Lupron end in sight & a bone density test question

spouse21

Regular Member

Joined : Feb 2015

Posts : 154

Posted 1/20/2017 8:58 PM (GMT 0)

My husband and I met with his local oncologist who's part of a Mass General team. MG had recommended at least a 28-month course of ADT in addition to IMRT. Today the local onc said my husband's last shot can be the next one in mid-February. This would make a total of 31 months of Lupron. It's been a tough ride with the side effects--fatigue, hot flashes, erectile disfunction, bouts of depression. My husband coped with it by pushing through--jogging several times a week, weight lifting, biking, eating decently. (He's got co-morbidities--3rd pacemaker and had big abdominal surgery for a blockage two years ago.) We're somewhat stunned that the Lupron will be ending, but that's the word. Don't let the door hit you in the back, Lupron!

The oncologist said it would be okay to wait a couple years for another bone density test. That seems long to me. Last one was a year and a half ago and my husband was in the osteopenia range. Any thoughts on this timing? He takes Calcium and Vitamin D but no biophosphanates.

Does a six-month PSA schedule seem right?

We're grateful for the decent news, but for some reason it's nervous-making, too, since Lupron was the first TX.

Sr Sailor

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2015

Posts : 1483

Posted 1/20/2017 9:54 PM (GMT 0)

28 months vs 31 months of ADT is unlikely to make a difference.
Although my case isn't identical to your husband's, the original recommendation for me was 24 months of Lupron. This was changed later on to 18 months, based on a (Canadian) presentation that got a lot of press at an ASTRO mtg (I think). I didn't mind the change at all.

I would highly recommend that your husband gets a DEXA scan in six months as a follow up to the result from 1.5 years ago. And I hope that he will continue to exercise as before. Good job; it should get easier once the effects of the ADT wear off and his testosterone level starts to rise.

PS: My RO did a PSA test 6 months after discontinuation of the ADT. Hence, your husband's schedule may well be the norm.

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