Body Changes

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Submariner682
Submariner682 Member Posts: 47
in Prostate Cancer #1

Hmm. Well. Few years ago I would have been embarrassed to even mention this

But, I got to know 😳

The hormone shot effect on my body. I’ve lost muscle mass (10-20%), My joints hurt a lot at times, I get dizzy spells, and …

When I look down I’m like WTH. Losing hair down there and gaining what? fatty tissue above my main man. Looks odd. Like something familiar if I tucked in 😳🀣😳

This normal????

Get my follow up CT scan July 10. Wish me luck my fellow travelers 🚜😎🚜

As always. Have a GREAT week πŸ„πŸΌβ€β™‚οΈπŸŠπŸΌβ€β™‚οΈπŸ‹πŸΌβ€β™€οΈ

Comments

  • Oldernow
    Oldernow CSN Member Posts: 61 Member
    #2

    Sadly - yes "normal"

    Been there and experienced the same issues and more.

    Two years past my first 6 month Lupron shot and 28 radiation visits. I was scheduled for three of the 6 month Lupron shots but refused the third due to the extreme side effects. Had the second (and last) Lupron shot in Oct of 2023. I am slowly recovering testosterone but still having major joint issues. Have had physical therapy for bad knees 3 different times with varying success. Still fighting belly fat but I'm finally getting my "shrunk junk" back to normal.

    IMHO - Lupron is poison. My PSA is still undetectable at <.03 and I am thankful for that. Not sure how much the Lupron affected the PSA. I am sure that I had absolutely no issues with my body before the Lupron but have had much disruption to my quality of life since those injections.

    Good luck on your journey.

  • On_A_Journey
    On_A_Journey CSN Member Posts: 161 Member
    edited June 8 #3

    @Submariner682, sorry to hear that you were not prepared for the well-known bodily change side effects as well as the more infamous ones.

    Driving your testosterone down generally results in de-masculinization, not feminization, but it is the commensurate loss of estrogen (aromatized, or converted from a portion of your testosterone) that results in all the bone and joint issues, as well as those pesky hot flashes. You might find the following article helpful. Table 1 shows which hormone, or rather the lack of it, is responsible for each side effect:

    Loss of Estradiol by Androgen Deprivation in Prostate Cancer Patients Shows the Importance of Estrogens in Males | Journal of the Endocrine Society | Oxford Academic

    Yours and @Oldernow joint pain issues, as well as the long-term risk of osteoporosis, and hot flashes/weight gain/mood and cognitive issues etc. could all be resolved if your doctor was willing to prescribe some sort of estrogen supplement such as estradiol patches. But I suspect that you might be uncomfortable with any potential body feminization as a result. Personally, I'd rather be pain free with a sound mind, even if I did end up looking like Dolly Parton! 😁

  • Submariner682
    Submariner682 Member Posts: 47
    #4

    waaahaaaa 😜😜😜

    I love Dolly 🚜🐝🚜

    Thanks for the info

    Be well my friend 😎

  • Submariner682
    Submariner682 Member Posts: 47
    #5

    Much appreciated my friend

    Joints are sore enough just getting older. Probably doubled issues I had before shot

    I’ll do some research on the Lupron shot and I guess make a decision if he offers me a second one in July 🧐

    Have 9 1/2 acres, chickens, and honeybees to manage, so it’s imperative that I stay mobile 🚜🐝🚜

    Ibuprofen and an occasional Diplomatico reserve on ice helps on the bad days 😎

    As Spock would say. I hope we live long and prosper

  • Clevelandguy
    Clevelandguy CSN Member Posts: 1,336 Member
    edited June 8 #6
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1723071#Comment_1723071

    Hi,

    Yes the nasty side effects of ADT drugs. If ever recommended for me I don’t know if I would take them. From what I have heard they work for a while then the cancer cells learn to live without Testosterone and you are left with the joint, weight gain, sweats ect, ect. Your quality of life must account for something.

    Dave 3+4

  • Paul_Cancer_Survivor
    Paul_Cancer_Survivor CSN Member Posts: 11 Member
    #7

    Good Morning, Submariner,

    Sorry to hear about your joint pain and body changes. These go with the territory.

    But, of course the big picture involves shutting down testosterone production to starve the cancerous cells.

    I am a Stage 4 prostate cancer survivor, Gleason Score 9, with the BRCA 1 Gene, taking 2 ADT meds for the past 14 months. They're working well.

    If you would like a few tips on how to stay mentally strong as you confront these new challenges, you might want to download a copy of my free eBook: Think And Fight Cancer: The Essential Mental Techniques.

    You can get it at WeAreCancerSurvivors.com

    https://www.wearecancersurvivors.com/

    All the best as you look after yourself, your bees and your chickens.

  • Submariner682
    Submariner682 Member Posts: 47
    #8

    Thanks for the offer. But no thanks. I’m an is what it is guy. Always have been not having any emotional issues

    Watched my mom struggle with cancer from mid 50’s until it killed her at 66. Her quality of life was poorer each year until basically she was a prisoner in her 1 bdrm apt

    Agree with doing what you can to stop it. But, quantity of life is subjective and something each individual must decide for themselves

    Just an FYI. My current quality of life is that I am pretty much back to doing what I did before surgery. No sex is a non issue as my wife has had issues for last several years. Aches and pains come with age (71), but have gotten worse since the shot

    I’ll do more research before accepting another

    You Have a GREAT day my friend 🚜😎🚜

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