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How Much Exercise during ADT?
I'm in my 8th month (of 24 planned) of Orgovyx and and three months past 44 weekday radiation treatments. Fatigue is a huge issue, and exercise helps reduce the effect a little. I have about an hour of stretching and aerobic (step machine and stationary bike) each weekday which provides a couple of hours of relief. I read somewhere to aim for 30 minutes daily during treatment and 90 afterward. Any recommendations? Both rotator cuffs are blown, so upper body activities are very limited. Thanks for your input!
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Here’s a 2023 paper about the benefits of exercise to counteract the adverse effects of ADT: (Resistance Exercise Training Increases Muscle Mass and Strength in Prostate Cancer Patients on Androgen Deprivation Therapy) —> https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2023/04000/resistance_exercise_training_increases_muscle_mass.2.aspx
In that paper, they describe a good resistance-training exercise regimen.
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3 ReactionsThanks! I copied and saved the program they used. They used two one-hour sessions weekly, and I'm currently at 5+ hours weekly. I may be doing too much of a good thing so may scale back a little.
Is there a good resistance-training exercise program that doesn’t use free weights? I am currently alternately using treadmill and elliptical but no resistant exercise, thanks
You can use your own bodyweight as resistance - pushups, squats, etc. You can also do TRX. Treadmill and elliptical are great for cardio for overall health, but you need to do exercises that would ordinarily stimulate muscle growth.
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2 ReactionsI use resistance bands. Pretty much do the exercises that came in the box plus a few from YT. About 50 minutes 3 days /week. Also, treadmill 2 miles a day with varying degrees of resistance. Definitely helps with that overwhelming fatigue.
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2 ReactionsI'll add to what Brian said and suggest you hire a personal trainer to create a bodyweight workout for you. I did this when I was going to be traveling and it was well worth the money. All of the exercises can be done with no equipment, or very basic equipment such as a belt or towel.
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1 ReactionMjp, you sound like you are doing above and beyond in the exercise dept…it’s the ADT and there’s not much more you can do exercise wise.
I took Orgovyx for 6 months and that last month was really the worst fatigue wise, so I can imagine your exhausted state.
I would recommend a good nap - an hour or two - after your workout. It really helped me get thru the rest of the day without feeling that I might fall down with every next step.
Phil
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1 ReactionHeck, Phil. I don't have to plan a nap. I just have to sit in a chair for longer than 2 minutes and it comes all by itself. 😁
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1 ReactionI frequently feel exhausted and sometimes doze a bit in my recliner, but I've never been able to plan naps; I spend longer trying to sleep than actually sleeping. Maybe learning to nap will be a positive side effect of ADT.
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2 ReactionsGiven your rotator cuff issue (ouch!), i might recommend walking outdoors at least 2 miles per day. Fresh air and nature seem suprior to indoor exercise (at least thst is my experience having been on the treadmill fo a while.