What side effects have you experienced from SBRT for prostate cancer

The side effects of ADT vary widely by person; I wouldn't want to frighten people away from it if they need it to save their lives, but I also don't want to minimize the fact that some people do experience severe side effects.

For the majority, ADT results in mild fatigue, loss of body hair, some sexual dysfunction, breast-tissue growth, and an increased risk of weight gain, diabetes, and heat disease. We can mitigate most of those side effects with moderate exercise and eating a healthy balanced diet, as well as some assistance (mechanical or biochemical) for physical intimacy. In my case, the side-effects have lessened since I started on ADT in 2021, probably because my body has had time to adjust (the first few months are the toughest).

But for an unfortunate minority, the side-effects of ADT can be much worse, including severe depression, irregular heartbeat, etc. So if someone does go on ADT, definitely keep an eye out for those kinds of symptoms (and 🤞 they won't experience them).

The side effects of ADT vary widely by person; I wouldn't want to frighten people away from it if they need it to save their lives, but I also don't want to minimize the fact that some people do experience severe side effects.

For the majority, ADT results in mild fatigue, loss of body hair, some sexual dysfunction, breast-tissue growth, and an increased risk of weight gain, diabetes, and heat disease. We can mitigate most of those side effects with moderate exercise and eating a healthy balanced diet, as well as some assistance (mechanical or biochemical) for physical intimacy. In my case, the side-effects have lessened since I started on ADT in 2021, probably because my body has had time to adjust (the first few months are the toughest).

But for an unfortunate minority, the side-effects of ADT can be much worse, including severe depression, irregular heartbeat, etc. So if someone does go on ADT, definitely keep an eye out for those kinds of symptoms (and 🤞 they won't experience them).

I have explained the SEs of ADT for myself to others as a very bad case of the flu with the worst headcold ever. Headaches and poor sleep, very weak as well are part of this stuff. 'Just exercise and eat a good diet" HA! some days I can barely crawl from the bed to the toilet. Leaking all the way in this short trip too. I now know what hell must be like.
Lacco

You are so lucky and one of the very few as well. Most suffer greatly from ADT(Lupron) and others. It has been pure hell for myself and have quit 2 times now. I now understand how some just give up. Suicide is not uncommon on this S**t Oncology Drs' never mention this but it does happen. Lost one of our infrequent support group members 2 years ago now at 59 YO. Shot himself in his back yard. Drs' will NEVER mention this.
Lacco Ameno

Also, injections (Lupron or Firmagon) are tough because you get acute side-effects from a big dose every 1–3 months — mine were 2–3 days of flu-like symptoms, and soreness and swelling for weeks around the injection site.

Switching to Orgovyx (microdoses in daily pills) made all of the acute side-effects go away for me, and also seemed to diminish the chronic ones slightly. I strongly recommend it, if you have the option.

I want to say that my husband has been on Lupron injections for many years, and has never had flu-like symptoms or any of the other serious side effects that have been mentioned. So please don't reject these hormones out of hand if your doctors recommend them. They are very clearly standard of care, and there are several choices of medication and of delivery methods available, as others have said. You may need to try more than one to see which is best for you, but do keep an open mind. And good luck with whatever path you take. 🙂

Excellent point. My experiences with short-term reactions to the monthy Firmagon shots wouldn't necessarily translate to everyone, any more than other side-effects do.

I'm getting closer to 4 years on ADT + Apalutamide, and I'll mention — confined strictly to my own experience, of course — that I had no regrets even when I was on the Firmagon injections.

These treatments are why I was still around to see my daughter's Ph.D. hooding ceremony (graduation) this weekend. The side effects aren't ideal, but I've gotten used to them, and I still live a full and joyful life.

Also, injections (Lupron or Firmagon) are tough because you get acute side-effects from a big dose every 1–3 months — mine were 2–3 days of flu-like symptoms, and soreness and swelling for weeks around the injection site.

Switching to Orgovyx (microdoses in daily pills) made all of the acute side-effects go away for me, and also seemed to diminish the chronic ones slightly. I strongly recommend it, if you have the option.

The side effects of ADT vary widely by person; I wouldn't want to frighten people away from it if they need it to save their lives, but I also don't want to minimize the fact that some people do experience severe side effects.

For the majority, ADT results in mild fatigue, loss of body hair, some sexual dysfunction, breast-tissue growth, and an increased risk of weight gain, diabetes, and heat disease. We can mitigate most of those side effects with moderate exercise and eating a healthy balanced diet, as well as some assistance (mechanical or biochemical) for physical intimacy. In my case, the side-effects have lessened since I started on ADT in 2021, probably because my body has had time to adjust (the first few months are the toughest).

But for an unfortunate minority, the side-effects of ADT can be much worse, including severe depression, irregular heartbeat, etc. So if someone does go on ADT, definitely keep an eye out for those kinds of symptoms (and 🤞 they won't experience them).