An Update on My Metastatic Cancer

[dac500]

Today, I had blood works and appointment with MO (nurse practitioner) three months after starting my second ADT break. I had the last 3 month shot of Eligard on March 2. My PSA was 0.116 on June 2 and today it was 0.104. All this time my Testosterone has been < 20. As long as my Testosterone remains at castrate level getting a shot or not makes no difference. For me, after six or nine months of ADT, Testosterone remains at castrate level for about six months after stopping ADT.

Since I am over 80, it takes long to recover Testosterone. So, my strategy is to stay on break until my PSA becomes detectable (say over 0.25 or so) and then start ADT. In my estimation, my break should end either in December or March next year.

[tango65]

I got a 3 moths shot of Lupron in 2016 and my PSA never recovered, it is still at castrate levels. There is not a real Lupron vacation if the testosterone stays below 50. It is known that leuprolide can put the testes to sleep forever or for a long time. The T recovery after stopping Lupron is different for each person. Follow the T monthly and see what happens.

[Tall_Allen]

Do you feel like you are getting a break with no T recovery?

[dac500 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Not really.

[fmenninger in reply to dac500]

You don’t feel better with higher levels of T? At castrate levels, it’s a challenge. Im doing a 150 mile roller blade run with castrate T which will be a challenge no doubt. With those levels I can also enter into female competition! Ha ha

[Tall_Allen]

Then why bother with a break?

[dac500 in reply to Tall_Allen]

When my Testosterone remains in castrate level, does it make any difference if I am on ADT or not?

[Tall_Allen in reply to dac500]

No. Your other option is to let your T return to normal level to give yourself a real break. Some guys do that.

[dac500 in reply to Tall_Allen]

During the last break my T was 147 after a nine month break but PSA quadrupled in three months.

[Tall_Allen in reply to dac500]

Yikes. If you can tolerate it, it might be better to take no breaks.

[j-o-h-n]

Over 80.....Congratulations..... next. try for over 90.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 09/04/2021 6:50 PM DST

[MateoBeach]

If you feel OK with castrate T and are able to maintain acceptable muscle mass and strength through you exercise etc., then your plan sounds fine. If the whole idea of intermittent ADT is to have some period of recovered testosterone, which does have benefits for the body as well as QOL, then that should be considered. Some men recover T production within a few months but many not until a year or perhaps ever. So to even the playing field for those who do not recover T production while on break, it is reasonable to consider physiologic (normal levels) of testosterone replacement during this time as long as normal monitoring of PSA and scans continue. You would have to argue this with many MOs who may not take this into consideration. My sarcopenia (body muscle wasting) and hypogonadal symptoms have improved wonderfully from just a few months of testosterone replacement this year. 💪👍😝