After 21 months of feeling good, fati... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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After 21 months of feeling good, fatigue now?

Oct18 profile image
33 Replies

I know fatigue is one of the most common side effects of lupron and Xtanti which I am on both. But for almost 2 years I have exercised 3-4 times a week including running a few miles followed by light lifting and stretching even some yoga. I breezed through radiation last year . I’m 48 years young with mets to my ribs spine and pelvis. My psa was undetectable for almost a year and .02 last month. I’m a single parent of 3 kids, full time job and have been very fortunate to continue life as normal as possible but in the last few weeks my energy is zapped. It’s a different kind of tired, not sleepy tired, but almost like I can tell my body is fighting something. Has anyone else felt these feelings? If so was it attributed to the cancer, or the medicine to fight the cancer? I know there is this beast in me that has been kept in check but I was wondering if these are feelings resulting from it “waking up”. I know the Dr will ultimately tell me but I’ve been able to avoid the extreme fatigue, and was wondering is this what others are feeling? I go back to check my PSA in 2 weeks.

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Oct18 profile image
Oct18
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33 Replies

Oh yes! Fatigue syndrome hit me hard for three years. No stamina or endurance are the new me. I say it is having no t . Our driving force has been cut .. I’m five years in with 3 t. Whoo hoo! What a ride. 48 is too young for this . Being a single dad too ? Dam? I’m sorry . You are amazing ! Keep you head high !

Oct18 profile image
Oct18 in reply to

Thank you! I am. I always give thanks to God for giving me strength every day to do all I am able. It’s just getting a little harder lately

in reply to Oct18

Yes , I understand completely. Living in appreciation and trusting in God is my path also! We are all still here by the means of modern medicine .. God ‘s will be done! Good luck on the test.🙏

Oct18 profile image
Oct18 in reply to

Thank you!

timotur profile image
timotur

I think the SE’s from ADT gradually build over time. I noticed a big jump in fatigue around the one year mark, where sometimes I get so dead tired, I have to take a nap. The effects seem to be amplified the first week or two after a Lupron shot. I’m taking monthly shots to try to smooth out the dosage.

Oct18 profile image
Oct18 in reply to timotur

I’m taking 6 month shots so I’ll ask my Dr about that. Thank you!

timotur profile image
timotur in reply to Oct18

You’re welcome, and kudos for raising a family and working while going through this, best wishes and prayers...!

MichaelDD profile image
MichaelDD

Consider Ritalin. Ask your Oncologist about it. My Palliative Care Doctor prescribed it for me. It's like a cup of coffee that works all day for me. Mid day with out if I sit down I'm out. In my "before life" I couldn't fall asleep mid day EVER. I have an extended release where I manage a full day "in the game". No inadvertently falling asleep. More go if that makes sense?

Best to you!

Oct18 profile image
Oct18 in reply to MichaelDD

Yes, that makes sense. Like the Aerosmith song “my get up and go must have got up and went”.....really in more ways than one.

Rkoma profile image
Rkoma in reply to MichaelDD

Some people take L-Threonine.

Read about it.

Rkoma

TJS-1 profile image
TJS-1

Yes, get the same swings in fatigue and mental acuity. I’m doing intermittent ADT and this happens each cycle. I attribute it to the body learning how to react to no T; and it is NOT linear over time.

You’re doing great things for yourself and your kids by staying active, no matter how challenging. Keep up the good work and best of luck!

Oct18 profile image
Oct18 in reply to TJS-1

Thank you!!

Some guys on the forum have been able to lower their Xtandi dose and still get the same results, but with less fatigue. There have been quite a few posts on this subject.

treedown profile image
treedown

I was hoping staying active would be the trick but I am only 9 months in to this so maybe it's just a matter of time. Hope you find a way back to your old new normal. Let us know if you find a way to resolve it. I hate the idea of taking more pharmaceuticals myself.

Oct18 profile image
Oct18 in reply to treedown

I’ll just keep praying and powering through the tiredness God willing

Psychmed profile image
Psychmed

I've been on eligard for darn near 3 years and fatigue has been almost the worst side effect. I'm just working 3 days a week now but the other 4 I sleep 10 or more hours a night. I can't imagine doing this with kids to take care of. You must be a strong guy. Did I mention brain fog? Must have forgotten to. God bless you.

Oct18 profile image
Oct18 in reply to Psychmed

Thankfully the brain fog isn’t too bad, I still work handling financing so I am able to do that still thankfully. My kids are a lot of work but they certainly give me something to live for and they are growing up. My daughter is 17 and my twin boys are 12 .

pilot52 profile image
pilot52

Did you get a Corona test....we always look to the cancer.......Blue Skies

Oct18 profile image
Oct18 in reply to pilot52

I did not get a test for that. Today the fatigue has subsided but I didn't really think it could be corona, but you never know.

EdBar profile image
EdBar

I’ve been on Lupron for over 6 years now and Xtandi for around 5. Fatigue and SE’s definitely have increased over time. I can get a great nights sleep and still have to grind through a day feeling an almost sickly type of fatigue. Be sure you’re taking Xtandi in the evening, it’s known for causing fatigue. And as Gregg said, I’ve been able to reduce the Xtandi to 2 a day instead of 4 and still have it be effective, I did this with the advice and guidance of my MO of course.

And I agree with MichaelDD’s comment regarding Ritalin, it helps greatly both with fatigue as well as cognitive issues. It’s not a cure-all for these SE’s but helps quite a bit. A good MO should be familiar with its use for cancer patients.

Ed

Oct18 profile image
Oct18 in reply to EdBar

Thank you! I’ll discuss decreasing my Xtandi with my doctor next visit. I do take it at night for that reason, the fatigue was too much when I started it so I switched it to evenings

Frigataflyer profile image
Frigataflyer

More power to you, I can’t imagine dealing with PCA and also looking ee kids single handed.

I am 77 and have been on Lupron, every three months, for 18 months. I definitely notice more fatigue, but I still don’t nap in afternoon and I find that, while I am weak and tire easily when I try to sprint when swimming, I can carry on routine Standing and moving around tasks throughout the day.

During the day I practice Chi Kung (Quiquong) and in the evening, I smoke or ingest pot which I find clears away the fatigue so I can enjoy doing nothing.

All the best to you.

Horse12888 profile image
Horse12888

For me, the SEs of ADT morphed considerably from week to week. For the first six mos, I was fine: hot flashed, fatigue, no libido, moodiness--all waxing and waning in intensity seemingly at random, but I felt OK. I remember going in for my second 6-mo Eligard injection with a smile on my face. 2 - 3 months later, the "moodiness" had morphed to a depression so profound I was desperately hoping to die--in my sleep, or a via a high-speed car accident. Got on antidepressants and felt fine again.

My point is that the SEs are really hard to predict, even in the same person, over even short periods of time.

I agree with the others: I can't imagine doing this and taking care of kids. You're a brick. Take care and good luck.

Oct18 profile image
Oct18 in reply to Horse12888

Thank you! I just always wonder am I dealing with side effects or am I dealing with cancer, or both? I will say that although I have a lot on my plate I am very fortunate. My kids to go with their mom every other weekend which helps. That hasnt always been the case and I work at a family dealership a mile from my house. Also my daughter is a huge help to me and her twin brothers.

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

I call it my "I don't shive a git" syndrome...........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 07/05/2020 1:37 PM DST

Oct18 profile image
Oct18 in reply to j-o-h-n

By the way I’m the one with the 12-year-old son who Is on the autism spectrum disorder. ABA therapy has been helping thankfully but of course with no school, or much anything else he is pretty content to stay at home. We will see how he does as he has to re-enter the world. But at least for now he is doing better.

CalBear74 profile image
CalBear74

We need to start The Order of Noble Warriors composed of exceptional individuals who are raising children by themselves. fighting cancer, dealing with SEs. and doing it all without a spouse or partner.

Oct18 profile image
Oct18

Thank you! But I have to give all credit to God. I am very fortunate. I have the support of my family, my parents are still around, I work at a family dealership where my brother is the owner so I have flexibility and my daughter is a huge help to her twin Brothers and me. And their mom is kind of crazy so I don’t mind being single :) yes it’s a very hard but and I kids give me a reason to fight .

Oct18 profile image
Oct18 in reply to Oct18

“My kids”

nobaday profile image
nobaday

Interesting the guy who said he takes Ritalin.

I think another guy has said CBD oil helps him with fatigue. And my friend ( no cancer) said Vitamin A stopped him sleeping all day.

Probably the answers might be more appropriate coming from the active younger guys on this site. Your exercise regime looks good. You have kept the same exercise program despite current fatigue?? Some guys might suggest a change in diet. Has your weight stayed the same?

I’m 58, active in soccer, golf etc but with gyms only just reopening I have gained 10lbs since March and would prefer to be less than 180lbs instead of 206lbs!

I’m on Zytiga and Zoladex.

Being more active in a week helps my mood and sometimes I have to push myself to be active eg go to soccer. But after exercise always feel better. And after soccer it’s beer time with the lads!!

Oct18 profile image
Oct18

My weight has stayed the same. I initially lost about 12 pounds when I was diagnosed but that’s because I was too depressed to eat. I weigh 172 and I am 5-10”. I do change up the routine and run different routes and do different lifting routines every so often .

Rayjr43 profile image
Rayjr43

My friend, I have been on those meds for four + years. I am seventy-seven, and know fatigue and chemo brain. Like you, I appreciate those drugs even with their side effects. Your responsibility is your children. My concern is to care for my wife of fifty-seven years who is a victim of dementia. She requires my constant care, and I give it willingly and with deep love. I have no solution for fatigue, but by the grace of God and the help of our two caring adult children I am able to stay the course. Best wishes and prayers as you continue the journey. Ray

Oct18 profile image
Oct18

Best wishes and prayers for you too!! One day at a time

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