Thanks all

reluctant_member
reluctant_member CSN Member Posts: 22
in Prostate Cancer #1

I want to thank those who tried to help me. I gave my best effort to try to deal with the side effects of treatment from this disease but learned today that ADT damaged my testicles and they are no longer working so I will never recover testosterone. I also learned ADT gave me osteoporosis and heart problems. This is not the kind of life I want to live.

To those who recovered or made peace with their situation, keep on pushing forward and best of luck to you. Ciao.

Comments

  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy CSN Member Posts: 1,316
    #2

    Hi,

    Sorry that you are living the effects of ADT. What is the status of your Prostate cancer, remission, active, stable? Don’t give up yet, your osteoporosis and heart problems are treatable I hope.

    Dave 3+4

  • centralPA
    centralPA CSN Member Posts: 411
    #3

    My brother in law is in his late 50s, hasn't produced a drop of testosterone since his early 30s as a byproduct of abusing performance enhancing drugs from his teens (bodybuilder). He's been getting testosterone shots since.

    There is a solution, shipmate. Get the shots and live your remaining years like a raging lion.

  • Josephg
    Josephg CSN Member Posts: 510
    edited March 21 #4
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/329103/thanks-all

    I am also sorry that you find yourself in this situation. Every PCa survivor needs to make their own decisions regarding treatment therapies, and when to start or stop those treatments. I'm even more sorry that you appear not to have strong enough reasons in your current life to continue to fight; reasons like family, friends, children, grandchildren, etc. But, I respect your opinion and decision regarding your next steps in life.

    BUT, I do want to let you know that you are not alone in experiencing radical and potentially debilitating after effects of PCa treatments. I currently have total incontinence (artificial sphincter implant), permanent loss of most of my Testosterone production capability, complete ED, osteopenia, gynecomastia (man boobs), Hyperhidrosis (continued hot flashes long after stopping ADT), and I just had a cardio ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, all caused by PCa treatments. BUT, even with all of these permanent after effects, I still find many, many reasons to live on and enjoy life, and to continue the fight against PCa to the very end.

  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy CSN Member Posts: 1,316
    #5

    Hi,

    Yeah I think 99% of us are walking wounded with low T, urine leakage, ED, mood swings, ect. Pick the side effect, we all have at least one or many. Just like Josephg said learn to live with it and keep on keepin on. If your doctor Oks it, a Tboost drug might not be a bad idea. Just keep an eye on Your PSA.

    Dave 3+4

  • liver_puncher
    liver_puncher Member Posts: 3
    #6

    You have my condolences as well. I had robotic prostatectomy 11/2015. PSA was <.1 for almost 5 years, then increased to <.2

    This resulted in 35 external beam radiation treatments and one year of ADT (Lupron) in 2020. My T got as low as 9, but eventually increased to the 400s. In spite of that I remain anemic and routinely exhausted with the slightest exertion. Also completely incontinent . I’m 72.



  • Steve1961
    Steve1961 CSN Member Posts: 686
    #7
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1721819#Comment_1721819

    true but some side affects are extremely bad …

  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy CSN Member Posts: 1,316
    #8

    Yes you are exactly right, mild to severe.

    Dave 3+4

  • reluctant_member
    reluctant_member CSN Member Posts: 22
    #9
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1721811#Comment_1721811
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/329103/thanks-all

    7 months after stopping Orgovyx and my testosterone has gone from 7 to ~55. Most guys in my support group had a quick (3-4 month) rebound but my doctor said I likely have “testicular failure” meaning I won’t recover. I was never even TOLD upfront that this possible. The shape and size of my penis is permanently changed. It’s a lot narrower and almost 2 inches shorter. I also lost all body hair and the nice muscles I’d spent years in the gym building are gone. I see no value in my life at all—transgender women are more masculine than me. Doctors should be required to tell us upfront that they want to castrate us so we can at least make an informed decision. I’m ashamed to even leave the house.

  • reluctant_member
    reluctant_member CSN Member Posts: 22
    #10

    Asked the doctor who said absolutely not. Went to a second doctor who said wait two years. Y then my d*Ck will be dead from lack of use.

  • reluctant_member
    reluctant_member CSN Member Posts: 22
    #11

    Sorry to hear that. I would think that with your T returning your energy would too and your mood would improve.

  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy CSN Member Posts: 1,316
    #12

    Hi,

    You should go volunteer at a veterans hospital doing something. You will certainly realize that your life is not as bad as you thought vs what you have seen at the VA hospital. I personally would rather be alive with no sex function than living with a disease like prostate cancer that I was afraid to treat because of potential side effects. By alive I mean doing what I want, going where I want even with the side effects of having my Prostate removed. Cope, don’t cave.

    Dave 3+4

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