Zytiga and Orgovyx: What helps side effects, fatigue and disinterest?

Posted by jane55 @jane55, Aug 10, 2023

Hi,
My husband, who is 71 y/o, has recurrent prostate cancer, after 7 years of no treatment. He underwent a proctectomy 7 years ago and has 1 lymph node involvement. In January, he had COVID which left him tired, no smell or taste. His PET scan in February showed lymph node involvement in the pelvic area with a PSA of 9. In April, he was started on hormonal therapy (zytiga and orgovyx). First month, he did not exhibit any symptoms, second month he started with mild hot flashes at night. PSA is undetectable (0.01) after 2 months of treatment. However, after he takes the Zytiga mid-afternoon he is very anxious, emotional, and continues to be exhausted.
He is depressed and his appetite has decreased. He lives a sedentary life. He is always tired and not interested in things that brought him happiness. He is on the computer most of the day. When we go out, he comes home to rest. Is anyone experiencing these side effects? Any recommendations would be appreciated.

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In reply to @melcanada "B100" + (show)
@melcanada

Hi,
Are you referring to Vit B?
Thanks

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@jane55

Hi,
Are you referring to Vit B?
Thanks

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yes B 100 at cosco or other

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Im on Abirotherone pills since Feb with the 3 monthly hormone injection.
Hot flashes and sweats but energy levels ok.
Note that you must take your pills on an empty stomach otherwise the effect is increased could cause your symptoms.
Just a thought.

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My husband is 71 and underwent prostate surgery in April. He has been on Zytiga and Predisone for 4 months now. We have been married for 44 years.
But he is now focusing on events in my life that happened before we were married. He can’t seem to let them go. I believe we are headed for divorce, and I don’t know what to do to save our marriage. I’m trying to be brave and understanding, but he won’t hardly even talk to me. And he won’t talk to his doctor. Any advice? I don’t feel like I can share this with my kids or any friends.

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@jane55

Hi,
We went to his oncologist, and he ordered Remeron. Next visit, he will reevaluate to determine if my husband's medication should be treated. My husband is reluctant to make any changes, because his PSA is undecidable. However, it's impacting his quality of life. I have been searching for a support group or counseling for us to attend. It would benefit him if he heard others experiencing the same situation. He lost his best friend a few months ago from a sudden death. That was devastating for all of us, as it was unexpected. They spoke daily, and I know there is a void. I have to say it's difficult to find a support group in our area for prostate cancer. Most support groups are generic. A few support groups I came across were in other states. I stumbled on this forum. However, I will keep looking. I agree, the key is to exercise, which I will continue to encourage. Thank you for your feedback. Best of luck to you as well.

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Finally a fellow sufferer with my exact drug mix! I have been on zytiga/orgovyx/prednisone since march. Post op psa 1.8 then 2.3 3 wks later. Stage 4 lymph node involvement and bladder neck and positive margins. 30days later with a few hot flushes and some fatigue psa undectable thru last wk. I run a business and can t find help to recuperate in a normal sense. I think the responsibilities keep me from dwelling on a poor set of circumstances. A nap after lunch helps and additional sleep at nite is necessary. Probably functioning at 90 percent normal. What else to do. This space is enormously helpful on the emotional side. Thanks all

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Additional comment, I seldom ate breakfast but adopted it as a method of maintaining a constant blood level of the drugs. Zitiga an hour prior and orgovyx/prednisone with the food. Seems to keep side effects in check for me.

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We all went through the same problems, more or less. I found that ENSURE helps. Some people take it as supplement, others take it as a meal replacement. You may want to consult with your medical team.

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@lmacfive

My husband is 71 and underwent prostate surgery in April. He has been on Zytiga and Predisone for 4 months now. We have been married for 44 years.
But he is now focusing on events in my life that happened before we were married. He can’t seem to let them go. I believe we are headed for divorce, and I don’t know what to do to save our marriage. I’m trying to be brave and understanding, but he won’t hardly even talk to me. And he won’t talk to his doctor. Any advice? I don’t feel like I can share this with my kids or any friends.

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I am sorry to hear about this situation and I’m firm a believer there are better days ahead, so hang in there. The health team for your husband should be broad and active, and that includes the oncologist, primary care, nutritionist, and psychologist, just to name a few. The nurse practitioner for the oncologist will have more of a personal touch than the physician assistant, but neither are qualified nor expected to provide the counseling support that a patient needs at various times. Long story short, I would encourage counseling for your husband, so he has an independent, trusted, and safe person to talk to about anything. (Prostate Cancer Surgery can lead to impotence and reduce the ability to have an erection, and Zytiga can lead to lack of interest in sex. These combined are a major change for any guy).

When it comes to the past, just remember that our past is just a series of facts of experiences and there are no emotions attached to them. Emotions are felt in real-time, and how we “feel” about an event in the past is perhaps one of the greatest gifts of life, because we get to process the experience and derive a new sense of meaning and purpose. As an example, Losing a job is an experience and the emotion of the past might have been sad/bitter, but the sad/bitter is gone, and we get to revisit the experience and likely/hopefully it is now a sense of wisdom/peace/gratitude.

I will pray and think good thoughts that a path forward comes to be. Last but not least, make sure your glass is full, your oxygen mask is on first, and that simple things are enjoyed and shared with each other.

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@billfarm

Additional comment, I seldom ate breakfast but adopted it as a method of maintaining a constant blood level of the drugs. Zitiga an hour prior and orgovyx/prednisone with the food. Seems to keep side effects in check for me.

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Billfarm:
I am on Zytiga 1000mg and prednisone 5mg on an empty stomach every day since Oct. 16, 2023. Minor fatigue and no other symptoms. Also Lupron injection 22.5mg injection every 3 months with the first injection October 9, 2023.
Stage 4 spread to lymph nodes on chest,neck and lungs.
Chemo to commence on November 17 and every 3 weeks thereafter - 6 treatments.
Wish you the best.

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