part depends on the recovery of T which can and does vary, exercise may help in the recovery as well as the muscle loss, especially resistance training.

I have not had surgery. I’m 70 years old and have been in pretty good health. Radiation Dr said he thought 18 mo on ADT. I’m having trouble getting any kind of “team” together.

I really appreciate the feedback. It’s all just really complicated. I’ll get my first PSA test (post Radiation) soon so hopefully that will tell me more. I always thought that after radiation I could get another “test” and determine if it was all gone then go about my merry way .. just realizing it’s not that simple.

"It’s all just really complicated.."

Yes, good news, yet, it means there is a plethora of choices. It can lead to "paralysis by analysis."

Do your homework, have discussions with your medical team, when they "recommend" a treatment, they need to explain why they chose that over other options given your clinical data.

Rules for me...

Don’t Walk In Cold to an Appointment. To make sure I do the best thing for my individual prostate cancer, I need to educate myself.

Knowledge will empower my BS detector. When my medical team told me ADT is what I need and did not want to talk about imaging and combining other therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy, I didn’t just have to accept their advice on faith.

I walk in the door ready to start the conversation at a different level. I don’t have to spend time talking about the basics, things like Gleason grade and clinical stage and what they mean. I already know. I can have an intelligent discussion about the merits of a particularly treatment for my cancer, my likelihood of being cured, and risk of side effects.

Kevin

I was diagnosed in 2015. However, I stumbled across a 2010 occupational physical PSA result of 0.64. I know, most of you are laughing right now. Unfortunately, with my cancer this is a significant number. Over the past 10 years, my highest PSA has been 4.2 with the majority of my results below 1. Looking back, I realized that I started having ED symptoms in 2011.

I have had prostatectomy, radiation of the prostate bed, two sessions of chemotherapy, tumor ablations, Pluvicto treatment, Xtandi treatment, and currently on Vitrakvi. All of this time I have been on ADT.

I post this with two intentions. First, please take your PSA results as an indication of PCA activity and have your doctor explain it until you understand it. Second, have faith that you can beat this beast! Family, friends, and a medical team you believe in are extremely important. In my case, PRAYER has been very important to me. I pray you find strength to persevere.

Great, so now you have seen what the very experienced members of the forum have advised and you’ve stated that you had no surgery.
You had a Gleason 5+4 which is considered high risk (5+5 being the highest) and had radiation for it. Did you have a Decipher Test, which gives you an idea of the cancer’s ability to spread? Did you have a PSMA PET scan to show any spread outside the prostate?
These are very important things to know before you can determine what treatment you require. Your RO saying you need yo be on ADT for 18 months sounds reasonable - you have a very high grade cancer and it needs more ADT to weaken it. But you also may require additional meds - as others have had - to really hit this thing hard.
You might want to also consult with a medical oncologist in order to see if there are additional steps you should be taking NOW.
If you have been having trouble getting answers or finding a team to coordinate the best treatment for YOUR cancer, I will go back to what I said a few posts ago. Get away from your urologist - useless at this point. Locate a major cancer facility near you, ask for a consult and have copies of your records sent there. They may perform additional tests and scans which you haven’t had.
I will sum up by saying that prostate cancer is NOT simple; Gleason 5+4 is VERY serious; and you are NEVER DONE with this disease.
But remember that others in your situation have lived for decades with this and you can too!!