Lupron: Anyone have muscle weakness and severe leg pain?

Posted by kam23 @kam23, Jul 14, 2023

I have PC and have been on Lupron injections every 3 months for 15 months. I am experiencing severe leg pain in hamstrings and glutes. Has anyone else experienced this or tried monthly shots?

This has been getting worse for the last 3-4 weeks. I’m afraid I’ll be in a wheelchair or have to stop this form of testosterone elimination therapy.

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I’m suffering the same way. Legs so weak I can barely do stairs. Is it the low testosterone or side effects of Lupron?

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Thank you all for your posts. I have seen numerous comments about fatigue and loss of strength. I thought I’d give an update too as an encouragement to others.

Eight weeks ago I started trying to rebuild some strength and combat this fatigue. It’s been slow but I have seen progress.

I started walking on an incline treadmill at 12% 1-2 x per week at least 2-3 days apart. Although this sounds difficult, I started at 1 mile per hour and only for 2-3 minutes. At that rate, it’s very easy. I wanted it easy so I wouldn’t get overwhelmed.

Each time I increased the length of time slightly but didn’t really push the workout. I also began to slowly bump up the speed only by .1 mph, again not really pushing myself.

I found that I was comfortable sometimes adding 5-10 minutes. It’s been 8 weeks and I hit 60 minutes for the fist time. I still go pretty slow…about 1.5 mph.

I also began going for distance walks at a local metropark. These are pretty flat. At first, I struggled even with a quarter mile. I repeated my walk once each weekend, trying to go a little further each time. I found I had to rest frequently. I still walk much slower than I used to, but in 8 weeks I am up to 3 miles.

I still get fatigued easily. I finished the chemo 1 year ago and the radiation 9 months ago. I’m not setting any records and just about everyone passes me on the trail.

It just feels good mentally and physically to be going in a positive direction for a change.

I should note that I have currently been on quarterly Lupron injections for 18 months and my doc wants me on these for another couple years. I am also 294 pounds and 60 years old.

My prayers for you all are for your complete healing. Thank you all for your support and relaying your experiences. Blessings to you all as you keep up the fight.

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@kam23

Thank you all for your posts. I have seen numerous comments about fatigue and loss of strength. I thought I’d give an update too as an encouragement to others.

Eight weeks ago I started trying to rebuild some strength and combat this fatigue. It’s been slow but I have seen progress.

I started walking on an incline treadmill at 12% 1-2 x per week at least 2-3 days apart. Although this sounds difficult, I started at 1 mile per hour and only for 2-3 minutes. At that rate, it’s very easy. I wanted it easy so I wouldn’t get overwhelmed.

Each time I increased the length of time slightly but didn’t really push the workout. I also began to slowly bump up the speed only by .1 mph, again not really pushing myself.

I found that I was comfortable sometimes adding 5-10 minutes. It’s been 8 weeks and I hit 60 minutes for the fist time. I still go pretty slow…about 1.5 mph.

I also began going for distance walks at a local metropark. These are pretty flat. At first, I struggled even with a quarter mile. I repeated my walk once each weekend, trying to go a little further each time. I found I had to rest frequently. I still walk much slower than I used to, but in 8 weeks I am up to 3 miles.

I still get fatigued easily. I finished the chemo 1 year ago and the radiation 9 months ago. I’m not setting any records and just about everyone passes me on the trail.

It just feels good mentally and physically to be going in a positive direction for a change.

I should note that I have currently been on quarterly Lupron injections for 18 months and my doc wants me on these for another couple years. I am also 294 pounds and 60 years old.

My prayers for you all are for your complete healing. Thank you all for your support and relaying your experiences. Blessings to you all as you keep up the fight.

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During my cancer treatment taking Lupron I got to the point that I could barely walk into the hospital. After a month of barely being able to walk went to the doctor, had a Brain MRI and was diagnosed as abnormal gait. Spent ten sessions at physical therapy with no improvement.
Reading online I found that low testosterone.
My cancer was confined to the prostate and started testosterone therapy. The day after my first shot the issue just completely went away. Since taking testosterone I started doing a PSA test every two months and so far so good.
Testosterone is an important part of male bio chemistry and there are negative consequences to suppressing it. I think it is important to balance my quality of life and the risk of TRT

I also went on The Carnivore diet and went from 245 to 185 in six months. Honestly it was easy I could pretty much eat whatever I want as long as it is meat, fish, eggs and cheese
I started lifting weights and at 67 I am healthier than when I was 50

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I believe that any exercise that you can manage is helpful.
At 73, I have always been a gentle walker.
Regular walk about 45 mins thru the neighborhood.
After RP, I was fine.
During Salvage radiation and 4 mos of ADT therapy, I felt like I was walking uphill all the way, and into the wind, all directions. Became 50+ minute walk, and a serious effort.
After about 3 mos off tx, my energy started to return. And I now feel pretty well and back to 45 mins.
I also lifted 15 & 25 lb dumbells a couple of times per week (1 set each, 20 - 30 reps). Lifting also impacted during therapy and after; and now returned to prior.
I realize that I was on ADT only for a limited time, however I hope my experience has some value to others.
"Easy does it, but do it", is my mantra.
Best to all.

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I have the same symptoms ,69 yrs
My PSA was 65 in 2021 I had metastasis stage 4 I had radiation to my hip 2021 and start my Lupron injection every 6 mths, muscle cramps once a while ,hot flashes,tingling hands and feet too
6 months ago my PSA start creeping up from 0.1 to 1.2 my oncology had me on second generation called Nubeqa iam in remission since but I am thinking to stop the Nubeqa and watch my PSA for 3 mths .
Anyone taking the same medicine for long time?
Thanks

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@narus

During my cancer treatment taking Lupron I got to the point that I could barely walk into the hospital. After a month of barely being able to walk went to the doctor, had a Brain MRI and was diagnosed as abnormal gait. Spent ten sessions at physical therapy with no improvement.
Reading online I found that low testosterone.
My cancer was confined to the prostate and started testosterone therapy. The day after my first shot the issue just completely went away. Since taking testosterone I started doing a PSA test every two months and so far so good.
Testosterone is an important part of male bio chemistry and there are negative consequences to suppressing it. I think it is important to balance my quality of life and the risk of TRT

I also went on The Carnivore diet and went from 245 to 185 in six months. Honestly it was easy I could pretty much eat whatever I want as long as it is meat, fish, eggs and cheese
I started lifting weights and at 67 I am healthier than when I was 50

Jump to this post

Leuprolide works by reducing the amount of testosterone that the body makes. This helps slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.
So I am curious to understand
How to start testosterone therapy and kept your PSA normal can you elaborate on this and this was your dr recommendations?
Thanks

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@mkhaz123

Leuprolide works by reducing the amount of testosterone that the body makes. This helps slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.
So I am curious to understand
How to start testosterone therapy and kept your PSA normal can you elaborate on this and this was your dr recommendations?
Thanks

Jump to this post

Testosterone gets a bad rap with prostate cancer treatment. It does not cause cancer but will provide fuel that causes the cancer to grow faster. I have heard the phrase that Testosterone is like rocket fuel for Prostate Cancer I think a better analogy would be Lighter Fuel.
Have you had a Testosterone test?
Six months after radiation and Lupron my Testosterone was about 530 and I felt like crap all the time. After my first dose of T all the problems I was experiencing went away within a couple of days. My Urologist was strongly opposed to the treatment and denied that there was any downside to Lupron Treatment. I got a new Urologist who is agreeable with the treatment and not concerned.
If you take Testosterone your PSA will go up it is part of the biochemical process. I went from a PSA of .1 to .54 but it stabilized there.
Testosterone Is what makes you a man and helps with drive, healthy bones and Muscle development and there are negative consequences to lowering it.
I am 67 and healthier than I have been in a long time I would rather live another ten years healthy and active then 15 in the nursing home.
There are a number of good YouTube videos from Urology seminars that address that address TRT after Prostate cancer.

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I was on lupron and Erleada for 13 months and that started 30 months ago. I am 76, Gleason 9, CR, advanced PC and I had RP in the 7th month. The meds certainly slowed me down , slept poorly, lost muscle, gained belly fat, but this was all manageable. My T went down to 9. I have been off of meds for 15 months. My T is 100, my PSA is .01. I am on a plant based diet. I am committed to living a good life with my friends and family as long as possible. I am in favor of denying my cancer of as much of the testosterone food as possible.

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@mkhaz123

I have the same symptoms ,69 yrs
My PSA was 65 in 2021 I had metastasis stage 4 I had radiation to my hip 2021 and start my Lupron injection every 6 mths, muscle cramps once a while ,hot flashes,tingling hands and feet too
6 months ago my PSA start creeping up from 0.1 to 1.2 my oncology had me on second generation called Nubeqa iam in remission since but I am thinking to stop the Nubeqa and watch my PSA for 3 mths .
Anyone taking the same medicine for long time?
Thanks

Jump to this post

Welcome, @mkhaz123. A few members have taken Nubeqa, although I'm not sure for how long. Check out these related discussions:

Search results "nubeqa" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/prostate-cancer/?search=Nubeqa+&index=discussions

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