Do ALL men get side effects from Lupron shots?

I took two rounds of Lupron (9 months, off several months, then 12 months) with no significant side effects. At most maybe a little energy drain.

Age 64, First, Lupron shot October 25. Next shot next week. So far so good.

I’ve been on ADT for six weeks. Firmagon for one month and Lupron for two. I’ve always been an exerciser and continue with the same or maybe an enhanced program. I’ve had little side effects except lack of orgasm. Intimacy is still good. I feel that I could continue to take this for the rest of my life if I had to. I’m 71 years old and have a grade 4 Gleason 10 PC.

Lupron shot in October before beginning radiation in December. Completed radiation Feb. 4. Only side effect I've had from the Lupron is hot flashes. Significant fatigue from the radiation (39 treatments). Age 68, Gleason 9.

I had a heart attack &double bypass 33 years before having radiation,then Lupron shots . 1 year later when my PSA starting rising again. Unfortunately the Lupron started side effects within 2 weeks (forcing me to cut my morning walk regimen down from three miles to 2 miles & within 10 months down to 1 km maximum and significant arrhythmias and Vtach(heart rate went up to 230 beets per minute which was only corrected by shocking & then they implanted a defibulater/pacemaker the next day ) Unfotunately the PVC s are continuing and I am refusing any more Lupron injections. Now I am wondering if I should go the Firmagon route or Relugolix(Orgovyx) Does anyone have any suggestions ?

Yes, all men get side effects from Lupron shots. A man may not get every side effect possible and the severity of the side effects vary greatly from person to person. But every man will feel some effects from Lupron. I was on Lupron for a year and tolerated it well and did everything I normally do (except race dirt bikes). I even played in the 2024 Nationals Pickleball tournament under full ADT. Despite your best efforts on diet and weight lifting you will gain some weight and you will lose some strength if you have to be on Lupron for more than 6 months.

@fredwright
When I was 10 I had triple beats which freaked my parents out and I ended up with a specialist who said oh it’s normal. I was very tall for my age And the doctor said that that’s why it was happening. I suspect it was PVCs.

In 2004 and 2006 I had afib events. Just out of the blue. The first time it went away on its own within, maybe six or eight hours. The second time it took over a day and just went away finally.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010 started Lupron in 2017 had no problems. In 2021 I started Zytiga. 11 months later, I had an a fib event. A year later, I had another one and six months after that I had a third one that lasted for three days, in the hospital. Had the last one About seven months later. This is more a warning to stay away from Zytiga. They cardioverted me all four times.

I started Nubeqa in mid 2023 and switched to Orgovyx from Lupron 6 months later.

I’m bringing up these details because recently I’ve noticed a problem with PVC events like you’re talking about. Last weekend I noticed I was getting double beats, Second one, not beating as hard. , They would last for 10 or 15 minutes go back to normal for a few minutes and then go back to double beats. Went into the emergency room had an EKG and they said no big deal, ventricular issue. Last night I had the same thing happen again went on for two or three hours. Right now, I’m noticing Skip beats but sort of normal pulses.

I don’t know if it’s ADT (Orgovyx) or nubeqa causing it, but I’ve been on both for almost 3 years and Did not have a problem during that time, until last weekend. My heart rate was not over about 72 while I had the PVCs.

The emergency room doctor was pretty adamant about the fact that it didn’t matter. Then there’s the fact that I’m on both metoprolol and Diltiazem. Apparently, you can have an AFib event with a slow heart rate if you’re on those drugs.

I am on Pradaxa for a blood thinner, so that’s one reason they have said no big deal.

I am 78 now. I can run a mile twice a day without any problems at all. I go to the gym three days a week exercise hard for an hour, no problems at all. I think you’re describing fatigue, it is why you have to cut back on the amount of time. I don’t have any fatigue.

I would imagine you are on a blood thinner. That really is critical for people that have the problems we’ve got.

You are not alone with these PVC events.

@jeffmarc Hi Jeff, the reason I have to stop walking at 1km. now is not tirednesss but when I persisted walking my defibulater went off because of the strain on my heart. Every time my defibulater goes off, the cardiologist restricts me from driving for another 3 months. I’m hoping this will reverse when I get on Orgovyx or Firmagon.

@toeknee The early days of ADT are not that bad. I was on Lupron for a year and tolerated it well. Just be aware that it wears on you over time, especially if you have to go past 6 months. See my bio for more details.

@fredwright
Well, must admit that is a good reason to take a break. Three months arghhhh.

Orgovyx is easy. Firmagon shots every month can become very uncomfortable and even painful. They both work just as well.