Hot Flashes and Hormonal Therapy for Prostate Cancer

I have a slightly different question on this subject. I received a one-time injection in May 2020 of Eligard (aka Lupron) which lasts 4 months. At the same time, I started a once a day bicalutamide which I stopped taking on August 13th at the end of my proton treatments. My side effects were mild (hot flashes, fatigue, restless sleep). Exercise was a big help in mitigating the side effects. I know that the longer one takes androgen deprivation therapy (ADP), the longer it takes to get over it. My question is this: how long after ceasing a short term course (4 months) of ADP before the side effects disappear if ever?

Well I had 1 shot of the Lupron at Mayo MN a year and a half ago.. and the side effects are still lingering it seems.. but I need to ask them .. Thanks for your note.. to remind me it inquire... I was so glad to have the Prostate Cancer caught dead in its tracks that was my main focus at the time... a year's follow up gives me PSAs around 0.5... and that makes me feel good..

Ken82, Thanks for your reply. I'll just have to be patient. I won't know how I am doing until January when I will have my first blood test for measuring PSA following the cessation of proton treatments and the hormone therapy. I am extremely hopeful since they caught my cancer localized and very early. Good luck on your progress.

Do you mind sharing your treatment was it surgery?

I have not done surgery yet, I’m scheduled for Nov 18

Hung it there you will be fine.

Re Orgovyx: Here is what my radiation oncologist at Mayo PHX, Dr. Keole, told me when I asked him: "I have not prescribed relugolix, aka Orgovyx. It requires closer medical management, due to cardiac side effects, and I would personally not manage it in my clinic. Does Medicare cover it? I didn't think that they did. It is a very, very expensive drug (>$2,000 a month, I think)?"

Somewhat surprised by your radiologist's perspective...

Not sure why he says it requires "closer medical management..." unless he has concerns about patients taking the medicine every day as opposed to say the 1, 3 or 6 month Lupron shot where the patient comes in to the office for administration of the shot, labs and consult.

As to the side affects, well, again, not sure why he says "cardiac side affects..." since with Orgovyx, the side affects for cardio vascular risk is less than Lupron.

Orgovyx has other advantages over Lupron, no flare, the increase in testosterone associated with administering Lupron, quicker and more sustained testosterone suppression throughout the treatment period and faster recovery of testosterone when ending treatment.

It does have side affects since it suppresses testosterone, hot flashes, fatigue, muscle and joint stiffness, metabolic changes
https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2021/fda-relugolix-prostate-cancer-androgen-deprivation-therapy.
Of course, there is the "financial toxicity" issue with it as a new drug, particularly since as opposed to the Lupron shot which is administered as part of the office consult, it is a pill, so Part B vs Part D.

Kevin

I have completed i week on Orgovyx. No side effects yet. perhaps your radiologist is concerned about elevated glucose and trigylcerides which need to b managed. My prescription plan covers it.

I am about to start 4 weeks of this medication - how did it work out for you witht he full course of therapy?