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After almost 2 years of lower back/right hip pain, it's gone and switching from Firmagon to Lupron!!

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Posted 6/5/2014 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Great news to report:

Since the summer of 2012, been having severe pain in my lower back/right hip (per my oncologist, no cancer there). Also other parts of my body (but it was cancer)!

After four nerve blocks ($800.00 out of pocket this past 12 months) and tons of pain meds....last month (May 14), I went to my second pain management doctor. He gave me Duloxetine (generic for Cymbalta) HCL DR 30 MG once a day. This pill servers a two fold purpose. First, is an anti-depressant and secondly, helps with lower back pain, YES! I needed the pill to help with both. May 14, I started the pill and by about seven to eight days, most of the lower back pain was gone and I was able to go to sleep peacefully and without crying!!

Today, had my monthly injection and Xgeva shot. As I was going to ask my doctor about switching from Firmagon (Degaarelix) to Lupron, she mention switching!! Keeping my monthly shot of Xgeva and Daily Bicualtamide 50 mg, (Casodex). Starting next month, will get the six month shot of Lupron. She said at this point in my treatment, Lupron will do the same job as Firmagon (keeping my "T" down under 50, (mine is <20).

This past Monday, I mowed the lawn (using my riding mower and the two leaf bags are at waist level) and Tuesday morning, I pulled weeds out of the garden. Tuesday evening, I noticed my lower back and right hip were sore. Wed., didn't do much and today, no pain, I just have to be careful what I do. So very thankful to be pain free and such a great feeling after almost two years. Thanking God for all the prayers as well.

Hope this helps somebody out there that may be having similar problems!

Again, so grateful for HW and all the support.

Dave in Bartlett, TN
Posted 6/5/2014 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
I am so glad that you got some relief, and you should definitely be proud of yourself that you are always searching for solutions. I am sorry about all the pain that you have been experiencing. Don´t let this pain specialist out of your sight, he is a keeper! Enjoy your life and grandkids!
Posted 6/6/2014 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
SpecialLady,

Thanks so much for the encouragement. Yes, I plan on keeping my pain Dr. Feels great to be pain free (most of the time).

Dave
Posted 6/6/2014 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
I love to read good news. Sounds like you found the right mix.

Andrew
Posted 6/6/2014 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
Great news Dave. Looking forward to meeting you and Dorothy at GFMPH Rochester last week of Sept.

LupronJim
Posted 6/6/2014 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
In the Shop,

Thank you for your kind comments. Been reading your blog and glad to see the house remodel is coming along. We've been working on our home going on ten years now. Having been in general construction, I know what it's like. My DX has put a hold on finishing up, but trusting we'll get everything completed soon!!

Jim: Dorothy and I are hoping to make the GFMPH Rochester meeting!

Dave
Posted 6/6/2014 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry, double entry!

Post Edited (grandpaof4) : 6/6/2014 9:22:29 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/6/2014 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
In reading your post what was it that really help the pain go away?
Was the firmagon or the cymbalta that got rid of the pain?

I was diag with stage 4 in May 2011 with bone mets. After 3 months the back and hip pain is so bad I can not walk more than a few hundred feet and I have to sit down to rest. I was given lupron in May of 2011 and have been on it ever since. Just standing is hell. I have to sit. Before pain pills the pain was so bad I would sit and cry so I got a antidepressant that helps the crying and depression.
After a few ct , bone, and mri's they tell me it is from a few slipped disks not cancer. I would guess I had the slipped disks long before cancer and they never gave me any pain. The lupron was the only thing new besides the bone mets and the doctors are sure it's not from the cancer.
So off to the pain doctors. The first one was high on exercise - no help. The last one has me on morphine 30 mg twice a day which help a lot but the constipation is really bad.
On May 20th I convinced the doctors to stop the lupron until the Psa goes up to see if this back pain goes away. I do travel some(winter in Florida) but must take a walker that has a seat so I can sit and rest when ever it need it.
I have read on the boards where some men have had this problem with lupron. I will test the waters and see if the pain goes away after 3 months. If it does when I have to go back on the hormones I will try something other than lupron.
I have not tried cymbalta yet but if it does not go away after a few months off of lupron I will have to give it a try
My bone mets are a lot like yours. From the knee to my skull.
I am hoping I am right and it is the lupron that is causing the problems. I know the lupron is keeping me alive and will have to go back on hormones but maybe something other than lupron may work to keep the Psa down and not give the back pain.

Stan
________________________
Dob 3/10/1942 - retired jan 2000- dx may 20 2011
Psa 2.1 stage 4 with bone mets Gleason score was 6. Hard to believe bone mets with a pas of 2.1
On lupron only for the past 3 years and went on intermittent May 20,2014. Psa has been .2 for the past 18 months.
Posted 6/6/2014 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Retired tech,

about a week after I started taking Cymbalta, the depression and the pain in my lower back and right hip started to go away.

You may want to re-read my original post and read my signature as well.

Stan, If you want to email me, feel free and I'll give you my phone number and would be happy to give you any information of my experience as of Oct., 2012.

It's not been easy and the emotions' before taking Cymbalta were ALL OVER THE PLACE!

Just taking it one day at a time.

Dave in Bartlett, TN
Posted 6/6/2014 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
So glad that med worked (works) so well for you. I was put on it, but it had zero effect on any of my particular chronic pain, different kind of damage I suspect.

Glad you are getting so much relief.
Posted 6/7/2014 11:49 AM (GMT 0)
David,

Thanks. I'm feeling so much better now. Just dealing with my injection from Thursday, but it soon will pass!

Enjoying my younger brother and his wife from Lodi, CA.

Take care,

Dave
Posted 6/7/2014 12:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Dave,
Happy to hear that the pain is under control! We too look forward to meeting you at Rochester GFmph.
Enjoy you visitors. There's grapes in Lodi. We've made some good wine from them and always bring some to gfmph gatherings to share.
Jim and Marie
Posted 6/8/2014 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
wampuscat, (Jim)

Thanks, we're hoping to attend the Rochester GFMPH and meeting everyone for the first time (we have met Redwing57 and his wife twice in Jackson, TN for lunch/dinner).

Do you and Marie live in the Lodi area?

Dave in Bartlett, TN
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