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ADT, maybe not? Anyone opted out of ADT?
Has anyone opted out of ADT? I think its effects are possibly too much to sacrifice (at my age, or any age, maybe), but no one has tried to persuade me to have it. Yet.
3 weeks since diagnosis, age 69, 4+3, PSA 10.6, localized, one core, PSMA PET next week. Meeting RO today.
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@jeffmarc You started a bit earlier than I. Starting at 73, being on ADT for 8 years would put me near or into the next life, if family history proves true. Thanks for your inspirational journey!
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1 Reaction@carbcounter
I would throughly agree with Jeff. I have just finished 2 years of Eilgard.
During this time I have played squash, light weights at the gym and jogged. JUST DO IT 👍
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2 Reactions@carbcounter
I would mention that I have always been active through various sports. So, for me it was not that difficult. I have run many 1/2 marathons and ran a full marathon 15 years ago.
Basically, I knew how to dig deep when needed. The feel good factor of just small achievements would help you a lot. Believe me! Whilst I embraced having ADT injections, I certainly did not embrace the side effects. I needed a distraction. Go for it but, sensibly you won't regret it.
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1 Reaction@johnwf I hear you, thanks. I've had to embrace something similar for my own situations already.
FWIW I did run this all past my friend who actually has the PC and ADT, and right now with his muscle pain he isn't running anywhere and with a cane he can get from the door to the car, and not a lot more. Given his overall situation at the moment I think his doctors are remiss in not giving him a break from the ADT right now, and watching for consequences. Friend also says at his limited energy level he just - can't. This really isn't like him so I take him at his word.
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1 ReactionI get that, my thoughts are with your friend😊
Here is a recent article in Urology times on Navigating Newer ADT Combination Therapies. There are some new oral therapies. Perhaps worth a discussion with your doctor?
https://www.urologytimes.com/peers-and-perspectives/fast-acting-flexible-and-focused-modern-approaches-to-adt-in-prostate-cancer
@pesquallie
The ArteraAI test has been available for two years and was approved by the FDA in August 2025.
We talked about the decipher test repeatedly in this forum. Did you really mean to include it when you said you Never heard of it?
Some medical centers use it as a standard to decide some aspects of the treatment for patients.
Jeff,
My urologist and oncologist never mentioned decipher, nor did they make clear to me the aggressive level of my cancer. They just told me what treatment they were going to provide. I had no idea what I was getting into.
Has anyone had radiation therapy for Gleason 8 and refused ADT or stopped ADT because of side effects and still doing fine?
@jmagrina Hi Javier. Yes, there are certainly men with Gleason 8 disease who either declined ADT or stopped early and are doing well years later. The problem is that individual stories can't tell us whether ADT would have improved their odds further. For Gleason 8 disease, many of the studies showing the strongest outcomes with radiation included ADT as part of the treatment. I'd suggest starting a separate thread and including your PSA, treatment plan, and how much ADT you've completed so far.