I recently read that approximately 1/3 of men on ADT suffer from moderate to severe depression. I was one of the unlucky ones and from my ninth month on ADT, life became very difficult.
Based on suggestions from a family member who was prescribed Wellbutrin, I asked for a prescription from my PCP. It’s been a total game changer. Not only do I not suffer from depression anymore, I’m more focused. I’m getting a lot more done and enjoying life again.
By no means should anyone consider this medical advice. I’m only sharing what I experienced and I hope that it may help someone else who reads this post.
Written by
GuitarMaker1978
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Yes, depression goes with having Cancer. You just have to sit back and embrace the fact that it could always be worse. Just read some of the guys journeys on this platform. Some of these guys are the toughest human beings on the planet.
Great for you! Depression is under discussed imho. Docs should be more upfront about it like my MO. He gave me a psychologist referral in my 1st meeting.
Wow that’s wonderful! Northwestern Medicine, where I’m a patient has a great program called Living Well with free services for all cancer patients, including sessions with psychologist, trained, and dealing with cancer patients. That got me through a lot of of it, but eventually as a result of super low testosterone, talking about it was no longer enough.
Thank you for your post. If I can ever offer any support to you or answer any questions based on my experience, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
I recently googled wellbutrin & one of the side effects was seeing & hearing things that arnt there, I really dont need that I thought.
Look at the mushroom options, lions mane works for me,increases mental activity. Also Turkey Tail,Reishi & Chaga I have not tried yet. Supposed to enhance the Penal gland in brain ?
The only side effect I had was a mild headache for the first couple days.
If you develop depression and wish to self medicate with mushrooms go for it. I’m going to stick to Wellbutrin because it works for me and turned my life around.
That's interesting. How does Wellbutrin benefit you? Do you still have to take a Lupron shot? I'm curious because the abiraterone and Prednisone took a toll on me mentally and physically. About 16 months of it. I had to take a break from it. My PSA went up to 2.5 during my 4 month break. The jump was from 0.3 to 2.5 in a months time. Though 2.5; is within normal range and my oncologist thinks it's time for a Lupron injection. So the Wellbutrin has me curious to indeed.
Wellbutrin can effectively treat depression and improve life for many, as can other modern antidepressants. But it does not treat cancer so you still need to continue your hormonal treatments including Lupron etc. as long as they otherwise are indicated
I’m not on Lupron. There was enough anecdotal evidence that Orgovyx was a better choice for me. Abiraterone and prednisone are a bitch. I’m 9 months into an 18 month “sentence” and hope I can survive the side effects.
That's interesting. I'm going to discuss alternatives to Lupron with onco. I'm about to go back on ADT after a 4 month vacation from meds. I have a bad gut feeling getting back on it cause I do feel really good now . The Lupron injection is dued Wednesday. The side effects are brutal. I'm thinking about asking for a 1 month injection if available. Good luck with your ADT . I'll be praying for you that everything goes right with you.
Thank you. I agree that the side effects can be brutal and given your situation I think that asking for a one month shot is more than reasonable. Here is the information on ORGOVYX. The nice thing about it compared is if you’re feeling very ill, you can discontinue it for a week under your doctors supervision ,while with LUPRON you’re stuck for the duration.
don’t hesitate to reach out to me if I can ever be of help to you. We’re all brothers in this darn disease.
Thank you so much for teaching out to me and giving me good information. I'm scheduled to call Orgovyx today to get all the details on it and how I can get it. I don't like the option of being stuck with a 6 month Lupron injection. So alternative to it are welcoming. I read so much about new treatments especially on the radiation side . There is so much going out there as far as research and yet so little at the same time.
I’ve been micro dosing psilocybin since shortly after diagnosis 15 months ago, and it’s been brilliant. It is increasingly well understood as providing relief from depression, and I also find it helps with energy levels and libido (which remains , just a bit, despite 0.9 testosterone).
A friend buys magic mushrooms, grinds them in a coffee blender and mixes them into chocolate for me so I have chocolate drops.
I take one every third morning with coffee and feel a wave of warmth and mellowness that lasts an hour or two. I don’t take them more often because your body gets inured so they cease to be effective when you take them more often.
Could not recommend them more for general well being.
Good luck - the mental battles are just as hard as the physical ones, and mood / QoL often don’t seem to feature highly on the oncs priority lists.
I have been taking Wellbutrin for years, since having my pca . No side effects. Works ok but nothing will eliminate the existential dread of advanced Pca.
Good for you. I started wellbutrin before cancer, stopped during cancer, found it had had no effect on me. Do what works for you and don't be afraid to try something new.
I’m sorry that Wellbutrin didn’t work for you. Depression can be challenging to treat. I previously tried Lexapro and the side effects were oppressive.
Perhaps naively (or stupidly), I did not ask many questions about the SE of ADT. I was so overwhelmed by the entire treatment experience, I think I assumed that I'd weather everything well. And, my docs were never ones to offer much support and information about what to expect. They'd answer questions but offer little. ADT hit me like a ton of bricks or a kick in the balls, to be more precise. I had most of the SEs that I read about. One of the most devastating was depression. Despair. Darkness. Emptiness. Crying spells for no apparent reason. Bone crushing fatigue (yes, I exercised my ass off 6 days a wk; had a trainer, improved diet...blah, blah, blah). Thought of ending it all many times. Uro was aware of my darkness. Offered: "6 mos after your last injection, once your T begins to return, you'll start of feel better." I accepted that horse shit instead of demanding help. So, I am so glad that you found something that works for you and has helped you deal with a truly suffocating aspect of PCa treatments.
Thanks for sharing your story. You articulated most of what I’ve been through and I’m sorry that we’ve gone through the same thing. Prior to Wellbutrin Ive lain face down on the floor overwhelmed with pain and fatigue and have needed help getting up from my 5 foot tall wife. One year prior I was in athletic shape for my age.
There is considerable anecdotal evidence that the SE from Orgovyx are somewhat less detrimental than Lupron or similar injections so that’s what I’m on. The Zytiga however kicks my ass every day.
Hope your journey becomes less arduous. Hang in there. We’re brothers in this stupid disease.
Congratulations! I wonder how many men with Pca think of it as a sign of weakness to take antidepressants of any kind. I had never had any such ‘issues’ and was resistant myself until I realized it was worth a try. Classic game changer indeed.
I’ve been a pro player and teacher for many years. I hope if you are a luthier that you still enjoy it as much as ever. Certainly I have the same passion for playing after 60 years of it.
I've been taking Wellbutrin for about 25 years - it was commonly prescribed to help people stop smoking. It's pretty effective for that, and it also took care of a recurrent depression I experienced for several decades. No side effects I can tell (except that extra head on my shoulder.. kidding). Some Medcare part D drug plans consider it generic, some move it up a tier - but even then it's only a few $$/month.. well worth it.
No doubt depression is there for men with ADT I admit it kicked my ass first long go around with the Lupron shot , abiraterone and Prednisone. Plus I had chemo at the time to. I just cried at times . It got that bad. The 4 month break I took from ADT helped my body and mind out tremendously. I feel normal again. Times up and looking into alternatives to Lupron like Orgovyx which Im excited to try cause I won't be stuck like I would be to getting Lupron injection. Until that goes the approval hoops I'm hoping just a months worth of Lupron will get me by. It sucks y'all but that's all we have for now. Need more research that fundable. Need more oncologist realizing the downside of ADT. Eyes and mind need to be wide open ..the big brass in DC needs to wake up out of their rich shells. Education needs to be boosted for future generations to focus on how not to get PC . This is our journey and I'm glad I don't feel alone as I used to feel. This site is a treasure of good people surviving and fighting the fight and helping each other with positive thoughts.
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