I am wanting expand a bit on my previous post. I have already received many replies with great information within 24 hours of my first post. Thank you all.
I maybe trying to achieve the impossible but I feel that I am in the right place"in this forum" with others that understand what I'm going through. We each have our own identity and lifestyle that this disease has either modified or completely destroyed.
My lifestyle has been extremely modified and I am only trying to hold onto whatever I can. I understand that extending life is the goal, but I want to fight and live my life with as much quality as I can.
I have been an athlete pretty much since childhood. I have played many different sports at different levels. From Football, Rugby, Basketball, Tennis, Golf...Ive played most and have done well. I have always been in the gym lifting weights since my early 20's. I started to get serious in the gym about 12 years ago, hired a trainer , worked very hard and saw some incredible gains. I feel I reach my peak at age 50. I was stronger, leaner and more muscular than I had ever been. I was very proud of what I accomplished at an older age.
A couple days after my 53rd B-day "Sept 7 2017" I got the news that changed everything. I immediately went into treatment. ADT, External Beam Rad, Brachy Therapy.
I went off of weightlifting supplements before treatments started and only continued with a daily protein shake. I continued with my trainer through all of 2018, but saw a huge change in my body and strength. Before treatment started I was 6'4" 235 lbs. After treatment I was around 205 lbs. I decided to try going on some supplements that I had previously used pre-treatment a couple months ago. I started to see some real gains from doing this. Strength was way up and some of the fat was going away. I started to see some urinary side affects that I had after treatment return, "Urgent and frequent" so I started to second guess being on the supplements. I was taking Creatine, Mass Amino Acids and Ultra 40 Tablets from Beverly International.
I am now off of them again to see If the side affects go away or not. I would really hate to give up the lifestyle that I have lived for so long, but just going to the gym and seeing all my previous gains just go away have made me very depressed. I am determined to maintain if not gain on what I have achieved regardless of not having Test to help me out.
If there are any gym rats out there that can relate I welcome any feedback. Thanks
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Eugmn
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I had to go off creatine. It was causing my PSA to rise again. I was also at my peak at 54 when diagnosed. Lupron has pretty much taken it all away at this point.
Lupron has pretty much taken away all for me as well. Im a pretty hardheaded guy and I refuse to let it define me. I will find a way to maintain my lifestyle. I am trying to be cautious and not take anything that could cause harm. Thanks for the feedback
All we can expect imho is to maintain bone health and some strength. I used to play golf three times a week now just once a week due to loss of distance and accuracy (brain fog). I Go to the gym other days to keep “muscles” ( what muscles?) and bones from atrophy. My body looks like the f...ing Michelin man . But I’m alive and well with Gleason 9 stage IV PCa. If someone knows good supplements for strength I’d like to hear about them.
Since I had spent so much time in the gym before DX, I knew exactly what my strength level was. I saw it decline substantially after treatment and stopping supplements. I started the supplements in Oct-Dec. I saw all of my strength come back and started to get a good pump again when lifting. They do work for me, just unsure if they are safe or not. I am off for now.
I happened to come across this post today and it hit home!!! Missing the earlier post you referenced, may have provide some of my answers but ..... I missed it!!! So, briefly;
I sort of went from athlete to spectator too! A fat, weak, sore, immobile, depressed spectator!! Not so much sports in recent years other than coaching but, prior to “my life saving” treatment, at the age of 62, I could out work anyone on my crew (mostly younger men (heavy construction)), all day...... everyday!!! I feared no one and was respected. Not so much anymore!!! To the extent that I was forced to leave work until this passes (?)!!
I used to excercise daily, more-so to maintain range of motion and flexability! Now that is impossible! I quickly ended up 60# overweight, with debilitating body pain which started in my hips spreading throughout virtully all my joints. This limits me to only walks that are cut short by my joint pain!
I am currently weaning off my final 3 month dosage of Eligard and want to start righting the wrong!! Whereas no Doctors, experts, post like this, etc.... can tell me if my condition was caused by the actual drug or by the bodies reaction to having 0 testosterone. Nor if effects will subside by weaning off the drug or waiting for T to rebound (if it does at my age) in which case, I likely can not rebuild mussel!!!
I bought a Total Gym {if you’re laughing at me, you’re laughing at Chuck Noris...be carefull!!!!} supplementing my incline bench, dumb-bells and resistance bands, hoping to start at very low incline / resistance and loosen up multiple joints and muscles slowly. But not sure how to go about it! I have never been in any type of program! Plus, I feel it comes under the catorgory of physical or occupational therapy which should not be done willy-nilly!!! Being out of work for the past 7 months, $$$$ prohibits me from hiring a trainer or enrolling in a gym program or use of a pool.
Any suggestions regarding a free / low cost, safe program are welcome and appreciated!!! All other advice as well!!!
I feel for you. I have not yet suffered the joint or body pain. I admire anyone going through these treatments that makes efforts. If the Total Gym is your thing then hit it as hard as you can and then more. So much of this is mental. I dont know of any free/ low cost programs, but will keep an eye out. Best of luck
In a bit of irony regarding access to a pool I had our in ground pool removed in the fall after I was diagnosed. It was old and required a lot of work by me and expense to get it going each spring. I feared I would no longer have the stamina to get it going this spring plus if we decided to move a house with a pool is almost impossible to sell around here. I don’t regret doing it so the plan B is to join a gym, ride a bike a lot and go for long walks. As I write this response I’m a week from calling it a career and start collecting social security at 64. The extra time will allow me more time to be physically active as opposed to sitting at a desk all day.
Before being diagnosed April 2017, I used my pool everyday before work while in season, in New England. Made a solar panel to extend the season.
However, In the peak of my treatment, I used it once in 2018!! Eligard kicked my A$$! I ended up with Lupron Brain Fog in addition to “all” other side effects! Getting in and out of the pool was too dangerous and painful! Almost took it down but the grandkids fought me and won!!! Its old but I converted it to salt water years ago so its very little maintainence. So my pool would not be available until May +/-. Hope to use it then but don’t want to waste 3 months prior to then!!
I received my final 90 day injection, about 60 days ago so am hoping that side effects will start to subside soon. I am in the planning / prep stage of rehab. I hope to start a excersise program / regiment in March but may be overly optimistic. We’ll see! After 18 months of this shit, it would kill me to hurt myself while getting started and delay my plan. Thus my request for advice.
While not typing this response, I am sitting here compleing my application for SSDI with thoughts of a full retirement!! At 63, and if I’m approved for Disability, I can receive my full benifit (so they told me at my first meeting).
It’s keeping my BC /BS coverage once retired, that is the show stopper!!! Still trying to work that out! What are you doing regarding that if I may ask?!!!
It would be cool if I get to the bike riding stage come springtime / early summer too. We camp so hiking fits in that time frame and would be nice to get my boat legs back too.
I’m self employed and prepaid the full 2019 premium in 2018 then next January it’s Medicare for me. My wife will be only 60 so she may have to increase her hours to get insurance from her employer. If I’m still on Zytiga when I hit Medicare I’ve been told expect to pay $8500 to 10k. Under my commercial health plan I pay $0! Bottom line for cancer patients Medicare still becomes a big nut to crack depending on the medications. I just turned 64 this month so SSDI was not that much of a difference for me and my lawyer advised me to just file for social security. My MO also would not support SSDI either because my side effects are minimal. First social security check arrives 2/13.
I can’t overemphasize the treatment I received to help get my head straight. It played a huge role in getting my SEs under control. Just being able to sleep through the night helped me with the fog and fatigue. I actually wanted to exercise. I was my old self at work! The same med also suppresses reoccurring thoughts I.e. bad thoughts from happening. For some cancer treatment centers it’s standard procedure.
Tell me more about your past treatment!!!! I have been searching for months to, firstly to justify the perpetual (unearned) news years day hangover and virtually total depletion of my cognitive skills. This in addition to a host of other terible side effects that all started (or at least I first noticed) about 4 months into my Eligard treatment. It culminated with my loosing my job 8 months ago with no end in sight. And life has sucked even more since then!!
Secondly, to find out if these symtoms can be treated or will they subside (and how before) once the injections / treatment ends!!
I beg up to share your story with me.
If there is a more privite means that you prefer, please advise! I’m game!!!! You’re sitting on a gold mine to those in my situation!!!!!!
For me the underlying illness was depression that caused me to sleep very little and worry constantly. This contributed to the fatigue and lack of concentration amplifying the effects of for me lupron. I saw a psychologist that specializes in patients with serious illnesses. After several sessions I was referred to a psychiatrist who prescribed Mirtizapam which made a huge difference for me. I sleep better and worry less. But not to over-sell this I still have good days and not so good days. However I am able to move forward with life much better now.
I too have been making some changes to make my life a bit easier. Had a larger house that was older and took a lot of time to maintain. I've since moved to a smaller more maintenance free type of home. Best of luck in your soon retirement
After my dx, and reading forums, I'm seeing a lot of athletes/active people with PCa. I am a runner/swimmer/tennis player myself who also for many years had a very high protein intake-- eggs/protein-supplement for breakfast, high protein fish for lunch, and beef for dinner. I wonder if a high-protein diet is a risk factor in developing PCa or speeding its progression?
Everything I've read on the subject of exercise with PCa basically has said resistance is better than aerobics for maintaining bone and muscle and at least 150 minutes a week is necessary. Also more reps rather than more weight is important to avoid injury and having a trainer really helps push yourself to do more than you think you can do. Obviously the last point (trainer) is true whether or not you have limitations due to disease.
Personally, I believe that you need to have a gym membership for motivation. When you see other folks pushing themselves it tends to stimulate the competitive juices plus you can get assistance if needed on how to properly do each exercise and you can watch yourself in a big mirror to ensure you're doing them correctly. And there's the added benefit of watching hot chicks work out! Eye candy!
So I do 30-40 minutes of cardio (bike and rowing machines), 30-40 minutes of resistance (3 sets, 15 reps per body part) and ten minutes of stretching at least 4 days a week.
However, I also need guidance on strength building supplements. I cannot build muscle on ADT but I have built strength.
I agree with you on motivation. I struggled for years going to the gym on my own, I still do. I found that since Im a very punctual and responsible person, having an appointment is what gets me to the gym. I have a set time to meet my trainer several times a week. Each person needs to find what works for them to get that motivation
I'm a fellow "gym rat". Between lupron and chemo I lost a lot of muscle mass and I stay away from mirror because I don't like what I see. People say "well, that's not you" but I'm not "me" anymore (LOL).
I'm on Zometa for bone strength and take additional calcium. I still go to the gym regularly and recognize that I can't do what I used to and probably never will again.
But remember: it isn't the amount of iron that you're pushing; it's that you are pushing. Do what you can and keep working it. Try not to ever feel bad - attitude is everything.
No osteoporosis; I do have osteoarthritis. I went on Zometa at the same time I went on docetaxel since I'd seen that one side effect of docetaxel was loss of bone density and I didn't want to break anything. I've never broken a bone and didn't want to start! I do have bone mets but they haven't been a problem. Side effects? Geez, you get some kind of symptom and what's causing it? Some drug you're taking, the cancer itself, the fact you're an old man or what? I had pain in my right scapular where there were mets. Targeted radiation took care of that. I have frequent pains in my hips where there aren't mets but the X-ray showed osteoarthritis and ibuprofin works on that. You can't treat something unless you know what's causing it and that can be a challenge.
I am 53 and started working out 3 months before ADT. I have only been on a 3 month Eligard shot for about a month. I go to the gym 4 days a week, and I am going to try to walk consistently on my off days. I had worked out before, so it was easy to start up, and I saw gains quickly. My workout routine is on my last post. I am interested in trying the supplements again. I had taken creatine before, and L arginine, a long with whey protein isolate. I use plant based protein now, by Vega. I am also curious about taking supplements while on ADT, beside the protein shake, to see if they will help. Maybe it is too early in mytreatment, but I am still adding weight to my sets. Besides feeling zombie like at the gym, I have not lost any strength yet. I have creatine hydr. and L-arginine which I want to try today.
Hello, you’re exactly the kind a guy that I have been hoping to change ideas with. It sounds like we’re going through the same things. I went back and looked at your workout routine. It’s basically the same as mine except I do shoulders on my chest day as well. You do more walking than I do. I try to do some cardio on the bicycle on my off days, but doing cardio is my weak point.I have worked out all the way through my ADT and also during my external beam radiation treatments. I only missed a couple days after I did the Brachy therapy treatment. I don’t think I saw any change in my workouts until at least six months into the ADT treatment.
To Eugmm, Yep, I too was a young athlete (high school football, baseball and company teams). I had such a great sense of balance that I thought I would join the circus. Now all my exercise consists of is heavy breathing when I blow up my blow up doll, arm wrestling with my cup of coffee and doing whirls trying not to lose my balance. So keep up as much exercise as your body can tolerate but remember there will come a time when a blow up doll will turn you on.
I refused hormone therapy and my oncologist agreed that it's not always necessary. My PSA was 40 before my treatments started and I was diagnosed with advance localized PC. I had 25 ebeam and two brachytherapy simultaneously over the course of about 6 weeks. My last treatment was the first week of May 2018. My last PSA check was two weeks ago and it is now 10. I have also been an athlete my whole life, a triathlete for about 20 years but now I only cycle and swim. I also cycled and swam through my treatments. I cycle 20 to 30 miles a day about 4-5 times a week and swim 2400 meters 2-3 times a week. I would say my fitness level has been about the same. I will be 60 this year and I retired about 5 years ago. I believe having time to take care of yourself is important. I don't take supplements but I do use turmeric everyday in the form of golden paste. I also maintain a very healthy diet. If you can stay away from HT that's what messes you up the most. My weight has pretty much stayed the same through out.. good luck to all..
Hi, it's been 2 years but I just read both of your posts and I'm really curious about how you're doing right now. Do you still play sports and how is your health? I also all my life play different sports and recently I wanted to try bodybuilding. I even think about buying a personal rower after reading this article skinnyyoked.com/bodybuildin.... It is quite convenient to have such equipment at home. Unfortunately, the last gym where I trained is closed now due to the coronavirus so I'll try to start training on YouTube guides.
Hello, Thanks for checking in. I just passed my 3 yr anniversary since DX. I had continued my workouts pretty steady since I first posted this. I maintained my strength, stamina and even kept the fat off.
Then in Jan 2020 I added Zytiga to go along with my 6 month Lupron treatment as I was starting to see a slight rise in PSA. Then COVID hit and the gyms were closed. I think I had a 3 month break before my gym opened back up. It has been more of a struggle since then.
I started training with a different mind set because I was getting discouraged because my strength had began to decline. Also began to put on a bit of fat around my mid section and on my chest. My training now is more light weight with a lot of reps. My trainer kicks my ass as my workouts are only 30- 40 minutes, but very high intensity.
I’m currently on another break as I am in Colombia, South America. I am just walking, swimming and ride a spin bike whenever I can get motivated. Best of luck
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