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Optimal Duration of Hormone Therapy
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: 33 minutes ago | Replies (53)Comment receiving replies
@robertov PC seems so personal: I had no palpable lump, PSA 6.x, Gleason 7 but PSMA PET showed lesions in prostate and adjacent lymph nodes. My treatment includes 44 IMRT treatments and 18 months on Orgovyx. @jeffmarc and I have had such extremely different outcomes from treatment: he continues to endure ADT like an athlete and I have been through all the known side effects. I was pre-diabetic (glucose 111) but lost 40 pounds during Covid, pre-diagnosis making all my indicators "normal". Unfortunately, since diagnosis, I've gained back 30 and am pre-diabetic again, and diabetes and stroke are my major fears. I think it's providential that I lost weight earlier. Had I gained 30 with no prior loss, I would definitely be diabetic. ADT has my Testosterone < 10, and life is so different. I had an hour of physical therapy yesterday followed by 2-3 hours of yard work, and I am still "crashed" today. The video doesn't apply to me, but other studies have shown that 18 months ADT is typically as effective as 24 or even 36, so we'll see! I am scheduled to complete ADT at the end of June and am anxious to see whether and how much testosterone returns afterward.
Replies to "@robertov PC seems so personal: I had no palpable lump, PSA 6.x, Gleason 7 but PSMA..."
@jime51 I just saw your post in which you said you were pre-diabetic from ADT. Me too. After 12 months of ADT I had a glucose level of 115. Two changes in the diet, prescribed by a dietitian, did not change that significantly. Finally after 8 months since the 115 reading I asked my oncologist for Metformin. He brought up a report of an a trial in an arm of the Stamped trials that used Metformin and we read the summary together. He then prescribed the drug at 850mg twice a day. Four month of the drug had only modest effects, glucose 100 to 105, but there was same effect on cholesterol and triglycerides which decreased about 5 to 10 points.
Now after 8 months on the drug I had recent glucose reading of 95 to 100. I consider that a success.
You might ask you doctor for the metformin prescription. If needed find the many studies of metformin with prostate cancer patients on ADT, and take one of two of then with you to the doctor.
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Hi @jime51, I know, Jeff is a model to us all. You made a power move to lose those 40 lbs. That is a major accomplishment and kudos to you. I am not sure if the results apply to you. But I think it is still worth reading and then discussing with your oncologist what the best duration is for you. I’m not convinced there isn’t something in the study that pertains to you.
I was never a ‘gym’ guy. But I rode my bicycle and swam for my exercise. The swimming would definitely help you as it helped me.
I didn’t have the strength in me to keep my exercise routine going and the effects accumulated until I really felt awful. Since I fit the pattern and I was taking my grandkids traveling, I decided to end the ADT as I was past the optimum efficacy according to the study. That does not mean I am cured. I will have to walk thru that journey yet.