Has anyone previously practised martial arts before their stage 4 diagnosis and managed to return to training afterwards?
My PSA is currently undetectable and I'm on the 3 monthly HT injection, 500mg of Abiraterone(+steroids) a day and have recently started 50mg a day of Cyproterone to try to control the hot flushes.
My main reason in asking is I can manage to walk the dog twice a day but miss the strength and flexibility conditioning you get from martial arts.
I started in 1974 and really miss the discipline and focus. It has been a major part of my life and it's is depressing to think that I cannot do it anymore
I find just going to the gym is not for me as I like to learn something whilst I exercise
I feel the most unfit and inflexible that I've ever been. Do I just bite the bullet and try.?
I just wondered if anyone else had managed it and how you found it and had any advice, or is it time to accept that I can't do it anymore and try to find a yoga or pilates class.
Problem with those is I don't think they let you punch people ;-)
my OH walks every morning and goes to the gym at least three times a week ( more like 5) he really didn’t like the gym but he’s hooked now but his goal was to return to scuba diving and he has with the blessing of his Oncologist
so why don’t you try a gentle start back to your martial arts and just take it easy . Your body will tell you when you need to stop
I wasn't doing martial arts, but I was seriously into triathlon before treatment. For the last two years I've been on a very similar treatment of abiraterone with steroids and 3 monthly injections, the severe fatigue prevented me from training at the same intensity and duration I did for years, and while I still trained I've initially lost all my muscle in the first few months of treatment. I found lifting to failure at the gym the only thing that allows me to keep muscle on, as I can make a big effort for 15 seconds, and then rest for 3 minutes, which seem to work somewhat with the abiraterone fatigue. walks are not enough to keep muscle on.
I had to drop all my triathlon group runs/cycles/swim as I cant keep up even with the slow groups currently (I do really miss those as it was a part of my social circle) but I've join groups of total beginners instead (non tri specific) which I can just about keep up with while on treatment. Is there something similar available to you in martial arts? so you can enjoy the sport but at an intensity level which suits you now?
I would still recommend going to the gym, I think it will help you regain your muscle, which in turn will allow you to restart some martial arts, even if at a lower intensity.
Hope this helps
G
PS - I have stopped abiraterone 2 months ago after finishing my two years, and am now on Orgovyx and tapering steroids, the difference (for the better) in fatigue is significant.
My oncologist is following the stampede trail recommendation which recommends 2 years of abiraterone alongside 3 years of ADT for high risk (gleason 8-10, I'm 9), non metastatic (I'm T3a) with high psa ( >40, I was 42.8).
I am treated with curative intent, if it comes back I may be on it for life, though I'm hoping for a few years of treatment free remission.
Thank you for this information . Unfortunately my OH has a lymph node involvement . His PSA is undetectable so hopefully this will continue for the foreseeable future .
I'm now on ADT without abiraterone, and my PSA is still undetectable. The difference in quality of life is very significant since abiraterone was stopped. Maybe you can ask for a "vacation" from abiraterone for a few months if quality of life is an issue? I know I really straggled during my two years of abiraterone.
the main issues are fatigue but he hammers it with walking and gym .
ED is his big worry and really struggles with this . We have been getting councilling which was different but she was straight to the point and gave lots of support. And we are actually going to the ED clinic tomorrow so will see what that brings to the table.
We also see the oncologist in February so will ask . Thank you
