T and PSA basically undetectable. Is adding testosterone or having a colonoscopy 3 years post treatment a good or bad idea for the elderly?

[VN6465]

Cancer in late 2019 was G9 with no indication of escaping the capsule. PSA was <10. Treatment initially casodex followed by one session high dose brachy, 25 sessions IMRT and 18 months Lupron. Currently PSA undetectable and T still <2.5. Pushing through a regular exercise routine but have no energy whatsoever. I have been bothered by constipation and bowel issues since treatment but docs have not recommended or urged a colonoscopy which I happily agreed with. However recently a young GI doc strongly recommended one and made a pretty good case for doing so. As to testosterone replacement, my uro has now reluctantly agreed to prescribe shots or jell to see if that might help with my energy level but plans to monitor every 6 months which I question as being enough. At 85 years I'm happy to be as active as I am but would certainly appreciate any thoughts, comments or experience any of our members might have regarding these issues.

[Tall_Allen]

Both sound good to me.

[maley2711]

Is it possible that it is not just low T, but maybe being 85 one's energy level may wane ??

[London441]

With a testosterone of less than 3? Even at 85 I doubt it. What is there to lose?

[KocoPr]

Since i had pelvic radiation in prostate bed after RP, i have opted not to have colonoscopy and the doctors ate ok with that. There is a stool test now instead of colonoscopy.cancer.gov/types/colorectal...

[dentaltwin]

USPSTF gives a "C" recommendation for colonoscopy for ages 76-85. But those are guidelines, and if your doctor has a reason to do it, then do it!

uspreventiveservicestaskfor...

[Ben2]

In 2014 at the age 74 I had radiation and 9 months Lupron for Gleason 8, PSA 10.3 . Two colonoscopies since were uneventful. I exercise 2,500 calories weekly, including HIIT and eat a near vegan diet but have noticed in the last few years fatigue as the day wears on. My testosterone in barely on the edge of normal, it gets monitored every 6 months. I suspect my fatigue may be due in part to a lack of stimulation as it doesn't seem to occur when I am busy. I would try testosterone if I test below normal.

[cpcohen]

>>> I have been bothered by constipation and bowel issues since treatment

>>>

FWIW --

I'm 77. I was bothered by constipation for about a year, at age 75.

I tried my grandfather's cure -- drinking a glass of prune juice every day, a few ounces with every meal.

. . . It worked.

I've kept it up for a few years, and I figure it's in my indefinite future. I've occasionally forgotten, and the constipation comes right back.

It won't cost you much to try it, and you'll know pretty fast if it's working or not. The "modern medicine" version would be to take Metamucil:

. . . Have you tried that ?

. Charles

PS -- I have nothing useful to offer about testosterone.

[VN6465 in reply to cpcohen]

Yes I did try prune juice or eating 5 prunes a day for quite some time. Resulting gas was too much for me to continue. Thanks for the reply.

[Alexandr1]

I had PC in 2019, followed by Tulsa Pro, successful so far though I remain on “surveillance. I also have taken testosterone as a gel for about fifteen years, with three separate urologist/cancer docs telling me that T supplements have no relationship to PC, contrary to what was accepted as a fact earlier. Google Dr. Morganthaler and Testosterone for summaries, or go into PubMed and search for Testosterone Supplementation and Prostate Cancer. Lots of relatively new studies are slowly changing what has been a consensus view. My advice is do the research, make your own decision (with your Doctor’s advice) and T for a guy your age might be as helpful as it is for me, at 71….