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My personal journey with PCa

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 5/2/2023 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, newly joined this forum. My history with PCa follows.
Sep 2021 PSA of 6.99 at age 67
Sep 2021 MRI RADS 5 but nothing seen beyond the prostate.
Sep 2021 12 core biopsy.
Biopsy lost for 1 month and found day before a 2nd biopsy.
Mostly Gleason 7, 3+4 in 8 core samples.
Opted for RALP.
On followup visit, was told that pathology staged me at T3b N0M0
Course of treatment: 12 months of Eligard, 3 month injections.
40 radiation treatments.
All PSA tests have been at lowest reading of .08.
T was not checked prior to establish my baseline.
March 1, 2023 T<20 after Eligard ended on 10/26/2022.
Urologist comment is to keep following it.

Low T has robbed me of any energy, bordering on fatigue.
Hot flashes, night sweats, muscle tightness and now redness and swelling in fingers of right hand. Catching colds far too easily.
Posted 5/3/2023 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to Healing Well, JM. Eligard can take any energy we might have and use it for another purpose. And at the age of 67 that might happen more quickly. Hopefully you will get some relief soon since you completed ht last October.

Today I had lunch with my brothers and by 2:15pm I was ready for a nap. So I have learned to pounce on something when I have the energy. Wishing you continued healing as time moves on.
Michael
Posted 5/4/2023 11:59 AM (GMT 0)
JM, Welcome.
The best way to combat fatigue from Hirmone Therapy, is to force yourself to do at least some exercise, even if it’s just going for a walk. I’m not saying it’s easy, but if you can muster up the willpower, it will not onky help with the fatigue, but probably put you in a good frame of mind.

Good luck, keep us posted
Posted 5/4/2023 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Recovery after 12 months of ADT (Eligard) can take 12 months or more and is age dependent. Keep the faith (JM) and follow the advice of Pratoman.
Posted 5/4/2023 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Everyone, Thanks all for the encouragement!
Speaking with my Primary Care Dr today, it sounds as if my long lasting cold is a Covid strain.
Hopefully this is causing this extra fatigue.
Prior to Covid, I was taking my moderate fast walks with only a few times of "running on fumes".
And pushing myself through resistance training with bands twice a week with plenty of rest where a normal 20 minute workout stretched to an hour also before Covid.
70 in December so I know my age for quick recovery is working against me.
Took a walk yesterday at a pace an athletic tortoise could have challenged me.
Posted 5/5/2023 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
Not qualified to comment on the hormone therapy. But, what I can tell you is we ain’t what we were 20 (or even 10) years ago.

That fact isn’t always obvious to our brains.

Acceptance of physical limitations it a *****.
Posted 5/6/2023 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
JM1953, I am also 70. Just finished 18 months of ADT on Orgovyx after IMRT. My PSA became undetectable fairly quickly after starting. MY T level ended up at zero. I just had my one month follow up after finishing ADT. My T level has come back to 117 and my PSA is still undetectable. I still have some mild sweats and my weight is slowly dropping. I was told that my complete T recovery should take anywhere from 3 to 4 months, as they have seen from other patients. I know this doesn’t help you much, but Orgovyx might be something to consider if you ever have to go back on ADT. The good advice I’ve been given is to stay active and try to push through when the fatigue sets in. I have also found to stay as cool as possible and to stay away from spicy food and to keep alcohol consumption low. My best to you going forward.
Jack
Posted 11/13/2023 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
I just wanted to provide an update.
It is now about a year since my last 22.5 mg dose of Eligard which I had a total of 4 injections beginning on 1/26/2022 after a RP and concurrent with 40 doses of EBRT.
Around early September, I began to feel a lot like my old self. No more night sweats, hot flashes and a return of energy.
Honestly, there were days I thought that I would never recover from the chemical blockage of testosterone.
I have a Urology appointment tomorrow which hopefully will continue to show no discernible PSA.
I think it's best for me to not know my T level as I know it has dramatically risen from <20 in March.
Having been diagnosed as T3B, there is no way I would ever consider T supplementation.

I hope anyone who may be suffering from the side effects of ADT even months after the last treatment can find some encouragement from my story.
Posted 11/13/2023 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
JM , that is great to hear. Hopefully you have seen the last of ADT. I am now moving towards my eleventh year of ADT, so finding a way to keepin on is my only path forward. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Michael
Posted 11/13/2023 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
Michael, I just want to say Thank You for your response. Here I'm describing my issues with 1 year of ADT and you have over a 10 year involvement. I wish you the best going forward and Happy Holidays.
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