need some info on Hormone therapy

Darn it Mal,
Sorry you have to go that route. I can give you an idea of what it was like for Gary. The night sweats are immediate, and I would suggest having a change of sheets for bed at the ready. Gary's subsided fairly quickly (I wish mine would!) There are medications like Gabapentin or venlafaxin if that SE continues. Fatigue was nearly overwhelming at first, but over time even that diminished. When Gary tells his doc he has no energy, the reply is "no energy is dead" And that "women do fine with little testosterone." Hmm. You will be able to drive to the store just fine, but won't feel like getting out of the car once you're there!
The testicles shrink, and the libido goes bye bye. That is what I've read across the board and what happened to Gary. If your wife is up for it, suggest a good roll in the hay. Even though I am post menopausal, after five years I do regret not getting that opportunity. Gary was so far along at dx that he was put on HT that day.
You are a bit older than us, so I hope I don't offend with those comments.

Best wishes Mal. I do hope that HT gets rid of the mets in those lymphs!
Beth for Gary

Staying active and getting enough exercise seem to be the most important thing. The more energy you expend the more you will have. This works on the smaller time scales as well as the long ones; if you take a walk in the morning you will have more energy in the afternoon. It also helps to join a gym and work with some relatively heavy resistance. HT tends to cause muscle and bone loss and a bit of heavy lifting can reduce that.

The other key for a lot of guys is not to hesitate to talk to their doctors about antidepressants if they find that the hormones are slowing them down excessively. When I was on hormone therapy I was taking two of them -- fluoxitine (Prozac) and bupropion (Wellbutrin). Not every man needs them but for those who do they can help. They help with energy levels and they help somewhat with the brain fog that is another common side effect of HT.

I will give my limited experience on the matter. I've only been on Casodex/Lupron for little over 3 months now. I also started Taxotere about 6 weeks into that.

As far as side effects, I have experienced very little. I have had just a couple incidents of night sweats. No real fatigue, even with the chemo. I have noticed my appetite is increased, and I gained weight, but I'm actually back to my pre-diagnosis weight, as I lost almost 40lbs before starting treatment. Weight has leveled off now, but I've also adjusted the diet back down.

Honestly, I think staying active, exercising and just living a normal life truly helps. I think too many people focus on the potential side effects and mentally that will effect them. I do NOT want to downplay the side effects, I know they are real. I'm just saying, don't go into HT with a plate full of dread and despair. There are several of us who have dealt with minimal SE's....no reason you can't be one too.

Again, biggest advice, exercise, eat well, stay hydrated, and most important, stay positive. Just live your life normally!!!

Jordan

Hello Maldugs,

Good to hear from you. It's good to gather details from everyone, so that you have a wide range of responses.
I'll simply share from my own personal experience, to add to the other responses you have received.

I am on the ZOLODEX shots that you specifically inquired about in your post. Upon diagnosis, I started on LUPRON shots like many of us, but then my oncologist started noticing that my testosterone level was "spiking up" during the course of the multi-month doses of the LUPRON shot. He believed he could get better control of my testosterone level to help suppress my P.S.A. better, so next we tried the FIRMAGON shots. Those didn't seem to work the testosterone level down as much as we had hoped, so now I am on the ZOLODEX shots, which you have asked about in your post. Honestly, I've had no trouble with the ZOLODEX shots, if that is some reassurance for you !

I'm now digging into my third year of ADT shots since being diagnosed, so I do have experience from "down in the trenches" with the ADT shots over the course of time. Quite honestly, my side effects from the shots are minimal, for which I am thankful. I eat healthy foods for the most part, I try to drink plenty of water each day, and I strive to fit in some exercise or a walk each day. I work full-time and stay involved with all my usual hobbies and activities, as well as staying connected with my friends, family, and faith. Keeping active, both mentally and physically, is truly a key to success in managing many side effects from many of the treatments we all face.

A few simple hints and suggestions gleaned over time: A ceiling fan or room fan can help you manage any hot flashes or night sweats you might experience. Keep a cold water bottle with you during the day, and you can set a glass of ice water by your bedside at night, if you experience night sweats. At work, I like to wear sporty t-shirts under button-down Oxford dress shirts, and then I'm comfortable all day long at work. If you feel sluggish, just a quick walk around the neighborhood can work wonders for your energy level. I do try to drink a lot of water during the day, but I also have glasses of cold tea every day ---yes, a bit of caffeine --- and my energy level has stayed completely intact during all of this.

I consider ZOLODEX shots a "first cousin" to LUPRON shots, as they are similar in their chemical composition and chemical action. In my particular case, my oncologist felt that ZOLODEX shots would have a bit more of an edge, as far as bringing my testosterone down after being on LUPRON for quite a few months. We were seeing some evidence of testosterone "spikes" with the LUPRON shots, and my oncologist worked very hard to get those under control by switching me over to the ZOLODEX shots.

It's important to note that one tiny difference is that the ZOLODEX shots are given with a larger gauge needle in the abdomen, so they first inject me with a bit of anesthetic to numb my abdomen before injecting the ZOLODEX, which requires the larger gauge needle --- ZOLODEX is actually a small "pellet" that is injected into the abdomen --- over the course of time, this "pellet" then dissolves into your system. I've had no trouble or discomfort whatsoever from the ZOLODEX shots at all. Best advice: don't even look at the larger ZOLODEX needle and after they numb you up, you won't even feel the difference anyway !

I should mention that ZOLODEX injections are available in multi-month, longer lasting doses just like LUPRON shots. My current ZOLODEX injection lasts over the course of three months, but other doses are available.

Keep us posted on your progress. I hope my direct experiences with the ZOLODEX shots will give you some assurance and I hope that you will have a positive experience with the ZOLODEX shots.

Sent with my best,
Iowa State Cyclone Fan

Post Edited (ISU-CycloneFan) : 11/10/2015 8:08:14 PM (GMT-7)

Mal
Read my post again; you don't have to put up with the typical SEs!
Bob

Thanks for all the information shared in this thread. My husband is likely to begin HDT very soon. As with any drug, contemplating the potential side effects can be downright intimidating. It's good to keep in mind that SEs can vary greatly and that healthy habits can help. I can at least relate to the hot flashes - uncomfortable, but not unbearable!!

Thank you, Mal. We're working on the new doctor now. I feel like we've been kind of sleep walking the last year or so in this fight. Time to wake up and get more engaged! Best wishes to you as you contemplate this new path. I was very touched by your concern for caring for your wife, even as you face this decision.