I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about
Know exactly what you want?
Show search

Notification

Error

<123>

When to stop this Chemical Castration?

User
Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 09:04

Thanks. Yes, I'm now getting more into the longer term side effects...weight gain, waist size up, body hair changes, muscle loss....26% increase in getting dementia ...sorry where was I?

I had little to no sleep last night owing to this mirtazapine! Weird stuff.

Decision time soon.

Quite a few papers on increased depression and dementia

https://www.renalandurologynews.com/home/news/urology/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-androgen-deprivation-therapy-adt-dementia-depression/

And here's another article...I've read this many times before...I really don't think I should be on ADT any more, it really is killing me ..

https://www.pcf.org/c/adt-what-you-really-need-to-know/

 

Edited by member 25 Apr 2022 at 09:47  | Reason: Update

Steve

Blog: prostatecancer.vivatek.co.uk

User
Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 12:29

Hi Esteban I do agree hormone therapy is not ideal first six months was tolerable last few months really difficult fatigue bone ache hot sweats just to name a few mentioned in it at last appointment they said it's a personal choice but be aware off a risk off reccuring PC if I did decide to come by off it told them I would carry on only 3more hopefully to go but like you say it's not great but they emphasized the choice is yours alone 👍

User
Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 12:33

Yes, well my side effects a little more extreme than the std ones....like suicide!

I'm veering towards stopping tbh.

I'm a fairly fit and active 64 yr old but I feel like a decrepit 75 yr old with nothing to live for......

Plus I now have a nasty cold....could be Covid, I'll test later. 

Edited by member 25 Apr 2022 at 14:05  | Reason: Update

Steve

Blog: prostatecancer.vivatek.co.uk

User
Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 13:14
Esteban, given that you're having such major problems with ADT, have you considered requesting that you're transferred to an non-ADT form of HT such as bicalutimide?

Best wishes,

Chris

User
Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 13:16

Hi, thanks for that. Do you think that would help?

A lot of the side effects are the same esp. depression plus a few more i haven't collected yet!

Edited by member 25 Apr 2022 at 13:22  | Reason: Update

Steve

Blog: prostatecancer.vivatek.co.uk

User
Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 14:04

Me too really bunged up with cold to compound the situation 😱

User
Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 16:42
The reason my oncologist put me on bicalutimide rather than the injectable hormones is because he said that, although it's not as effective for all men as the injectable hormones, when it does work (and fortunately for me it did) it's much better tolerated. It might be worth having a chat to your oncologist about it?

Best wishes,

Chris

User
Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 16:49

Hi,

Thanks I will. However the big side effect for me is still the depression, which is one in the list for bicalutamide....worth a chat... I have had bical before so I know what it's like 

Cheers

 

Steve

Blog: prostatecancer.vivatek.co.uk

User
Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 20:10
Good advice above from Chris ! You can ask for changes to meds. I don’t want to sound flippant I promise you , but is it worth accepting maybe that the depression isn’t all medication related and partly due to your position in general ?? Maybe try some councelling and talking. I offload to a councellor once a fortnight and it just lifts all the sh**t off my mind.

Best wishes

User
Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 20:25

Hi, thanks for that. A brief skim thru my blog will show you these crushing depressions or meltdowns occurred during the first few weeks of Degarelix. It's the lack of hormones.   It's stayed with me throughout the 8months .  Sometimes triggered yes but often not. 

There's a piece where I was driving back from Swansea RT department and just had to slam on the brakes and stop for a good cry...minutes later....on we go .

Only a few have have been suicidal. One saw me start wrist cutting....but we won't go there.

I'm on mirtazapine and have accepted the six free counseling sessions via Macmillan and Bupa.  I'm not sure they're going to help. I'm not really dealing with issues.   It's all just biochemistry. It's great to have a caring guy to chat to for an hour and some positive actions have come out of this but stopping meltdowns, no.

The difference in longevity between men dying within ten years is just 3.6%....between those who do 6 months and those doing the 18 months.

My choice I know and I choose to live fully before the final bow.....

Steve

Blog: prostatecancer.vivatek.co.uk

User
Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 21:06
Ok sorry if I spoke out of turn truly. You’ll know by my bio that I’m QOL first also. I guess I’ve just been luckier than you re side-effects. Good luck with those sessions. In my opinion they are better than you think and can be powerful in that you just get stuff off your chest. Quite often the talk turns well away from cancer and into anything that you want to chat about. Talk is good therapy.

I wish you the very best

User
Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 21:09

Cheers....off to make lemonade

Oh, btw I forgot to add....just tested positive for Covid!

Yey, more side effects to add to all the rest!

 

Steve

Blog: prostatecancer.vivatek.co.uk

User
Posted 25 Apr 2022 at 22:29
Esteban, I did the MacMillan counselling sessions when I was first diagnosed with cancer (I was diagnosed with both prostate cancer and kidney cancer, which was discovered by my prostate MRI scans) and found them extremely helpful. Do give them a go at least!

Best wishes,

Chris

User
Posted 26 Apr 2022 at 09:47

Yes, I've had two already....striving to get me into positive places rather than "sitting on the sofa" mode and spiralling down.

Recommended.

Steve

Blog: prostatecancer.vivatek.co.uk

User
Posted 26 Apr 2022 at 09:56
You've completed your RT haven't you, Esteban? That should mean that your cancer is sorted out. There's every reason to be optimistic about the future. You've done all the hard stuff already!

Very best wishes,

Chris

User
Posted 27 Apr 2022 at 09:34

Hi guys... I think I've made the decision to stop ADT. I'll carry on with the antidepressant mirtazapine, or marzipan as we call it as it seems to work even though I hate fighting drugs with drugs!

Onco chat on Friday may help, she may try and twist my arm but I think I'd like to try a bit if life with hormones.... I can always go back or try alternative treatments.

To really make my day I've now got Covid! Yep and collecting all the symptoms - including diarrhea! That doesn't often get a mention. ADT is supposed to be a help against it and I was lucky to get a fourth jab (available if you've had RT within 6 months guys), so fingers crossed, it isn't too bad. So far bloody awful..... certainly not a "mild cold". All day and all night coughing...happy days...

Steve

Blog: prostatecancer.vivatek.co.uk

User
Posted 27 Apr 2022 at 11:01

Ha, going to be an interesting chat with your onco but given what you've been through there's good reason for your decision. I'm supposed to stay on Zoladex for 3 years but there's no way I'm going to conform. Clearly ADT can "hold" the progress of cancer, either before or after treatment but in some cases this will be putting off the inevitable, while in others it will be a waste of time and QOL if RT was successful and the patient is and remains free of cancer.

Jules

Edited by member 27 Apr 2022 at 11:02  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 29 Apr 2022 at 13:12

Hi, well I've made the decision. I've done 8 months. Both GP and Onco supportive. Will monitor my PSA and testosterone every 3 months....if it goes up too much or too quickly then back on the CC....just got to shake off Covid!

Steve

Blog: prostatecancer.vivatek.co.uk

User
Posted 29 Apr 2022 at 13:38
Glad you've made the decision that's right for you!

Best wishes,

Chris

User
Posted 29 Apr 2022 at 13:59

Thanks. I ought to add the rider - that this is my experience and my choice! I don't want to encourage other blokes, just a "bit fed up" with their treatment, to consider following me!

Blog updated.

Steve

Blog: prostatecancer.vivatek.co.uk

 
Forum Jump  
<123>
©2025 Prostate Cancer UK