Lupron Shots and Hot Flashes

Cancerous Prostate » Prostate Cancer Treatment » Lupron Shots and Hot Flashes

Question:

Lee, I’m no expert on Vitamins, but there are two types of Niacin on the drug store counters. One produces a rush and the other doesn’t. I forget which is which but the one that is more expensive is made of different stuff and produces no rush (at least in me it didn’t). Hope this helps, John A.

Response:

There is a timed-release niacin tablet, but the brand name escapes me. I used to take them prior to being switched to Rx cholesterol lowering meds (niacin can raise blood sugar levels, my PCP tells me). Also, taking an aspirin tablet about 30 minutes before taking niacin will reduce the niacin flush. One other thing I experienced while taking niacin – taking it on an empty stomach caused me severe stomach cramps, which subsided after 30 minutes or so, but it was most uncomfortable until then. Len Dickson

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Lee, I’m no expert on Vitamins, but there are two types of Niacin on the drug store counters. One produces a rush and the other doesn’t. I forget which is which but the one that is more expensive is made of different stuff and produces no rush (at least in me it didn’t). Hope this helps, John A.

Response:

Yep, I had the Lpron/Casodex therapy and also was advised to start Casodex before the Lupron – one week, I recall. In terms of the hot flashes, I am on Venlafaxine HCL which seems to help them considerably. Originally, I was taking it several times a day but my regular doc changed it to one a day with the long lasting pill and it is much more effective. A side note. I am also taking oxybutinin for bladder spasms. Occasionally, I try to wean myself off and, when I do, I start to sweat profusely. I go back on and the sweating stops. One of the common side effects of oxybutinin is decreased sweating. Coincidence? I think not.

Response:

believed it to be so), then I would suggest adding 400 IU of Vit. E and 1,000 mg. of Vit. C every day. But I am not a doctor, so speak to your own doctor before doing this. My family doctor is not a believer……but the cancer doctors seem to know that these two are antioxidants. I take 1000 IU of E and 500mg of C. I’m glad I looked. I thought I was taking 1000 of each.

You can safely take 1000 mg. of C……it is water soluable. E stays in the fat cells……and my ’sweet sister’ suggest I had about 10 years worth stored up……VBG!! Think she was having a PMS day…..chuckle. If you smoke, you are supposed to take 750 mg. of C to replace what the cigs take out of your system. Just tidbits of trivia I have in the memory banks!! What is Vitamin V…..or was that a typo, grin. (words like Virility, Virtue, and so on came into my head, lol) Worse that that! Vitamin V is colloquial for "Viagra." I didn’t mean "V". I meant "E". But, having started Lupron, I’m sure it was purely

Fruedian. are on Lupron, have you thrown out all of your Penthouse magazines??? XX Heather

Response:

Yep, it’s normal. My rad Onc told me that my hot flashes would subside about 2 months after the last shot. Give or take. I guess that I have a few more weeks and hopefully, I won’t have any more. Except maybe the rush that I get from the Niacin that I take to help boost my HDL. Take care, Lee

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Had Radiation treatments in l996 and my psa started to rise in 2001. Went from 2 to 3 in 4 months. At that time was put on Lupron shots but still having hot flashes Do not go back to dr. for 3 months but just wanted some information to take with me when I see him. Anyone have this problem or is this normal after taking Lupron all this time. Thanks

Response:

I take 1000 IU of E and 500mg of C. I’m glad I looked. I thought I was taking 1000 of each. What is Vitamin V…..or was that a typo, grin. (words like Virility, Virtue, and so on came into my head, lol)

Worse that that! Vitamin V is colloquial for "Viagra." I didn’t mean "V". I meant "E". But, having started Lupron, I’m sure it was purely Fruedian. — Steve Kramer Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 PSA .1 .1 .1 .3 .4 .8 PSA .3 .2 .2 .2 .3

Response:

Thanks Dwight. Your note on the mixture of Zoladex and Casodex was exactly on target for what I now remember of what the doctor told me when prescribing one month of casodex at the same time he injected me with a three month supply of Zoladex. The old memory needs a kick now and then. Wonder why it is that when in the doctors office I can remember all sorts of details, except what the doctor says. Someone mentioned a tape recorder one time, seems a pretty good idea. Thanks again, John A.

Response:

I found a link for sighting this. See below: At http://www.hisandherhealth.com/articles/Prostate_Cancer_Everything_yo… Under the section Extraprostatic Prostate Cancer "Hormonal manipulation can be done by four different techniques. The first involves actual castration, the surgical removal of the testicles. There is an immediate drop in male hormones with an almost immediate effect on the prostate cancer. The second technique involves chemical or medical castration. It involves the frequent administration of an LH/RH agonist such as Lupron (leuprolide) by Tap Pharmaceuticals and Zoladex (zoledronate) AstraZenca Pharmaceutical which in the end suppresses luteinizing hormone decreasing the level of testosterone to less than castration levels within 28 to 30 days. The major drawback is that initially, for the first 1 to 2 weeks, there may actually be a rise in testosterone with growth of cancer cells. Therefore in patents who have significant bone pain, spinal cord compression, brain metastases, or are extremely ill, most physicians will pretreat and continue treatment with an antiandrogen such as Casodex, Eulexin, or Nilandron to block the effects of this testosterone surge." DF

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I seem to remember being told that I needed to start Casodex BEFOR Lupron to prevent a flair up. I think it was in regards to a Testosterone flare-up just after the first Lupron was given. Anyone else know about this? Dwight I concur. There is a real benefit to using Lupron and not switching to Casodex until there is a change in PSA. — Steve Kramer Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 PSA .1 .1 .1 .3 .4 .8 PSA .3 .2 .2 .2 .3 Hi, I had Lupron and Casodex before my 40 IMRT treatments. I had hot flashes that started about the second month and lasted about two months past my last monthly Lupron Shot. They were never bad though. Are you also taking Casodix? There are some drugs that the Dr can give you if the hot flashes get too bad but if they are not really bothering you at night, try to let your body adjust for a while before doing the drugs. Best of luck and wishing you low PSA’s Dwight Had Radiation treatments in l996 and my psa started to rise in 2001. Went from 2 to 3 in 4 months. At that time was put on Lupron shots but still having hot flashes Do not go back to dr. for 3 months but just wanted some information to take with me when I see him. Anyone have this problem or is this normal after taking Lupron all this time. Thanks

Response:

I seem to remember being told that I needed to start Casodex BEFOR Lupron to prevent a flair up. I think it was in regards to a Testosterone flare-up just after the first Lupron was given. Anyone else know about this? Dwight

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I concur. There is a real benefit to using Lupron and not switching to Casodex until there is a change in PSA. — Steve Kramer Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 PSA .1 .1 .1 .3 .4 .8 PSA .3 .2 .2 .2 .3 Hi, I had Lupron and Casodex before my 40 IMRT treatments. I had hot flashes that started about the second month and lasted about two months past my last monthly Lupron Shot. They were never bad though. Are you also taking Casodix? There are some drugs that the Dr can give you if the hot flashes get too bad but if they are not really bothering you at night, try to let your body adjust for a while before doing the drugs. Best of luck and wishing you low PSA’s Dwight Had Radiation treatments in l996 and my psa started to rise in 2001. Went from 2 to 3 in 4 months. At that time was put on Lupron shots but still having hot flashes Do not go back to dr. for 3 months but just wanted some information to take with me when I see him. Anyone have this problem or is this normal after taking Lupron all this time. Thanks

Response:

I concur. There is a real benefit to using Lupron and not switching to Casodex until there is a change in PSA. — Steve Kramer Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 PSA .1 .1 .1 .3 .4 .8 PSA .3 .2 .2 .2 .3

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I had Lupron and Casodex before my 40 IMRT treatments. I had hot flashes that started about the second month and lasted about two months past my last monthly Lupron Shot. They were never bad though. Are you also taking Casodix? There are some drugs that the Dr can give you if the hot flashes get too bad but if they are not really bothering you at night, try to let your body adjust for a while before doing the drugs. Best of luck and wishing you low PSA’s Dwight Had Radiation treatments in l996 and my psa started to rise in 2001. Went from 2 to 3 in 4 months. At that time was put on Lupron shots but still having hot flashes Do not go back to dr. for 3 months but just wanted some information to take with me when I see him. Anyone have this problem or is this normal after taking Lupron all this time. Thanks

Response:

I guess the two sexes are more alike once the hormone treatments are have maybe had 5 in 13 years. I started taking megadoses of Vit. E, B Compound and C, plus Calcium, about 30 years ago. My sister didn’t. She has hot flashes and night sweats 24/7 that are really wearing her out due to lack of sleep. But we are total opposites, physically & mentally……so that factors into it. I have been told by doctors that Vit. E in particular is good for stop Vitamins E and C for the radiation treatments because they are ‘antioxidants’ which would interfere with the treatment. believed it to be so), then I would suggest adding 400 IU of Vit. E and 1,000 mg. of Vit. C every day. But I am not a doctor, so speak to your own doctor before doing this. My family doctor is not a believer……but the cancer doctors seem to know that these two are antioxidants. What is Vitamin V…..or was that a typo, grin. (words like Virility, Virtue, and so on came into my head, lol) best…….Heather

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was told that hot flashes were a possible side-effect of Lupron. I’ve read that Vitamin V and C and exercise can moderate the effect. I don’t know if that is true, but I haven’t had a hot flash since starting Lupron (7/21). — Steve Kramer Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 PSA .1 .1 .1 .3 .4 .8 PSA .3 .2 .2 .2 .3 Had Radiation treatments in l996 and my psa started to rise in 2001. Went from 2 to 3 in 4 months. At that time was put on Lupron shots but still having hot flashes Do not go back to dr. for 3 months but just wanted some information to take with me when I see him. Anyone have this problem or is this normal after taking Lupron all this time. Thanks

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi: Did not have lupron or any other drugs before my radiation treatments seven years ago. Only take the lupron shots every 3 months last two years. I am 76 this year, besides having prostate had 3 stents put in the heart. But feel great except for the hot flashes. Live in Central Florida for the past l2 years and this has been the worst summer for continued heat days. We live were there is always a breeze, but not this year. In fact, was cleaning the roof and had to come down , had a heat stroke. Someone told my wife, I should not be out in the sun when taking Lupron shots, Do not know if that is the true.

Ah, yes, avoid the sun. I had my first Lupron shot last Wednesday and that was in the literature… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Thanks for all the information and will keep all in my prayers

Response:

I was told that hot flashes were a possible side-effect of Lupron. I’ve read that Vitamin V and C and exercise can moderate the effect. I don’t know if that is true, but I haven’t had a hot flash since starting Lupron (7/21). — Steve Kramer Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 PSA .1 .1 .1 .3 .4 .8 PSA .3 .2 .2 .2 .3

Response:

Hi, I had Lupron and Casodex before my 40 IMRT treatments. I had hot flashes that started about the second month and lasted about two months past my last monthly Lupron Shot. They were never bad though. Are you also taking Casodix? There are some drugs that the Dr can give you if the hot flashes get too bad but if they are not really bothering you at night, try to let your body adjust for a while before doing the drugs. Best of luck and wishing you low PSA’s Dwight

Response:

Hi: Did not have lupron or any other drugs before my radiation treatments seven years ago. Only take the lupron shots every 3 months last two years. I am 76 this year, besides having prostate had 3 stents put in the heart. But feel great except for the hot flashes. Live in Central Florida for the past l2 years and this has been the worst summer for continued heat days. We live were there is always a breeze, but not this year. In fact, was cleaning the roof and had to come down , had a heat stroke. Someone told my wife, I should not be out in the sun when taking Lupron shots, Do not know if that is the true. Thanks for all the information and will keep all in my prayers

Response:

Had Radiation treatments in l996 and my psa started to rise in 2001. Went from 2 to 3 in 4 months. At that time was put on Lupron shots but still having hot flashes Do not go back to dr. for 3 months but just wanted some information to take with me when I see him. Anyone have this problem or is this normal after taking Lupron all this time. Thanks

Response:

hi retired – hot flashes are a result of hormone imbalances within the body. so, if you are still having them, means the body is still adjusting to them. what is still causing them is something for you and your doctor to discuss. to give you a little more information – some folks will adjust to them in just a few months. some folks will have small hot flashes, while folks get it hit big time with heavy sweating and the works. as the old saying goes – your mileage may vary. hope this helps ~ curtis knowledge is power – growing old is mandatory – growing wise is optional

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