Did androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) cause bone loss for you?

I had a Bone Scan before any treatment for my prostate cancer . It showed
osteopenia. I am 75. Subsequent treatment over the next 8 mos included Radiation, Lupron, Zytiga. I assume the osteopenia is close to osteoporosis. No broken bones yet. Carpe Diem.

Welcome @tott123. Osteoporosis can be a complication of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer. I'm glad that both you and @spryguy were being monitored and that the bone loss was discovered in the osteopenia phase before full blown osteoporosis.

What guidance did you get from your cancer team regarding lifestyle ways to avoid further bone loss, like diet, exercise, or treatments that help? Are you still taking ADT?

Yes, bone loss is common with ADT. A year after my first Lupron shot I had a bone scan to check mine. I had 18 months of ADT in conjunction with Proton Therapy. The bone scan indicated bone loss and greater chance of fracture. Doctor at Mayo Phoenix had me take an infusion of Reclast to strengthen my bones until my testosterone level increased after the ADT treatment was over. Don't know if your doctor has discussed Reclast treatment, but is common for dealing with osteoporosis. My wife has started using it.

I started on Prolia shots 18 months after starting Lupron. After 5 years of the Prolia shots every 6 months I have now transitioned to once a week Fosamax tablets. I have been on that for a little over a year and per a recent bone scan I have osteopenia but have had no broken bones thankfully.

I haven't discussed the bone loss with any of my Docs. We are too focused on the cancer. I will at my next appointment bring it up and see if a new Dexa Scan is recommended. I am doing ADT for 20 more months . I am taking the appropriate vitamins, and exercising when the fatique allows. I accept that osteoporosis may be in my future and that it's part of the price of extended living w PCa.

Yes still taking ADT.
Did break spine before it was picked up. Thought just pulled my back. Went to a physiotherapist gave me exercises to do said I didn’t need an MRI. Wasn’t happy so I went for MRI privately. Picked up broken spine. Had a DEXA scan showed osteopenia.
Waiting to be referred to fracture clinic where they will give me more guidance probably on to medication for bone health.

Yikes, a broken spine. That happend to my father-in-law too. I'm glad you insisted on getting an MRI and will be going to the fracture clinic.

I know I've seen a presentation by I think Laurence Klotz MD about simple, safe meds to reduce the harm done by ADT. Statins to reduce cardiovascular risk, there was a med for bone loss prevention.

I'm 83 and have had osteoporosis and osteopenia for 8 years. I started external radiation, Lupron, Zytiga this past summer for prostate cancer. One doctor started me on Fosamax because of the cancer treatment plus existing osteoporosis, but the Fosamax is giving me acid reflux problems so another doctor said to switch to a daily Vitamin D plus K pill. How do I decide which doctor's advice to follow?

I'm glad that you posed these questions. I just posed some of them to my oncologist just 5 hours before your post. It's not the first time.

So how's my prostate cancer treatment going? I think I am getting up-to-date treatment of the cancer, which began in April. I'm particularly appreciate the access to Hydrogel spacer placement prior to radiation. My large prostate was pressed up against my colon, so I'm crediting if for one reason I have no post-radiation colon changes. Lupron 2 months pre-radiation drove testosterone to zero, and my PSA down from 6.9 to 3.1, and six months later the PSA < 0.01. So, treatment is going well based on post-radiation symptoms and my biochemisty.

So, how's the treatment of the patient going? I'm managed by two docs who are doing great with the disease. No systematic outline or review of the likely effects of ADT treatment and how to manage each. Bone scans had revealed significant osteopenia and osteoporosis at a couple of major bones. ADT treatment is known to worsen this. I asked about what to do about it. They put me on Fosamax. Ok. No mention of calcium. My wife demanded I start taking calcium supplements. Each video visit I describe the debilitating effects of Lupron (weakness, stamina, weight gain, etc) and ask what I can do. I ask what is the data on effect of Lupron on disease or longevity; what are the tradeoffs given my age and health? Perhaps there are no simple answers. I'm thinking of dropping the remaining nine months of Lupron so I can regain sufficient health to return to enjoying life.

Bottom line: My high risk PCa treatment is in good hands. I'm struggling with managing the impact on my life.