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Getting through the pain days
It's been a tough week. The cancer itself is fine (still in full remission), but the damage the cancer did to my body has jumped to the foreground. I've been dealing with a lot of pain this week, partly from straining my back moving boxes on the weekend, and partly from compensating for the initial pain. I have to overuse some muscles to make up for the ones that don't work (no nerve signal), and that initial strain seems to have brought my core and hip muscles down like a row of dominoes.
Or, to use a different simile, my body from the middle spine on down feels like a piece of Ikea furniture that's been assembled incorrectly, with stripped screws, crooked pieces, etc. etc. etc.
But I also wonder if some more neural pathways have rebuilt themselves 3+ years after my paraplegia (caused by the tumour compressing my spine), and that's why I'm feeling so many new sensations from the bottom of my ribs on down. Certainly, my right knee suddenly feels less numb than it has since the injury in 2021 -- it's almost normal again. I guess that's a good thing in the long run (you don't expect much nerve recovery after this much time), but it's frustrating suddenly being bombarded with all these new pains this week, when I used to have nature's epidural blocking them.
No question to ask. Just needed to vent. Thank you all for listening. 🙂
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I hear you North, for me not so much pain as the aches. Yes I just turned 70 but seems since the past 21 months I've aged a lot. I've always kept busy but now everything has slowed down big time. Move some light furniture being careful and still end up with a back ache. Not like I was a really strong guy but now, everything feels heavy. Sometimes hard to keep my head in a good place. Going to retire the end of the month, I'm excited, I really think I'll be able to handle day to day stuff much better. Best to all.
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8 ReactionsImproving today, after a challenging week. I managed to do some yard work (clearing up for winter) and sit up playing classical guitar without any serious pain, mainly just stiffness/soreness
Thanks to everyone for your support. ❤️
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5 ReactionsI blame my weakness/ pain on ADT meds. Atrophy of muscles
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3 ReactionsI'm so sorry for that. ADT is definitely a challenge, and it's random how it hits different people in different ways. I think most of my personal pain issues come from the spinal compression and nerve damage in 2021 rather than 3+ years on ADT and Apalutamide.
It took a while, but I'm back to being able to press as much on the weight bench as I could before I had cancer.
Initially I needed a long nap every day; that's down to a short nap once or twice a week now.
I still get hot flushes, but I sometimes go a few days without one now (vs several a day a year or two ago).
I used to have big mood swings, but they're rarer now (I don't cry at sentimental TV commercials any more 😉).
I miss the hair on my chest and legs, but no so much the hair that used to be on my back.
It's amazing what the human body can get used to over time.
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4 ReactionsI, on the other hand, am getting younger and stronger.
But, I suspect that it's not sustainable. I'm lifting lots of heavier weights in preparation for my likely return to Lupron soon. So, I'm feeling pretty good right now. I've been able to increase the amount I lift during the past few weeks, and I feel better mentally after I work out.
I'm trying to ignore my growing boobs, though (Casodex). They aren't too noticeable yet.
I don't know how I will continue to work out a month or two from now, when I'm back on Lupron. Or, if my working out now will actually help in the long run.
Hang in there, everybody.
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5 ReactionsYou must have built a time machine to get younger. Once off Lupron how soon do we get back to feeling less tired and stronger?
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1 ReactionFor me, a few months
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1 Reactionthanks fish man as I m off the ADT stuff in Jan. 2025...I m a weak sucker now esp. my legs.
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2 ReactionsOne day I was squatting and I couldn’t get up! Seems like my loss of muscle mass has finally become apparent. In addition, things that used to take me 1/2 hour ( like assembling two counter chairs) now takes me 1/2 day! Age is handy as a good excuse (which I often use), still at times I long for that youthful vigor.
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2 Reactions@northoftheborder, you help support so many men and their caregivers on this forum. Thank you.
Now, it's time to check in with you. How are the pain days lately? How are you doing today?
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4 Reactions