Stopping ADT- trepidation

I am 1 month from stopping Orgovyx. I guess it is really doing what it supposed to do. My last check this week showed a PSA of 0.01, testosterone at .10 and free testosterone at 0. That could explain my hitting a wall again during the afternoon hours. I have read a lot here about reoccurrence after different treatments have ended. Trepidation is creeping in about stopping something that is working so well. Don’t get me wrong, I’m counting the days left to stop taking Orgovyx and hopefully losing more weight, gaining back muscle loss and maybe some libido increase. Just curious how others here felt when their treatments stopped. The old saying don’t fix it if it is not broken comes to mind. Well, if the ADT is working why stop? My best to all.
Jack

ADT is depressing PSA at some physical and mental cost to you. You are using up its effectiveness and conditioning cancer cells to mutate and grow without testosterone. Time to see if your treatment worked and save ADT for another day if needed. Make any sense?

I understand the need for ADT and I suppose if my Pca was a higher grade I'd maybe consider it. My wife would weight in as well because she has a vested interest in my health.
However it would have been an agonizing choice.
After years of opioid medication use I've ruined my natural testosterone production. The lowest measured was 25 but I'm sure it goes lower.
When I got Pca my doctor stopped my testosterone injections and slowly I fell apart. Simply put, I can't live without TRT and found a clinic.
I know it's frowned upon but I took that chance and I've completed treatment and my PSA is dropping 2.74 to 1.47
I'm impressed by people who have gone through ADT and wish I had the ability to do so.
In any case if I "did my time" on ADT I'd be joyful to be ending it

Glen

Hello, Jack64 ~

I can understand your emotions, as many of us here rely on medications, injections, or treatments to "keep the wolves at bay" ...

I remember my 45 radiation treatments, and counting down the days ... but on the last day of treatments, I felt anxious ... knowing that the next day I wouldn't return.

I remember thinking, "Is tomorrow the day one renegade cancer cell will emerge - feeling EMBOLDENED ~ now that these targeted treatments are ending?"

Relief to be wrapping up treatments, to be sure ~ but anxious feelings tugging at the edges of my mind, at the same time.

I have a feeling that's where you find yourself at this juncture in your treatments ...

I felt reassured, once I pulled it over, realizing I was STILL going to see my oncologist regularly. I realized I would have timely labs. I realized my oncologist was going to monitor everything with great precision, just as before.

I have no doubt you and your medical team have a forward-thinking plan for future consultations, lab work, and check-ups?

Within that, your peace of mind will follow ...

Let us know how you're faring & I always look forward to your posts and contributions, Jack64!

In fellowship ~ "from one compadre to another" ~

CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University of

Just watching your PSA rise after ADT is nerve wracking of course. But your PSA will go up. Let's just hope that it will not go above 2.01 (your nadir +2).
On the other hand, as others have pointed out, you should start to feel better in more ways than one once your testosterone will rise to an age-appropriate level.

Post Edited (Sr Sailor) : 3/10/2023 10:48:20 AM (GMT-8)

Hi Jack,

My understanding is that eventually the first generational ADT drugs lose their effectiveness as the cancer becomes resistant to them. In order to stretch out the first generation drugs for as long as possible and keep their effectiveness, many treatment centers opt to provide vacations from the ADT as long as the patients are stable. This way the cancer continues to respond when it is re-introduced. You want to try and make the first generation ADT drugs last as long as possible is my understanding.

My husband is also off his ADT having taken neoadjuvant Casodex/Lupron prior to surgery for a very large prostate and tumor burden. He is stage 3b, but is using strong anti-inflammatories (Tumeric/Ginger, Pomegranate Extract, CoQ10, baby aspirin as well as 2000 units of Vitamin D3 and Calcium to keep his bones strong.

I wish you many PSAs with 0's in them.

Stephanie

Thanks again all for the replies. Duck, my first BX showed 1 core 25% GL-7. The second BX showed 1 core 20% GL-8 in a different location. Two different Uros did the test. Both were only 12 samples, however the second BX didn’t show the first location and the GL-7. I was told by URO that the standard ADT course after radiation for a GL-8 was 24 months. My RO said that the new thinking was 18 months. He said, I could try 12 months, but he believed I’m my case 18 months would have a better outcome. My RO Doctor Curtis Mack, survived acute leukemia in 2013, having gone through aggressive chemotherapy, total body radiation and a bone marrow transplant. So, I went with his guidance. If anyone is interested in his story, look up (Tucson oncologist’s personal experience helps guide his cancer care.)
My best to all.
Jack