hormone treatment and lack of energy - Advanced Prostate...

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hormone treatment and lack of energy

durango profile image
29 Replies

Any advice regarding complete lack of energy would be most gratefully received , I have been on monthly injections of Degrelix for just over 2 years and in April I was put on a daily tablet of casodex and I have to say at times I am completely worn out and I am in and out of the toilet so much having to rush to get there in time best regards Dave .

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durango profile image
durango
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29 Replies
aupauledwards profile image
aupauledwards

There are lots of research that recommends the wonder drug "exercise" to combat fatigue and many things as well.

durango profile image
durango in reply to aupauledwards

I like that I,m off to the chemist to get a bottle, but on a serious note I am not one to lay about all day but I am not only on hormone drugs I have also got AF as an added bonus which puts me on beta blockers which guess what makes you tired thanks for the reply I guess it,s just a best to get on with it and dont moan regards

Bluebird11 profile image
Bluebird11 in reply to durango

I'm not one to tell anyone what to do any longer. I used to!! But, if you can keep active and moving, it is key medicine. What do you like doing and what did you like to do when you were a kid??

Lately, I'm hearing about how virtual reality is going to be used in our medicine. It already is. If you even imagine yourself exercising, it will have an impact. Read about it.

in reply to durango

Hi Durango,

What's it mean to go "off to the chemist to get a bottle"? And, what is AF?

Thanks, Joe

durango profile image
durango in reply to

Joe AF is atrial fibrillation and I wish the chemist did stock a bottle of energy that,s me just trying to make light of it best regards Dave

in reply to durango

OK Dave, got it. I guess you don't live down the road. All the things on the market that are supposed to boost your energy, are no good for you. I found that an open mind and a good attitude are the best way to go. And, a bit of humor helps. And, too much beer. Yea, beer! The best medicine.

Peace, Joe

durango profile image
durango in reply to

Now I used to like a beer not over the top but just a few I havent drunk much over the past few years so I reckon I better put that right Joe , no I dont live down the road I, m across the sea from you a sea that I have crossed many times over the years to the good old USA , I do have a positive attitude and a good sense of humour the only way to deal with cancer from my way of looking at it best regards I wish you well Dave .

BigRich profile image
BigRich

Your not alone. I take a power nap, 30 minutes. Hang in there!

Rich

pcasucks profile image
pcasucks

I was on zoladex for two years the fatigue was debilitating , I found modafinil worked well for me with the fatigue and gabapentin for the hot flashes plus a fifteen to twenty min weight resistance routine worked wonders. I also managed not to gain weight by changing my diet mostly vegetables fruits and nuts plus lots of wine lol .I was 158lbs before treatment and still that weight . 63 years young G8 4x4 surgery,Rt ADT currently doing well PSA 0.03. testosterone 400 . Don't loose hope you can do this best of luck. It's been six years since DX

DenDoc profile image
DenDoc

These reactions are highly specific to the individual. I am in my seventh year of Lupron and just added Casodex. No fatigue. Be very suspicious of the beta-blocker. Well known side effects.

Beermaker profile image
Beermaker in reply to DenDoc

FWIW, I used to take gabapentin on and off for some nasty nerve pains. It messed up my mind quite a bit. My wife finally got tired of it and told me to find something else. She was right. I tossed what I had in the toilet. So, watch out for irrational thinking.

pcasucks profile image
pcasucks in reply to Beermaker

@beermaker interesting about the gabapentin I am still on it for nerve pain and haven't noticed any phycological issues , would you care to share what your experience was thanks.

novatimo profile image
novatimo in reply to Beermaker

Beermaker: I agree with you about the Gabapentin messing up the mind. However, as an added note to all readers, do not toss old prescriptions into the toilet. Messes with the environment! There Rx drug take back programs everywhere. Read: earth911.com/recycling-guid...

Beermaker profile image
Beermaker in reply to novatimo

@novatimo When I dumped the Gabapentin, I was not aware of any drug recycling programs. I did think about it at the time, but since I really wanted it out of the house, I went ahead and dumped it. After I made I my post, I figured someone would ding me / it for dumping. Thanks for the reminder to the rest of the folks here.

@pcasucks It is hard to remember all the problems. First, my brain was clouded by the drug so it is hard to have a lot of memories of the issues. Second, at least 8 years have gone by and things fade... But I do know that I would sometimes lash out at people or things that did not deserve it at all. I lost a couple of good friends that way, and hurt my wife emotionally also. I have to say I am very happy to be off the drug. Once I started ADT, my PCP put me on Effexor for the hot flashes and the depression I had. That seems to have fixed my nerve issues, also.

Good luck to both of you guys.

Shepard profile image
Shepard

My experience is similar. After over two years of Lupron every six months and daily Casodex (Bicalutramide), my T was zero and had overwhelming fatigue plus muscle pain in lower limbs. I operate a ranch which means physical exercise with lots of walking. Over time I could feel my muscles melting. Consult with Doctor where we reached agreement to a sabbatical for the Casodex. My PSA is .01 and will have a bone scan this month. Lab numbers will determine my next step. My view is that the standard treatment protocol could be managed better with more frequent lab. Fine tuning treatment would likely improve quality of life for us. Down side is that the Doctors have to look at us more closely (taking more of their time.)

herb1 profile image
herb1

I like the tone of everyone's response. Keep positive, keep moving and PLAN to include exercise. Notice that no one mentioned that we also have gotten older, 1 yr, 2yr, whatever, while we've been on these drugs; that could be contributing, too. Do what you can, be kind to yourself, and nap if you need to. And think positively, you HAVE gotten that 1, 2 or, in my case, 15 yrs, while on these drugs.

herb s

Dave,

I'm on ADT for seven years now, it was about the two year mark when I started the down hill cycle of manopause. I was able to work up until around the four year mark. Today I'm on SS. In hindsight, if I had at least tried to exercise, I wouldn't be in such bad shape. What muscle mass I had turned to mush. I turned into a 208 pound cream puff, from 160. Now, 180. As for the urination issue, if you had radiation, be sure to be sure to keep Cystitis on your mind. I found out about it way too late, and am suffering for it.

So I say diet and exercise are whats best right now for a guy at your spot in the game.

Peace, Joe

afab profile image
afab

Durango, fatigue, diarrhea, brain fog, etc is the nature of the beast. I've been on Lupron since March 2014 and Xtandi since December 2015. Keeping the brain active and exercise help. Stay the course and keep the faith. The drugs are keeping us alive! Enjoy your family and friends.

2548oo profile image
2548oo

neil

Intro age 75 at diag psa 33 Gleeson 3+5=8 stage T3 treated with lucron 4 monthly inj +81 gys rt to prostate and sv

After 3rd inj extreme brain fog ,palpitations and sudden extreme weakness

started dead sea salt baths [49% magnesium chloride] transdermal. Problems

reduced and treatment became tolerable. Went on holidays [no baths] problems

come back. Stopped 6th lucron inj 3 psa readings of <0.01 T<0.5 now taking 1/2

eyedropper of mag clor [mag oil] per day. 3 years after stopping lucron

psa 0.32 T23.5 memory still improving fat turning back into muscle. Now

trying hormone balancing [refer to Dr John Lee] my age now 80 years and

feeling fit.

Durango be aware that castration causes a change in heart q time.

Jeff54 profile image
Jeff54

I have A-Fib too but I am on Multaq for it. What is the program you went on?

docbulldog profile image
docbulldog

I tried to copy the infomation you listed later in this discussion and send it to a friend by text, no luck. Probably just my lack of techno savy. Could you send that info to kpell@tds.net ? Thank you, Larry Pell

docbulldog profile image
docbulldog in reply to docbulldog

I guess info given above my reply is whats needed...sorry.

Jeff54 profile image
Jeff54

Thank you for the information! Much appreciated! Tell me the process for getting off the medication. I am on metoprolol 150mgs per day and 400 of multaq 2 times a day.Multaq is an antiarrithmic drug.

in reply to Jeff54

Jeff, I take 12.5mg of metoprolol succinate. If I took the prescribed dose of 25mg my heart rate hits low 50's and my brain gets foggy. That just seems like a high does you are taking, but I am not a doctor and you are probably on a different variant of metoprolol.

Jeff54 profile image
Jeff54 in reply to

Yes that is correct your not a doctor.I have trusted this doctor ever since I was taken out of work 8 years ago by ambulance with a heart rate of 208beats per minute! He is the best in the group that I go to! I do not understand this so called brain fog because I have never got it! And I am also on Eligard every 3 months which seems to give me energy! And Xgeva bone medication! But I am not your average man because 11 and half years ago when I got chemo I never got tired! And I never lost my hair neither which amazed my oncologist! who is also the top doctor who is still treating me today! And I will be walking today at least 2-3 hours steady! And also I might add that this is the second time around for the hormonal therapy which I dont find it as bad as they make it!

Jeff54 profile image
Jeff54

I am 62 and have been on Metoprolol for 8years and Multaq for 6years and take baby aspirin for 8years. I have not had any A-fib for about 5 years. And I walk 2-3hours steady 3 days a week.And I have never had a heart attack ever!

I had seen someone on this site list a paper mentioning the benefits of L-Arginine and Taurine so I ordered some just a month ago. I have been taking rythmol and metoprolol succinate for my a-fib. I've reduced the dosage that I take and my a-fib is well managed. I am dealing with fatigue now but think it is an ADT (eligard) effect. I have a couple more months until that 6 month shot wears off. It sucks to be tired much of the time. I am 66 and I work out 3 times a week. I wonder if I should try reducing the dosage on those a-fib meds now that I've started taking the two supplements you recommend.

Thanks. I've been on the lookout for years for supplements that provide more natural relief from A-fib. I had atrial flutter ablation surgery to allow me to tolerate rythmol so I've had my ticker adjusted already. I take CoQ10 and Magnesium too, which are also supposed to help. Don't worry, I wouldn't do anything rash. My a-fib is the least of my worries these days. Haven't had an episode in more than three months.

truckerbob profile image
truckerbob

I had the same problem then learned about a ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting. Now have lots of energy and delighted to find that my diabetes is gone, A1C 7.8 now 5.6, cholesterol now normal and dropped 45 pounds. I don't know how long I will feel fine with my aPc but for now the keto diet is making a big difference. Search Dr. Thomas Seyfried, Dr. Dominick D'agastino and dietdoctor.com.

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