“Sit-Rep” .. No.51
(a.k.a. … The Roadblock Treatment)

Well today, I drove to the VA for my first Eligard Injection.

I’ll go a little into detail for those who might be dealing with similar issues, and their support groups.
Again, the goal is not to give medical advice. The purpose of these posts is to give some insight into the Cancer Journey that might help others in their decision making process.

Prostate cancer is testosterone-driven. Even tiny amounts can keep it growing and spreading.

So the strategy is:
Don’t just lower testosterone → drive it as close to zero as possible
Don’t let the cancer adapt → block every pathway it could use to survive

What “Dr. Y… and Dr. C”… are trying to accomplish:
Slow or stop tumor growth across the body (bones, liver, lymph nodes, bladder)

Reduce symptoms (especially bone pain, urinary issues, fatigue)

Delay further spread and complications
Extend survival while maintaining function as long as possible

Plainspoken Sit-Rep version:

“They’ve put me on dual hormone suppression—Eligard to shut down primary testosterone production and Abiraterone to block secondary sources. The goal is total androgen deprivation: starve the cancer system-wide, slow progression, and buy time with better quality of life.”

Reality check (important):
This is not a cure at Stage 4. It’s a control strategy—and often a very effective one for a period of time.

The disease can eventually adapt, but statistics show that this combo is one of the strongest first-line approaches to hold the line as long as possible.

👉🏽 “So, how did it go?” You ask.
The Injection itself is nothing to be concerned about. Simple stick with needle and it’s done in a few seconds.

The plan is for an Injection every three months.
The Abiroterone is a daily pill 💊 that requires some attention be given to the regimen.

Abiraterone must be taken on an empty stomach: at least one hour before or two hours after a meal to avoid excessive drug absorption.
It should be swallowed whole with water, not crushed. High-fat meals drastically increase blood concentration, so if food is eaten, it must be low-fat. 

Key Dietary Guidelines
Fasting Requirement: Do not eat anything for at least 1 hour after or 2 hours before taking this medication.
‼️I’m gonna need to figure this one out!😵‍💫‼️
Low-Fat Diet: If taking with food (under specific advice), choose low-fat options (e.g., skim milk, oatmeal).
Avoid High-Fat Foods: Fried food, avocado, nuts, bacon, sausage, and fatty pastries should be avoided as they significantly increase absorption and side effects.‼️ The only thing on this list that won’t be a problem is Avocados!🤡‼️
Medication Pairings: It is taken with prednisone or prednisolone, which should be taken with food to reduce stomach irritation. 

Specific Food/Drink Warnings
Grapefruit: Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice, as it can affect how the liver breaks down the medication.

Alcohol/Caffeine: Limit or avoid these.

🤔 This path was chosen to reduce the pain levels in the future. That’s positive because being on a 24-Hour a day Diet of Opioids is definitely not good.

I’m going to do that “Ritz Thing” 😈right off the bat … and stop the Hydrocodone.

The reason for that is there is apparently a feud being raged between Hydrocodone and Abiraterone. It seems they don’t always “peacefully” co-exist.😬

I won’t post the possible side effects here. If you want them, send me a message - or - you can look them up yourself.

🗣️ So far… no problems… except the first side effect from the injection showed up around 15:30 today.

If you ask the internet about Eligard … this pops up:
Yes, Eligard (leuprolide) commonly causes fatigue, which can range from mild to severe, often described as extreme tiredness, exhaustion, or a lack of energy.

It is a frequent side effect of the hormone therapy (androgen deprivation) used to treat prostate cancer, affecting many users.

It literally “knocked me out”😴😴😴
I learned this in my first battle with Lupron the first time around. I let it zap my strength and my will… to the point that I literally sat around and vegetated!😔

I now know that I’m going to have to fight through the fatigue and try to get more active physically.

We’ve all experienced those days when it’s time to get up and go to practice and you just can’t find the energy to throw your stuff in the bag and go.

Well … there’s a line in “If” that covers that.
We’ll see if I can do better this time!
That’s it for now. I’ll keep you posted.
Coach