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Has anyone gone off hormone therapy (ADT) after radiation?
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Sep 26 12:17pm | Replies (100)Comment receiving replies
Thank you so much, Kevin. You have so much information. I am going to have to look some things up, such as De Novo Advanced Prostate Cancer. Also, ARI. I am not sure what that is. His treatment right now is hormone shots every 6 months (previously Elegard,). I am hoping that he can have Orgovyx in October, instead. I asked the medical oncologist about it and she looked into it and said it has been approved in Canada and, hopefully, that will be his treatment in October, instead of the Elegard. He is also on Zytiga (Abiraterone) and Prednisone. I am encouraging exercise. He has always been one to walk regularly, about 7 km each time. He likes to golf and always walked the course. But, recently, he hasn't golfed as much (5 weeks of radiation interrupted that) and he has started riding in a cart in the heat. Also, he is not feeling as strong, and is embarrassed golfing with his friends. He is discouraged and is considering not golfing for the rest of the summer. I am hoping he will reconsider; I think his friends will understand about his golf but more importantly, I think he needs the social part of the golf.
Replies to "Thank you so much, Kevin. You have so much information. I am going to have to..."
Tell him he's not alone in the golf game going south. I'm an avid golfer and Eligard has definitely taken a toll. I'm at least one club shorter than I was. My advise is to go to the range and keep at it. Don't stop. And also, I agree with you - the social part is a HUGE help.
Best of luck to the both of you!
Doug
So, he is on an ARI (Androgen Receptor Inhibitor) which acts differently than his ADT by blocking the prostate cancer cell from binding with the trace amounts of testosterone left in his system and shuts down the T that the adrenal glands produce.
So, at this point his treatment is pretty much "normal" for his diagnosis and clinical data.
It's an oxymoron but he will feel better if he maintains a robust exercise program, doesn't have to be an olympic athlete level training.
The side effects suck, there's no getting around it, no T is exactly that.
Your medical team may have discussed chemotherapy with you. Data emerging from clinical trials indicates it's better used in high vs low volume PCa or when doublet therapy is not working. Your husband's case is neither.
I can only offer this, as I said, we all experience the side effects of our treatment. Which ones and to what degree, well that varies and is s function of many variables, age, fitness, health...
I talked about mitigating strategies that he controls, I would be remiss if I didn't say "attitude."
While on treatment I've gone skiing with friends, took a two week vacation and did the Ring Road in Iceland with my wife, did the Bataan Memorial March in White Sands, NM with my sister, rode in the Garmin Unbound with my daughter, heck, went to a Willie Nelson Concert with my wife,
All things in moderation but I think that the four things I mentioned go a long way in living life with this.
Oh yeah, I take naps!
Kevin
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I finished 5 weeks IMRT + one HDR brachytherapy procedure and six months Orgovyx ADT pills about two months ago. The only real residual side effects are night time urinary frequency and fatigue that almost always hits me on the golf course on very hot 85 degree + days.
It is my understanding that these residual side effects are a result of the radiation and the Orgovyx ADT regimen. I am told exercise and patience are important as most side effects resolve w/in 6-12 months
I can empathize with your situation. Best of luck going forward!