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Relief for hot flashes during the night
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: May 27, 2024 | Replies (25)Comment receiving replies
Hot flashes are not a result of ADT. They are a result of low or absent testosterone, which is the reason for ADT. I was on ADT (Lupron, Abiraterone and Prednisone) for three years and had 6-8 hot flashes a day and 3-4 per night. I have been off ADT for 11 months, but am still experiencing hot flashes, although not quite as severe. My testosterone has reached 100 now, but the hot flashes are still a constant companion. I find that keeping the bedroom cool at night helps the nighttime hot flashes somewhat. I have tried black cohosh, ground flax seeds and other “remedies”, but haven’t noticed any improvement. I rather put up with the hot flashes than take drugs with all their side effects and potential interactions. I am willing to take drugs that will stop or slow the progression of my cancer, but I am unwilling to take drugs to combat the side effects of the drugs, other than calcium and Alendronate to prevent bone loss and iron to help red blood cells. When I was on ADT, I also needed Lisinopril to lower my blood pressure because ADT drugs raise blood pressure.
Replies to "Hot flashes are not a result of ADT. They are a result of low or absent..."
True, ADT doesn’t directly cause hot flashes. Basically, ADT (androgen deprivation therapy) hormone therapy leads to the pituitary gland downregulating its response resulting in a decrease in testosterone from the testicles. (See attached diagram,) This decrease in testosterone has significant metabolic side-effects, including (unfortunately) hot flashes. (Note that testosterone is an “androgen.”)
Lupron is an ADT (along with Eligard, Prostap, Camcevi, Lucrin, Zoladex, Trelstar, Pamorelin, Decapeptyl, Firmagon, and Orgovyx.)
Abiraterone (Zytiga) is not an ADT, Though it is a hormone therapy, it’s actually an ARPI (androgen receptor pathway inhibitor) - along with Erleada (apalutimide), Xtandi (enzalutimide), and Nubeqa (darolutamide).
Prednisone is a steroid used to control cortisol levels that are affected by the Abiraterone (Zytiga).
Depending on what your baseline testosterone level was, and how long you were on ADT, they say to not expect full recovery from the side-effects for 50% longer than you were on ADT. (Some men never fully recover depending on their age and how many years they were on ADT.). There are documented ways to minimize the side-effects of hormone therapy - including the hot flashes - without using other pharmaceuticals.
You mentioned bone loss. Did you have a baseline DEXA scan prior to start treatments?
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Question: Do you get pins and needles in your arms and torso immediately before getting a hot flash? I find it as unpleasant as the hot flashes themselves.