Recovery from one ADT shot?

@jim18

I will find out in a week if my testosterone has recovered from 111 to my normal level of about 280. I hope my PSA also remains undetectable after 15 months since radiation and Lupron at age 84. My horrible side effects ended within a week of the first TRT shot and I recovered my libido but still no firm erections in the 10 weeks since starting TRT.

@ken1969 Your statement……. "you should be grateful to be rid of the cancer, but you are an your own now" Is a sad indictment of the way prostate healthcare is handled by some, even at so called Centers of Excellence. You deserve better than that. Become the Squeaky Wheel.

FWIW , I was told recovery for side effects from surgery or ADT+radiation are uncertain as to how long it might take or which ones might be permanent due to my age - 76. Bit of a crap shoot either way.

@tbgb50
1. I took only 2 shots in 2022.
2. It's now 2026.
3. I still have not recovered my pre-Lupron mobility.
4. I am 89.

@jimbo12
Thanks for sharing. This outcome is my overwhelming concern. I wish you the best.

@tbgb50 If you get ADT make sure it is Orgovyx. It is not perfect but has a better recovery profile than the shots (either Lupron or Eligard). Surgeons have a bias and usually recommend surgery; however, if you are mid-70s or older a lot of them start recommending RT due to the higher probability of recovery issues. There are no good choices, so you will have to choose the best from a bunch of bad ones.

@jimbo12

Similar story at age 83 in 2025. My testosterone only recovered to 122 and fell further to 111 in the next nine months with no measurable PSA. My doctor said I was hypogonadal and started me on TRT at a very low dosage level of 100 mg/2wks frequency. My horrible Lupron side effects went away in the first week but still no firm erections. In three weeks, I will be tested to see if I can increase the dosage which might return my erections. I have also read three long term studies that showed that men with low testosterone have a 40% shorter lifespan than those with normal levels.

@tbgb50 My Firmagon xperience. Took five monthly injections starting October 2025. Last one February 2026. I had zero testosterone starting November 2025. And zero at 3 month checkups after radiation ended December 2025. Last blood draw was two weeks ago, and my testosterone is now just starting to come back. Currently at 18, at 8 months since last injection. 74 year old. So i have effectively (been on adt) for 11.5 months. Psa is undetectable, which is good, but wow the adt has zapped me.

Prostatectomy 13 years ago and then I had one “6 month” injection of Lupron about eight years ago. It drop my PSA to zero and worked well for that, until now.
However, along with all the side effects it was like a light switch to my libido and even though my Testosterone is now over 300, I am still not the same man I used to be. Now at 80, it still very upsetting to me as sex and desire for closeness with my wife had an overwhelming part of my personality. I feel I am not the same person. In some respects the overwhelming part is better but I wish it wasn’t so severe.

@prowler6b

Current research indicates that ADT's cause horrible, life-threatening side effects that result in a 40% reduction in life span if testosterone remains low.