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Back on HT- questions for those who are doing intermittant and now back on HT

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Posted 12/17/2014 5:16 AM (GMT 0)
Well, my HT vacation was short-lived. It started at the end of February and ended 2 weeks ago when I started the Casodex. But it REALLY ended today : Lupron shot. It didn't hurt much when I got it about 8 hours ago, but it hurts now.

As I recall, in about 2 days that hip/butt pain goes away.

My real question:

Are the SE worse or better the second time around (or does it just vary in the usual unpredictable way)?

I imagine it might take longer to go to undetectable and if I am fortunate enough to do another HT vacation it will be shorter-lived? Or...maybe not?

Mel
Posted 12/17/2014 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
No info, but I do have a question.

In your vacation period, did they measure testosterone to see how much it recovered? How long were you on the HT?

And most important I guess, did you feel better during the "vacation"? Was it noticeable?

Good luck, my fellow Michigander!

Jerry
Posted 12/17/2014 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
My symptoms of reduced hormone from treatment were mild to negligible each time I have had an on period. No difference really, so successive periods were the same, no change. I may go on Firmagon this next time rather than Zoladex and would like to know if others who made this transition had any change in side effects compared to LHRH drug(s).
Posted 12/17/2014 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Jerry:

I was on ADT2 (Lupron plus Casodex) for one year. For my HT vacation, I was on Avodart only.

Yes, they did do T-levels.

My T during HT eventually dropped to 10.

During my HT vacation, it started rising sharply, and it was up to 305 on 11/5.

When I started HT, I think it took a few months, but the symptoms came on gradually. Very subtle. But I did not like being on that crap. It was all tolerable, but that's about it.

When I got off the HT, the SE dissipated...VERY subtly too.

We are hopeful that my PC is still very hormone sensitive. It probably is, since my sharp PSA rise seems to coincide with a sharp increase in T

Mel

Post Edited (compiler) : 12/17/2014 8:08:59 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/17/2014 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Going to be right behind you, Mel. On my second vacation now and PSA is rising fast so I expect the next 3 month check will be the end. I had Zoladex and Eligard, both lower belly injections with pain for a few days. Seemed to be less SE's second time around, less noticeable fatigue, no breast tenderness, mild hot flashes. My onc didn't measure T during second vacation but I could tell when there was recovery with the return of some libido, better ability to orgasm and rebuilding some muscle even though I didn't make much effort in terms of exercise, just work.

Still seems worthwhile to go intermittent, vacation is something to look forward to and enjoy and hopefully will prolong the time to resistance. Hope you have success with lymph node treatment and can have a permanent vacation.
Posted 12/17/2014 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Just came off my second vacation also short lived at 7 months for both. This time Dr. Lam ahs suggested the C-11 acetate scan. I have started the process of making an appointment. Hopefully the second week of January. Dr. Lam had me on Metformin and Celebrex to help extend the vacation but did not work for me but might for you. The sensitivity to hormones is really based on how low your PSA got. Dr. Lam likes to use 0.05 which is a good predictor that the hormone therapy will work for some time. Mine made it below that on the first one and it went to 0.018 on the second round.
Posted 12/17/2014 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
Mel -- no first hand knowledge on your question. I would assume that side effects will be similar. Good luck and I expect you to be back on a vacation quickly...

Jerry Redwing - Once off Lupron and Casodex my T recovered within a few months to like 700-800...been there for 2 years...

and yes, the difference between being on these drugs vs. not on these drugs is noticeable on so many levels...I'll rank them in this order: libido, energy, lack of side effects...., just the general feeling of being normal again...
Posted 12/17/2014 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Jerry -- you described it perfectly: the general feeling is better. Less to no malaise.

Howard, if you need a place to stay when you go to Mayo, email me. We stayed at a good place: very nice, complimentary breakfast, excellent price, conveniently located

Mel
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