Anyone had success regaining muscle strength with low testosterone?

@jimbelcher350, I revised the title of this discussion to reflect your question. It's a good question. I think many members will have something to add here including members like @hergiew @seabiscuit and @norske46.

Jim, while your fitness level may be low, do you find that doing physical activity, even at reduced amounts, helps to improve the fatigue?

I’m prostate cancer patient with methastasis in bones. I ha e tey to inprove muscle with pasive gym, electrodes. Help a little bit. I hace testosterone in 0 and psa in 88. Just finish quimio. Starting hormones terapy.

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I’m 76. I’ve been on Lupron for 6 years and my Testosterone level is in the double digits. Diet and exercise are essential to maintain strength. I do some form of exercise most days including moderate weight training. I’m not as strong as I was when younger but I’m holding my own and feeling well even though I may get fatigued more easily. The best result from exercising is it lifts my spirits. I also get a weekly massage. I was first diagnosed in 2001. All in all I’m alive and feeling pretty well. Best of luck.

I did ADT for 18 months, T was <7. I more or less maintained my diet and exercise routine. I lifted weights, used the elliptical, swam, rode my bike, went hiking and skiing in Colorado.

While I was doing chemotherapy in conjunction with the Lupron, the fatigue was pretty severe for those 18+ weeks but I did what I could, often breaking time on the elliptical into three ten minute segments instead of one. Once I had to call my daughter when I was trying to get in a 22 mile bike ride and at mile 15 I hit the wall.

I think most will say they benefitted from exercise while on ADT, it may not be as easy as prior to starting but it can have immense benefits in terms of muscle, weight, CV, metabolic and mental outlook.

Kevin

Thank you for the change. To answer your question I'm not sure. It does seem like physical activity might be helping the fatigue. It's hard for me to assess.
jim

I am 5 years post treatment and 3 years post Lupron. My testosterone stays at about 15. I am very weak and fatigued. Even walking is a bit of a strain but four times a week I attend exercise classes in my senior community and try to do some walking on other days. I also play golf occasionally but frequently sit out a few holes. I am emotionally drained by my fatigue but am adjusting to the condition which I will have the rest of my life. I don't like it but it is what it is and I need to grow into accepting it. Exercise is good for me emotionally.
I did take a testosterone replacement for 5 weeks and felt much better, more energized, but it caused my breasts to develop so I stopped it. Even if I could take a testosterone replacement and prevent my breasts from developing, I'm not sure it would be wise to do so because prostate cancer may return more easily.
I think I need to develop an attitude of learning to live in my world as it is rather than hoping to change my world to what I would like.

Very helpful. Thank you! Learning to live with the new normal seems to be where I'm at as well.

Thank you,
Jim

Muscle mass and overall fitness is a big issue for me. I was initially diagnosed with prostate cancer four years ago and underwent proton therapy. One year ago, after rapidly rising PSA levels, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer (metastasis to one lymph node). ADT injections (Eligard) started immediately then I started on Zytiga (Abiraterone Acetate — with prednisone) shortly after that. Testosterone is basically nil.
I eat right (mostly) trying to stick to the Mayo diet. Strength training 3-5 times per week and regular walking, hiking or Stairmaster Fatigue yes, and I take naps whenever I feel like it. No, I cannot gain muscle mass as I would like. And yes I have acquired a “Lupron belly” but I’m determined to trim that. At age 71, I know building muscle mass is tough enough, but I’m determined to keep what I’ve got. I want to be like @scullrower - still going strong after his 2001 diagnosis!

I am 1.9 years from my stage 4 Prostate Cancer diagnosis. My Wellness program is a constant work-around how I feel emotionally and physically each day. Yes, Griff1492 I've acquired a "Lupron Belly" too, learning how to deal with it. My treatment plan included 1 month of Radiation, 4 months of Chemo, and now includes ADT and Abiraterone W/Prednisone.
My Wellness program includes daily resistance training with light weights and bands, swimming (30 minutes), 30 minute walk, and chair yoga. Diet program is basically 3-5 cups of veggies, fruits per day and try to eat rationally the remainder of the day. Yes I feel a slow regaining of muscle strength. I am in a creative writing group, 2 hours once per week, 5 guys all stage 4 prostate cancer, that group gives me strength. It's fun, crazy at times, we seldom talk about cancer. I think strength comes from multiple places.

Loss of muscle mass and high levels of fatigue are common to Lupron as can be seen from all our companions inputs. Without testosterone it is to be expected. The answer is YES you can gain improvement. Mayo gives us Lupron and Mayo provides a solution. Make an appointment with Mayo Physical Therapy. I did so because I have no idea how to properly address a recovery regimen. The experts at Mayo PT will assess your degree of damage and design a protocol to improve YOUR needs as they should be addressed. I so look forward to my days of PT at Mayo. I'm learning the correct ways to build a recovery program. Mayo has your answers. Good luck.