Breathing problem.

[Poollover]

Even though 6 months ago I was told I was stage 4 and Gleason 9 the use of Orgovyx and Zytiga have brought my PSA from 72 to 0.4, and my numerous cancer hot spots appear under control. My PSA continues to go down and I'm without pain. However, I find myself breathing very hard just climbing a flight of stairs. This has me worried. Is this caused by the drugs I'm on, or my age? In a little over 4 months, I turn 87. Poollover

[AlwaysHoping77]

Hi Poollover. Good to see you've got the cancer under control!! My husband was on a different medication (Keytruda) but ended up with shortness of breath, pneumitis, as a side effect. Do you have an oximeter? You can get one at the drug store and keep an eye on your oxygen levels. My husband's levels were in the 80s for a little while, so they put him on steroids and on supplemental oxygen. Things are improving and seem to be consistently back in the 90s now, so hope to wean him off the steroids and oxygen soon. Definitely worth talking to your doctor about everything and keeping an eye on your levels!

[Poollover in reply to AlwaysHoping77]

Actually, I have two meters and my o2 is so far good. Thanks.

[DAR1890]

how is your blood count? What is your hemoglobin? Could you possibly be anemic? If so, that may be the cause of your shortness of breath.

[Poollover in reply to DAR1890]

I am slightly anemic. Sometimes I think that it's not the drugs, rather my age.

[treedown in reply to Poollover]

Mild anemia is a common side effect of ADT.

[Hidden]

1) You said Zytigia, is that in addition to prednisone or dexamethasone?

2) these hormone meds have side effects. Perhaps get an appointment with a heart dr. You may have some other thing going on that is being exacerbated by the hormone meds.

[London441]

What is your overall fitness? Resting pulse rate? VO2 max?

[Poollover in reply to London441]

Thanks. For my age my fitness is very good. I was a professional athlete many, many years ago. I never had my VO2 tested. You're right I should. My resting pulse is 50, sometimes lower.

[London441 in reply to Poollover]

Yes if you can get your VO2 max tested.

The drugs are tough for sure, I’m never surprised at any adverse effects from ADT.

Blood pressure? The abiraterone (Zytiga) can wreak havoc on it, as you probably know.

[binati]

Partly age and partly ADT plus Zytiga. It brings your testosterone to very low levels. This causes loss of muscle mass which makes physical activity more exhausting and hence your harder breathing. Before ADT I used to climb 5 flights of stairs without breathing hard. Now 4 years later I can just about make it with a few stops and being out of breath.

[Poollover in reply to binati]

Thanks. I know that but hoped for another explanation and potential fix.

[Nfler in reply to Poollover]

Def the ADT a big part of it

[j-o-h-n]

I'm 87 and I huff and puff when climbing stairs....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[anonymoose2 in reply to j-o-h-n]

John time to get off the glue and cigarettes.

At least when you climb stairs. 🤭

[j-o-h-n in reply to anonymoose2]

Good advice.......I'm replacing my staircases with escalators...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[Mascouche]

In case it helps, here is something I went through in the fall of 2020.

I had breathing issues when I was on Casodex (Bicalumide).

Initially with a dose of 25mg I was fine.

But weight loss and breathing issues began when we raised the drug to 50mg and I thought I was on my last mile when we raised the drug to 100mg.

My oncologist at the time was certain that my symptoms were due to the cancer having become more aggressive and did not blame the Casodex because he said that was not a listed side-effect of that drug.

I told him I was stopping that drug nevertheless and within a week by breathing was back to normal and I started to put weight back on.

So I know it was a reaction to the drug and nothing to do with the cancer having become more aggressive and then suddenly milder with the drug stopped.

Not everyone reacts the same ways to drugs. Had I not stuck to my guns, I am not sure I'd be alive today.

[Wolfee53]

I was on Zytiga for two years, I was diagnosed with a brain bleed at the two yearanniversary date. I took a vacation from Zytiga , this was February 2023. That summer I definitely began having shortness of breath on high humidity days walking the dog. It improved in the fall with the cooler Temps, but still not at pre Zytiga levels. PCP prescribed Advair inhaler and 5mg of prednisone. Improved symptoms but still not at pre Zytiga levels. Waiting to see how I do with hot humid weather this summer.

[Professorgary]

Are you on Xgeva for bone mineral density?

[Poollover in reply to Professorgary]

My bone density is okay, but probably will have to deal with that eventually.