Question:

Anybody have any reference reading regarding lupron therapy resulting in some coronary artery constriction?

Response:

On December 20, Jerry inquired: Anybody have any reference reading regarding lupron therapy resulting in some coronary artery constriction?

No. Checking the package insert for the 30-mg four-month depot says this regarding cardiovascular problems: < 5% of patients reported "atrial fibrillation, deep thrombophlebitis, hypertension." However: hyperlipidemia (increased LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol) have been reported. TAP Pharmaceuticals USA distributor, says that its "relationship to drug treatment is difficult to assess in this population." Uh huh. So far as I know, the cholesterol matter is typical of every LHRH agonist tx. Well, that’s an argument for another day. I recommend a Google search on Lupron. And I’d love to know what prompted this question. Regards, Steve J – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I don’t have any information on this, but I’m wondering if the negative side effects of Lupron can be counteracted to some degree by working on them. Some people have reported overcoming hot flashes with megace.  I personally experienced tiredness – which I battled with rest and exercise, and joint pain – which I successfully overcame with exercise.  Maybe hypertension and elevated cholesterol will also respond to the normal diet and exercise treatments, or even statins if necessary, that are used to treat these conditions in the absence of Lupron. Of course that’s not to say that side effects can always be easily overcome.  Ron Figueroa has had a real battle with weakness and tiredness induced by his ADT.     Alan

Response:

I don’t have any information on this, but I’m wondering if the negative side effects of Lupron can be counteracted to some degree by working on them. Some people have reported overcoming hot flashes with megace.

(snip) For the most part, the SEs can be mitigated. See the PCRI website and search on "androgen deprivation syndrome." For hot flashes I selected Depo Sub-Q Provera (medroxyprogesterone, a female hormone), two 102 mg injections, one in each thigh over three months ago. Worked like a charm. From being awakened six times per night (plus daytime instances) I went to zero hot flashes. It’s still working. I understand that it is not considered suitable for everyone. Medroxyprogesterone is metabolized to testosterone, so a man should have a very low PSA (such as my <0.01) before using it. I did see a PSA rise to 0.02, which then settled back to 0.01. I’m delighted. Regards, Steve J "He is the best physician who is the most ingenious inspirer of hope." — Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Response:

Hi All…. Been without news groups for a bit.  But have  a free news server at the moment. For those that don’t know, Ron went on Zoladex and Casodex in late October of 2004 due to a fast rising PSA.  In January 2005, his PSA was undetectible.  He was fine other than hot flashes for which he took Megace and that worked. But starting in May of 2005, his legs got very weak and he was retaining water.  He got progressively weaker (legs mainly) over the summer and we finally fired the oncologist out here who swore none of his 200 ADT patients had these side effects…..which was a blatant lie!!  3 other doctors in this City contradicted him.  Plus I knew one other patient personally and he was in worse shape than Ron with the weakness in the legs and extreme fatigue. We went back to Sunnybrook Hospital’s Cancer Care Centre Nov. 4th and Dr. Loblaw spent 1.5 hours with us explaining that "yes….most of his ADT patients had this sort of reaction" and how it affected them.  He offered intermittent hormone therapy as a solution, but Ron didn’t know much about that and was afraid to try it, so he got another Zoladex shot. Shortly thereafter, I sat him down and explained the *intermittent HT* to him and he agreed that this was obviously better.  His mood perked up when he made that decision. Just today I called the hospital and he spoke to Dr. Loblaw, who told him to stop the Casodex completely.  I hadn’t even thought to ask.  So we are just going to watch his PSA and deal with it that way.  His next shot would have been Feb. 4th. Ron refinished 13 pieces of antique furniture last February and March, which required a lot of strength.  It took about 7 months for the weakness to show up.  All of his various blood tests showed nothing out of the ordinary in October.  Haemoglobin was a bit low (126), but a more detailed test showed nothing wrong.  Testosterone was 0.1…..PSA below 0.02 which is where it has been since a year ago. Quality of life IS more important to him after 7 months of this.  But it had to be his decision.  Am I nervous?  Somewhat.  But I was way more upset at how depressed and weak he was.  Hormone therapy is a good thing, but he is hoping that a break from it will allow him to regain some muscle strength. He knows that it has kept the cancer from growing, but at a huge cost. So that is where it is at.  It is painfully obvious to everyone just how weak he is and our neighbours and friends have been wonderfully supportive. This has been one tough year for both of us.  Our daughter just arrived for 2 weeks and she is "good medicine" for him…..and me too. I have never allowed myself the luxury of a good cry for a year because I didn’t want to upset him.  Today I had that luxury when he was out and Elayne just hugged and held me when I broke down.  She is a very strong, perceptive, loving young lady and I sure needed that. Merry Christmas to all of you and may 2006 be better for everyone here, and also for their wives and children. Best….Heather (and Ron & Elayne)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Of course that’s not to say that side effects can always be easily overcome.  Ron Figueroa has had a real battle with weakness and tiredness induced by his ADT.    Alan

Response:

Heather, Thanks so much for the update.  My heart goes out to you and Ron.  Here’s hoping the change in treatment brings you both some relief. All the best this holiday season, Dan — PSA = 2.2 , 03/05/2003 Biopsy, 11/10/2004, G9(5+4) (multiple cores) (6 of 8 cores positive), T1C Casodex (daily), begin. 11/16/2004 Zoladex, 12/23/2004, 03/10/2005, 06/14/2005, 09/14/2005, 12/14/2005 PSA, 0.1, <0.1, <0.1, <0.1

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All…. Been without news groups for a bit.  But have  a free news server at the moment. For those that don’t know, Ron went on Zoladex and Casodex in late October of 2004 due to a fast rising PSA.  In January 2005, his PSA was undetectible.  He was fine other than hot flashes for which he took Megace and that worked. But starting in May of 2005, his legs got very weak and he was retaining water.  He got progressively weaker (legs mainly) over the summer and we finally fired the oncologist out here who swore none of his 200 ADT patients had these side effects…..which was a blatant lie!!  3 other doctors in this City contradicted him.  Plus I knew one other patient personally and he was in worse shape than Ron with the weakness in the legs and extreme fatigue. We went back to Sunnybrook Hospital’s Cancer Care Centre Nov. 4th and Dr. Loblaw spent 1.5 hours with us explaining that "yes….most of his ADT patients had this sort of reaction" and how it affected them.  He offered intermittent hormone therapy as a solution, but Ron didn’t know much about that and was afraid to try it, so he got another Zoladex shot. Shortly thereafter, I sat him down and explained the *intermittent HT* to him and he agreed that this was obviously better.  His mood perked up when he made that decision. Just today I called the hospital and he spoke to Dr. Loblaw, who told him to stop the Casodex completely.  I hadn’t even thought to ask.  So we are just going to watch his PSA and deal with it that way.  His next shot would have been Feb. 4th. Ron refinished 13 pieces of antique furniture last February and March, which required a lot of strength.  It took about 7 months for the weakness to show up.  All of his various blood tests showed nothing out of the ordinary in October.  Haemoglobin was a bit low (126), but a more detailed test showed nothing wrong.  Testosterone was 0.1…..PSA below 0.02 which is where it has been since a year ago. Quality of life IS more important to him after 7 months of this.  But it had to be his decision.  Am I nervous?  Somewhat.  But I was way more upset at how depressed and weak he was.  Hormone therapy is a good thing, but he is hoping that a break from it will allow him to regain some muscle strength. He knows that it has kept the cancer from growing, but at a huge cost. So that is where it is at.  It is painfully obvious to everyone just how weak he is and our neighbours and friends have been wonderfully supportive. This has been one tough year for both of us.  Our daughter just arrived for 2 weeks and she is "good medicine" for him…..and me too. I have never allowed myself the luxury of a good cry for a year because I didn’t want to upset him.  Today I had that luxury when he was out and Elayne just hugged and held me when I broke down.  She is a very strong, perceptive, loving young lady and I sure needed that. Merry Christmas to all of you and may 2006 be better for everyone here, and also for their wives and children. Best….Heather (and Ron & Elayne) Of course that’s not to say that side effects can always be easily overcome.  Ron Figueroa has had a real battle with weakness and tiredness induced by his ADT.    Alan

Response:

… Merry Christmas to all of you and may 2006 be better for everyone here, and also for their wives and children. Best….Heather (and Ron & Elayne)

And Merry Christmas to the three of you, and to all on this newsgroup. May there be many more happy and healthy years for us all.     Alan

Response:

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