What is hormone therapy? How will it affect my life?

[PalmBeacher]

What is hormone therapy? How will it affect my life?

[noahware]

In the narrower and more standard sense for PC, it refers to "ADT" where a chemical and potentially reversible castration (rather than a surgical and irreversible one) prevents the body from producing testosterone, resulting in "androgen deprivation" (as well as estrogen deprivation).

In a broader sense, it refers to any of a variety of therapies that influence either the body's hormone levels OR the cellular receptors for those hormones. For PC, those could include meds that block androgen receptor activity (antiandrogens), or the administration of high levels of either testosterone or estrogen. Those three therapies are "hormonal" but are not the ADT "standard of care" that is most widely used in the US.

How might it affect one's life? A book could be written. And has been: Richard Wassersug's "Androgen Deprivation Therapy: An Essential Guide." The blog that goes with this is "Life on ADT."

[Hidden in reply to noahware]

I feel that after a few years chemically castrated that the t never will return . Thus my orch . Who cares about the balls?

[depotdoug in reply to Hidden]

I'm still with my original balls. But probably the LA Dodgers or Tampa Bay MLB men do.

ADT is an integral part of my tattered life whether i want it or not, Whimp-p. Never thought I'd return to the ADT world. I was done with that stuff April 2013. Not no. QOL is still good, How long after 14 months? Think I'll take a nap and worry about that later.

[Hidden in reply to depotdoug]

Wife is dodger fan!

[SteveWife in reply to noahware]

This is very helpful for me, too. I'm afraid my 80 year ex-Ruby husband hates exercise. Hates it. I know he will not listen to me about exercise (he's not overweight and in good shape except he doesn't exercise!) so I have to find a way for his doctor to talk to him. He is a brand new patient. So he's been on hormones for not even two weeks yet. So he's not feeling the effects just yet.

[noahware in reply to SteveWife]

Yes, the effects of the injection will take a while and may be more severe than those of the pills (I am assuming the pills are bicalutamide, and the injection is something like Lupron).

ADT imposes hypogonadism. I will give you an opinion (NOT advice) that is shared by some docs, but a minority of them: the hypogonadism can have the effect of something like "accelerated aging" that some older men (80+, like your husband) do not tolerate well and an alternative therapy can then be considered.

One alternative is do JUST the antiandrogen pills (bicalutamide, or another). I have chosen this therapy even though I am only 60, and my MO said, "I only do that for 80-year-olds!", lol. It is a less effective anti-PC agent, but may better preserve QoL in the short term, for men without pain or symptoms. Each man, with his spouse, must of course weigh the potential risk for an earlier advance of painful metastasis that comes with using weaker meds that preserve QoL. Docs cannot decide this for us (but they often do, by default!).

Again, this is not advice but just a possible alternative to consider in the event the drastic reduction of testosterone proves unbearable, down the road. You don't need to even discuss this possibility now, but you might ask your docs about considering low-dose estrogen patches or gels as an add-on to the ADT.

Many of the possible negative effects of hypogonadism (weight gain, metabolic syndrome, loss of bone density, mood changes, fatigue, etc.) result in part from a loss of estrogen that follows the loss of T. Putting back some of the estrogen, with patch or gel, can help reduce some of these side effects. (And this is why the bicalutamide has fewer effects: it actually INCREASES estrogen.)

So far as exercise, the key with a loss of T is not hardcore aerobic exercise (running, etc.) but some form of resistance training (weights, etc.), because without T the muscle-mass diminishes without increased use of those muscles. I would imagine even those rubber bands that physical therapists use could help. And of course, going for walks in the fresh air and sunshine is good for ALL of us!

[Hidden in reply to SteveWife]

He will .

[Hidden]

What’s important to you will come to life.. the goal is to starve the pc from testosterone and to castrate you chemically . I went for the surgery after 18 months of shots . I was told shots for life . You will get in touch with you female side .. you can loss all muscle then you teeth and bones depleted with extended adt use . Testosterone is our male energy source . Living without takes a will to live and suffer . You must think about what you love in life and keep it in the forefront . Good man Dear Sir ! We’ve all gone trough the same . You too can also if you choose to survive with APC aboard .

[Magnus1964]

Hormone therapy affects everyone differently. Almost all patients get hot flashes which diminish over time. Others can not take the side effects. The good thing is you have the option to stop the therapy anytime.

[Tall_Allen]

What kind of hormone therapy (e.g., Lupron, Zytiga, Xtandi,Erleada, Nubeqa) are you getting? And for what situation (e.g., adjuvant with primary RT, adjuvant with salvage RT, after all salvage but before metastases, after metastases have been detected (newly diagnosed or after radical therapies), after castration resistance - before or after metastases)?

It helps answer your questions if you put your diagnosis and treatments in your profile.

[Hidden]

It’s a shot or pill designed to stop your production of testosterone . It’s said that APC feeds on testosterone .. Advanced Prostate Cancer’s goal is to kill the host by first eating up our manhood then eating the muscles and bones . I stopped an a advanced pc from actively chomping me down by 8 weeks imrt and double adt for 18 months until orchiectomy allowing me to drop the lupron shots . I’m racked by the side effects of treatments but no sign of pc at this point . If you read these pages for awhile you’ll quickly notice that once a fellow is stage #4 APC it can be held off possible for years , but it always comes back . It lays in wait . As clobbered by double adt and radiation . Lucky to have survived that . If you d have advanced pc then adt is the first line of defense . Everything is a trade off for more time to walk this earth and love what you love . Some men fly through amazingly unscathed ,others take it hard like I did . My only choice was life or death .treatment or certain painful death . Please be proactive . Dont fear adt , fear APC .

[Break60 in reply to Hidden]

Or it’s a gel or patches containing estradiol which have few side effects and also reduce testosterone.

[Hidden in reply to Break60]

I need me som of that?

[MateoBeach in reply to Hidden]

Wow Whimpy, that is a very manly answer

From one in your condition. Not sugar -coating it, my wife would say. With just a touch of eunuch-corn humor. 😆🦄

[Hidden in reply to MateoBeach]

We are unique. T-A once mentioned a book “ living the Unich life” I thought? I don’t need the book , I’m already living it .. we’ve go a place for your rv if you ever care to venture back . October is so nice.🏜✌️

[MateoBeach in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the gracious offer! My wife is currently finishing a big dental reconstruction project. Our projected date to be free to travel is mid. November. Then we are taking a truck down to Baja to leave there. So no RV on that trip. But we are onboard to visit in the Spring. 🚐🏍🐕‍🦺👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[Hidden in reply to MateoBeach]

Baja is the place to be then . Spring sounds good. I’d like to be in Cabo San Jose this winter to. Just don’t know to trust it all yet? Take care

[Fightinghard in reply to Hidden]

Why wait Whimpy?? Carpe Diem while you can.

[Hidden in reply to Fightinghard]

Financial woes halt the ship for travel now .😫

[depotdoug in reply to Hidden]

Well don’t fear ADT, Whimp-p. Never thought about that as a fear. Fear of failure yes. I’m trying forget whats next after ADT drops dead. Whoops i mean stops working.

[Boywonder56]

And if u dont exercise now.....start with a passion.....and make love with your sig. Other till you cant do it any more....and then do it some more cuz after 6mos adt it aint never gonna be like that....not being bummer dude....just the voice of the future on adt...good luck and all that comes with it....

[Hidden in reply to Boywonder56]

“ the voice of the future”” hahahacalling your name? Hilarious my friend . Thanks 😂😂😂😂✌️ It’s like the voice of Christmas past timmy , but in the future?? Haha 😆

[leo2634]

I've been on ADT for almost three years now, your quality of life will definitely take a major hit but that is the key word " LIFE" . I think the best way of looking at it is without it your chances are reduced significantly. The best advice is to stay active and stay positive Cancer hates that. Never give up Never surrender. Leo

[Hidden in reply to leo2634]

We played the game of “ life “ as kids ... I didn’t see any thing about being a Unich in there. ??? This wasn’t in the handout. So we adapt ...

[RonnyBaby]

Go to 'LifeonADT.com'

There you will have access to a great deal of important information about what to expect, how it might affect patients (SEs side effects) and much more - it is written by a Canadian, in what is considered a key resource, based on his research in the field. (Dr. Richard Wassersug refers)

I would highly recommend going to the site - there's also the book written specifically about ADT - A must READ - available through THAT same site.

That knowledge will make a big difference in how he understands and manages the treatment(s).

I have been fortunate enough to have spoken to him about ADT - one thing that he mentioned to me that was NOT emphasized enough in the book was the need for physical exercise. Exercise is one of the tools you use to help manage and / or avoid some of the SEs.

Wishing you the best on your journey ....

[j-o-h-n]

To properly answer your question tell us your bio please.

Age? Location? Treatment(s)? Treatment center(s)? Scores Psa/Gleason? Medications? Doctor's name(s)? Thank You!!!

All info is voluntary, but it helps us help you and helps us too. If you do respond copy and paste it in your home page for your use and for other members’ reference.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 10/20/2020 6:16 PM DST

[Arievelind]

Hellow im new member

[Hidden in reply to Arievelind]

Welcome!

[Moespy in reply to Arievelind]

Hi Arievelind, May I suggest you write a new post and introduce yourself with your history regarding PC and any meds you are currently taking. If you have any questions the introductory post would be a good place to ask. Welcome to the club nobody wants to be a member of! lol.

[Doseydoe]

Sharing from my experience in having been on double ADT, bicaltimide and lupron for 10 months, is how the fatigue slowly creeps in. It was masked firstly by the side effects from chemo and then radio. Now that all that is behind me, I find or imagine the ADT is like I'm buried in ice. When I wake up, have been on the couch or sitting for awhile, the weight of ADT makes it hard for me to move which encourages me to remain sedentary. But having the mental strength to break free and shake off the snow, quickly gives way to mobility and energy. When I finish my work or exercise, I feel really good as my blood has been pumping and my muscles have been stretched. However, when I relax, the crystals begin to form again and the cycle continues. This is my new normal. I have Stage 4 APCa and I am lucky to have caught it relatively early. ADT for me is a necessary evil while it continues to work. 😎DD.