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Hi Paul,
Studies show that there are definite correlations between age and length of treatment when it comes to serum testerone recovery. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/104658.php It seems that the Leydig cells in the testes are the determining factor for T recovery and the moniker "there are no rules" applies here. One must be patient and wait it out. In my case URO says about a year so that means that I will most likely have symptoms for a year or so after my Lupron therapy ends this September. This, however is just a statistical prediction and recovery may occur sooner, later, or not at all.
I could go on and on about the dozen or so symptoms I've developed while on the drug but I have tried my best to put recovery anxiety on the "back shelf" while I try to stay positive and proactive about protecting myself from the drug's long term effects.
I have found that exercise (with MD approval), diet, antioxidents, D3 and calcium supplements, and daily Lycopene seem to improve my disposition and fatigue related symptoms.
This positive attitude now has me jumping on my stationary bike or walking after work rather than taking a nap. I focus now on trying everything that I considered normal activity before my treatment began and have found that this helps to keep my fears of permanent castrate levels at bay. I still have a long way to go but refuse to give up on the symptoms and try to "attack" them whenever I can.
Pat,
Thanks for the link. Since I'll only be on Lupron for six months, I can probably expect a fairly quick return to normalcy. I also try to exercise in spite of the difficulty. I've been a jogger for 25 years and having to stop for a while was tough. You are quite right about a good mental state helping with recovery.
Aloha Paul,
I was on the 3 month shot. Had four shots begining June 26, 2007. Unexpectedly last month my uro (the one managing my cancer) stopped the shot due June 28, 2008. My most bothersome complaints were injection site pain, can not tell which hip was 6 mths and which hip was 3 mths ago and the urge to cry when depressed. Only 3 weeks out .... hips still hurt ... do not cry so much now. Two months ago could not walk a mile with just short bike trips. Saturday walked 4 miles!!!! Sleeping much better.
Joe
Joe,
Sorry about your hip pain. In my case it only hurt for a few days. My biggest complaints are the hot flashes and of course the lack of testosterone driven libido (but that's the whole point of it). I get a few dozen hot flashes per day, many at the same time every day. I always get one shortly after showering and again when I start working on my computer at work.
