Team Quality versus Team Quantity

@sriddle1 Hi. My husband is having the usual side effects from his Orgovyx and Nubeqa too, the worst being the hot flashes. We asked our MO about something for the hot flashes and he suggested Effexor might help and it had the added benefit of being an anti-depressant. We opted for a hormone pill (Megestrol) instead because his moods haven’t been too bad so far. We are in a similar situation with aggressive PC involving lymph nodes and many other aggressive features. Similiar treatments too except no radiation has been done. My husband is 65 years old and to say this experience is overwhelming for both of us is an understatement! I’m glad you came here for support, you deserve it.

@sriddle1
Common drugs for depression and anxiety
Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Effexor, Buspirone, Cymbalta, Lexipro, Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Escitalopram

As you can see Effexor Is listed as one of them. The thing with these drugs is that one may work great for one person and not for another. It’s the kind of thing where you have to experiment and see what actually helps you the most. I created this list from drugs people have told me over the years that have worked for them..

I have heard from people that Effexor worked well for them, but that is not necessarily true for everybody.

Try to explain that the ADT is a chemical with side effects and he needs another one - an antidepressant- to counteract those side effects.
It’s NOT him, it’s the ADT talking.
Phil

I take both Effexor and Wellbutrin, is been a very effective combination for me.

@heavyphil, absolutely. He is having such a hard time with these side effects.

@bob1955 wow, I will look into that. I’ve never heard about it a combo. What does the two together do? No awful side effects from those?

Hi,

We met with RO yesterday that’s actually filling in for his doctor. She was so attentive and kind.

She prescribed him Effexor for use as an antidepressant but also said it will help with his hot flashes. She also mentioned that there’s a natural Boiron brand OTC that’s been helpful with menopause symptoms and said her patients have had relief from that too. It’s called, “Cyclease” meltaway tablets.

He’ll fill his Effexor prescription today and I think within a month or so should be feeling better. I hope.

Hmmm...

That is his choice.

Before doing that, read up on dying "of" not "with" PCa.

I've peaked behind that door, it's a hard no for me and my medical team knows it.

My radiologist made a joke during SRT that if I died of a heart attack, they would consider themselves "successful...!" At first, I was angry, then I thought, she's right.

As others have said, his medical team can assist with mitigating some of the side effects - hot flashes, depression.

It seems counter intuitive and an oxymoron when your experiencing fatigue, muscle and joint stiffness, weight gain...that you control the mitigating strategies - diet, exercise, managing stress, attitude...I'm not saying you have to be an Olympic athlete but if your lifestyle to this point has been sedentary, ask your medical team to set you up with a dietitian, exercise trainer.

Figure out the things you enjoy doing and doing them. If the muscle and joint stiffness are too much, you can take pain relievers, albeit not continuously. Nothing wrong with a good nap either!

Kevin