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First Lupron shot

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Posted 8/2/2011 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
I just returned from getting my first Lupron shot (3 month shot). I have had flu shots that hurt worse. I was suprised at how quick it was and painless. The only difference I've noticed so far is that on the drive home, I kept looking at myself in the rear view mirrror with the urge to apply lip balm! :-) Also couldn't pass up any shoe stores.

Seriously though, I am concerned about weight gain on this since I have worked very hard over the last six months to loose 40 lbs. Any tricks to keeping the weight down - I do exercise everyday.

Posted 8/2/2011 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck to you on the HT being effective for you.
Posted 8/2/2011 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on lupron for 9 months with no weight issues. I think a consistent regimine of cardio and resistance training plus sensible eating is a good starting point. I do 30 minutes on a treadmill around 4-5 times a week and resistance training using weights and tubes about 3-4 times a week.  Caveat: I have always been thin so my experience may not be typical.

For me the shots do not hurt until a few hours later. My rear is sore for about 3 days afterward.

Good luck with the side effects.

Posted 8/2/2011 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tim,

Give the shot a few hours. Usually start to get sore after you go to bed and things stiffen up a bit. Mine usually lasts about 3 to 4 days. I was on Lupron for two years and just recently started it up again due to recurrance of the cancer. The first year I exercised regularly and had no issue with the weight gain. May be my imagination but it seemed to help with the hot flashes too. The second year I went back to work and did not get to the gym routinely. I gained 22 lbs. In June this year cut my work schedule back and went to gym because I could see this next round of HT coming. Down to 180 lbs. from 195 lbs in eight weeks. I plan to keep up the routine and not let the Lupron get ahead of me. Keep a heart healthy diet as well.

Here is the issue with weight gain. Metabolic syndrome. Hi lipids, hi blood glucose and the impact these have on your heart. I had the first when I started and ,bless the Lupron, now I have the second. Just starting to track the blood glucose to see if I will require medication for it. Looked over my old records and blood glucose went from 100 before Lupron to 200+ at the end of first two years. Been off for 16 months and still readings over 200+.

Tim, I wish you the best of luck and hopefully the SE's will be tolerable.

Don

Posted 8/2/2011 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Lurpon, Casodex, and Avodart for two years. I will say the first shot was not to bad but it does get tougher. My experience was battling fatigue. I somehow someway kept finding the strength to keep up my running and swimming. With that I had no weight issues I actually lost weight.
Please keep us posted as to how you are doing, this shall pass quick and someday you can laugh about it.

peace and love
dale
Posted 8/2/2011 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
A nurse told me a couple of years ago how to eliminate the pain from a Lupron shot.  Stand on one foot which is on the opposite side of the injection, and take the weight off of your other foot.  Relaxed muscles are easier to deal with it.
Posted 8/3/2011 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
I had my first shot two weeks ago, and it was so quick and painless, I still wonder if somehow they goofed. No pain whatsoever afterward either. No telltale symptoms yet, so I'm waiting for my testosterone test next week to be sure.

So Tim, what's your bra size? I keep asking my wife to look to make sure I'm not getting ready for lingerie. She just says I have a plump chest. smilewinkgrin

Nellie
Posted 8/3/2011 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
I read all comments I didn't have nothing to say at first but know lol.... well my husband has been on lupron for over a year and only once in a while after the shot that he gets every 3 months does he have pain after ward but it has not changed his manliness lol but his niece is jealous that his boobs don't fit in her bra ha ha he has a bit of over flow u could say ... as far as his weight well he was 125 this time last year and is now at 159 he is 5'10 he has a belly which to me is wonderful I got my own personal BUDDA ha ha but I feel the weight is not a very big issue because he goes up and down depending on what treatment he is on , and i feel the extra weight he has gives a little wiggle room for when hes not eatting hope this helps sincerly Chrissy
Posted 8/3/2011 1:29 AM (GMT 0)

Tim, I just had my third 4 month shot of Lupron and a little sore next day.  Putt is right about putting weight on opposite leg from shot  -  it really does work!

I gained about 3 lbs. the last 8 months but do work out aerobic with stationary bicycle and life weights for upper body.  I had two sessions of radiation to breasts before HT started so no problem with man boobs.

Don't know where my Libido has gone - maybe to Cleveland or someplace.  Sexually I feel like a Volkswagen, used to feel like a Lincoln Continental.   I now love to go to fashion shows and floral arranging symposiums.  I also pay a lot more attention to the band and their movements at football games - not much attention to the game!!

Bottom line - you will be fine.   The Old Sailor

Posted 8/3/2011 4:37 AM (GMT 0)
The first few months, you wonder what everyone is complaining about..It's like nothing happened..Then the hot flashes start...Then you notice most of your body hair is gone...Libido? What's that?...Then the weight gain. It will sneak up on you if you are not very careful. You have to work hard to keep that under control...Before your next shot, get a PSA and "T" level test to be sure the Lupron worked as advertised. In about 20% of men, it does not lower testosterone to castrate levels which limits its effectiveness..Of course, take your calcium pills and vitamin D...And maybe some Pomegranate juice...
Posted 8/3/2011 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi:

Like you I had my first injection of Lupron one month ago (preceded by one week of Casodex that lasted for one month). So far the side effects are minimal with occasional mild hot flashes, but no energy loss. However, I have noted lately that my urine stream has returned to near normal so I suspect (I hope) that the tumour is shrinking.

I am 72 diagnosed May 3 this year with GS 9 (4+5) and PSA 31 (rising to 49 before HT started), and with one or two bone mets.

I have researched considerably and I am impressed with the Prostate Forum and the book published by Dr. Charles Myers, who seems to be the leading specialist on IHT, and the publications of Dr. Scholz, who is very knowledgeable on the new products to treat PC, especially chemotherapy.

Houseboy
Posted 8/3/2011 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for the info and well wishes!
Posted 8/30/2011 1:00 PM (GMT 0)

Tim-from-Maine said...
I just returned from getting my first Lupron shot (3 month shot). I have had flu shots that hurt worse. I was suprised at how quick it was and painless. The only difference I've noticed so far is that on the drive home, I kept looking at myself in the rear view mirrror with the urge to apply lip balm! :-) Also couldn't pass up any shoe stores.

Seriously though, I am concerned about weight gain on this since I have worked very hard over the last six months to loose 40 lbs. Any tricks to keeping the weight down - I do exercise everyday.

I'm into my 2nd shot and fourth month and the shot is probably the least of my concerns......I am curious though, how much are you guys paying for your Lupron in the US?....Here in Canada it's tagged at $1,292.29 and I'm paying $258 via my insurance.

Posted 8/30/2011 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
At the time of my first Lupron shot in October 2009 I was already dealing with 25 pounds of insidious weight gain, thanks to following a “heart-healthy” diet as recommended by the AHA and my cardiologist .You all know that conventional wisdom, so no need to spell it out. With the Lupron, I rapidly gained another 20 pounds, had no energy, etc.

January 2011 my cardiologist upped my Zocor from 40 to 80 mg dosage, (because I wasn’t losing any weight) and the side effects hit me like a ton of bricks.

Since then, I have gone from 233 lbs to 189 lbs, with more to go. And, I am totally off statins, and down to 1 B.P. medication. Here is how I did it (a study of one):

1. 30 – 40 minutes of exercise daily, at a heart rate of 55% - 75% of maximum heart rate (220 minus your age). Combination of treadmill cardio and calisthenics.
2. Cut out all grains from my diet. Also no sugar, no fast food, no processed food, no snack food, no dairy. Eat plenty of low fat protein, fresh vegetables, berries, nuts, and seeds.

I have the blood work results to show that my cardiac health is much improved. Inflammation in my body is very low. Insulin resistance is down. It has to help in the fight to beat cancer.

Hope this helps.
Roger
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