1. < Prostate Cancer

Lifting weights while on ADT: hitting a wall?

Posted by bluegill @bluegill, Jan 28 5:30pm

I'm 5 weeks into it (Eligard). This is my second rodeo (the first time I was on it for 3 years).

I've been doing intense weight lifting 3 days a week for several months now, and I thought maybe this would help me keep my energy up and keep the side efffects away. But today I've really noticed they're back.

Crap.

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jporter | @jporter | 3 days ago

These are really good posts and very helpful!

I had my stroke (not sure what kind it was) in Australia on vacation. The cause was that I stupidly did not take care of my diabetes. I also had high pressure, which is unusual for me since mine is almost always normal. I live in California. Between Australia and California they did every test on my cardiovascular system that was possible (well, I am not a doctor but it was a lot). Lucky for me I am not claustrophobic. Everything was "normal" for a person my age. I have always done a lot of walking at least. I was encouraged to get lots of exercise -- also now too. One of the nurses this week mentioned weight lifting. My doctors work for the same outfit so they all have my records.

I was diagnosed on 3/20/2025.
My gleason scores were 3+4, 4+3 and 4+5.

So they did a petscan (psma). And they found out the cancer spread to my lymph nodes, but no where else.

The medical oncologist suggested Hormone therapy with Abiraterone (ZYTIGA) and Prednisone (DELTASONE). I started taking these today. I start my 6-month injections of Leuprolide next week.
I talked to the radiation doctor in 10 days.

I have doubled down on my diet and I will up my exercise (same weights -- I have a trainer and a lot more walking).

There has been a lot of cancer in my family. So I am used to dealing with cancer doctors, only not for me.

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tjv1156 | @tjv1156 | 3 days ago
In reply to @ezupcic "I ride my spin cycle almost daily for 20-30 minutes. Run about 5 miles every other..." + (show)
@ezupcic

I ride my spin cycle almost daily for 20-30 minutes. Run about 5 miles every other day and do weights every other day. Nothing major but just trying to keep the weight down and eat prostate healthy with a few supplements. I’ve lost 25lbs since January ( 6’0 and 195 now) and my last 3 PSA test numbers trending downward. Hoping that continues but we shall see in June. If nothing else at least this feels like the right approach.

Jump to this post

Sure sounds like a good approach. Why are you doing ADT?

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1 reply
ezupcic | @ezupcic | 3 days ago

I ride my spin cycle almost daily for 20-30 minutes. Run about 5 miles every other day and do weights every other day. Nothing major but just trying to keep the weight down and eat prostate healthy with a few supplements. I’ve lost 25lbs since January ( 6’0 and 195 now) and my last 3 PSA test numbers trending downward. Hoping that continues but we shall see in June. If nothing else at least this feels like the right approach.

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1 reply
tjv1156 | @tjv1156 | 3 days ago
In reply to @heavyphil "I certainly hope you’re right, tj, but being a worrier I will always think about it,..." + (show)
@heavyphil

I certainly hope you’re right, tj, but being a worrier I will always think about it, especially before PSA’s…but that’s just me.
Phil

Jump to this post

hahaha- yeah i'm the same. On Psa day, I check the portal every minute. How long did you go cancer free after surgery?

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heavyphil | @heavyphil | 3 days ago
In reply to @tjv1156 "I think for both us- once we get done these treatments it is very likely we..." + (show)
@tjv1156

I think for both us- once we get done these treatments it is very likely we will never have to worry about PC again. So many cancer patients aren't so lucky,

Jump to this post

I certainly hope you’re right, tj, but being a worrier I will always think about it, especially before PSA’s…but that’s just me.
Phil

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2 replies
heavyphil | @heavyphil | 3 days ago
In reply to @boniyabes "Phil, how long did you take Orgovyx before you stopped? Did your doctor tell you how..." + (show)
@boniyabes

Phil, how long did you take Orgovyx before you stopped? Did your doctor tell you how long you will take it? Thanks.

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@boniyabes, I took it for 6 months. Been off almost 12 weeks. Next week will be my first PSA/T blood test since before my treatment began.

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tjv1156 | @tjv1156 | 3 days ago
In reply to @jporter "I was not sure whether to start a new post or add to this one. I..." + (show)
@jporter

I was not sure whether to start a new post or add to this one. I had a biopsy about a month ago, then a petscan.

The cancer has spread to my lymph nodes. I am about to start a regimen with prednisone and zytiga plus injections of Leuprolide (aka Lupron), which is every 6 months.

After having a "minor stroke" two years ago I worked for awhile then retired. Last June I started lifting weights and have a trainer. I am 71.

Is it save to continue lifting weights?

I have only been following this support group for three days, so I am still coming up to speed on things.

Jump to this post

Jporter. Was it a PSMA-PET?

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tjv1156 | @tjv1156 | 3 days ago
In reply to @heavyphil "He buddy, good luck on your treatment! The last check was < .05 before radiation, after..." + (show)
@heavyphil

He buddy, good luck on your treatment! The last check was < .05 before radiation, after 1 month on Orgovyx. My first PSA bloodtest is next week - will let you know. Best,
Phil

Jump to this post

I think for both us- once we get done these treatments it is very likely we will never have to worry about PC again. So many cancer patients aren't so lucky,

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boniyabes | @boniyabes | 3 days ago
In reply to @heavyphil "Tjv1156, I just finished that exact regimen at Sloan in Commack with Dr Barsky. I went..." + (show)
@heavyphil

Tjv1156, I just finished that exact regimen at Sloan in Commack with Dr Barsky.
I went into the weights very vigorously but found , as you did, that my old strength just wasn’t there.
I dropped 10 lbs from the barbell, 5 lbs from the dumbells and was able to do the same amount of reps.
Same with the treadmill and other aerobics. If you can’t do what you once did, don’t force it! Drop a level or two, or shorten your duration or distance.
The idea is to be able to exercise somewhat vigorously during your ADT treatment. You don’t want to get discouraged to the point where you just give up and do nothing.
Hang in there, it sucks but goes quicker than you think. I’m 2 full months off of Orgovyx and feeling stronger and more energized by the day.
Phil

Jump to this post

Phil, how long did you take Orgovyx before you stopped? Did your doctor tell you how long you will take it? Thanks.

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1 reply
heavyphil | @heavyphil | 4 days ago
In reply to @tjv1156 "Phil: I'm going to do radiation starting end of may in Middletown, NJ with Dr. Haseltine...." + (show)
@tjv1156

Phil:
I'm going to do radiation starting end of may in Middletown, NJ with Dr. Haseltine.
I look at it like this. After I go through this, it is highly likey I will never have to deal with prostate cancer again. So many cancer patients are going through treatments with worse side effects and their outcomes are far from certain.

Is your PSA < .05 now?

Jump to this post

He buddy, good luck on your treatment! The last check was < .05 before radiation, after 1 month on Orgovyx. My first PSA bloodtest is next week - will let you know. Best,
Phil

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