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Been on Hormones for 13 months now the confusion is setting in.

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Posted 5/7/2013 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Had by 5th Hormone Shot on 4/18/13 and have one more to go in 2 months.  Still on Avodart and another one orally each day.   In the last 3 weeks my focus, memory and brain power seemed to throttled back about 50%.  Does the cumulative affect of these drugs make you feel like eating oatmeal the rest of your life?

Comments please as no woody, for 14 months, and all this other crap is starting to wear on me.  I am a ZERO though and that is what I keep telling myself. 

I travel for my job about 70% of the time.....Just had to buy shoes that I lost this trip...ugh

Posted 5/7/2013 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
And you are seeing why my uro stopped the Lupron for now in my case. The SEs have become a significant problem, and yes, have caused big work issues for me. We are going to wait and see what happens, and look for another approach if needed.
Posted 5/9/2013 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
I am familiar with the lack of focus and apparent brain power loss connected to hormone injections. I am right at three years out of brachytherapy and doing very well. But, I well remember what my single shot of three month Lupron did on me. Had some hellish mood swings, couldn't "think straight" and Libido was totally lacking like zero for way more than the three month period. Of course my age probably had a helping hand in those symptoms. All back to normal now. The Lupron was taken merely to shrink the prostate prior to the brachytherapy procedure and it did accomplish the expected/required shrinking. Sure hope I never have to be subject to any hormone therapy again but if necessary, I'll take it.
Posted 5/9/2013 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
You mentioned that things are starting to wear on you. Have you talked to your doctors about the possibility that you might be depressed? Depression is a very, very common side-effect of ADT. At about 6 months in my doctor put me on generic Prozac which helps quite a bit. I am still a trifle vague but much of the brain fog seems to have lifted.
Posted 5/9/2013 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
try an estradiol patch to help ease the side effects, it also will help memory and assists bone density....but don't tell anyone....
Posted 5/9/2013 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
I did two years on ADt and I found the first set of side effects such as hot flashes and loss of libido were apparent pretty well immediatly.Other deterioration such as muscle loss and fat gain happened over the two year term.The dreaded brain fog that is not greatly admitted here in the uk is,in my opinion,the worst of the side effects.I couldn't cope with the afternoon dizziness I experienced and at one point thought I was imagineing it.Depression was also unbearable......hence I came off of ADt even though I have metastatic desease.I've had no three monthly injections for over 8 months now and my testosterone levels are around 300 which is still low for a 47 year old male.My libido is on fire although erection strength is not always what it was prior to treatment.The brain fog is lifting slowly and I would say I'm 70 percent back to how I was prior to ADt.I have not experienced any depressive episodes for over 6 weeks.In conclusion I would say the effects of ADt sneak up on a man without him really noticing until they become unbearable.It seems to me that you only realise how severe they are upon returning to your normal self.I'm 8 months post injection and I'm about 70 percent of my old self.My own research tells me 11 months off should have me close to normal after 2 years of treatment.I hope this post is informative and helpfull.
Posted 5/9/2013 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Lupron since April of 2011 and know exactly how you feel regarding ....... oh yea, memory loss. I started to notice it about 6 or so months into my treatment.   Also, along with that I’ve been having moderate to server mood swings. So my wife says anyway. Other SE's have been mild, expect for the Libido which I guess is the result we want.  The Doctor originally prescribed 75mg of Effexor daily for anxiety and depression.   Since then my wife didn’t think that was enough and I think I’m up to 150 mg. So now if I happen to have a “senior moment” or mood swings, I couldn’t care less!!   I find myself not as modified or driven at work as I used to be. If some ask how am I doing? I have to fake it, because I have no  opinion  one way or the other.   Where am I?
Posted 5/9/2013 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there!! Remember, you only have 1 shot left to go..Sorry that you lost your shoes--lol..I left the water running in the zink this am when I got coffee--wife looked at me a little strangely; she doesn't know about my failure to close the garage door on Sunday--so it goes..Went for a walk in the rain an hour ago since I was starting to get depressed...I think that I've finally got a handle on my emotions after 21/2 years--maybe not cause I can't remember...
Keep your sense of humor if you can..You needed a new pair of shoes anyway.
Bill
Posted 5/9/2013 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on Lupron and Casodex for 6 years now. after 3years things sorta straightened themselves out, mentally that is. Still no wood but mood swings and memory are better. Fatigue comes and goes but mostly seems to go. I'm working on that but it's all uphill. . . . Q
Posted 5/11/2013 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the input. I have one brown shoe left, lost pair of penny loafers, bought the uglies (but comfortable) Dr. Shcools shoes.  Cant remember how to play good poker so I doink it off.  Travel on business 80 percent of the time and try my best to keep my career on task.

I am a very stubborn man who was in great shape just 3 years ago....since i have gained 40 pounds but I will tough this out.  A guy I work with age 52 was told a few days ago Cancer in bladder, liver and bones......I feel pretty fortunate to sweat, dig for my penis to pee, have boobs bigger then my wifes and lost all my hair off my body except face and head.  I quit smoking 18 years ago, drinking 17 years ago and working out like a crazy man.

At my daughters house having a sleep over with my granddaughter that loves me. 5 kids 4 grandkids.

Thanks to all and Good Luck to all.

 

Posted 5/11/2013 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
What happened to the guys here that were trying to convince me that HT wasn't so bad? Have read more negative stories from a variety of guys the past 6 months in particular about negative HT side effects than I ever had before.

That would drive nuts if I knew something was messing with my ability to think or concentrate, I know I wouldn't like that.

I hope there is something, perhaps what zufus mentioned, that can alleviate this problem for you.

david
Posted 5/11/2013 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
Well they are working I am a .02......so I will stay the course.
Posted 5/11/2013 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
so glad they are working, that is the most important part, I have never had a PSA that low, at any point in my journey, treatments or no treatments.

david
Posted 5/11/2013 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think that anyone who was on HT will say that it is "a walk in the park". All though for me it was doable and so far worth the 12 months that I put into it. As Zufus mentioned estradiol patches are very helpful n relieving certain side effects. For me that biggest issue by far was loss of muscle mass. Libido was totally gone, but I knew that going in. I was a little forgetful at times, but thankfully I had no issues with depression or real memory issues. Honestly, I think that a rising uncontrolled PSA would had made me very depressed.
Posted 5/11/2013 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
estradiol patches.....where do you get these? Prescription?
Posted 5/11/2013 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
David:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

What happened to the guys here that were trying to convince me that HT wasn't so bad?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Oh, I don't know... maybe trying their hardest to fight this PC stuff?

Mel

Posted 5/11/2013 10:54 AM (GMT 0)
I was prescribed the estradiol patches by one of the medical oncologists that I saw prior starting HT/SRT. You will probably need to ask your Dr about them. Also, I think that they can cause breast enlargement, particularly if you are taking casodex as well. I had breast radiation to prevent enlargement.
Posted 5/11/2013 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
I pray to God that I will never ever have to use HT again. My URO and RO wanted me to go 24 months but I just stopped after 19. The SE's incliding brain fog were just to much. After 40 + pound added to my body now it time to get back to my fighting weight.

Good luck!

Dave
Posted 5/11/2013 12:04 PM (GMT 0)
I refer to my time on HT as hell on earth. I've had to apologize to my family and co-workers for being such a difficult person to be around. I also think that there has to be other more humane ways to fight PC and that some medical experts are too quick to prescribe such a devastating treatment for such a long period of time and based on a theory from selective studies.
Posted 5/11/2013 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
Foxrun,

Well said...hell on earth. If I could turn the clock back I would have been on HT for 9 to 12 months while I was getting my two radiation treatments.

Dave
Posted 5/11/2013 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
Just started on my ADT journey on March 28, 2013. So not there yet, but appreciate the warnings.

A couple of observations. Some of this may be normal aging. Senior moments happen for those not on Lupron too. And some of the weight gain may be due to the undiagnosed depression. the old argument of which came first the chicken or the egg.

Don't get me wrongly. I am not trying to minimize what all of you have experienced, as expect I too will have some or all of these symptoms.

Definitely a good argument for the wisdom of IHT if that is viable. My diagnosis also calls for 18-24 months Lupron if my cancer does not become testosterone resistant before then. If it does, then different drugs either now on market or will be by time I get there.

I will keep estrodial patches in mind as an option, better to write it down so I don't forget. Actually have heard it quite a bit on various prostateforum.com videos and articles.

For now, I am trying to follow a better diet, exercise more including adding a weights regimen, and measuring my weight closely. I try to exercise the mind daily with newspaper Suduko, Kakuro, Celebrity Cipher etc., and of course all this study of prostate cancer on various forums, videos and subscriptions.
Posted 5/11/2013 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
Purg & Mel,
OK, I won't blame all the SE's on lupron--As much as I hate to admit it, I am a "senior" now which may account for some of them..It probably won't last, but I am more than satisfied with my "undetectable" psa--been on this stuff for a long time now--21/2 years-and freedom from daily Psa anxiety..
For me the trade offs were worth it and some of the SE's such as "brain fog" seem to have dissipated..Now I can worry about my other problems-lol.
Bill
Posted 5/11/2013 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Bill:

I agree. So far, the SE are very manageable. But, reading this thread, I suspect I haven't "seen nuthin'" yet.

Those of us on HT due to a fast-rising PSA don't really have much of a choice. I know I delayed as long as possible. From what I've read, it seems silly to wait until Mets and severe pain from PC, although I think HT can still be extremely helpful even then(?)

Mel

Posted 5/11/2013 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,

You did have a choice, and you made that choice for yourself, and I respect that choice and the decision process you went through. Feel you made the right choice for you.

Don't think its fair to call it "silly" to wait, because my doctor still does not agree for me to start HT, and another well known member here doctor also doesn't fill its silly to wait. Both of us have fast rising PSA, one is above 35 and mine was above 40 (in December). Different strategies for different patients by different doctors. That's why I had the recent full body PET scan, my doctor wanted to make sure it was safe to continue "observing". I am very much onboard with this thinking.

In my case, from the start of my relationship with this oncologist, the goal has never been quantity of life, its been for quality of life. He still feels I have serious QOL issues already, that are not going away, if anything, will worsen over time. So he's trying to preserve what I do have left, for as long as possible.

However, when and if the time comes, he's all for advanced treatment. And I will be compliant with his wishes at that time. It's just not a cut and dry issue, and again, not all the experts agree or disagree on advanced treatment procedures. With my doctor, it's all about the timing.

From reading recent HT stories here on HW, not so much yours, since you have just began, I can easily see what my doctor is sparing me from, and I respect that.

Hope it works for you, and hope you are spared the worse of the side effects.

david in sc
Posted 5/11/2013 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
David:

Technically, we all have choices. I had a choice whether or not to get my PSA test, have a biopsy, have surgery  or some other treatment, etc.

But, in reality, we don't really have that many choices. Those with an apparent indolent PC probably have more choices.

I have no illusions -- it seems the worst SE of HT come along as times goes by. I'm sure I'll be chiming in on the HT misery topic.

But, frankly, I had no choice. This was not a situation of getting surgery vs. radiation.

Your last PSA was December. I forgot -- do you have a date planned for your next PSA? Perhaps it has slowed down?

Mel

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