Man Plan

[Josephaloysius]

Any comments about the Man Plan? A guided intermediate exercise program for PCa sufferers.

[Darryl Partner]

Where did you see this?

[dentaltwin in reply to Darryl]

Forgive my cynicism, but...does everything need to be a money-making opportunity?

themanplan.com/tmp-splash/

Note that this is from AbbVie--perhaps best know for their TNF inhibitor Humira, also makers of AndroGel.

[Josephaloysius in reply to Darryl]

So what do you think about it? It is subsidized by the makers of Lupron...

[marykg46]

My husband has just been enrolled in the Man Plan. From my understanding it is a plan for men on Lupron and subsidised by the drug company. The main part seems to be 18 sessions with an exercise physiologist.. the first and last being assessment. The contribution by the patient is $A5 for each session. The physiologists appear to be specialised and do a lot of work with cancer patients. A component of the program is designed to build muscle tone. While no doubt, some men are very active and have maintained a fitness regime but for others, like my husband, it is a opportunity to be encouraged to engage with a structured, specific program.

ps....interesting name josephaloysius.... two of my grandsons attend St Aloysius College!

[Scorpio99 in reply to marykg46]

I like the idea of a "man-plan". I keep posting at this site so that I can pass along to folks my experiences in getting my advanced prostate cancer, with a PSA score of 21 when first diagnosed in Oct. 2016, to recently declared "cancer free", PSA .01. The key to any successful cancer treatment is early diagnosis and proper treatment. Like a lot of guys I knew nothing about prostate cancer and almost got diagnosed too late. The problem is that men don't talk about these kinds of health issues with each other the way women do. My sister got her breast cancer diagnosed much earlier than my prostate cancer because she and her friends talk about these kinds of things and she knew well the need for regular checkups, whereas I didn't even know what a PSA test was! I have become an evangelist since being treated and tell every guy I talk with over the age of 40 how urgent it is that he get yearly PSA tests and know what the results mean.

[marykg46 in reply to Scorpio99]

If it's any consolation to you, my husband who is generally very slack about health issues was meticulous about his PSA checks as his father had PC and it still didn't make much difference. But you're right for the most part women are a lot more engaged in monitoring their health. Like you it's important to pass the message on.... I remind both my son and my sons in law about being vigilant. Two of my grandsons, though just teenagers, now have both grandfathers and a great grandfather with PC so hopefully when they are adults there will be better mechanisms for even easier detection.

[Hidden]

I wish my husband had been offered this 6 years ago as an option to stay ahead of the side effects of Lupron. Instead, they told him he would likely gain up to 30 lbs. Yep, he did. But it also fits with his personality of not wanting to change habits. So I don't know that he would have embraced the ManPlan. I'm happy for others who may choose to give it a try - regular exercise, a life affirming nutrient dense diet and stress reducing mindfulness practices will help anyone - with or without cancer.

We are now in the last phase of this journey and living the days with grace and gratitude. No regrets, everyone is different on how to proceed. May all find peace and healing, those with cancer, their caregivers and all of the lives touched along the way.

May it be so, Karen

[Scorpio99 in reply to Hidden]

I started having bad side effects to Lupron right after my first injection and so my doctor prescribed a daily pill of Lexapro 10 mg to smooth me out. Its not harmful like an opiod and has no side effects I could detect, and it helped me live with 2 years of Lupron injections every 90 days.

[marykg46 in reply to Scorpio99]

Can you give me the heads up on the side effects...of course I've read the literature...but my husband is now going into the 3rd week after his first injection but as yet doesn't seem affected.....except for difficulty maintaining his blood pressure at the right level and this isn't a noted side effect...when did your side effects first appear and were they the typical ones...

[JavaMan in reply to marykg46]

It sounds like you know the potential side effects but he just hasn’t experienced them. I started Lupron in March and have minor side effects. I get an occasional hot flash in the evening and maybe starting to feel muscle mass issues. But I ride my bike about 60 miles each week and do light weight exercises. I am looking to avoid the fatigue and weight gain noted by many through this. Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to marykg46]

After my first Lupron shot the side effects became notable about the third week. Hot flashes started, libido went away, ED developed, after two months the brain fog became a problem at work and staying focused became difficult. After the second shot, the hot flashes became regular every hour or hour and a half and required intervention with a fan or fleeing to a cooler locale. I still have not experienced any depression or anxiety, I attribute that to meditation and learning to be in the present, mindfulness. My energy levels have actually increased likely due to the increase in exercise.

[marykg46 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks indyflyer. Very helpful. Actually, think I was just assuming things would happen faster... Friday (it's Sunday morning here) he actually couldn't get out of bed and last night he suffered terrible gastric and nausea and is now unable to get out of bed today to go to a footie match with family which he was looking forward to so I guess the Lupron has kicked in.... Just two more days of the Cosudex and maybe that too is having an effect... I'll keep your comments in mind about the brain fog ...I keep forgetting that side effect and he is having trouble remembering the names of common things and I'll just remind him not to worry about it. Again, like with all the replies...it's so encouraging to know I can 'tap into' practical expertise and experience' via this site.

[monte1111 in reply to marykg46]

Sorry to hear that. Lupron didn't seem to have an effect like that on me. Long term is a different story.

[marykg46 in reply to monte1111]

I'm not too sure about these things but I do wonder if like a lot of things it has something to do with the starting point...men who are active, health conscious, positive, engaged etc prior to diagnosis do better.....

[tallguy2 in reply to marykg46]

I have been on Lupron/Eligard for nearly 8 years. I counter the hot flashes and sweats with 75-mg of venlafaxine, which has a "side effect" of "adjusting my attitude" according to my wife.

ADT kills most testosterone production. Bye-bye sexual activity. Yet my wife of nearly 40 years is very supportive. And despite my exercise routine I have a bit of a belly even at 6'7" tall thanks to the ADT. And I refuse to give up my red wine and scotch. I choose life in other forms.

Best wishes!

[marykg46 in reply to tallguy2]

My husband is of like mind and loves his red wine and scotch too. He's recently, lost 4kg thanks to the tablets to prevent diabetes. My best wishes to you too.

[marykg46 in reply to Hidden]

Karen, how beautifully expressed, 'living with grace and gratitude' to describe what is a very difficult time and such positive thoughts and wishes to others on this journey. I hope I am able to live by your example if our road gets rocky. Like your husband there is no way mine would change his sedentary habits without this prompt...his specialist sort of has his number and put things forward as sort of compulsory and he complies! You are in my thoughts.

[j-o-h-n]

Unfortunately with my big breasts I now qualify for a WOMAN PLAN.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 05/03/2019 7:03 PM DST

[Hidden]

I’m working on some not so nice A-cups myself . They feel like one of those gel eye masks with holes behind my nips . Weirdo stuff ! 😂

[monte1111]

Woke up the other morning with a cat at my nipple. Did I ever tell you cats are stupid?