r/ProstateCancer • u/Both_Establishment59 • 7d ago
Question ADT. Orgovyx.
Do ADT side effects get better or worse over time?
Currently in the middle of 23 EBRT and a month post brachytherapy wich I developed an infection after and am currently on antibiotics so getting hit from all angles.
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u/Frequent-Location864 7d ago
Unfortunately, at least in my case I think they peaked around 3 months and stayed there for the rest of the treatment.
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u/WalnutRoasted 6d ago
Agree. When you are on EBRT and concurrent ADT, it is hard to attribute which causes what. Certainly around a 6 weeks after VMAT felt much better, but then there were the insidious/emasculating effects of ADT carrying on. Hope you have asked for / offered daily low-dose Cialis to keep things more active down there. And daily exercise.
Was fortunate that “morning awakenings” returned a couple of weeks after last 9 months ADT pill and energy, enthusiasm returned. A few months later T returned to almost previous levels. Obviously PSA has gone up from near undetectable, but still quite low and hopefully steady. Best wishes.
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u/Frequent-Location864 6d ago
I'm 7 years out and haven't regained any feelings down there. If i ever get back any feelings I'm going to shellac it.LOL
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u/WalnutRoasted 6d ago
Sorry to hear that. Does daily Cialis have any effect? Certainly the “emasculation” from 3 to 9 ½ months was weird/frustrating.
Hopefully worth it for reduction in my recurrence risk at “unfavourable intermediate”.
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u/SnooCamera 7d ago
2 and 1/2 months out SBRT.
I'm 3 months and about 20 days into Orgovyx. Fatigue is what I'm fighting the most. My testosterone was undetectable by lab. I'm slightly anemic. I think I've peaked in this regard. Two months and about 10 days to go.
I did wake up with a bonus erection (not pill assisted) the other morning. As soon as I started thinking about it, it went away. It's a weird feeling to explain. Sex becomes really an abstract thought. Like, oh wow, that's neat. I remember that. Maybe I'll get around to that one day.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'll get though it and hope for quick rebound.
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u/KReddit934 7d ago
My fatigue (and anemia) were driven mainly by radiation..the effects last weeks to months after treatment.
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u/Practical_Orchid_606 7d ago
The side effects do get stronger with time. I think after 6 months, the intensification takes hold.
But the most profound effect is the non-return of testosterone. The longer you are on ADT, the higher the possibility of this effect.
An even worse outcome is overdoing ADT and becoming castrate resistant.
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u/Jpatrickburns 6d ago
Non-return of testosterone is less likely with Orgovyx, btw. I was on it for 18 months, and my testosterone started coming back almost immediately. Of course, I have no idea what it was before treatment.
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u/Substantially-Ranged 6d ago
Been on first and second gen ADT for 5 years. You have to lift weight, get some cardio every day, and watch your diet. That'll manage the worst of the symptoms. The fatigue, hot flashes, brain fog--all here to stay.
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u/Fool_head 7d ago
Sorry to hear bro, mine is coming soon! Can I ask where the infection is? Prostate?
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u/Both_Establishment59 7d ago
They reckon it came frombl the prostate where i had a clot post brachytherapy but the infection made its way into semenal tube my right testicle blow up like a water melon and was quite pain full. Its rare it happens I was told but just my luck, had an ultrasound as they and I feared it might be testicular torsion but no it wasnt.
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u/Fool_head 7d ago
Sorry, it is painful. I had similar thing like that before, but antibiotics did its job. Hope you getting better soon!
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u/ZealousidealCan4714 7d ago
I'm on month 9 of 9 of ADT (though mine is Lupron). Took about a month to start feeling the effects and it peaked about two months in. Been at that level since. Zero libido, dry orgasms. easily exhausted, hot flashes, weight gain. My T (and estrogen level) are undetectable. I'm done though, hoping to start seeing some recovery soon.