A 3+4 does not necessarily need to have ADT (Orgovyx). It can’t hurt, but it’s not essential unless there is a high Percentage of four.
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
Joint pain
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 walk fast on a 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. With only 4 to 6 months, you may not need this, But you will get some of these issues.
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.
Some people get no hot flashes at all. Others only have a few hot flashes and they are very minor. I had severe hot flashes for the first year on Lupron. As a hot flash was hitting I would feel a lot of fatigue. If this really bothers you come back and we can give you a lot of ideas on ways to get around it. You have to realize that being on ADT is not a 4 to 6 month Treatment and it’s over. It will take you Around three months to get back to normal for most people, if you are on Orgovyx, But it takes time to get the testosterone back And for some people it takes longer.
I have never gained any weight while on ADT. I get on the scale every morning and base what I eat on what I weigh. Skip lunch at times. Some people gain a lot of weight. The average is 5 pounds but some gain more and some gain none. Be aware that because you are on ADT you will find it very difficult to lose weight. That is one of the problems when you have a very little testosterone, you really have to work for it. Cutting out meals for weight loss often backfires by causing your metabolism to slow down and promoting fat storage as the body enters a survival-oriented "conservation mode". It leads to nutrient deficiencies, intense hunger causing overeating later, energy crashes, mental fatigue, and potential muscle loss. Just be careful about how much you eat and you probably can get back to normal in about nine months.
@jeffmarc This summary is very helpful, thanks very much.