PC spread to some lymph nodes; radiation, ADT. intermittent ADT

@gkgdawg

Three studies I read found that low testosterone shortens life expectancy by 40%. This was true for those with prostate cancer and those without prostate cancer. These were all long-term studies of large groups done as long ago as 15 years ago. It makes one wonder why ADT is still used if it shortens life expectancy so much.

@eky m I agree. I think, often, a doctor may forget that they are dealing with a whole person. Quality of Life is such a huge part of that.

Warm regards

Glenda

I’ve seen that disregard too many times with family members’ illnesses so I am cynical about the whole person issue. Thank you and my best to you.

I was on ADT for 3 years but have had a 3 years break but now have ED, muscle loss, and after recent CT scan put on daily low dose aspirin and Rosuvastatin.

@eky Thank you. I find it very helpful to reach out and share with all of you.

Glenda

@roseat
After being on ADT for six years, I started going to the gym three times a week which really helped get some of my muscle muscles back. Unfortunately, I have almost no testosterone so it makes it very difficult to build muscle.

@jeffmarc That is so frustrating. The testosterone is so important. I am hoping that my husband will regain testosterone after ceasing HDT . I know that, at his age, it may not happen, but we will see. I hate knowing there is this invisible damage being inflicted upon him.

@jeffmarc
Same here.

For what it's worth, I am 70 years old, had radical prostatectomy at 61 years. PSA was 14 & Gleason 4+5 though pathology only 4+3). Then I was less than 0.1 for 7 years and went to 0.2 and 0.3 over next 2 years. Then went from 16.0 to 18.2 in 2 months. PSMA/CT showed 4 lymph node involvements.
Went on doublet therapy 9/25 (Eligard/Nubeqa) for 6 months with <0.01 and testosterone <10.
On holiday for last 6 months still at <0.01 and PSMA/CT no evidence of disease. T up to 340 now. (I honestly had no idea how much the Lupron was affecting me until off it!)
Have a Med Onc and a GU Onc who agree on most stuff. (Not the need for the scan.)
Challenges for me today are resistance training (I pulled a muscle and it just doesn't repair easily). But I cycle alot so that helps.
Could there be a trend toward attention to QOL and intermittent therapy? I haven't been around long enough to have an opinion. Doc says to enjoy my time off until PSA goes up again, which he has said several times. Also BRCA+

You actually didn’t have radiation when your PSA was hitting .2 or a little higher?

3 1/2 years after my prostatectomy, my PSA hit .2 and I had salvage radiation. That kept me undetectable for another though 2 1/2 years. Mine comes back because I have a genetic problem BRCA2. Yours may never have come back if you had radiation.

A good percentage of people that have salvage radiation never have the cancer come back.

You have now have a high PSA for somebody that has had a prostatectomy.

Has the doctor discussed having the lymph nodes zapped with SBRT radiation so they no longer produce PSA?

It really sounds like your case has been allowed to become aggressive, I’m not sure where they’re being treated, but I’m sure would want to get to a center of excellence and stop the poor decisions that have allowed your case to become aggressive.

You mentioned where you live I might be able to give you the name of some places to go that you can get more aggressive treatment so you can possibly get off those drugs.