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I am 83 and had a PSA of 11.1, Gleason 4 + 4, Stage 3BT. After 44 radiation treatments and 4 months of Lupron shots I had to stop the Lupron. With radiation I had severe diarrhea and severe Tenesmus pain for about 4 hours every day. With Lupron I started sweating heavily to the point that I could not even have a sheet on me while sleeping because of the sweat. Severe headaches, aching muscles, brain fog, and urinary issues that only began to decline 7 months after my last 3-month Lupron shot. Still having hot flashes and sweating all day long. I stay in shape with an hour long work out at least 4 days per week. My first 2 PSA tests were < 0.1 and testosterone around 8, so my numbers are good. I wish I had done Proton therapy instead of radiation. Still very anxious and sleep poorly getting up 3 times a night. Harvard Men's Health and Duke studies are pushing for a reduction in ADT use because of the severe side effects. Ed
Replies to "@budmartin I am 83 and had a PSA of 11.1, Gleason 4 + 4, Stage 3BT...."
@pesquallie
First sorry for your journey with this.
You mentioned with you had had proton therapy instead of radiation. Proton is a type of radiation. The biggest difference between the standard radiation which is Photon is that proton radiation does not enter the body at full force and stops a specific spot and does not exit body like photon radiation does.
Because most R/Os will radiate the prostate and margins you will get some radiation damage to your bladder and colon. But in concept proton radiation is suppose to reduce the damage of radiation because does not exit the body like photon does preventing that damage that photon does with exit through body.
I had 30 rounds of proton radiation and chose proton versus photon because of what I posted. The information I posted came from my Mayo R/O, UFHPTI R/O, and my Mayo PCP along with all I could read on it.
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@pesquallie
I had terrible hot flash and sweating problems with Lupron. After A year my oncologist recommended a depo-provera shot every three months.
They almost completely stopped my hot flashes and night sweats. You should ask your doctor about it.