I started Lupron 3 weeks ago today and Zytiga a little less than 2 weeks ago. I played in a golf tournament over the weekend and on Mon my body feels like I was competing for Olympic gold in power lifting.
I'll admit to not being extremely fit to begin with, but the impacts of the ADT are obvious. My plan is to slowly get in better shape with things like resistance bands and tai chi, but what should I do until then to deal with things like this? Supplements? Vitamins? I imagine as I start increasing the physical activity I'll experience the same muscular effects and want to minimize them until my body acclimated.
Suggestions?
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MMMayhem
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One theory about the effects of ADT on fitness is that it degrades or destroys mitochondria in the muscle cells. Mitochondria are organelles within the cell where carbon compounds originating in food are oxidized to produce ADP (adenosine triphospate), the major energy carrier with the cells of the body.
There have been various experimental drugs designed to restore mitochondrial function but, as far as I know, the only thing known to work is exercise. I recommend that you exercise regularly, every day if practical for you or at least several times a week. Some men are able to jog, ride bikes, or do other strenuous exercise, but you will still get significant benefit even from gentle exercise like walking. Walking a couple of miles a day can make a big difference in your energy level.
Watch your weight too. A lot of men seem to get fat on ADT.
Weight training is the best for maintaining muscle mass and strength. You won't gain muscle while castrated but you can stop it from shrinking. Cardio is also required, since castration is very hard on the heart muscle and circulatory system. Three days a week of weights, interspersed with 3 days of cardio, and you get one day off to play golf.
There are many vitamins and supplements that people find helpful. This site is infested with people who reflexively hate and disrupt all discussion on such topics with insults and abuse. The search function should be helpful. PM me if you are interested.
I've seen some of the controversy related to the use of supplements and vitamins to combat the cancer, but I'm looking for things to minimize the impacts of the ADT like the muscle strain and fatigue from playing one lousy round of golf (luckily we had carts or I'd prob be partially crippled as well).
You didn't mention your age. I am 68. If I played a round of golf or went bowling, things I haven't done in ages, I know I'd have some sore muscles despite the fact that I've been working out for more than twenty years. I was on ADT for six months. I saw only a slight diminishment in my strength. It is important to exercise and maintain fitness as you get older and especially when you are dealing with ADT. Start off slow and don't be deterred if you do have some sore muscles early on.
I'm 54. I played in a tournament in May with minimal issues and that was my first time playing this year. So, I know the difference has to be the ADT. I will definitely stick to the program going forward, was just looking for some help with dealing with the inevitable sore muscles, but it sounds like the added activity will be both the cause and the cure. I'll just power through and build up to things gradually.
Before I started ADT and Zytega my MO told me that resistance training would make all the difference in the world. Those who do it do great. Those who don’t - don’t. I too play golf a couple of times a week and I was really scared what these medicines would do to me. I hired a trainer and I do hard weight training three days a week for a little over an hour a day on all muscles to exhaustion. When I first went to see my weight trainer I took my shirt off and told him I didn’t want to look any worse than this a year from now. He told me if I look like that after a year of training with him that he would close hi gym lol. I have actually lost about 8 pounds and I have much more muscle than before the meds. I feel great and I have lots of energy. I do very little cardio. These weight training sessions are not easy and each time I swear will be my last. But I’m so glad i do. No supplements will do the trick in my opinion, only hard work. Time to push yourself my friend.
I will echo the other replies. Exercise is key. I have been on Lupron for a year. I walk 5 miles or more most days. Work out (cardio plus weights, 90 minutes) 2 days a week, and play golf 2 days a week. It helps a lot, though I will not claim to not being tired or sore from the efforts. I have maintained reasonable weight and muscle tone. Keep at it.
The drugs are affecting your body, lose of muscle mass is part of the ADT treatment. Just have to get up every day and do what you can. Don’t do a lot of supplements without talking to your doctor first . Fight the good Fight
Play more golf 🏌️⛳️😎!! If you were walking the course start using a cart. Unfortunately, loss of muscle mass and fatigue are two of the side effects of ADT that plague all of us. Do aerobics (walking,etc) and light strength workouts. Whatever you do, know your new limitations. Push them, but don’t exceed them. Adjust your expectations. Don’t expect to be able to do anything at your pre-cancer level. Little by little you will reap the benefits of them.
I’ve been on ADT (Lupron + Bicalutamide) for over 3 years, and recently completed a course of 6 cycles of chemo with docetaxel. Through it all, I’ve been able to continue golfing 2-3 times a week. I walk my 🐶 dog 3-4 times a day. Good exercise for both of us, and he loves it. I occasionally do light strength exercises with 5 pound weights. I take supplements, but not as a replacement for exercise. Works for me. 😎
Diagnosed Feb 2018 PSA 500 Gleason 4&5. Had radiation in New Zealand. Where I was diagnosed whilst on holiday, also ZOLADEX jab in stomach. On return to Canada I have now completed three rounds of Docetaxel and an additional ZOLADEX. Mets are speckled from cranium to feet. I have required two additional radiation treatments, one on the left top pelvic area another on a rib. I was informed my bones are fragile and should not be golfing for at least a year. The Chemo, plus taking Hydromorphone Contin for pain, leave me very constipated for which I drink prune juice and glasses of ClearLax to help alleviate that problem. Unfortunately it did not help enough as I have prolapsed hemerhoids for which I useAnusol to help shrink them. It has helped to a degree, but still leaves a portion that causes difficulty whenever I try to use the static bicycle for exercise. So, between the fragile bones and hemerhoids my exercise is limited to stretching, three isometric exercises and walking. I soon get puffed after walking a kilometre (1.6 miles).I once managed a longer distance but ended up in bed for two days. All literature, and this forum indicate exercise is a must. What suggestions might this forum have for me?
Sounds like something along the lines of tai chi or yoga should be good choices for your situation, but given the potential complications it would prob be wise to consult with a physical therapist or someone similar to be sure and to get the best advice based on your limitations and condition.
Besides the modicum of low impact physical conditioning those things can help you get, they also incorporate breathing exercises and meditative aspects that can help reduce stress. And stress is unfortunately a common companion to having cancer.
I play golf two times a week and do aerobics and resistance training three days a week. Lupron and xgeva both make you tired and Lupron has lots of other bad SEs . Playing in this heat and humidity really gets to me around the 15 th hole. I bring a towel soaked in ice water with me and literally soak my head and neck with it to keep going. Also these drugs sap your strength. I’ve lost 20 yards on all of my clubs. Sucks. At least I don’t have the joint pains I used to have. I use estradiol patches for hot flashes. I’m now on a vacation from ADT and xgeva but it takes a long time for this stuff to leave your system. As has been said, you need to watch what you eat because everyone seems to gain 10% of fat around the waist while on ADT.
I like the suggestions for exercise! I swim laps 4 days a week.
If you get the sweats and hot flashes I recommend that you talk with your urologist about venlafaxine. It stopped 95% of the sweats (day and night) and started working the same day I took it. 75-mg.
Now, this is also an anti-depressant (not necessarily a bad thing) but be aware it is tough to get off of, if you ever do that.
I’m on Lupron and Zytiga. For the last six months I have gone to weekly group(up to 4 participants) fitness training. My body is changing…for the better, and my muscle growth has been impressive. I feel good and my stamina has improved. The formality of the commitment to weekly sessions avoids the natural tendency to let up on the training.
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