ADT questions

[SherpaT]

I received 3 month Eligard shot April 11, pre 28 IMRT, completed May 31. Second 3 month scheduled On July 16. I have some daytime urgency after radiation and pee 3-5 times per night. On 2 tamsulosin. I have had no other symptoms, no hot flashes and no fatigue since radiation. This morning I woke with an erection. I am concerned that the ADT is working properly. I am away from home on an extended trip. Asked my RO by phone and he just said “everyone’s different” and said to stick with upcoming shot (would be last planned) . Any insights appreciated. First PSA not scheduled until October.

[Murk]

Assuming you had a previous Testosterone blood test as a baseline, I would ask for a lab order for a another test now to see if it has dropped. I didn't have Eligard shots but all the ADT types do take a little time and they do vary per individual.

I remember my Doc also telling me that I would be completely turned off with the thought of having Sex. When I said it was deterred but I was still active, he said Congrats, you are one of the 10% of those on ADT (Orgovyx) that remained sexually active.

My Testosterone went from 600 to 10 LOL during my ADT treatment.

So you could be absolutely fine and the ADT is working. The goal here is to get your Testosterone way down to starve the PCa.

[Tall_Allen]

It is very rare that Eligard doesn't lower testosterone. Castration-level testosterone does not mean that you can't get an erection, but it usually means that your libido is so low that you have no sexual desire.

[Cletom]

We can all hope!!! Thank you.

[Jaffa_2001]

We do all react differently to treatment, I have just finished 6 months of ADT on Lupron. I am one month into the holiday and my side effects now are more intense than at any time during the full on treatment.

I had two 3 month injections and after the first one had a relatively easy time and like you did wonder if it was working as effectively as it should be. But then a week after my second 3 month injection it all started to hit hard.

I was having only the occasional daytime hot flush, but my body ached and my energy levels become a lot lower as the second dose of ADT really kicked in. At night it became intense with hot flushes, restless legs, vivid dreams, and interrupted sleep.

These symptoms are still continuing some 5 weeks after the supposed end of ADT.

So my conclusion is that for me there is some time lag in how quickly my body has reacted to the treatment.

As for erections well I can still get them, but I have absolutely no desire for sex, which was not true for the first 5 months of ADT....

My PSA has dropped by 97% so it has worked.

Stay the course and try not to worry, and you may be like me be slowly reacting to treatment.

Regards - Brian

[LongevityAT]

My first injection was Eligard as well, but due to my Urologist's office improperly injecting the drug, it did not work and there was no affect on my T. After 2 months, my T had gone from 450 to 445, a natural shift. I spoke to the drug manufacturer and the chance the drug was injected correctly, but just didn't work on me, was incredibly low. Switched to monthly Firmagon for 6 months and it worked immediately.

[SherpaT]

So, once again, basically, who knows? Guess I'll take the shot, since it's "recommended" by my RO and live with the results as I don't want to take a chance on having to do ADT long term. Can't really get my T checked before next shot as I'm away and I do have lower libido, so just thinking now with your multiple inputs that its working ok, just waiting to hit me later. As always, I am thankful for responses here.