Hi All,
It's been a while since I posted last.
My OH came through chemotherapy the early part of summer, he's been adjusting to painful feet, all the other side effects from this.
The most important thing, of course, is that the cancer has receded, and become dormant. It's in the back of our minds always, that it is just there, somewhere, which is terrible.
He's 65, fit and healthy other than this, cycled a lot prior to diagnosis, has been back on his bike since the summer.
He's having the triplet therapy, diagnosed with Gleason 4+5 (I think) and is stage 4. He's continued to work through all this, and at last, his mental state has improved, from being very pessimistic about every small thing, often not taking his medication, he's been doing pretty good, since July, all things considered.
Now, he's to continue with the 3 monthly Zoladex injections, and monthly blood tests. All good.
However, though he's not lost weight, he's noticed the last few weeks that he is losing muscle at the top of his arms and on his shoulders. His arms look thin again, as though his hands are too big for them.
This takes him back to last October, when he was losing weight daily, and looked terrible.
He's due his next blood test in a fortnight.
Should we contact the consultant before then? Could this be a side effect of the hormone treatment? They did say he'd not regain the muscle condition he used to have before all this.
Thoughts, as ever, greatly appreciated
Hello Jess (Jess40)
Yes, sadly loss of Muscle Mass is a side effect of Hormone Therapy. The best way to counter this is by building the muscles up slowly with the help of a professional in resistance training at the Gym! (I should add I am no expert and old age is also a contributing factor). Regular swimming also helps!!
Some GP practices and local Councils have agreements with some gyms for either free or reduced rates for anyone with a cancer diagnosis and some Councils have free swimming courses.
As you say
he's been doing pretty good, since July, all things considered.
So I am sure if he can find some help with the muscle mass he will benefit from it.
I hope the above helps.
Best wishes - Brian.
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY.
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
