Life continues even on ADT.

[jholmq]

Encouraged by NALKRATS I think it is important to let people know that life doesn't end just because you're on ADT. I still get to the gym 5 days a week. This is just another way of fighting. While I haven't gained a lot of muscle mass I also haven't lost any. Energy levels are good, little in the way of side effects, even the most dreaded one for most men. Life can be good, but just like life before PCa, you have to work at it. Coming up on 1 year of ADT (zytiga, lupron, prednisone), stage 4, Gleason 9 (4+5), numerous Mets to bone. Keep living, guys.

[jholmq]

Forgot, age 63.

[Jscjac in reply to jholmq]

Great advice ! And thanks for the encouragement. My husband’s situation sounds identical to yours, except that he is 62.

[jholmq in reply to Jscjac]

Long may it continue him and me, and most importantly, for you and my wife as well.

[Stegosaurus37]

Keep on fighting but never forget why you're fighting.

[Hazard]

Great stuff. Keep fighting!

[packfan]

Great attitude. Keep up the good fight!

[leo2634]

Fight the good fight Brother,Never give up never surrender. Leo

[FCoffey]

That's great! Good for you.

It's worth noting that not all men respond the same to ADT; it is probably closer to the truth to say that every man responds differently.

ADT had one good effect for me: it got me off my lazy butt and into the gym. For the past 18 months I've been doing weight training 3 times a week, cardio/endurance 3 days a week, one day a week of rest.

But that is literally the only good thing. My PSA went down but not very far at all. My oncologist wrote in her clinical notes that "Patient exhibits multiple grade 3 toxicities from ADT."

I had to look that up. Here's what I found:

Grade 0: no adverse event or within normal limits

Grade 1: mild adverse event

Grade 2: moderate adverse event

Grade 3: severe and undesirable adverse event, treatment required

Grade 4:life-threatening or disabling adverse event, hospitalization and intensive care required

Grade 5: death related to adverse event

I ended up taking a handful of new prescription meds to counter those toxicities. They helped, a little.

This leads to the question of quality of life. ADT most certainly reduces it. Some men resent the effects more than others, some men have worse effects than others. How to weigh those issues is a completely personal choice.

Doctors like to say "you can't enjoy your life if you are dead," which is an argument that quality of life has no weight at all, and that only lifespan is worth pursuing. I reject that. Whatever time I do have left, I want to enjoy it and savor it, not cling desperately to life and live in perpetual fear of my inevitable death.

There are no easy answers. Life can continue on ADT. For me, and only for me, life on ADT was not worth living.

[jholmq in reply to FCoffey]

As you say, we all have different experiences, and we all come into the fray in different states of physical and emotional health. Add to that the differences in our genetic makeup and you have a recipe for uncertainty. I hope other treatments are both more effective and tolerable.

[SUPERHEAT12]

Before adt I did triathlons and competed in masters swimming events. After adt I was not competitive but continued to workout. Now on Xgeva I have increased weight lifting. If the doc says it is ok, I plan on skiing this winter.

On ADT I continued to work and had a few strange side effects while traveling overseas but generally I was OK.

Superheat 12

[jholmq in reply to SUPERHEAT12]

Same for me, jet lag is a bigger deal than before. Work is about the same.

[TEBozo in reply to SUPERHEAT12]

7/18 Firmagon shot due on 09/30 and other than hot flashes, I am doing good. Noticed that I am getting stronger in the gym(ex college FB)Finally! Working full time for a commerical real estate company and very little pity parties! My best wishes to all.

[monte1111]

Wow. You guys are all so amazing to me. I drive by the gym almost every day. (Not walk or cycle). Did buy a stationary bicycle. (Recumbent, as i am naturally lazy.) I do get some exercise moving it when it gets in my way. And as you work on your 6 packs, and i drink my 6 packs I always wonder: "How come I never looked like the after picture in the Charles Atlas ads." Or Nalakrats! How about a "We Have Prostate Calendar". Great research money making idea. Does prostate cancer have a color. Gotta have a color. Well, good iron pumping to everyone, I need to go and change the TV channel.

[j-o-h-n in reply to monte1111]

Reply to monte1111:

You forgot to mention the double scoop of chocolate chip ice cream.

That's why it's called a "stationary" bicycle.

They already have a calendar for us it's called "Popular Mechanics".

Yep we have a color already it's "Pee Yellow".

Maybe we all can form a male strip club dance team, say call it the "full monte1111".

I used to be a Chippendale dancer but got fired for being on stage when the rolled up sock fell out of the front of my briefs.

Good Luck and Good Health.

j-o-h-n Monday 10/15/2018 2:20 PM EDT

[dvcarola]

Wow 5days a week on the gym! Great job! Stay resilient and finish strong!

[sandy4510]

Thank you for posting. My husband needed to hear that.

[PGDuan]

Thanks for sharing- this is a great reminder. I’ve been on ADT & Zytiga for 11 months now following RALP and then EBRT due to persistent PSA.

I was fit going in, but after all the initial shock I have tried to keep going.

I’m 53, still surf 4-5 times a week. I’m moving slower and tire more easily, but my weight is about the same. I’ve definitely noticed loss of muscle mass and body hair, but all in all am still surfing well and to casual observers wouldn’t seem off at all. Still ripped in the upper body. I don’t always feel like a surf, but of course I never regret it afterwards. I know many people here recommend the gym for muscle mass, which is great. However I think the most important thing is finding something active that you love to do — whether the gym, biking, yoga, golf, swimming, hiking, etc — if it’s something you really enjoy then it gives you the extra motivation needed, especially on those days when fatigued. The workouts definitely make me feel better afterwards— and help me sleep better (9 hours is now my norm versus 7-8 before treatment). In short, ADT isn’t fun, but it’s manageable, and a workout routine really helps a lot.

[scooby0111]

You give me hope Working and working out

I hope to continue for a long time. Fatigue is a constant companion. Curious about the side effect statement.

[tallguy2]

While fatigue is a constant companion I swim laps every other day and do resistance work on alternate days. The fight must continue! Keep up the great work!