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Has anyone lost weight while on Lupron?

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Posted 9/29/2015 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Anyone lost weight while on Lupron?

Thanks
Tom
Posted 9/29/2015 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
i've only been on it 9 weeks, but i actually gained weight. Now, I had lost 35-40lbs before being diagnosed and starting the Lupron, so I can't say that is the reason i gained the weight. Because I only gained about 15lbs, and that was in the 9 weeks.

So....no, I haven't, but others might have.

Jordan
Posted 9/29/2015 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
While on ADT, my weight slowly increased. from 220 to 240..At that point I said enough was enough and by VERY careful diet control I have been able to get back down to 230......
Posted 9/29/2015 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Most gain 25-30 pounds as there is a significant metabolic change when one's testosterone plummets near zero. But, there are those who have lost while on HT. To do so usually takes some considerable work decreasing caloric intake, reducing fats, and increasing exercise. Dr. Snuffy Myers shows what he did when on HT in his book "Beating Prostate Cancer With Hormone Therapy and Diet". His changes were very significant, but he dropped a lot of weight.

I gained weight and have only started dropping several pounds as my testosterone slowly recovers.
Posted 9/29/2015 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
I am kind of similar to Jordan. I lost about 30 lbs as I was being diagnosed, in part, intentionally as I had been almost 300 lbs and diabetes was starting to rear its ugly head. Technically, I have lost 4 lbs since my first HT shot, from 266 to 262. I have maintained most of my better diet that started the weight loss pre-HT. One big setback on this is that I now have a big afternoon drink with Miralax to fight constipation, and I find it goes best with a non-diet drink either lemonade or Gatorade. At least the HA1C is under better control, 6.3 now versus 7.6 before. It is a little ironic that I started the weight loss efforts to get off Metformin for diabetes, whose gastro side effects I hated, and yet that medicine is often used for treating some people with PCa.

I am sure that without the energy loss of treatment, I would have continued losing more than I have. But I am happy at this little plateau while this tumult is going on inside my body. And I am not above using HT as an easy excuse to be a little more lax on my diet. My MO said average weight gain was about 16 lbs, so I figure I am doing very well.
Posted 9/29/2015 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
So far I have been keeping weight in check, I step on the scales every day as a constant reminder though. The fact that I'm hungry virtually all of the time doesn't help matters.
Posted 9/29/2015 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
How is you energy level for exercise? I am having my first Lupron shot tomorrow.
Posted 9/29/2015 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
My husband went from 125 down to 111 after starting ADT. With considerable effort on both our parts, he is now 122. I was worried that docetaxel regime would cause even more weight loss but was able to stabilize his weight with lots of high-calorie smoothies. So, weight gain was not one of the side-effects he experiences, just mild hot flashes and serious fatigue and cognitive issues.
Posted 9/29/2015 5:11 PM (GMT 0)

CLDCR said...
How is you energy level for exercise? I am having my first Lupron shot tomorrow.

I was very tired in the afternoons, tired to the point to where I needed an hour nap. For me - it took about 10-14 days for side effects to appear and they were their most pronounced for about three to four weeks after the SE's appeared.

Now at 60 days after the Lupron injection, my SE's are down to two (that I'm aware of) - hunger almost all of the time and mild hot flashes, about three or four an hour. I have plenty of energy and am able to keep up my active pace.
Posted 9/29/2015 9:15 PM (GMT 0)

CLDCR said...
How is you energy level for exercise? I am having my first Lupron shot tomorrow.

Energy level has dropped a lot but I still try and exercise at least an hour per day. Mostly bike rides, walking and surfing. A year ago I could surf for 3 hours now I'm exhausted after an hour and a half. I've gained 10 lbs. Hungry all the time. Got my 3rd Lupron shot today.

Post Edited (goatts) : 9/29/2015 3:19:30 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/29/2015 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
With some very slight changes to our diet,  salads not sandwiches for lunch, extra veges less meat, lowest calorie "treats" -( e.g. did you know that a large piece of uniced sponge cake has only about 45 calories) no fat milk, low calorie wine - yes, it IS drinkable, and other such measures, my husband stayed exactly the same weight throughout his 18 months of Lupron. We even enjoyed half a cherry ripe or mars bar each night too.

I tried to ensure that the changes were not too severe as life IS for living, so by trying out new recipes etc., we were able to keep calorie count down to 1800 calories and my husband never felt hungry.  He also attended the gym whenever possible, and if not possible, did extra walking around the house. 

It IS possible, just put your mind to it, and decide that you are not giving up things, but taking on new tastes and foods.  Some of these have now become part of our staple diet.  Also, I am of Greek origin, and many of the meals I cooked were legume based - high in protein, fibre and lots of goodies, and yet very, very, filling. Cheers and good luck.

Posted 9/29/2015 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
I wish.

I'm at about 2-1/2 years on ADT2 (Lupron + Casodex). I'm up about 30 pounds from diagnosis in April 2013.

I work out a couple times a week, and have a fairly active job (on my feet a lot). My calorie plan is around 1200-1500 a day. At that, I'm barely able to hold the line on weight gain. It's probably a lot worse than I think, since it seems a noticeable amount of my muscle is now fat.

This is a long, hard grind. If it's what it takes to survive, so be it, but ADT is no walk in the park. I'm very, very tired of it. The ongoing fatigue and hot flashes are really getting old.
Posted 9/30/2015 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Redwing
I'm feeling exactly what you just said. I'm very tired of Lupron too!

I was down in weight for a while after 6 months of ADT and then 4 months of chemo. Silly me, I thought I had the weight under control😕. I'm way up since then and could really stand to drop 20-30 pounds. Part of my recent gain is muscle mass. I have worked very hard to build muscle which I believe is working but it's not helping on the scale. My diet is mostly very good with lots of lean proteins, green smoothies, fruits and veggies. But, I know I snack too much in between- more than I ever have. Im always hungry and crave sweet things like cookies, cake and chocolate.

I look forward to a vacation from Casodex and Lupron. Tentatively only 11 more months!
Posted 9/30/2015 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
I have been able to lose weight on Lupron this year, finally. I'd been dieting before i started HT, but didn't worry about it for a while. I exercised per doctor's orders, and tried to eat well, but mainly stayed even to slight gain for the first couple of years. (Though i lost a lot with radiation, everything went right through me for a bit).

This year, after the chemo was done i went back on a plan. I've been weight-lifting 2-3 times per week, doing cardio 2-3 times per week, and watching what i eat counting calories, and giving up most carbs. high protein, low carb diet. Slowly it's been coming down this year. I'm down about 30 pounds since last Thanksgiving. I'm trying to get rid of another 5 by next month ... not sure if i can do that.

It also helped when i was put on more of the psych drugs ... I've got Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, and Adderall, as well as some supplements. I've got more energy and feel much more myself; though i crash hard at the end of the day.

Ray
Posted 9/30/2015 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Gunner, Steelguy - missed seeing you guys at the GFMPH gathering!

Thanks for your thoughts. Not to hijack the thread here, but it is interesting to follow up on this weight loss issue. My diet is not the best, so the calorie ratios I have could probably be significantly readjusted. That might help a lot. Right now it's way too much fat and carbs relative to protein. Hmm...

Also, I'm working my way off of psychoactive supplements. It's almost the end of my tapering period for Lexapro, so it's a bit of a precarious time to see how that works out. The ADT2 is a burden, and maybe I could consider going the other way with those. Steelguy, what doc has helped you find the right combination? I don't think any of my docs give a rip about the mental side of this situation.
Posted 9/30/2015 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
Jerry, when I see more orphan do-nuts I will know you are doing better on your diet!!
Posted 10/1/2015 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
My husband lost 100 pounds (from 250 at 6' 6" of solid muscle) to 150. He is now less than this but has cachexia.
Posted 10/1/2015 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Moonlitnight, sorry to hear about the cachexia. That's a tough way to lose weight.

My RO at Vanderbilt said they don't typically get concerned when their patients gain weight. They're concerned when the patients lose weight. First time I've ever had a doctor say a few extra pounds is ok!
Posted 10/2/2015 10:50 AM (GMT 0)
2 years 10 months ADT. I gained 14.5 pounds, but have dropped a couple of those now. My gripes are the same as redwings...loss of muscle, gained belly fat. This despite my daily 7 mile run and continuing Taekwondo + weight training.

Still take those 1 hour naps in the afternoon. If I cut it down even just 10 minutes I will make it up the next morning by sleeping in exactly that long. Sure looking forward to the end of this part of the program.....
Posted 10/4/2015 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
My husband's lost a bit of weight (6 pounds) since we started Lupron but I think that's more diet (meatless, Mediterranean) than anything else. He does get hot flushes but other than that no other side effects so far, thankfully. That being said, we are now only on our second Lupron shot so maybe it's early days.
Posted 10/4/2015 6:44 PM (GMT 0)

Angsty said...
My husband's lost a bit of weight (6 pounds) since we started Lupron but I think that's more diet (meatless, Mediterranean) than anything else. He does get hot flushes but other than that no other side effects so far, thankfully. That being said, we are now only on our second Lupron shot so maybe it's early days.

Ok, that's encouraging. It can be done. I'm going to try and get a handle on it. I'm going to start by cutting out snacks. I'll report back in a few months.

Tom
Posted 10/5/2015 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
hello i have lost 10 1/2 pounds 13 days left 6 month eligard .. NEPOL
Posted 10/13/2015 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
I've been reducing 1-2 pounds per week since the first Eligard shot on August 1, 2015. I'm a numbers driven guy so I use an iphone app called myfitnesspal. I put in my weight loss goals of final weight and rate of loss and overall life activity level and it gives me a daily calorie count target. My wife and I had been to a weight loss center some years ago so I have a good notion as to what I can eat and what I cannot to stay on track. I also think Dr. Ornish' s book, "The Spectrum" is a great place to start. It gives a good, adult, take control of your life approach to evolving one's life style from wherever you are to a healthier balance point. G9 club member
Posted 4/29/2016 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
Finally got sick of my clothes not fitting me. Gained about 20 lbs. I think after being on Lupron for a while makes it easier to control weight. Cut my calories about 500 below maintenance level. I've lost 10 lbs so far so it can be done. I'm exercising a minimum of 60 minutes a day.

Tom
Posted 4/29/2016 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on Lupron and Casodex for 5 months and luckily I have kept my weight the same. I started at 195 and this morning I weighed in at 195. I have not exercised a lot due to some other foot and bowel issues so I have had to eat smaller meals. I know if I ate normally, I would probably balloon up but I have a wonderful wife to remind me not too. -JR
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