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2nd Time on Zoladex

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Posted 1/25/2019 2:44 AM (GMT -5)
Hi guys, as my PSA reached 9.36 in December, my Oncologist put me back on ADT again, 14 days Androcur, then Zoladex injection on the 2nd January.

The last time I was on it I coped reasonably well, but this time after 4 weeks, I don't seem to have any energy, and can't seem to get going, have aching muscles and tired all the time, anyone else felt like this? could be my age too, I am 78 now, but I have always been active, and this feeling is strange for me.


Regards Mal.
Posted 1/26/2019 5:58 PM (GMT -5)

Hello Maldugs,

Our paths have crossed here, over time, on the website.

I, too, am on ZOLADEX ... while others here are on LUPRON or FIRMAGON.

One thing I do, each day, to maintain energy --- nothing better than some daily exercise. No matter what it takes, after work or in the evening, I go for a daily walk. I think that goes a long way towards boosting energy.

Also, too --- next time you see your doctor --- ask about various lab levels when you do your labs --- not so long ago, after a series of radiation, my doctor looked at my labs and asked me to add a simply daily iron supplement. He also has me take Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D3.

So --- just ask your doctor to take a detailed look at your labs, and ask your doctor if there are any deficiencies that could be easily addressed.

Meanwhile, keep setting a reasonable bedtime --- and take a daily walk, if you can --- and naps, here and there, are certainly allowed!

Thanks for your loyal brotherhood, here on the website, Maldugs!

CYCLONE ~ Iowa State University
Posted 1/27/2019 12:19 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks for the advice, I do play lawn bowls twice a week, and take my boat out fishing, and look after my property, so I am pretty active, looked at my last lab reports, and it said "there is a borderline macrocytosis" looked that up (my doc is on holiday) and I may have a B12 deficiency, so I have started taking 1000mcg once a day, see if that makes a difference.

Hope all is going ok with you Cyclone.

Regards Mal.
Posted 1/28/2019 11:27 AM (GMT -5)
B12 absorption declines in the elderly... and at some point we have to admit that we are elderly (ugh). 1000mics is multivitamin strength. My doc has me on 2500 sublingual along with 150 elemental iron for anemia. Without a prostate I no longer need be worried about taking in too much iron and he encourages me to eat red meat. Seems counter-intuitive, but we are not young men anymore.
Posted 1/29/2019 10:10 AM (GMT -5)
As others mentioned, do look for other causes of fatigue because that can happen for a variety of reasons.

Having said that, around 6 months into my 3 years of ADT the fatigue began to set in. Shortly after it began, it became almost debilitating. I was always tired, and would go to bed by about 8:30pm sleeping until the 6am alarm. Every night. It became almost a standing joke between my wife and I! Driving was difficult, since I could only take about 45 minutes at the wheel before getting sleepy. My wife would take over and I'd conk right out for 1/2 hour or so. Exercise helped, but was nowhere near enough to counter the ADT fatigue for me.

Since my T recovered quickly (surprisingly) after ADT, I was back to "normal" not long after. I can drive all day now, and live on about 6-1/2 hours of sleep a night. I have plenty of energy and motivation to do things again. It wasn't "age" in my case. Of course I was lucky enough to be diagnosed at 55, so yay me; can't really speak for one perhaps in late 70s or beyond. Our bodies do change over time, too.

Hot flashes are annoying, but you can live with them. That fatigue tho....
Posted 1/29/2019 11:27 AM (GMT -5)
Mal,
At 70 y.o. the Xtandi and Lupron have left me with little energy. Over the last year I have gone fron running to walking the dogs, but have found joy in the walk. Both my wbc and rbc are low and my Oncologist has said those are just my numbers and not a lot to be worried about. Not sure if he is right or not, but they have both been low for 3-4 years, or since I started Zytiga and then Xtandi.
Good hearing from you and I hope the energy returns for you.
Michael
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