What are Short-term ADT's long-term side effects?

Posted by quaddick @quaddick, 1 day ago

My RO suggested 4 weeks of RT combined with 6 months of ADT. I've heard very bad things about ADT's side-effects. Are the side effects for short-term ADT only temporary?

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jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | 1 day ago

The side effects for Lupron can last for nine months or a year, but they do go away. When I was on it for 6 months. 2 month before having radiation, I never even noticed the side effects.

I’ve been on ADT for almost nine years. The side effects are very manageable.

brianjarvis | @brianjarvis | 1 day ago

(I had 28 sessions of proton radiation, with 6 months of Eligard.)

For each guy it’s different, much depending on the planning and preparation decisions made prior to treatments.
Due to the robust resistance-training and cardio program (I’ve always been a gym-rat so, ramping this up was no big deal), my side-effects from ADT were minimal and quite tolerable: just minor “warm” flashes and muscle atrophy. Did have a loss of libido, but no ED. No mood swings, emotions, fatigue, forgetfulness, confusion, memory loss, insomnia, night sweats, weight gain, etc., things that are typically mentioned.
Now (4+ years later), with 20/20 hindsight and T levels all normal, I view that hormone therapy experience as having been just a minor annoyance. All things considered, I got through the hormone therapy quite well.

Good luck with your decision!

michaelcharles | @michaelcharles | 7 hours ago

At age 73, salvage radiation treatment together with short term ADT was my prescribed protocol.
I took Orgovyx, and felt the side effects substantially resolved 6 - 9 mos after my last pill. 2 years post treatment and feeling well w/ undetectable PSA so far.
My primary complaint is a feeling of fatigue, and I am fond of napping now.

However I am now 75, so what is age and what is residual ADT impact?

Best wishes.

chippydoo | @chippydoo | 7 hours ago

I did 3 months of Lupron and 3 months of Orgovyx. I went anemic on Lupron and recovered to normal blood levels over my 3 month period on Orgovyx but my LDL started to rise. Could have been diet.
Anemia was tough and left me gasping for breath after lifting something heavy. There always seemed to be a level of fatigue but found aerobic exercise REALLY helped with both drugs. I did spinning classes and mountain bike when the weather would allow. Always felt better afterwards. Requires a push through mindset as I had to force myself to move and rewarded for it.

jmacpa | @jmacpa | 7 hours ago

I had ADT for 6 months prior to my surgery as part of a trial which also included Olaparib (Lynparza). The NepTune trial is for BRCA mutation patients - I'm BRCA2 +. The olaparib wasn't fun at the beginning - caused lots of digestion issues but after 2 months got better. The 6 month Lupron Depot shot was a bear - first on how sore I was initially from the shot and the side effects. Completely lost interest in sex, no erections, testicles got smaller, lost some body hair, lost muscle mass, fatigue, and many small injuries from exertion - specifically back and shoulder. My bloodwork 2 weeks after surgery still had my testosterone at zero. Next month I have my 3 month post-surgery visit and hoping that my T levels are climbing. My onco said that my T levels should come back within 6 months.