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How long do the side effects of Lupron/Eligard last?

Posted by northshorepaul @northshorepaul, Jun 19, 2023

This Monday I am getting my number 3 and last injection of 6 month duration Eligard/Lupron. This is after 39 Proton Beam sessions which began 3 months after I was started on the 18 month protocol of ADT treatment.
My question is for those who have gone this route, how long after this last injection will I begin to get some relief from the medication? The hot flashes and perspiration seem to be the most obvious and prevalent side effect. Weight gain around the waistline and shrinkage of other body parts is noticeable but does not affect comfort as the perspiration accompanied by the hot flashes. I am really bothering my wife with the roller coaster movement of the air conditioning thermostat, up and down throughout the day...and night. lol
As I write this I get my last injection tomorrow and six months since the 2nd injection the hot flashes feel as bad as they did 6 months ago.

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socoldad | @socoldad | Mar 6, 2024

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I'm hoping for short term side effects. Original PSA was 15 and had undergone a prostectomy 18 months ago, PSA was undetectable until now. It had risen to (0.4). Thankfully my PET scan came back clear for mestasis. Going through beam radiation therapy (6 days in of 38 treatments). Doc recommended 1 shot of Lupron (supposedly lasts 3 months). I'm not looking forward to side effects of either treatment.

REPLY
2 replies
michaelcharles | @michaelcharles | Mar 7, 2024
In reply to @socoldad "Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I'm hoping for short term side effects. Original PSA..." + (show)
@socoldad

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I'm hoping for short term side effects. Original PSA was 15 and had undergone a prostectomy 18 months ago, PSA was undetectable until now. It had risen to (0.4). Thankfully my PET scan came back clear for mestasis. Going through beam radiation therapy (6 days in of 38 treatments). Doc recommended 1 shot of Lupron (supposedly lasts 3 months). I'm not looking forward to side effects of either treatment.

Jump to this post

My Salvage Tx was IMRT radiation 37 txs together with 4 mos ADT. I took Orgovyx.
Side effects (SEs) for me were moderate but manageable.
Difficult to differentiate between causes.
Radiation Proctitis was a SE for me, and it cleared 2 - 4 wks post radiation.
ADT caused fatigue, minor hot flushes, mental fog. I describe it as all the issues of a 73 yr old exacerbated.
All SEs abated substantially about 4 mos after ADT completed, except some residual mid afternoon fatigue, when my recliner looks particularly inviting.
Not an expert, but I think that Lupron comes in 1, 3 & 6 mos injections.
SPPORT trial supports 4 - 6 month short term ADT together with radiation to whole pelvic region (WPRT).
Good news is that my 2 PSA tests following salvage tx have been undetectable.
Short answer to the Q initially posted: Too long!
Good luck with your treatments.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 14, 2024
In reply to @socoldad "Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I'm hoping for short term side effects. Original PSA..." + (show)
@socoldad

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I'm hoping for short term side effects. Original PSA was 15 and had undergone a prostectomy 18 months ago, PSA was undetectable until now. It had risen to (0.4). Thankfully my PET scan came back clear for mestasis. Going through beam radiation therapy (6 days in of 38 treatments). Doc recommended 1 shot of Lupron (supposedly lasts 3 months). I'm not looking forward to side effects of either treatment.

Jump to this post

@socoldad, just thought I'd check in. How are you doing? How is treatment going?

REPLY
2 replies
mike72 | @mike72 | Mar 15, 2024
In reply to @colleenyoung "@socoldad, just thought I'd check in. How are you doing? How is treatment going?" + (show)
@colleenyoung

@socoldad, just thought I'd check in. How are you doing? How is treatment going?

Jump to this post

This is the best question for feedback..in my case I had Lupron for 2yrs and now on 7 month holiday.. my psa is undetectable…BUT still have sweats at night..all good👍

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socoldad | @socoldad | Mar 22, 2024
In reply to @colleenyoung "@socoldad, just thought I'd check in. How are you doing? How is treatment going?" + (show)
@colleenyoung

@socoldad, just thought I'd check in. How are you doing? How is treatment going?

Jump to this post

Thank you for reaching out to me. I am doing as well as can be expected I guess. My daily routine has changed because of fatigue but napping is supposed to be good for me. I am also at the mid point of my radiation therapy and the diarrhea seems to be my worst side effect. It's beginning to effect my appetite.

REPLY
socoldad | @socoldad | Mar 22, 2024
In reply to @michaelcharles "My Salvage Tx was IMRT radiation 37 txs together with 4 mos ADT. I took Orgovyx...." + (show)
@michaelcharles

My Salvage Tx was IMRT radiation 37 txs together with 4 mos ADT. I took Orgovyx.
Side effects (SEs) for me were moderate but manageable.
Difficult to differentiate between causes.
Radiation Proctitis was a SE for me, and it cleared 2 - 4 wks post radiation.
ADT caused fatigue, minor hot flushes, mental fog. I describe it as all the issues of a 73 yr old exacerbated.
All SEs abated substantially about 4 mos after ADT completed, except some residual mid afternoon fatigue, when my recliner looks particularly inviting.
Not an expert, but I think that Lupron comes in 1, 3 & 6 mos injections.
SPPORT trial supports 4 - 6 month short term ADT together with radiation to whole pelvic region (WPRT).
Good news is that my 2 PSA tests following salvage tx have been undetectable.
Short answer to the Q initially posted: Too long!
Good luck with your treatments.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your reply. Your description of all the issues of a 73 year old exacerbated is on point. At the half way point of my radiation therapy and I am starting to feel that exacerbation.

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msg17 | @msg17 | Apr 23 7:41pm

Hot flash didn't go away after 3 years not as bad now

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northshorepaul | @northshorepaul | Apr 23 9:58pm

My effects of the Eligard injections lasted about 18 months after the last 6 month duration injection. I had three injections, spaced 6 months apart and I would say the effects lasted until about 18 months from the time of the last injection. One day I realized I was not having any more hot flashes and the hair on my legs started to grow back as it had been before this all started. 😉

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danny0214 | @danny0214 | 6 days ago
In reply to @slick64 "I understand your concern. It will be a year since I received my last shot and..." + (show)
@slick64

I understand your concern. It will be a year since I received my last shot and finished treatment in May ‘23. Just after, I did a webinar on the side effects of treatment from The Prostate Cancer Foundation and they stated, that the shots are longer lasting than told and that it could take 12 to 18 months to clear. I’m coming up on a year in May, and while my side effects were mild, I’m still dealing with them. I’m glad that I’m done with them. The worst was the tiredness and I’m slowly getting over it. I know what you’re going thru and wish you the best.

Jump to this post

I received the Lupron shot April of 2023, it was one shot that would last a year. Well as of today (6/25) I'm producing very little testosterone, put on 40lbs, attitude is poor at times (get mad easily) and I get tired quickly. Haven't had a hot flash in a few months now, thank God. So do I believe that the side effects of Lupron last more than a year.... absolutely!

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johnernest | @johnernest | 6 days ago

My doc told me testosterone may or may not recover after stopping ADT. Some men require testosterone replacement to recovery fully from ADT.

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