Hi, what are folks experience with ADT (zoladex)? I had RT, 20 sessions, and 7 months ADT, last implant at end of Feb 2020. So ADT treatment completely used by my body by the end of May 2020. Currently my libido is still very low and still unable to get an erection. This is 14 weeks after May 2020. Is this to be expected? Is it likely to improve?
Regards,
Will
What is your testosterone level? It can take a year for your testicles to wake up.
I expect they are pretty low. I have a consultation with my oncologist in October will ask her to check what my T level is. Should it be recovering after 14 weeks?
As I said, it can take a year.
Thanks for your input👍👍
It CAN take a year, but: 35% of men recover their T in 12 weeks, 85% at 18 weeks, and 89% at 24 weeks. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....
Hang on a bit longer and see what happens.
Unfortunately, the cessation of the SEs doesn't coincide exactly with the recovery of T, but I predict you'll be in much better shape a month or two from now.
Get your T checked to make sure it is returning naturally; in some cases (~10%) it doesn't,
Thanks, for the information. Hopefully my T will start increasing soon. You don't know what you have got until you miss 
Yes, for sure. I was completely unprepared. The guy who put me on ADT was actually the surgeon who repaired my botched RP, and he didn't mention a word about the SEs. I had a G4+5=9, positive margins, ECE, and needed to wait 8 months before salvage radiation could start. He INSISTED on ADT, and I complied, not having the slightest clue of the suffering it would produce.
Having said that, I might be six feet underground now if had refused it.
Again, I'm fairly confident that you'll start to feel better soon. Get your T checked every couple of months to ensure it's recovering.
Hi H, I like you was completely unprepared, not so much of the SE while actually undergoing ADT, but for them continuing so long after I assumed ADT was finished .
But its great being able to discuss things with you guys and get such well informed information back.
Thanks,
Will.
Yes. About 4 mos after it was over I woke up one morning feeling MUCH better, but I was still having hot flashes until about 12 - 13 out.
I told the guy when I quit, "Nobody told me that this would be tantamount to torture. That's information I could have used. Please don't even try to find words to convince me to continue, because they do not exist."
Yeah my hot sweats were horrendous, months after ADT was suppose to be complete, suppose the weather was also a lot warmer too, but for months, and still on going now, I just use to flush up and was dripping wet in minutes
But 5 months on they do seem to be easing. I have full sympathy with my wife now...
Yes, they go away. I was still having slight ones 12 -13 months out, but they stopped being being bothersome after about 8 mos.
Will
If you were receiving 3mo treatments, don’t expect the drug to be out of your system in 3 mo’s. My last 3mo Eligard left me full blown ADT for about 10 months with my T slightly showing up (@100) about 12mo out. I think Eligards’ spec’s say 50 is chemical castration! Based on my story, its about then is where you start to recover. Hang in there!!! In the meantime, If you can get your hands on some low dose Viagra (20mg) to take at night (nocturnal erections are very beneficial keeping blood flow going to prevent atrophy) , could help getting back to normal.
Jc
Thanks Jimhoy, some really good information, its just that I had misconceptions of ADT, I didn't expect the side effects to last so long after the last 3 monthly implant, I sort of assumed that at the end of the 3 months things would start to improve
Just a thought that with your only 7 mo’s on ADT, maybe your body didn’t get as saturated with the drug as if you were on 18-24 mo’s?!! Everyone reacts differently to ADT so, keep up the hope!
I pray for your speedy rebound and a subsequent clean bill of health!! One thing you can look forward to is a new appreciation for everything you once took for granted!!
Jc
HI JC, indeed, those words are so true. Suppose we all take things for granted until they are under threat. I have always been reluctant to take any kind of medication, not to happy about taking anything when I am feeling ill, apart from a nip of Whiskey and warm honey.
But wow, do ADT drugs pack a kick. You guys have experienced the affect they have, have you tried explaining how you feel to someone who has never taken them? They just look at you with blank faces and have no comprehension of what you are talking about.
Regards,
Will.
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