Connect
When 5 months of ADT = 9 months
Not a question, but just my experience. I started Firmagon October of 2025. I did well with it, and very few noticeable side effects other than killing libedo and wiping out all testosterone, and lowering psa from 6 to .3 in one month. I did SBRT in December. I had monthly replenisher doses of Firmagon in Nov, Dec, Jan, and February. So five doses total. RO wanted me to continue but I pulled the plug on Five doses. First checkup involved an ultra sensitive psa and testosterone level blood test at 3 months post radiation. Both were Undetectable. Second checkup in June 2026, which is 4 months since last Firmagon showed both psa and testosterone still undetectable. Firmagon as I understand it has a half-life of 55 days, I think? So I still have about a 20% blood level of Firmagon even though last shot was in February.
So my takeaway is that if the Oncologist tells you that they want 6 months of ADT you need to understand that if it is Orgovyx then you will probably be on ADT for 7 months. If it is injectable drugs, it will be more like what I am experiencing. Next checkup for me is at the 9 months post SBRT point. So September. I’ll try to remember to give an update.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.
Connect
The thing that bothered me most about informed consent for ADT is that there was zero mention that it lasts much longer than the time you are actually on it. I assumed it was like any other drug--you stop taking it and a week or two later it's gone. Doctors need to do a better job explaining this.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@scottbeammeup
Exactly! I got my last 6 month shot of Eligard on 10/2025 and it's still kickin butt. It doesn't really bother me too much but I just kinda wonder when does the T start climbing again?
If you get six months of ADT with Orgovyx, it leaves the body in 25 hours. It takes at least three months for your Testosterone to get to a decent level.
You’re not considering that with your Firmagon shot. If it stays in your body For as long as you say, then, your testosterone is not going start coming back until after it has dissipated.
Orgovyx Is a better decision for many reasons?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@jeffmarc Oh yes, I most certainly have considered the half life of Firmagon, and the purpose of the new thread is to alert others that are considering how they will approach ADT therapy. For my 15 years on Active Surveillance I was blessed to be watched by one of the top prostate oncologists in USA. He told me up front that 4 months of ADT will really mean about 8 months. Men headed toward ADT need to be aware of this, as it is most likely the effects of ADT will be ignored by the medical team.
I didn’t have the Orgovyx option. I have Medicare part B only, so a hospital injectable was included in part B
@scottbeammeup
Ditto that!
@oldgreenpaint
Yes, I also read that one needs the same amount of time for recovery, meaning if one is on ADT for a year than one can expect to need about a year for full recovery of testosterone and starting to experience diminishing of side effects.
Orgovyx clears faster from body BUT body still needs time to recover and to start producing testosterone in normal levels.
For many older patients recovery of testosterone levels goes slower in general, regardless of the ADT type of drug.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionIt took 18 full months after stopping Orgovyx for my T to reach low normal. Am hoping my July test will finally put me in the normal range instead of low normal but we'll see.