I wonder if any of you after a little exertion have this breathing problem. I am on Lupron and Zytiga. It seems to me I have heard or read that this is a side effect. For me. It has become pretty severe. My MO said it is a side effect but it should subside some on time.
Anyone else have this and has it subsided as time goes on?
I am on both, and I struggle to climb the stairs to go to bed. This has not subsided. But, I have tumors up and down my spine. That by itself may explain my heavy steps. The vertebrae get compromised,squishy, crumbly. That's just me. I can imagine tumor loads affecting your diaphragm, lungs, the space your lungs need to inflate.
I am not a doctor, just a guy who takes the same ADT drugs as you -- for two years now. Brain fog has also been suggested as a symptom.
Thanks
I have experienced this as well. But found that exercise and stretching helped with the side effects. Have you checked your blood work - are you anemic? I have been borderline anemic since I added Zytiga to ADT 2 years ago. I’ve just accepted shortness of breath, brain fog, and stiffness as things I have to put up with to get the benefits of the medication. Manageable, but certainly a QOL challenge.
Best wishes on your journey. Hope the side effects lessen for you very soon!
James
Thank you for the reply.
It doesn't have to be a side effect. I am also on Lupron and Zytiga and ran a half marathon back in October. Perhaps a little slower than I would have without the drugs, but I've also run a couple slower races in my pre-diagnosis days.
I did have shortness of breath on Docetaxel (chemo). It didn't feel good to get out of breath. On Zytiga, I can run till I'm breathless and still keep going. The mets in my ribs will hurt a bit afterwards from the heavy breathing, but nothing too bad, I just know they're still there.
Don't be afraid to exercise, it does help.
Thanks
Hmm... At 71, I feel the the same occasional effects, however, I'm active all day and don't think of it.
Are you taking prednisone w/ Zytiga??
My MSK MO started me on this cocktail in March, and I have too few SE'S to mention.
Also, I had prepared for this a few years ago (unknowingly), before my DX; by losing 20 lbs (I'm 5'10" and weigh 160 lbs.
While many men gain weight on ADT, I've remained stable. I eat and drink anything and everything.
Best
Thank you
Hi Drphil, I had that problem with bicalutamide but I wouldn’t call it severe. It wasn’t easy though. I think that with bicalutamide the instructions said to tell your doc if you have breathing problems. Probably the same for Zytiga. Good luck.
Saw my cardio doc last week, had a stress test all is well. Had echo and valves good 60% ejection rate , petty good for 81 yr old part.
I have shortness of breath too. After many tests (heart, lungs, organs etc.), the doctor told me to lose weight. Really? At 228 pounds I'm probably 20 pounds over weight for my frame. I found that an old allergy came back. Dust mites. a portable room air cleaner (does a 20 by 20 room, $150) from Amazon fixed it. Also, low testosterone (from Zytiga) and an anemia problem saps your strength, (in my case). I do light exercise and fight through the fatigue. Not strong like I used to be.
It is in fact a very common side effect. What happens is your muscle mass is adversely affected from the effects of lower testosterone, and your lungs and heart are muscles. You can lessen the impact by say riding a stationary bike or treadmill. Sadly, the longer you are on drugs, including repeated rounds, the more serious will be this side effect, and that the impact from our treatments will increased with a reduction in our ability to reverse some of these effects. for me the side effects have become more cumulative and have become a major set of issues onto and by themselves.
Keep in mind that all medical treatments at this stage, are going to cause some side effects, but the facts are, these drug treatments are buying us extra time, so as they say, one has to suck it up, because the alternative is less time being here.
I’m on Lupron Xtandi and I gasp for breath just walking out to my car. I turn red with profuse sweat as well. When visiting Kaiser , for example, I walk a bit and sit a bit to collect myself and catch my breath. Staff will sometimes follow me around to make sure I’m ok. I’ve been on this treatment for 14 months now and it “:has not” gotten better or lessened that I can detect . My psa is undetectable for the last 7 consecutive months , so it’s working nicely but this breath thing , along with extreme weakness , bone pain and a truck load of other SEs are the price I pay for the benefits. My oncologist slaps me on the back and says it’s working nicely , guess he is right yayahahahaya. Hope this helps.
Peace brother ✌️
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