Depression and hormone therapy

@retireddoc
I also took up cycling because that was her world and began racing in the senior division at age 61. This photo was taken during a race last June. Lupron be damned, I gonna win this thing! (I didn’t but I came close).

I'm about to start on 6 months of ADT.

I've been very interested in how to stave off the type of symptoms you are experiencing as well as anything else ADT patients are reporting. I'm just scratching the surface so far.

A book I'm almost finished reading was written by an Australian surfer dude who made a name for himself writing about surfing. He was diagnosed in his early 50s. At that point he had young kids. He has stage 4 that had already spread to a large area in his thigh as well as one of his ribs. The book is "Patting the Shark", by Tim Baker.

I picked up my copy of this book after I heard several urologists talking about the impact it had had on them, as well as the urological community in Australia and beyond. This discussion was on a GU Cast Urology Podcast episode "Patting the Hormone Therapy Shark". Urologists were said to be sending copies to other urologists. One said here is eloquent writing by a patient about what is happening to him on lifetime ADT. Adding: as urologists we've got to read this, we've had no idea about what is happening to the patients we blithely prescribe these drugs to.

Good luck.

I have been on hormone treatment for over 3 years. I have had one shot of Eligard (6 month) and daily 160 MG of Xtandi. Returning prostate cancer was stage 4 and non-currable. For almost 3 years my psa has been < 0.1. However, have major hot flashes (2-4) hours; lost all hair from neck down; enlarged breasts; penis and testicle shrunk , no testosterone. Was given Gabapentin for hot flashes which did not work, but caused neuropathy. Ended up having 2 OIU's, because of initial radiation and Brachytherapy resulting in scar tissue in the utetha. Luckily no depression, but maintaining positive attitude. Did you experience any other issues? I have a partner of 22 years that supports my issues and joins me on my visits to the Urologist and Oncologist. My cancer metastisized to my rib cage. With low psa's don't know if it still remains. Good luck to you. Any comments. Dave Singstock

@dsingstock
I’m sorry to hear about the recurrence of PC and I realize that it could happen to me, too.
I, too, lost most of my body hair and I might have lost it on my head if I weren’t already bald.
A fellow cyclist, a retired physician, advised me to continue cycling throughout the radiation therapy because vigorous exercise is known to reduce the side effects of treatment - so I did. I told my oncologist that I was training for a 100 mile ride which was taking place two weeks after the radiation finished and she had no objections, probably because it kept me focused on something positive. I did do the ride.
I am revisiting my prepubescent youth: scant pubic hair over a smaller penis and testicles, hoping that the guys in the gang shower in the gym don’t notice. My partner, Barb, says she didn’t even notice - which has to be a boldface lie - but that’s an issue I’m not going to raise. She is pushing for me to wear a “commitment ring” like a wedding ring to discourage other women but I think it’s just to assuage my ego because THIS tomcat is neutered.
She also joins me on my visits to the oncologist and asks questions about my prognosis. Initially, an urology nurse gave her a list of funeral homes with check marks next the ones she recommended, which made Barb cry. I considered canceling all the bike races I had scheduled for later in the year because I figured I would be bedridden before the season was over. I didn’t, though, and, while I was not in peak form, I did set a couple personal best times while on Lupron.

@dsingstock y
My oncologist prescribed Depo-provera Shots every three months for hot flashes. The first year on ADT I had hot flashes every couple of hours, and they would cause fatigue and would be extremely strong. The depo-provera pretty much stopped them completely. It is a hormone drug but it does not cause breast enlargement. You can use a little estradiol, With a patch, And that can really reduce the hot flashes, but also cause breast enlargement. Speak to your doctor about this there may be other hormones that could work.

ADT can cause your cancer spots on your rib cage to almost disappear. Unfortunately, if you were to stop ADT, they would come back, But radiation with SBRT is very effective in getting rid of them.

I’ve been on ADT for eight years. The hot flashes have finally pretty much stopped because I switched to Orgovyx Instead of Lupron. The problem is ADT causes many other problems. I run on a track 1 mile twice a day every day. I also go to the gym three times a week because ADT destroys your muscle so you need to do weight training in order to keep them strong. You’ve probably already noticed a belly that you didn’t have before, many situps Can strengthen your stomach muscles And could help.

Too many people gain weight on ADT. I never had that problem, I weigh myself every day and based what I weigh on what I eat.

Diet is very important. Avoiding red meat, Deli meats, Fast foods, Can be critical in keeping your cancer under control. There are a lot of videos about that on YouTube you could search for prostate cancer and diet.

I am still around after 16 years of prostate cancer. I’ve had surgery 3 1/2 years later it came back so I had radiation and it’s come back two more times since then. I’ve been on a lot of the drugs available for prostate cancer and they have kept me alive.

Due to their different mechanisms of action. ADT which includes Orgovyx, Firmagon, Lupron, Eligard, Prostap, Camcevi, Lucrin, Zoladex, Trelstar, Pamorelin, and Decapeptyl can cause numerous side effects. Actually due to a lack of testosterone.
Hot flashes
Fatigue
Muscle deterioration
Bone weakening
Brain fog
Depression
Weight gain
Difficulty in breathing

Not all of these side effects occur to everyone on the drugs. Most of them are just things you have to be aware of and circumvent. I run on the track twice a day, 1 mile at least, to help prevent bone weakening, fatigue and muscle deterioration. I also go to the gym three days a week (usually) and spend an hour with all different types of weight exercises. One thing that happens is people get a beer belly from the muscle deterioration, I do a lot of sit-ups to offset that.

Some people get depression but it is not common. It is easily treatable, according to people that have reported it on here and on Online Meetings I have participated in. If he has that problem Come back and ask for help, Or see a psychiatrist about doing something to relieve the depression.

I know one person that says eating tofu every day really controlled his hot flashes, another person in this forum said the same thing. Tofu does have properties similar to endocrine hormones but a lot weaker. Can’t hurt to try it. Seems they ate it daily.

@climateguy Thanks for the book reference