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Posted 11/19/2011 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
My 80 year old husband was diagnosed last fall with two cancers... Hodgkin's lymphoma and Prostate (Gleason Scale 8, stage III).

He has been receiving hormone treatment (Lupron) for Prostate.  Chemotherapy for the Hodgkins ended six months ago (in remission).  We have decided, because of his age, not to undergo radiation.

My question is about his intense and increased tiredness.  Is this caused by the previous or current medications... or is it a new symptom that should be addressed.

Please share any information.

Thanks, ~ Joyce from Pennsylvania

 

Posted 11/19/2011 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
Joyce-
My first response when I have read on here that the men are tired, a check of testosterone level is warranted. But since I am not at all knowledgable about Lupron, I don't know if that is relevant at this point or not. I hope that some of the knowledgable men on here who have gone through Lupron will chime in. I am sure you will get lots of info.
Posted 11/19/2011 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Susan,
Thanks for quick reply. Yes, John's testosterone last test was slightly low.

Glad your young husband is doing so well!
~Joyce
Posted 11/19/2011 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
From

http://www.prostate-treatment-options.com/lupron-prostate-cancer.html

General Side Effects
Weakness; Headache; Night sweats; Dizziness; Hotflashes; Flu-like Symptoms

So could be from the Lupron. Come to think of it I've actually experienced all to some degree. Other than the night sweats and hotflashes the other side effects were short lived - as in less than a day

Bud
Posted 11/19/2011 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Bud, yes John had all those symptoms too... it's the current tiredness that is continuing (and worsening.) He'll get up in the morning and need a nap an hour later. It's just not the same guy I've been with for 50 + years.

Wasn't sure if this was something to be concerned about. He doesn't have another Doctor's appointment scheduled 'till January.

~ Joyce
Posted 11/19/2011 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Joyce

Call the Doctors. there maybe something they can give your husband to relieve his fatigue.

50 + years ? Me and my lady have only been wed for 38 years - I do look forward to our 50th Anniversay :)

Bud
Posted 11/19/2011 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, Bud... I think I will call his Doc, just to put my 'frets' to rest.

Congrats on your upcoming 38th!  Not many of us reach those numbers these days.  Folks we both worked with gave us 'months'.  Wish I could see them now tongue

~  Joyce

Posted 11/19/2011 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
I'm 5 months in from my first Lupron shot (6mo), and have experienced the hot flashes and lack of energy. Started RT two weeks ago and doing well. SE fom HT have been more severe than RT so far.
Posted 11/19/2011 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
I was wondering about that Ut.Greg.
John usually had Lupron every three months, but last treatment was to last six months. Perhaps that's the cause.
~ Joyce
Posted 11/19/2011 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
I went through two years of Lupron Casodex and Avodart and my worst side effect was the extreme fatigue. I am sure that is a result of the low testosterone. The loss of libido was bad but nothing compared to the fatigue. My way of combating it was to exercise as much as I could. That might simply be walking when you think you are too tired. I think a doctor might could give you some ideas to alleviate this. about the only thing my doctors did for me on the fatigue was a vitamin regimen that seemed to work.
Bless you two for 50 years I wish more people could do that. My wife and i have enjoyed 27 so far.

peace and much love
Dale
Posted 11/20/2011 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Joyce,

I think fatigue or even chronic fatigue would be expected with your husband enduring both chemo for the one cancer, and HT for the prostate cancer, and then factoing in his age of 80. While not on HT myself, fatigue seems to be a common factor while on it. I have been through major radiation twice in 11 years, and was left with chronic fatigue, and I am only 59.

Good luck to him, and to both of you. Hope he continues to do well.

David in SC
Posted 11/20/2011 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Joyce,

I'm 72 years old and had the daVinci procedure about 3 years ago. I was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma earlier this year. I've completed my 5th round of chemo treatments with one left to go.

The chemo causes a minor rash outbreak, some fatigue, and a case of the jitters. These symptoms go away around 3 or 4 days after completing a chemo round.

I am not receiving HT treatments. It's bad enough to have to endure the chemo treatments. I can only guess that combining the two would be overwhelming enough to bring on constant fatigue.

It's encouraging to hear that your husband is in remission for the lymphoma. Hopefully all the toxins that remain from the chemo treatments will dissipate in the near future and he will begin to feel better.

Best wishes,
Bob
Posted 11/20/2011 8:02 AM (GMT 0)
Joyce
My father was never diagnosed with cancer (just lots of cardiac problems), but when he was older he often got very listless, tired etc and used to have to have vitamin B injections (not sure which Vit B - there are several). This jab used to "cure" his tiredness almost overnight; my mum used to call it his "fix". I wonder if this is something that could be investigated for your husband. (My dad was a doctor; I'm not sure if he self diagnosed what his problem was, but someone spotted this way of helping him) He lived till he was 95 by the way.

Alf
Posted 11/20/2011 10:22 AM (GMT 0)
Dale:   Thanks for sharing your experiences.  27 years is a wonderful achievement, too. Yes, exercising is helpful, and John's doctor did suggest walking.  (I also sent the following ' information '  to him!)     The Importance of Walking   Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $7000 per month.   My grandpa started walking five miles a day when he was 60. Now he's 97 years old and we don't know where he is.   I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.   I have to walk early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I'm doing.   The advantage of exercising every day is so when you die, they'll say, 'Well, he looks good doesn't he.'
Posted 11/20/2011 10:28 AM (GMT 0)
David:

I appreciated hearing about your experience.  Was the radiation tough?  Should we even consider it?

Yes, fatigue is also just a part of our age.  (I'm there too, with no excuses)

 ~ Joyce

Post Edited (PA_grandma) : 11/20/2011 3:32:07 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/20/2011 10:43 AM (GMT 0)
Bob:

 

You and John are almost the same 'vintage'. 

One more chemo for you to go...? Not too informed about non hodgkins medications.  We were fortunate that the side effects were not too severe.

John's Urologist was 'ecstatic' that he had two different cancers and that the prostate hadn't spread.  (It took me awhile to understand that reaction).

Yes, it was wonderful news to get the remission results.  You always hold your breath after the radiology scans.

~ Joyce

Posted 11/20/2011 10:52 AM (GMT 0)
Alf:

Fantastic news about your Dad.  Not sure if we want to make it to 95...but a few more pleasant years would be nice.

I will look into the vitamin B possibilities.  Thanks for that idea.

By the way... John went to our business at 4:30 this morning to do a little work. (we started this manufacturing company 38 years ago)... so today looks like it's starting off nicely.

Also... enjoyed our two visits to your country VERY much.

~ Joyce

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