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Prostate cancer, Leuprorelin side effects

Ott0K
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I am 3c Prostate Cancer. 4 is metastasized, which make me local severe. I am 77. After being on Zoladex for around 2 years, plus 6 month gap, the cancer came back and they have put me on Leuprorelin: a big shot every 3 months. 

The  side effects are grim: memory loss, jumbled up thoughts, nausea, bits of old dreams coming into my mental foreground (waking dreams?). It's like being hit by a psycho-punchbag.

I have checked the literature. Two issues: (i) there is very little research on psychological effects of these brutal drugs (i) there is very little advice on protocols or coping strategies. 

Advice very welcome, particularly from fellow sufferers and experts, and hi to all others.

Cheers,

Otto

 

  • Hi Otto and thanks for posting.

    It sounds like you have been having a difficult time with the leuprorelin injection.  I wonder if this is something you have spoken to your doctor or nurse about.  They may be able to give you some coping strategies which can help you manage the side effects you have been experiencing.

    Hormone treatment can often cause all sorts of side effects which can be quite unpleasant.  Some people find that these become milder as time goes on.  The hormone therapy you are having can cause people to feel quite different in themselves, and sometimes much more emotional than they would normally be.  It can also cause dizziness and nausea.

    Some people may find it difficult to concentrate and remember things after having hormone treatment.  We're not sure if this side effect is caused just by the hormone treatment or if it could be caused by the stress and anxiety of living with cancer, that people often feel.  

    But however these symptoms are caused they can make you feel grim and understandably you want to find ways to cope with what you are feeling.

    We have some information here that can help you to do that. 

    We also have lots of information on our website that can offer support to people who are struggling with side effects and changes to their bodies and lifestyle after a cancer diagnosis.  You can find this here.

    I hope this is useful and you find some ideas that help you manage what is happening.

    You can also call one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Rachel

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Rachel

    Thank you very much for your helpful reply. In a strange way it is helpful if know that I am not the only one suffering, although, of course, I wish suffering on no one. Today I feel  a bit better, and this has given me a thought. I have injections every three monetha and my last was two weeks ago. I wonder if the psychotic effect I have been having may be greater just after the injection. Of course, I have told my nurse/doctor. If I am right then it suggeste having a strong anti-depressent, just after the injection. It would be useful to know if researchers who do the pharmokinetic modelling of these injections have found that there are peaks in the release of the drug  into the blood stream etc over the 3 month period.

    Leuprorelin seems to have worse side effects than Zoladex which I found just gave fatigue, which came late afternoon. The leuprorelin effect is as soon as I was wake up and lasts all day. 

    Kind regards, 

    Otto

  • in reply to Ott0K

    Hi Otto and thanks for getting back to us.

    Perhaps discuss with your nurse and doctor having something after the injection which could help with the symptoms you are having.  Have a look at this link which can also help you manage those side effects.

    The patient information leaflet that can be found here, suggests that there is a peak in release after 3 hours, but it then settles to maintenance levels at 7 to 14 days.  Other research I have found seems to agree with this.

    I hope this is helpful.

    You might like to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Best wishes

    Rachel

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