How long do Lupron side effects last after treatment concludes?

There are many factors and much variation as you might expect given the heterogeneous nature of prostate cancer, our individual health history...One factor is length of time on ADT, some are six months, others are 24-36 months. I was on it 18 months. Last shot, a 90 day shot, was May 18, so that was effective through July. By October T was returning (135). So, around three months. By February, seven months, T had returned 482 which was higher than when I started my third round of treatment in Jan 17. As you might expect, the side affects started to abate within the first 90 days and by 6-12 months, gone.

I believe that a regular exercise program was a factor in my recovery after those 18 months. I can't point to any studies but have seen various comments on the forums about it's role.

Kevin

What was your gleason score? Thanks and be well!

What are the side effects of permanently low testosterone?

I was on Lupron for 6mo. and it took a good 6mo. to come off of it. I started in April and did not see improvements until one year later. Most everything has come back to normal except the pain in my feet & hands sometimes. Everyone is different but getting off that sh.. is tough! Good luck!

At this point, you are unfortunately probably correct, you are one of the men who will not recover testosterone after coming off Lupron.

Options are limited, the testosterone replacement therapy is the only one I am familiar with.

The side affects of close to no testosterone are well known by patients snd the medical community.

I took Lupron for 25 months. It drained me of practically all my energy, especially in my legs, caused penal shrinkage and killed my body's ability to produce testosterone. I have been off Lupron for 3 years and my testosterone level varies between 10 to 15. I am due to have it tested again in a couple of weeks. I assume I will never recover my energy, penal length or normal testosterone level.

Recovery of testosterone varies in men who are on it. Like anything else, no single factor.

Length of time is one.

Age is another.

As to to ED, penile and testicle shrinkage, have you had your testosterone tested? Some men do not recover from castrate levels while on Lupron.

The hip and shoulder problems, well, I'm 66 and though I'm active, skiing, hiking on the mountains, biking, swimming, there are what I call the aches and pains from normal wart and tear. I always smiled when the scans would say "shows signs of arthritis..."

Attached is my clinical history. You can see I did 18 months of Lupron and T recovered within a year. The penile and testicular shrinkage went away, there is mild ED but daily Cislus helps.

You could discuss testosterone replacement therapy with your medical team, most are reluctant to do so given the traditional thinking that it's fuel for the fire. Still, there are some out there that argue differently.

As to depression, yeah, in some men it is a side affect. It goes away in some after Lupron clears the system, others not. Your medical team should not be accepting them as par for the course! Rather, they should be adding a specialist to your medical team who can help through counseling snd medical intervention if necessary. If they are not willing, consider firing them and find some who do not accept it as par for the course!

I have been off of Lupron for 18 months. I took it for two full years. I am still having sexual problems like ED and shrinkage in my testicles and penis. I have shoulder problems and now hip/knee soreness. I think Lupron has something to with it.

Welcome salinasdew. Depression is a tough one. Is this a new condition for you since prostate cancer and treatment? Have you talked with a mental health expert about possible solutions?

A numbr of years ago, per Stanford Medical Center, I took Lupron shots for a couple of years prior to treatment via radiation (daily for two months). All went well eventually - except that at 80, I am still dealing - every morning - with moderate hot flashes, 4-5 early morning urinations and headaches; those are certainly endurable; most importantly for me, however,I have a number of hours of depression before late morning. (Relatively debilitating; seriously negative feelings about everything, dark moods, until it all breaks around 10AM.) Can't seem to kick them. (Both local radiatiologist and oncologist plus GP seem to accept them as par for the course.) Suggestions? THANKS! (Great site.)