1 year into Zytiga and Predniose + Lupron (6 months). I am 20 pounds heavier than I was last year and feel it is unlikely to go away. Diet is good and stopped drinking as well. Still haven't lost an ounce, to the contrary.
Has anyone considered or used any GLP-1 weight loss drugs while battling the beast? Is it even safe? I'm not looking for another molecule swimming around in my bloodstream but if I could get this weight off I am certain it would help me feel better. I do go to the gym regularly, but fatigue is always an issue
Just a thought. Interested in everyone's opinions or experiences.
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My doctor put me on Ozempic because I couldn't get my A1c below 6.7 regardless of diet or how much I worked out. Successfully dropped A1c to 5.4 and also lost 28 pesky pounds
I have the same issue. I’ve had three years of ADT and put on about 18 pounds, which I am not happy about. However, I was quite slim to start with so I don’t qualify for Ozempic in the UK on the basis of my BMI. You should probably check with your Oncologist whether there is any issue taking it but I would expect not. Would be very interested in hearing how you get on.
I think we all gain weight initially, I went up a size, now I'm back down to were I was. You are a year in on this medication, you may still be adjusting to it. Gradually you will build back some stamina, but it takes a while, I could barely walk 20 meters initially, but I walk every day with my wife and dog and do other stuff.
You have to remember that this is the new you and you need to be patient with it. It's your choice if you want to put more drugs into your system.
The title you use is a good one, perhaps be a bit less taxing in the gym and a bit more walking and different exercise may help you. Incidently I didn't give up alcohol, there was enough to have to go without, when the new me arrived.
I’ve been taking Metformin for 10 years now per Snuffy Myers, Snuffy prescribed it to ward off metabolic syndrome and for its possible anti cancer properties. I’ve had normal BMI for years now despite being on Lupron, Xtandi and dutasteride - Snuffy’s triple therapy. I also exercise daily and eat a pretty healthy diet. Metformin is cheap, safe and been around for a long time. Snuffy has videos on YouTube discussing its use if you’re interested.
During the 18 months I was ion Lupron and the `12 months on Orgovyx, I gained 15+ pounds each time. I remained active, going to the gym 4-6 times a week, riding my bike other days, working in the yard,,,I'm not going to say I strictly watched my calories but I ate and drank moderately - fruits, vegetables, chicken,. salmon.
I lost the weight the first time, this time I've dropped about ten pounds.
Interesting question about the weight loss drugs. I have casually read about them so not sure about the mechanism though at a rudimentary level, I understand it can "suppress" one's appetite, making you feel "full" and pushing away from the table. They are not an "all you can eat" solution...
I guess the question is how does that interact with the "no testosterone," and its impact on our metabolism and our metabolism's role in the wight gain we experience?
Keep in mind I sucked at chemistry and biology in school, so a rudimentary knowledge and understanding. Perhaps consultations with the right medical specialists can inform a decision?
Others with better understanding hopefully chime in.
"... 1 year into Zytiga and Predniose + Lupron (6 months). I am 20 pounds heavier..."
I am 1 year into Zytiga + Predniose and Orgovyx. I gained 10 pounds but then worked it down with almost daily exercise, stopping alcohol, and reducing the prednisone from 10 mg to 5 mg. I do an hour on 10 Matrix weight machines at a club. I didn't mind the alcohol calories, but I think it caused irregular heat with the Zytiga. And the high dose of prednisone caused belly fat.
Boy that belly fat is really hard to get rid of. I am down to about 2 inches of it just above the belt line. That is down from 4 to 5 over the last year. Return of T and coming off ADT coupled with a more concentrated workout plan and better nutrition have helped the waist line too. My goal for 2025 is to get rid of that last 2 inches of fat. I just hate to see that little roll there.
Since coming off ADT and the return of my T level, I have lost no weight but have slimmed down and added visible muscle again. My energy level is back to normal also. Waiting for the brain to catch up with the physical changes. That maybe harder considering I will be 80 this year.
In 2015 I was put on 1,700mg/day Metformine and last year switched to ENZYMEDICABerberine Phytosome resulting in better numbers AND feeling better plus more energy.
ALSO, in 2015 I adhered to the U.S. Navy's 1960 K.I.S.S. idiom and simply had surgical castration instead of putting drugs into my body. This morning at 1:52AM for the 30th consecutive day of 2025 I was out this time on ROWDY my Red RANS Velocity Squared Recumbent bicycling 30.03 miles. Living in SW FL affords this 74yo Unique Eunuch great weather year round that is conducive to plenty of enjoyable exercise. Along with a good diet and enjoying the SHOULD NOT EAT OR DRINK items that are generally frowned upon I've managed to keep weight in check and the GL10 has not metastasized, but as I write I am harboring THREE GL3+3 cores in my remaining left half of prostate with a PSA = .02 so only time will tell.
I will be on the same medication going on 8 years in February I've gained 20 + pounds and it's still here but the extra weight is the least of the side effects for me your entire quality of life changes but the key word is life if I continue to live with this Monster I can live with the extra pounds. Never give up never surrender Leo
My Dr wants me to start on Zytiga and Prednisone. The pharmacist says I should only touch the pills when wearing gloves! The side effects she told me about have made me question if I should take Zytiga at age 92. Would appreciate hearing from you who are taking it as to your experience with side effects.
Without a profile identifying your status it’s hard to say…..for myself, I’d have to be doing rather poorly to add ADT at age 92……how is your general health?
I switched to a whole food plant based diet 7 months after starting Lupron. 5.5 years later, I'm down 50 pounds, eating more than ever. Metabolic readings all improved, some dramatically. I stopped meat, dairy, eggs, alcohol, processed/boxed products, soft drinks, artificial sweeteners.
20 lbs seems to be the magic weight gain number with adt….i too gained 20 lbs out of the gate and NOTHING takes it off……was thinking of GLP-1 drugs as well….lets see what our compatriots have to say.
It will help you lose the weight. My concern has been taking another medication that can cause muscle loss, as the GLP-1's will do. They can cause some nausea initially and a general malaise. Maunjaro is best for weight loss.
If you are going to go this route, I would suggest exercising with weights to help maintain your muscle mass. There have been other suggestions on this post which may also be helpful. Ultimately a decision you and your oncologist need to make. It will also require montly monitoring of liver function tests and lipase.
The degree of caloric restriction it takes to rein in the fat gain on ADT is daunting, as some of these replies can attest. I kept it at bay with dedicated exercise but not at a level or intensity that most would want to do.
I’m not proud of that; more so it’s that I was so uninspired by eating less that I just ignored it. Eventually I did get the carbs way down and that has been the equivalent of losing a dope habit for me. Liberating!
Those drugs work, but they also take muscle with it when they do. I can’t imagine taking them on ADT, but you can see there are some who love the results. I find strength hard enough to build and maintain as it is, but extra fat pounds really are the worst.
See what works for you. As I like to say, the best approach for you is the one you’ll do consistently.
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