Zoladex injections

I started Zoladex injections in February 2025, followed by targeted radiotherapy in November 2025. 3 months late, as my hospital forgot about me- Macmillan helped out with a letter to the cancer centre. Zoladex continued until April 2026, when my PSA dropped from 29 in December 2024 to 0.03 and, 4 weeks later, to 0.01. It was stopped on the advice of an Oncologist because of the effects on me.

After starting Zoladex, the first 3 months were fine. After this, I had hip pain, back pain, and shoulder pain. Then ankle pain that caused me to fall twice. I suppose I'm pleased the hospital forgot me, as I could not walk properly because of the back pain.

By the time the radiotherapy was due, I had recovered a lot; by the 16th session, my walking deteriorated. I got over the radiotherapy quite well for a person in my eighties, with no bruising and hardly any bleeding. However, walking still wasn't good, and back pain returned, and  I was quite breathless. Thanks to the Oncologist at the Cancer Centre, the dreaded Zoladex ended, though it stopped the cancer at stage 3a, breaking out of the prostate at 3b- I was stupid not to get a PSA blood test earlier.

Now I await an appointment from the hospital, which hasn't turned up after 18 weeks. Also, on returning to the hospital, the oncologist there disagreed with the oncologist at the Cancer Centre. A letter from 12 weeks ago appeared to show that the oncologist at the Cancer Centre won the day.

I reduced the food I eat as my weight increased and noted that an oncologist at PCRI.org advised having two meals a day instead of three. It was still a struggle, and I remain mainly on a plant-based diet.

I wish you well on your journey as I wait in hope that the cancer doesn't return. 

Hi Stanley  I’m 21 months into Zoladex (3-monthly injections), with another 15 months to go. Hot flushes were very noticeable in the hot weather but have reduced in both frequency and strength now it’s a bit cooler. I am avoiding hot drinks which I noticed trigger the sweating and live / sleep on the ‘only just comfortable’ cool-side rather than get too warm.

If I kneel to play with the grandkids or work on something I do notice stiffness increasing in my lower back quite rapidly and have to stand up. That then eases quickly. Like you, brain fog is also present, particularly around names, numbers, dates etc.

Following advice I am lifting dumbbell weights at home (12kg at present) to the fail point, do squats with 20kg and go out walking with a heavy backpack to try to maintain fitness and keep muscles loss to a minimum. That seems to have decreased any back stiffness when bending down, but not when kneeling.

Weight-wise I started at 82kg, went up to 87kg and I’m now 84kg. But everyone is different…

Hope this helps…

A

Hi stanley

I have been on Zoladex since October 2025. My starting weight was around 78kg, then over the course of the next 8 months it went up to around 86kg (I was on steroids having chemo as well as Darolutamide plus Zoladex).  Having finished chemo and steroids and joining a lifestyle fitness programme because I was deemed to be pre-diabetic (HbA1c of 45) I am now back to 82kg and still working on it!

I cycle on a static bike and lift weights/use resistance bands (I was lifting 28kg last week) and do squats with a 10kg kettlebell.  All of this and I still feel weak!!!!  Thigh muscles will work when cycling but when kneeling/getting up it is still difficult.  The odd bit of lower back pain as well (but I have a kidney stone so it could be that!)

I did 15km static bike ride last weekend in Glasgow at Tour de 4 - but still have difficulty getting up!

Hot sweats are a daily occurrence - especially triggered by hot drinks, and 30/60 mins after eating...

Brain fog is a constant - I just keep lists of stuff these days - to do's and queries for appointments etc. Notes on the iPhone works well for this....

I do wake several times per night - warm and wanting a pee (but these are not linked I may add!!)

All the best

KrisPy