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TV show, "The Good Doctor", Lupron story line

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Posted 11/28/2018 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Did any of you watch this episode of "The Good Doctor" (Season 2 episode 9, "Empathy")?

A patient had a stroke, and they concluded it was because he was using Lupron. They asked if he had prostate cancer, saying Lupron is usually used to treat that.

Being a drama, of course it was much worse than that. The character was fighting to suppress pedophile ideation, and was trying to do so by eliminating testosterone. It got pretty strange, ultimately ending with the character ending his own life out of frustration that the medical community wouldn't ultimately help him in that goal.

Still, I can't remember seeing Lupron ever discussed in a TV program before. In fact, before my own treatment with it I had never heard of it, and couldn't believe it was an actual thing. Regarding that story, I had to look up Lupron side effects, and sure enough stroke is one of them. It must be at very low rates, since we don't seem to hear of this very much.
Posted 11/28/2018 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
but on TV anything is possible and the worst always happens.
Posted 11/28/2018 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
I enjoy that show, but I only watch it "on demand" when I have time...so I might be a couple episodes behind. I'll keep my eye out for that one.

You didn't know lupron increased cardiovascular risks? I've gotta believe that this is something your doctor discussed with you before yours was administered, and you've just forgotten. It turns out that testosterone is good for the CV system...isn't nature amazing? The CV risks are greatest for someone with preexisting CV disease--so I'm going to guess you don't, because someone who did would be/should be hyper tuned-in to that. Ultimately, like everything, its a balance of risks and benefits.

Post Edited (Blackjack) : 11/28/2018 2:19:24 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/28/2018 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
I guess cardiovascular issues in my mind didn't translate to strokes. Of course it is, but still, how often has anyone here discussed a stroke as a Lupron side effect? Ever? I don't recall anyone talking about it here.

Fatigue, hot flashes, "cognitive issues", physical changes, and so on. But a stroke? What's the risk of that?

This page from drugs.com doesn't even mention stroke. So implying, "Well, duh." isn't a good response.

Some places mention it sort of casually, like "increases risk of heart attack, sudden death, or stroke". Well, what does that mean? "Increases"? Like one out of a billion to two out of a billion? Or, one out of 10 to 5 out of 10?

Of course, old guys are commonly taking Lupron, and our population has a higher risk of stroke anyway. The character in this TV show was probably mid-30s to maybe 40-ish, so not old at all.
Posted 11/28/2018 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
According to my MO, whom I regard highly, the evidence for even slightly increased CV problems associated with ADT just isn’t there.
Posted 11/28/2018 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
I think that in general those who die of a CV incident tend to die suddenly, and then they stop posting at HW/PC...so all we see (in numerous posts) are the up-front cautions. The increased risk for CV due to ADT is (statistically) significant (although it's low), and increases over time and there is additional evidence that the risk persists even after treatment ends, AND indirectly lupron causes other side effects (fatigue, weight gain, etc) which contribute to increased cardiovascular risks/issues.

Redwing57 said...
I guess cardiovascular issues in my mind didn't translate to strokes. Of course it is, but still, how often has anyone here discussed a stroke as a Lupron side effect? Ever? I don't recall anyone talking about it here.


Lol...how about YOUR post from last month, titled "Article: Complications of Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Men With Prostate Cancer." Or look at the thread titled "Lupron and heart failure" from this summer. Or the thread "Cardiovascular implications of ADT" shortly before that.

Don't get me wrong, it's not that everyone who has Lupron will die of CV. There is documented single digit increased risks (more, as I said, if preexisting CVD)...but as I wrote above, the risks and potential benefits have to be weighed and monitored. As I consistently say, "Treat the patient, not the number." Someone who has no CV disease would likely have little or no hesitation to take Lupron. But then again, with the average age of men diagnosed with PC close to 70, what percentage of 70 YOs have known CV...? Unknown CV...?

Most recent episode I watched is where Shaun and Lea got a goldfish which died. I really liked season 1, but the story lines are getting a bit wacky, which means a season 3 is less likely.

Post Edited (Blackjack) : 11/28/2018 3:43:13 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/28/2018 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
"Still, I can't remember seeing Lupron ever discussed in a TV program before."

the news says chemical castration. I've heard that a few times and experienced it once
Posted 11/29/2018 12:53 AM (GMT 0)

F8 said...
the news says chemical castration


Yep...not surprised. Always in search of the eye-catching headline or ear-popping sound bite..."chemical castration" is going to get more attention to the news piece than any of the other ADT synonyms. You can envision the newscaster adding a little tilt of the head, a short pause before, and subtle additional emphasis...
Posted 11/29/2018 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
Some sex offenders are indeed treated with Lupron and it does indeed have the desired effect on them....
Posted 11/29/2018 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Well, now I understand why I have not wanted to become a priest for the last five ears.
Posted 11/29/2018 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
I do recall that episode but I do not think that Lupron was used to control the pedophiles urges.
Posted 11/29/2018 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Blackjack, thanks for again reminding me of the usefulness of this forum's "ignore" feature.
Posted 11/29/2018 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Redwing, not everyone appreciates a straight-shooter...that's ok.


Interesting episode. Did you know the part of George was played by the late John Ritter's (Three's Company) son?

Almost a 10 said...
I do recall that episode but I do not think that Lupron was used to control the pedophiles urges.


I did not notice that "lupron" the brand name was specifically mentioned but anti-androgens were, which of course led to the stroke (which seems to have caused Redwing to get his panties all twisted). Later, they discussed surgical castration, too.

The show's title "Empathy" is difficult for the viewer to relate to. Not sure there will be a season 3.
Posted 11/29/2018 4:38 PM (GMT 0)

RedWing said...
Still, I can't remember seeing Lupron ever discussed in a TV program before.

It was mentioned on several episodes of "House". I seem to recall three.

As for its use with sex criminals there are some states for which it is ordered for repeat-offending child molesters. (Louisiana for one, I think.) If you look at the Wikipedia page for "Chemical Castration" there is some information.
Posted 11/29/2018 5:38 PM (GMT 0)

PeterDisAbelard. said...

It was mentioned on several episodes of "House". I seem to recall three.

As for its use with sex criminals there are some states for which it is ordered for repeat-offending child molesters. (Louisiana for one, I think.) If you look at the Wikipedia page for "Chemical Castration" there is some information.


"House" was a favorite of mine, too. Did you notice that in The Good Doctor, Glassman's oncologist is actress Lisa Edelstein, who was also the boss, Dr. Cuddy, on House? (You know...the one with the very high heels and the extremely tight dresses; but going full-circle on this thread's topic, maybe you guys on anti-androgens didn't notice.) The show's Exec Producer is also the same on TGD as it was on House.

Sounds like I watch a lot of TV, but I think that compared to most I don't. My top 5 shows:
1. Late Show with Stephen Colbert (I've been audience member in a live taping; The Daily Show, which I've also seen live, would be on top of the list if it were still on...excellent source of real news.)
2. SNL
3. Modern Family
4. TGD
5. Check Please -- local PBS show featuring restaurants in the area
Other than those, I watch The Newshour on PBS almost daily, a little college football, and some college basketball, but that's it. One of you guys with too much time who likes to do OT posts should do a poll on which TV shows guys with PC like...

Post Edited (Blackjack) : 11/29/2018 10:48:35 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/29/2018 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
Blackjack, before Lupron (on my 3rd 6 monther), I think I remember that, Lisa Edelstein, was "sexy" looking? smile
She could be "Lou" Edelstein, now as far as I am concerned? smile

And yes they actually said "Lupron" on the show, which I recorded for later viewing, last night!

Because of these risks, I try to jog a mile, at least 5 days a week, and pump heavy iron, at least 3 days. Try to keep those arteries cleaned out, just in case!

Just got my second PSA < 0.1, last week.
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