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Stopping Eligard early
I have advanced, aggressive, Gleason 9, Grade 5, Stage 4 prostate cancer. I went through radiation treatments and have been on both Lupron and Eligard for nine months. My PSA did drop to "undetected" after the nine months of shots. The oncologist originally wanted me to take the Leuprolide for eighteen months. Recently, I was hospitalized twice for an unknown virus that activated CMV virus, caused colitis, fever for three weeks and severe dehydration. I was pretty sick. Even shingles was activated because of the stress of all this. I have heart failure and also a blocked artery in my brain stem, both of which are manageable but concerning. Now, the oncologist is suggesting we stop the Leuprolide treatments early as the risks are outweighing the rewards because of the heart failure and the blocked artery and especially after this latest viral episode, which was very stressful physically. I realize I have some issues others may not have, but I would like to ask if anyone has stopped Leuprolide early and what the results were. Can it be re-started if the PSA starts rising again? Would stopping and starting allow testosterone to spread?
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I have was diagnosed with recurrent prostate cancer Gleason 9 (4+5) Grade 5 last summer. I had surgery over 15 years ago, but now the cancer spread to the bladder. I started on Eligard and Abiraterone last fall and continued through my radiation treatment that ended in April. I found the side effects from ADT to be overwhelming. Most significant for me was depression and anxiety that made it difficult for me to function on a daily basis. I made the decision to stop the Abiraterone first and then decided not to continue with Eligard after my last 3 month shot. My doctors agreed considering that my PSA was undetectable, and my testosterone is zero.
If your PSA is undetectable, I don't think there is any problem with stopping ADT. Many people go on intermittent hormone therapy and resume treatment when the PSA climbs to a certain level. Your testosterone will slowly come back, and your doctors will monitor your PSA to see if you need to resume ADT. You can opt for a "milder" treatment next time around. Talk to your doctor about Casodex instead of Lupron. The side effects are less intense.
Thank you! I appreciate your comments very much. I have a friend who is a cardiologist. He also tells me I shouldn't think twice about stopping Lueprolide after three shots, each three months apart, since my PSA became undetectable. My primary is saying the same thing. I'll add your comments to that column. Of course, those of us who have prostate cancer are thinking about it all the time and decisions can be tough.