Decision time on Surgery & Radiation, all test done

Old Salt

Thanks for the update. Glad to read that the therapy hasn't affected you that much. Also interesting to read that a 'second shot' of radiation is not out of the question, if necessary.

lasermarketing

Well a little update, I am now in month 7 on Hormone Therapy. Post 2 months of radiation and had Bone Scans, CT and MRI this week at UT Southwestern Dallas. Have not spoken to the docs, but all the findings look negative. Even my prostate and one pelvic lymph node (from first MRI did not have anything show up this time I guess that is all good news, or pretty standard after radiation.

Outside of some very mild heat flashes occasionally still have no serious side effects. Just feel a little ditzy most days and water eyes (not crying). Normally I am in the Gym, but have had some issues since March. I had covid, then was hospitalized for 5 days with MRSA, then had radiation for 2.5 weeks. Missed a month in the gym. When I returned, I pulled my elbow on my very first barbell 2+ months later, it still hurts. I am not forcing myself back in the gym, with 25-50% less weight on each exercise. Also last month, I was back to rollerblading. It's always a good exercise to burn calories, and get the heart going. I will be on both next week, getting in shape for some concerts I have in July…

Anyway, can not explain why I don't have all the fatigue… I know the gym helped, but I missed 2 months and still feel fine… One thing I have kept up since I was first on treatments in November, is my massage chair. I am usually on it 45-60 minutes a day, 7 days a week. I have a high end 3D Infinity Massage Chair. I wonder if that helps combat some of these fatigue issues.. Keeping the blood circulation going to my limbs, etc..

Anyways, Hope everybody is doing well, and we all get healed one day….

lasermarketing

Wow, did not realize it has been 17 months or so, since my last update.

I am going into month 23 on ADT (Zytgia, Lupron & Prednisone). Just to recap, I now 58, Stage 4A, original PSA about 6, about 80% of my prostate was active and I had MRI Guided Radiation and 2 years of ADT.

I know I am in the few, but it is possible to do 2 years of ADT with literally no side effects. I have never had a hot flash, at least one strong enough to notice, and I stay pretty healthy and the crazy part, My hair is as healthy as ever on my head. The prolonged no testosterone, actually blocked off DHT and my kind of hair baldness reversed. Not totally, my hair is very thick now and even my stylist in the last few months, is like, something is going on, on top of your head….

Anyway, I come off everything in Mid Novemeber…. I was scared shitless going into these 2 years, but It was pretty easy for me.. Now I do have side effects, I am very emotional, very goofy and I started crying after about 14-16 months of ADT. It has also removed any fears in life, I can walk into a stadium and give a speech in front of 10000 people and love every moment of it. I have zero fear and I used to the be the opposite..

Now the game is on, when ADT ends. I will now be a sitting duck for the first time and will see how long until my PSA returns.

Here is my full specs, just trying to give some positive input on life with long term ADT

Robin

Robin | Age 58 | Dallas, TX

• Diagnosed Oct 2023 at PSA 5.0
• Stage IVa, Gleason 7 (4+3), ~80% involvement on biopsy
• PSMA PET: prostate + single pelvic lymph node (no distant mets)
• Treatment: IMRT radiation to prostate + pelvic bed (mid-2024)
• ADT therapy: Lupron + Abiraterone + Prednisone since Jan 2024
• Status: 20 months into ADT, 16 months post-radiation, PSA = 0, still castrate level T
• Side effects: Minimal (mild emotional lability, hair/body changes)
• Plan: Scheduled to complete 24 months ADT in Nov 2025

Josephg

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724658#Comment_1724658

Great to read about your success. I too, went through the 2 year ADT cocktail that you are now nearing the end of, and in fact, our PCa journeys are quite similar in various ways, though my PCa journey started over 13 years ago.

Great, but unusual that you had minimal adverse effects from the ADT, and like you, my hair actually increased in thickness on my head and face while on ADT. Maybe, they will find something unique about your body chemistry that pushes back against the adverse effects of ADT.

I am approaching the end of the 3rd year since I ended my 2 year ADT protocol, and as of 2 weeks ago in my most recent PSA test, I am still in remission. I will state, however, that my Testosterone has risen to only 34, and my Oncologist believes that it will never rise any higher, and thus, is a permanent adverse side effect. So, I will experience the ADT effects for the rest of my life. Fortunately, after 6 years of the adverse side effects, and meds to keep the adverse side effects within reason, they no longer negatively impact my psyche.

Again, great news for you, and I wish you the best of outcomes on your PCa journey.

lasermarketing

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724659#Comment_1724659

Thanks, I did read about the return of Testosterone and age is a factor too. For sure, I may never get back to normal, but perhaps in the 100-300 range. Will see.. Thanks, and good luck on your journey….