When do you start lupron shots?

Hi @john57 here is more information on lupron (leuprolide) shots: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/leuprolide-intradermal-route-intramuscular-route-subcutaneous-route/description/drg-20067038

@safari1949 @semeon and @donnelson may have opinions on this and could be able to share their experience.

How has your treatment gone so far? How are you recovering from the surgery in October?

So far I'm ok I don't have any pain or discomfort

I had my prostate removed 10 years ago and then had radiation because of the margins and then did the watchful waiting with 1 year and then 6 month psa tests followed by a doctors visit. I just started Lupron about 2-1/2 weeks ago and so far no problems. I actually have a little more energy perhaps, although I have always been active running our business and exercising religiously mainly for my Parkinson's. My urologist wanted to wait until he saw real movement on the psa because of the side effects some people have. He retired last year and my new doc saw that my psa doubled from 2.88 to 6.22 in 6 months and recommended hormone therapy (Lupron). I had a bone scan and a ct scan. The cancer had metastasized to 4 places in my bones outside of the prostate bed. He also recommended I see an oncologist which we did and they are recommending another additional treatment, either chemo or Zytiga. I would recommend starting early rather than later but watchful waiting is good because each of the treatments may just buy more time and their efficacy will eventually be less and you would have to progress to another level. Every person responds in their own way to the treatments. Sorry you are having to deal with this now. It will be with us for the rest of our lives. Get a plan, live by it and enjoy life. By the way it took me about 4 years to get back to somewhat normal level after the surgery without other treatments. They were still good years.

my only complaint so far is leakage i can,t control when my urine comes out

to john57. John by now you should have results from from your PSA and that may be the determining factor as to if you need additional treatment. In an ideal situation you may not need additional treatment if surgery was totally successful. Many surgeries however are not and require additional treatment. I had my prosectomy nearly 10 years ago and not sure if the protocol would be similar to mine but I can give you overview of my treatment. Doc after surgery said margins were clear and all looked OK. However PSA began to go up and I eventually was put on Lupron but that was after radiation and chemo. I started Lupron 2 years ago after the PSA began to increase again. PSA never did go above 6 but the Doc and I agreed we would start it when it reached a certain number, can't remember what that was maybe a 4. For last two years PSA has been less than one. Very minimal side effects. All my yearly scans are close to normal, some indication of matastisis but not showing growth. I feel good and have good quality of life. Do realize that Lupron will greatly lower your testosterone.,mine is less than 10. Not sure what effects long term use of Lupron will have but the past two years no problem. I receive Lupron injection every 6 months.I am now 78 YOA. Any other questions I be gland to share my experience. Alan S.

thanks for the reply yes i did get my psa back it was 2.28 which i know is good my doctor wants to start radiation but he wants to wait till the leakage is under control. did you have a problem with leakage?luckily i have not had too many side effects from the shot just some pain where they gave me the shot i guess we will see what happens

Hi John. I also done the surgery. I waited 6 months to start Lupron as my PSA number was less than .1. My oncologist suggested I do radiation and Lupron as a precaution because my Gleason score on the prostate after removal and cultured was a 9. My PSA has not risen but I opted to do the treatments to be safe. I am a year and two months after surgery my PSA is less than .01. I can tell you there is side effects to Lupron, the two that bother me the most are upset stomach and a short temper. I am a very easy going person and the short temper even surprises me when it comes on in certain situations. On the radiation part of it was the hemorrhoids very painful, but now 3 months after radiation they are much better. The doctors say it can take up to a year to get back to normal from the radiation. I also discovered my blood sugar levels have went way up from the Lupron and might have to go on meds. Something I wasn't expecting, but hopefully now that the butt is feeling better I can get back to a more active life and get the blood sugar coming back down. Much luck to you on whatever you decide.

thanks i appreciate that i should start chemo in another month or 2 so far my only side affect is soreness at the injection site and of course i have leakage

John, Hope some of your leakage issue has become minimal.   I haven't had that as a major issue.  I do have some minor leakage but is usually when i sit in a odd way or doing some exercises.  Not often but evena little and occasional is uncomfortable.  For the first 3-4 weeks after surgery I did wear the heavy duty underwear but not necessary after that.  Has our doctor recommended Kegel exercise?   How often are you receiving Lupron shots?  I hope all gets under control and any side effects are minimal/

hello alnar and thanks for the reply i had my first shot in november i started therapy today and i start radiation on the 30th of this month as for the leakage its already starting to decrease i,m hoping with the therapy it will decrease even more my next lupron shot is in may