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Anyone have descreased Immune system while on ADT?
I am wondering if anyone who had ADT is experiencing a low level of their immune system. My husband has been getting colds much often than usual
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If I'm talking about the wrong med, please forgive me. I've been on firmagon, a hormone treatment for over a year. I haven't been getting sick so to speak. I do get blood work once a month and they can monitor my white blood cells which reflects my immune system. There are so many side effects with the different meds I just blame everything on the meds. I don't think I'm getting a cold but gets bouts of nose running like crazy, dry cough alot. Not sure I'm any help to you but was trying to be. Best to you and yours.
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2 Reactions@sheilazmason, good question. In general, cancer treatments can supress the immune system. Androgen deprivation therapy may suppress the immune system in some people.
I found this info, which seems to underline why @stevecando54's team monitor his lymphocytes: "First, ADT can cause infiltration of lymphocytes into the prostate, although it remains unclear whether the influx of lymphocytes is beneficial, particularly with the advent of new classes of androgen blockers." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5332936/
Sheila, did your husband also have radiation or other treatments?
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Can I stop ADT (Lupron)?
77 y old. have been in good health no symptoms at all. PSA gradually increased from 4.5 to 9.9 in 3 years. Six biopsies shown only one cancer positive G3+3, and was less than 5% of total sampled cells. Started ADT (Bicalutamide following pulse Lupron injection and continue with only Luprone) on Dec 2023. But I found my immune system function was terrible bad. I got twice common cold in Feb and March 2024 of which both were much longer to recover and even developed serious cough (chest X ray OK). Before I rare have cold all the year and in 2020 all my 5 family members got Covid -19 positive but me. Feb to March 2024, I received 28 sections of IMRT . My PSA 0.02 now.
According to Dr schedule I'll continue receiving Lupron. But I really want to stop ADT.
Considering that you may have elevated blood pressure, weight gain and other side effects, I would be surprised if one's immune system wasn't compromised somewhat when on ADT but.....
exercise is your friend and can dramatically assist your immune system. Even sitting and lifting light weights can be beneficial. Not making light of your own situation but every little bit helps.
6 biopsies? 3+3 in just a single core and treatment included ADT plus 28 sessions of IMRT? Am I reading this wrong??
My oncologist says two years of ADT, then stop and watch PSA closely/ month. For me that’s Nov. 2024. Also had 28 RT treatments last year. I m 75.
I received PRT and ADT for two years in 2019 and 2020. PSA remained near zero for a couple of years but then started to rise again. Back on ADT for the past couple of years which has held PSA back to near zero. During this time frame I did develop MDS which has left me with a compromised immune system (low white cells, low red cells, and low absolute nutriphils. I believe that the PRT and ADT may have cause the MDS, but radiation and general oncologist don't believe that there is a connection.
I have had radiation a couple times over the past 5 years, was on a 2-year ADT program a few year back and I am finishing an 18-month ADT program now. My blood panels continue to be below normal for white and red blood cells, and all the related metrics. I don’t know if it’s all related to the radiation and/or hormone treatment, but my doctor says it’s a common side effect. However, I very rarely get sick. I do exercise every day and try to eat a Mediterranean diet.