Muscle loss and ADT

Hi Warrior,

I've been on combined hormone therapy for about 2 years, and I'm a pretty avid gym goer - 2 or 3 times a week. I work on strength exercises to mitigate against muscle and strength loss, and am doing ok, even building some muscle. I've never had much body fat and that hasn't been a problem with the hormones, but I lose about 5 kilos of lean muscle mass around the time of diagnosis and for a while after (I'd stopped going to the gym for 6 months or so due to pains). 

During chemo I started going again but took it easy. I've now put about 3 kilos on in the last year. I guess the standard tips should help you - focus on the whole body 'big lifts', so squat, deadlift and bench press, and aim for progressive overload, increasing weight and/or reps. It is definitely not easy building muscle in our situation, but possible (plenty of female body builders not using testosterone out there!).

Keep at it as 3 months is still early days! Good luck with it. 

Hello Warrior 

I’ve been on HT ( 6 monthly decapeptyl injections ) since November 24 and a non curative op in August . RT was not a viable option due to the location of the remaining PC .

The HT is working as it’s down to <0.03 from a level of 1.7 post op.

have not noticed significant muscle loss as yet . I’m being as active as I can with home bike and weight sessions together with golf , walking , kayaking etc . I’ve got a bit of a pot now but not gained weight elsewhere .. my diet is pretty healthy but I do like a beer(s) .

Getting going with exercise is the challenge as the HT has affected my ‘get up n go ‘ in all respects . It is worth the effort as it certainly lifts the spirits by doing ‘stuff ‘ .Feeling good in yourself despite ‘IT’ is essential.

I know I am maybe fortunate compared to some but hopefully the above helps others commencing this journey realise that there is life after diagnosis .

i think they key is to keep going . Medically , I don’t know the significance of testosterone in building muscle .

All the best and get pumping with those weights 

Magpie 

I have been in HT since June 2024. I have put on weight round the middle but arms and legs are still good. 

I have an additional problem, which is that I suffered an acute episode of back pain whilst undertaking radiotherapy which is only improving very slowly. I have had 3 such incidents over the last ten years, each one worse than the previous. I am diagnosed with spinal stenosis, which means I am getting old. 

Weights are off for at least 6 months, but I have a static bike which I am using in bursts of 10 minutes a time, and done seated exercises put together by a Les Mills instructor which I do 3 times per week. 

These are stopping me sinking further into the mire.

However,  biggest problem is walking. Not that  I can't do it, but that it is no fun at all. There may be an electric mobility scooter in my life, to extend my range and because this is going to happen again. 

Keeping myself sorry of fit is an ongoing trial of new ideas to fit my current situation. 

The lesson: don't beat yourself up. 

Start from where you are, not where you were, and keep experimenting until something works.

If you're serious about gaining muscle, ask your oncologist and GP about creatine supplements. Evidence is showing it helps muscle growth and energy amongst other things, but I'm not certain, medically, if it is 100% safe in our situation - I'd be interested to find out though... (I've not yet asked)