Farewell Old Friend

[marnieg46]

He was a fit 50-year-old surfer when he received a shock diagnosis – advanced prostate cancer. However, nothing could prepare Tim Baker, award-winning surf writer and author for the drastic, emasculating side effects of the treatment he received.

This frank article published in The Weekend Australian Magazine is a profoundly personal account that delves into the real, dramatic and lifechanging impact of the effects of ADT on his life.   

An article that once again raises the million-dollar question that continues to be asked over and over…why so often people have to discover years later… that some side effects of ADT can be minimised with early intervention.   

Tim writes “When I finally make an appointment with a men’s sexual health specialist…it is four years since my diagnosis and my libido and sexual function are essentially non-existent.  I am shocked to discover that something as simple as Viagra may have allowed me to maintain sexual function from the outset.  Why wasn’t I told.” 

 In my opinion, it would be something of an injustice, for me at least, to try to capture the core essence of Tim’s experience in a few simple paragraphs.   This is definitely an article better read in its entirety and shared with relevant others - especially those recently diagnosed.   

prost.com.au/wp-content/upl...  

[Jancapper]

For me, I didn’t need to seek the assistance of a sexual therapist. I was fortunate that my MO was up-to-date with current therapies. He immediately placed me on three months of neo-adjuvant ADT and one 20 mg tablet of Viagra night, just before bedtime. He explained that this simple precaution has been demonstrated safe and effective as a tool to help restore sexual function after my two years of ADT and HDBT + EBRT have been completed. Right now, my initial 3 months of ADT is coming to an end and HDBT is next week. My testosterone dropped to 14 and my PSA is 0.94. My penis still works just fine but little to no ejaculate.

[Scout4answers in reply to Jancapper]

My penis still works just fine but little to no ejaculate.

14 months into ADT, my experience is the same . I take Cialis 20mg 3-4 times a week and exercise 6 days a week ( see profile for details)

No penile shrinkage what so ever .

No flashes or any of the other side effects.

I have started to play tennis again and my life is pretty normal compared to pre diagnosis.

Energy level is HIGH... for a 75 year old, feel more like 17

T has been less than 7 for over a year.

[maley2711 in reply to Scout4answers]

Congrats....from what I read, you are the exception to the rule...credit to anything in particular??? avoiding all the VERY common SEs...wow !!!

[Scout4answers in reply to maley2711]

I give credit to exercise, I started lifting weights before my first Lupron shot. I think others would have a similar experience if given the same advice I got here... Exercise, exercise, exercise. I don't think I am the exception, others on here have had a similar experience the common denominator is exercise, active lifestyle and being loved by a good woman.

[maley2711 in reply to Scout4answers]

I know you are a researcher. Were you able to find definitive studies on the benefits of types of and intensity of different exercises?