Lupron or Not at 76?

@pesquallie
Thanks for your words. One mistake is my Gleason is 3+4 I switched it around.

I’m hoping I start feeling the Lupron leave my system in 3 months but I’m aware it probably be longer. And we will see about an erection.

Wish you the best

@chippydoo Orgovyx is my plan, assuming I can convince the urologist. I agree quality of life is an important issue. My argument is going to be just what you said - the half life takes me to 80 YO and the radiation oncologist said you likely won't get over all of the side effects at that age but which ones no one knows. My brother's neighbor is a year younger than me but better PSA and Gleason scores - he just quit Lupron after 6 months even though the recommendation was 12 months. Couldn't take it.

I’m 76, Gleason 4+3 along with initially suspected seminal vesicles & rib involvement Docs suggested 18-24 months Lupron and several radiation doses.

I decided to get a second opinion right after getting the first 6 month Lupron injection. The second RO after looking at my chart immediately suggested only 6 months Lupron and 5 SBRT sessions. I had the first session today.

My two cents on Lupron is much like a lot others. I’m into it 3+ months. The night sweats, achy joints, no sex drive and even the brain fog, I can deal with. It’s the potential bone loss, lack of energy and loss of strength and mood. It’s the first time in my life I actually feel old.

After 3 months I’ll have a PSA and see my RO.

I have no want, nor at this point in my mind will go on Lupron again. Combined with the aging and time left, quality of life it’s all there to choose. But I can’t imagine my physical & mental body after 18 -24 months.

Lupron can be really rough on the body. At age 82 I had about the same cancer diagnosis as you but opted for 44 radiation sessions and 18 months of Lupron. The Lupron side effects were so bad that I thought they would kill me, so I stopped at 4 months, but the effects lasted another year. I immediately became hypogonadal due to the Lupron and 3 weeks ago started TRT to get above my 111-testosterone level. Within 5 days I got some libido back and soft erections plus felt so much better. A number of recent studies now agree that TRT does not raise the risk of cancer return. It seems that testosterone is not the big driver of prostate cancer as they used to believe.

@tbgb50 Be firm- tell the urologist that you do NOT want Lupron; blame the cardiologist if you have to - this shows the RO that someone else is clued in to your treatment.
The only thing that should prevent you from getting Orgovyx at this point in time is your insurance company not wanting to pay for it – or you not being able to pay for it if they don’t. But remember, there are a lot of financial assistance programs at big centers for people who can’t afford cancer meds.
Phil

@utahgearhead Thanks for sharing. I have a second opinion from the doctors where my sister is the office director. They agreed with the radiation treatment and specifically did not recommend SBRT for me. Really eye-opening is that their standard treatment is Orgovyx. They do use Lupron but only in cases where it is needed. Too bad they are 2500 miles away.

@tbgb50 interesting as at the time I got the Lupron injection, I was an emotional & mental mess. I went along getting the injection. Of course afterward I thought about the pill and even raised whether my RO gave me that option. Claims to have informed me. And evidently is very costly and prone to human error of daily taking. I would have entertained it. But at the time with the test results etc. I went along with their direction.

Lupron can be really rough on the body. At age 82 I had about the same cancer diagnosis as you but opted for 44 radiation sessions and 18 months of Lupron. The Lupron side effects were so bad that I thought they would kill me, so I stopped at 4 months, but the effects lasted another year. I immediately became hypogonadal due to the Lupron and 3 weeks ago started TRT to get above my 111-testosterone level. Within 5 days I got some libido back and soft erections plus felt so much better. A number of recent studies now agree that TRT does not raise the risk of cancer return. It seems that testosterone is not the big driver of prostate cancer as they used to believe.

1. I was 85 when I took 2 shots of Lupron.
2. I stopped any more shots.
3. I had not realized that lack of testosterone would affect my walking ability.
4. It's four years later, and I have still NOT regained my previous mobility.
Best wishes to you.