Loss of Muscle on Shoulders and Arms

I am only 4 years his junior but feel the same worry about the wasting.

Three years on HT without testosterone will have reduced my chances of keeping muscle mass but while I’ve been on chemotherapy, which has ended this week, I’ve noticed the decline accelerated.

I’m in contact with a dietitian next week and will be asking for dietary advice but as a veggie I’m not hopeful of any magic answer.

I’ve stayed healthy until April at work through exercise but I’ve been doing nothing since to avoid complications during chemo. So I intend to seek advice from a qualified physiotherapist to get my upper body in trim but understand that I can’t build mass. As for my legs I’m doing a bit on our dusty treadmill.

I’d be interested in what the expert here might suggest.

Cancer evolves and we need to evolve with it.

Good luck to you and your OH.

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 

Jess40 said:

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.

Totally agree.

Your GP can often refer you to a gym, but you can also look for advice yourself.

I followed my GP's recommendation to a gym, only to find that the trainers they used were not able to manage the combination of prostate cancer and back pain that I have. PC and Spinal Stenosis are not a great mix in the exercise world.

If you have or know a physiotherapist, that can be a good place to start.

Gardening can help. As my back problems have reduced, I find that moving things like bark chippings around in a wheelbarrow exercises my arms wonderfully.

One thing I did find out - you need to act, and the sooner, the better. As you lose muscle mass it becomes harder and harder to put it back.

Gosh, good advice from all of you gents. 

As always.

I'll talk to him about this.

Thankyou!

I have always enjoyed sport for exercise,but never stuck to exercise for the sake of it. I have certainly lost muscle tone after Hormone therapy.

I have started to use 1and 2 kg dumbbells and resistance bands in various situations around the house because I know that I have never had the willpower to go to a gym.

I also got rid of a heavy duty exercise machine which took up too much space and bought a more sedate walking platform from Amazon.Hardly used as yet…but perhaps over the winter.

They might do some good for the cost of a few quid.

Every little helps I hope.

Hi Jess40 

Absolutley HT . BW has been doing weights and resistant training since the beginning of taking HT twice a week for the last three years and he’s still on the wrong side of retaining his muscle to fat ratio. Though now he’s become very slim, because he’s on a low fat diet and eating lots of whole foods protein etc to combat putting on The fat weight.  He works hard. not to make more muscle than be had before, but to retain the body he originally had. It’s something that has to be done with HT. Otherwise your body shape will change. BW’s trainer wants him to do more now as the two sessions a week are not enough, it’s a battle for sure. Pre diagnosis the only exercise he had was golf once a week, occasional gym and a walk down the pub. 
The personal trainer thing is good because not everyone wants to do that level of exercise (BW) but it keeps him motivated having someone giving you good advice/ changing up your routine so you don’t get bored and giving support to keep going. 
Lx

Thankyou, this is so encouraging.

His mind takes him to the darkest places; that probably the PC has become live again, it will only be a matter of time...

He has a couple of phone numbers to try tomorrow, of sports physios, and we're primed for purchasing dumb-bells and bands. 

Ready for action!

Thanks, folks

Hi Jess40 I think having had cancer, every ache or pain immediately makes you think ‘is this it back again’,  Try and just live life and let the medics plan the next actions.

As far as muscle wastage it seems to be a spiral.  Fatigue makes you do less, HT increases weight but decreases muscle and this makes you fatigued.  Sadly it is hard to break out of the cycle but well worth the effort.  Simple press-ups or weights for the upper body and swimming are good if he isn’t in pain.

Thanks David,

He hates swimming, and as a wearer of glasses, it's not the easiest thing. When I've mentioned swimming (which I do a lot of) he's grimaced and said 'everyone wants me to go flippin' swimming, except me!'

It looks like a weights/resistance band purchase is in order...

Hi Jess40,

Whilst it might seem flippant, even something as simple as walking to the shops & then back again carrying the shopping can be a big help.  It's surprising how heavy 4 pts of milk, a big bag of potato's etc can be & it's great exercise.

Best Wishes

Brian