Newly diagnosed. My doctor is recommending SBRT plus 4-6 months of ADT. The ADT scares me. Interested in hearing others' experience.

[PingPongGuy]

How was short term ADT for you?

[Tall_Allen]

Do you have any other risk factors other than GS4+3? What is your PSA and stage?

[PingPongGuy in reply to Tall_Allen]

PSA is 5.7, stage is T1c, N0 M0. No other risk factors that I know of (adopted, so I don't know family history).

[Tall_Allen in reply to PingPongGuy]

There is no evidence that ADT helps with SBRT for unfavorable intermediate risk. It's really your call - some guys want the extra insurance, many don't.

[PingPongGuy in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks for that.

[EdinBmore in reply to PingPongGuy]

Agree with Tall_Allen. You'll read different reactions to ADT - from "what's the big deal?" to "OMFG, what hit me?" I had 25 IMRT+brachy+ ADT for 9 mos. HORRIBLE experience re ADT. So, if you have the option, I know what I'd do. NO.

[cdcfbw in reply to EdinBmore]

Amen to that!!

[bcskibdy]

Short version--Jan 2021--ADT (Eligard subcutaneous) for 6 mo (3 mo x2). PSA went down. After stopping at 6 mo, PSA up again very fast. Back on ADT in Dec. Next PSA in March. I have had no adverse events from the ADT.

The story--

I had RP by DaVinci 11/08; PSA was <.1 , but never .0; PSA up to >7.0 in 2018. Pet scan showed localized cancer so had Stereotactic Radiosurgery 6/18. Nov/21 PSA was up again. 2nd PET scan looked the same as 2018, so had 2nd Stereotactic Radiosurgery with 6 mo ADT.

PSA stayed down .01 until 3 mo after end of ADT.

Back on ADT Jan 2022. 3rd PET 2/2022 showed much the same except slight reactivity in 2 lymph nodes. --Not happy-- We are continuing with the ADT. PSA has always been low for me, but the doubling rate is high. 4x in 3 mos. Last one before restarting ADT was .30 . Next PSA since restarting ADT in Mar 2022.

I'm lucky in that ADT has been 0 problem for me. I tend to get tired more quickly and 0 libido, though I am able to masturbate the same as before--used to be 5+ / week. Now I just don't think of it.

I expect I'll be on ADT for the duration at this point. Don't know what the next step will be if the PSA doesn't go back down after this 3 mo round of ADT (Eligard, Lupron). I've made extensive travel plans and I'm keeping with it. I'm 79, single, physically active and I'm not going to hang around to see what happens. I plan to get a 2nd 3 month ADT tx in March, a 6 or 12 mo tx in September and then I'm on the road. My insurance covers some out of country situations and I've got cremation insurance that takes care of things no matter where I am.

Anybody want to explore Australia?

Thanks,

bill

[PingPongGuy in reply to bcskibdy]

Thanks for the info, Bill. I'm a week into my monthly ADT (Firmagon, a most unfortunate name). I had a reaction at the injection sites (the loading dose is two injections) - red skin, soreness that is starting to subside. I'm in a couple and have had sex twice since, waiting for those side effects to kick in, hope they don't. May have had a hot flash or two in the past 24 hours, but brief and not terrible. Australia is a fun place to visit.

[chrisNYC]

PPG - rage against the darkness!!good luck