Side effects of zoladex ADT treatment

In October 2022, I was prescribed Zoladex 10.8 mg once every three months, Abiraterone 1,000 mg once daily (on an empty stomach), and Prednisolone 10 mg daily. I began this regimen three months before undergoing Tomotherapy.
After a year on Zoladex, Abiraterone and Prednisolone, the doses of Abiraterone and Prednisolone were reduced to 250 mg (after a heavy breakfast) and 5 mg, respectively, and this continued for another year.
There were, of course, side effects, but I really can't say whether they were due to Zoladex or Abiraterone, as both started concurrently. My energy levels dipped, my abdomen acquired a little more real estate than before, I lost muscle, and hot flashes became an unwelcome part of life. I gained about 7–8 kg and developed what can only be described as a rather respectable little pot belly.
But, if I am being completely honest, I don't think I did quite enough to help myself. Yes, I went for walks, but the gym was never really an option. In fact, I had never been to a gym in my life and saw no compelling reason to begin my gym-going career in my mid-seventies. Nor did I deprive myself of the modest pleasure of 60 ml, never more, of single malt every evening. One has to draw the line somewhere.
Abiraterone and Zoladex were stopped in October 2024, and today, it almost feels as though I was never under treatment at all. My energy levels are pretty good, my appetite is positively voracious, and the hot flashes have thankfully disappeared.
There is, however, one stubborn reminder of those two years: my abdomen seems to have developed a mind of its own and refuses to return to its former dimensions. Clearly, it has grown rather fond of its new accommodation. But seriously, looking back, I can say that the treatment was far less daunting than I had imagined it would be. So, if you are just starting on a similar journey, I wish you all the very best. Believe me, it is no big deal at all, and I'm sure you'll feel so after it's all over.

My medical oncologist advised me that studies show the way to minimize ADT side-effects is to engage in a robust resistance-training exercise program (that could be weightlifting, TRX, one’s bodyweight, any load-bearing exercise), and that I would need to start well before the first injection.

Remember that you’re trying to offset the side-effects of a very toxic pharmaceutical that will lower your testosterone level well below women’s levels. It’ll take effort to do that.

They say to focus on multi-joint exercises that utilize the largest muscle groups: squat, deadlift, bench press, row, overhead press, and lat pulldown exercises. (A casual walk - though good for overall health - won’t do it.)

In my case, I started well before the 1st Eligard injection; I hit the gym every day immediately after each radiation session (and on Saturdays), and for as long as the Eligard was still in my system). On alternating days, I would also add some cardio - either jog 3-4 miles or swim 35-45 minutes. On the 7th day I rested…..

For me this was a priority; suffering through the full nightmarish side-effects of ADT was never an option.

Diet-wise, I increased fish, salads, added more fruits, vegetables, and grains/nuts, cut out soft drinks, cut back on processed foods, and made other tweaks here and there (but, I still enjoyed a beer, burger, or a donut once in a while).

I’ve been on ADT for nine years. I kept my weight the same by getting on the scale every day and he based on what I weigh. I can over eat and gain weight. As long as I keep it tight watch on it, I can eat pretty well without gaining anything.