HT side effect discussion

Hello All,

As some of you know, I was on Zoladex (shot in the stomach every three
months) and daily Casodex as part of a clinical trial beginning in May
06. At about the 2nd month, hot flashes were the predominant side
effect. The hot flashes went away a few months later to be replaced by
weight gain, increased glucose level, arthritic symptoms (trigger
finger) in the first and third digit of my right hand and short term
memory lapse. I am not saying that definitivly the HT caused any or
all of the above side effects. I decided to halt the HT in Jan 07. It
was supposed to be a 24 month HT regimen. I still have the arthritic
symptoms, added weight, memory lapse. Dont' know about the glucose.
The startling thing to me is that the hot flashes have returned. Not
as often or as severe as before but it seems like I've entered the hot
flash zone on the downward side of the HT bell curve. Are the return
of hot flashes at this juncture typical?

WSF

WhiteSoxFan wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> As some of you know, I was on Zoladex (shot in the stomach every three
> months) and daily Casodex as part of a clinical trial beginning in May
> 06. At about the 2nd month, hot flashes were the predominant side
> effect. The hot flashes went away a few months later to be replaced by
> weight gain, increased glucose level, arthritic symptoms (trigger
> finger) in the first and third digit of my right hand and short term
> memory lapse. I am not saying that definitivly the HT caused any or
> all of the above side effects. I decided to halt the HT in Jan 07. It
> was supposed to be a 24 month HT regimen. I still have the arthritic
> symptoms, added weight, memory lapse. Dont' know about the glucose.
> The startling thing to me is that the hot flashes have returned. Not
> as often or as severe as before but it seems like I've entered the hot
> flash zone on the downward side of the HT bell curve. Are the return
> of hot flashes at this juncture typical?
>
> WSF
>
Have you tested your T to see how it's recovering?

I.P.

WhiteSoxFan wrote:
I decided to halt the HT in Jan 07. I still have the arthritic
> symptoms, added weight, memory lapse. Dont' know about the glucose.
> The startling thing to me is that the hot flashes have returned. Not
> as often or as severe as . Are the return
> of hot flashes at this juncture typical?
>
> WSF

Based on my own experience, that is what I would expect. While on
Lupron I experienced many hot flashes per day, and night, and often
without any obvious trigger such as a warm room, a hot drink, falling
asleep, stress, anger, and so on. Having now been off Lupron for about a
year I still have hot flashes off and on, somedays going without any
and somedays having several. Most of them are now of short duration and
quite mild, and they now usually only result from one of the triggers.

During this year of being off of ADT, I did stop gaining weight but have
been unable to get rid of any. The Lupron pounds seem to want to stay
with me.

Triglycerides and cholesterol have improved greatly during this past
year, but there may be other factors to consider.

The same is true for short term memory loss, or working memory. My
memory loss has been well documented but at this point in time they do
not want to point fingers at ADT. Further testing may be initiated once
I am back on ADT for some period of time, perhaps this next summer. Even
if I do get retested, it might be hard to point a finger at ADT as a
drug I am now taking may influence both memory and cognitive function.
There are too many variables.

You have not been off of ADT for that long, but no matter how long you
stay off of it, if you are like me, some of the side effects may stay
with you or come and go, but hopefully at less bothersome levels. It has
gotten better with the passage of time, but very slowly. Best of luck to
you.

>
> Have you tested your T to see how it's recovering?
>
> I.P.

The T is recovering. Because of the memory loss SE, I can't remember
what the number is nor can I remember where the test results are. I
think the T numbers at the blood test one month after I ceased the
drugs were still in single digits. They did reach undetectable while
I was taking the drugs.

WSF