How to reverse LUPRON'S debilitating side effects - help!!

Lioness · New User Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 2

Hello, everyone,

I obviously do not have a prostate but I have taken Lupron, partly for breast cancer prevention of recurrence and partly for gynecological reasons.

I have had trouble finding any answers on breast cancers and endometriosis furms, so I come to you.

I took 2 onece-a-month shots of Lupron (7.5 mgs) and decided to go off it because I am experiencing such incredible fatigue that I can barely work and am afraid of losing my job. Had I continued taking it, I would have had my next shot on Aug. 21, so it has been almost 20 days. I know the side effects take a while to go away, but mine seem to have gotten worse.

1) Could/does Lupron ruin the pituitary gland and/or adrenal gland?
2) If so, can some hormonal treatment work?
3) I cannot take estrogen because that helped to fuel my breast cancer tumour, but how about cortisol or something for the adrenal gland?

I am reaching the end of my tether, frightened that I will become disabled. The hot flashes are flash FLOODS in my case but I don't mind, and I can even live with the trouble breathing at times. What I cannot stand is fatigue so bad that I can barely get up to make myself coffee.

So, would hormone replacement therapy of some sort (not including esrogen) help? Does Lupron ruin the pituitary gland?

I would be so grateful for any help - I am desperate. Thank you.

johnT · Senior User Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 235

I don't know how Lupron works with the female body; You would have to go to an oncologist to find out. I know that excercise is mandatory with Lupron, both aerobic and strength training. This will help with the fatigue.
JohnT
_________________
psa at diagnosis 40 in nov-08
gleason 6 and 7
Treatment choice seeds and IMRT

G2e4n3e4 · Regular Joined: 13 Apr 2009 Posts: 25

I got my first Lupron shot - 4 mos dose Apr. 21 and had extreme fatigue for about two weeks afterward. I thought that it might be depression, but am now convinced that it was not. My second shot, Aug. 21, may have caused some fatigue, but not anything like the first one. As of now, I am walking on a treadmill 25-30 min. / day and doing light weight lifting with 5 lb bar bells. I would recommend a second opinion if your current doc cannot help you.

Gene in Md
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Age 70 Dx Dec 07 PSA 8.4 DRE positive. Gleason 6 (3+3), T2 PC confined to prostate. Brachytherapy Jan 2008 failed rising PSA's. Began Lupron 30 MG ea 4 mos. hot flashes, fatigue. Occasional urinary and rectal bleeding. Aug 09 - PSA 0.5. Lupron is working!!! Aug 21, 09 - 2nd Lupron shot. Continuing hot flashes. Doc recommends weight lifting - 20 to 30 lbs. July, Aug, Sep. rectal bleeding - hyperbaric chamber treatments.

RonHam

Lioness,

I can certainly sympathize. I'm just ending a 27 month course of Lupron treatment after radiation therapy for prostate cancer. All my numbers are very low. So I'm happy I'm alive. Here's what I found helped:

Exercise:

When I first started treatment I could not exercise for as little as 10 minutes on an exercise bike without being completely exhausted and I wasn't pushing it. I also retained a personal trainer who worked with me twice a week on weight training. When I told my radiation oncologists that I had started working out. He said you'll probably be disappointed because you won't develop much muscle without testosterone. Turns out he was wrong. Even my doctors didn't recognize me after about six months of strength training. I eventually worked up to an hour and a half of moderately strenuous swimming three times a week. That combined with two hours of strength training did a lot to help me cope with the exhaustion. It's important to listen to your body and not push it too hard.

Resveratrol:

Resveratrol 250 mg once a day helped me a lot with the exhaustion. Resveratrol actually increases and improves the functioning of the mitochondria at the cellular level. I can't cite research but as I recall rats doubled their endurance on resveratrol.

Diet:

I switched to a low-fat vegan diet. I can't say whether it made a difference with energy. But certainly after a high-fat meal I feel very tired and after a low-fat vegan meal I feel pretty normal.

Summary:

I can't say that all the above eliminated all the side effects but it certainly ameliorated them so that I could stay on this terrible drug for 27 months.

I'm not a doctor. What you see above was just my experience. I wish you the best of luck. Lupron is not fun
_________________
Ron B.

Lioness · New User Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 2

Thanks, Ron,

I will certainly try the Resveratrol. I am also trying to find hormone supplements such as raw thyroid as I think the Lupron probably damaged my pituitary gland. Off to the Vitamin Shoppe. If the docs can't give me answers, I have no choice but to try complementary/alternative methods. I will also try DHEA (which is contraindicated for men with prostate cancer).

Glad that Lupron is at least working for you.

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