Hello / Fitness and Hormone Therapy

Hi

The loss of fitness/stamina was the worst, and longest lasting, of the side effects I encountered. I have also gained weight.

Whilst it's fair to say, it sounds like my fitness levels prior to PC, were not as high as yours, I struggled to walk 100 metres at one point. I kept being told,  the HT takes as long to get out of my system,  as I was on it which - was 2 years. I was still struggling after 3. In fact it was getting worse.

My GP decided to do a blood test. The results indicated I was anaemic- although he was surprised I could notice it. A course of iron tablets seem to have done the trick although the jury is still out. Anemia, I believe, is a side effect rarely discussed.

It sounds like you are still on HT, so feel you will struggle to get back to full fitness, for a while yet. Others, of course, may take a different view.

It's good you are trying to get your fitness back, but don't be too despondent about things not yet being back to normal.

Regards

Stuart

Hi L1m  and welcome to the forum. One of the side effects of Prostap can be Type 2 diabetes. Many health professionals aren't aware of this so it might be worth asking your GP for an HbA1C blood test.

Hi Seamus

Forgot that - Type 2 got me as well!

Regards

Stuart

Hi L1m.

Good morning and welcome to the prostate cancer family it's great to meet you today.

Yes since I was put on to HT last June 2023 as my PSA was 1000+.

The PSA now stands at 0.9 and I have got my next appointment with my consultant in a few weeks time so hopefully things haven't changed to much 

I currently have to be very careful with my daily work as the "fatigue" does cripple me.

I have to manage what I do day to day taking regular breaks & also listen to my body otherwise I will be in big trouble!!!!

I do hope that many of our members will be in touch with some help and advice to help with your current situation!!!!!

Prostate Worrier.

Hi G,

my OH  aged 72 started  Prostap 25th June and Abiraterone 19th July his presenting PSE was 14 and as of this week it’s down to 3.1. He has and still is an avid walker with intermittent running doing normally around 10 miles a day sometimes more  . He has no other side effects other than fatigue and his words are . “ this is my time to kick PC”  He currently takes his Aberaterone on rising but missing his morning banana as he feels this gives him energy. 
Liz & OH X

My husband was diagnosed as stage 4 in January at 44. It sounds like you were a lot fitter than him, but he’s thrown himself into exercise and challenges since the diagnosis - just completing London to Brighton bike ride and is doing Chris Hoy’s Tour De Four in September. He’s currently trying to fit a trainer / someone who can support on training and nutrition but with cancer experience - as he’s struggling to know what food to eat to fuel his body. If we manage to find anyone, I’ll let you know x

Hi Anna42 , Sorry to hear of your husband diagnosis, it's great he's thrown himself into fitness, it really helps with reducing the side effect of hormone therapy (which I'm sure he's on). These are great cycling challenges you mentioned, he should be very proud for doing these! 

I found adding weight training really helps, as the stamina for cardio is greatly reduced, it sounds like your husband does a lot of cycling, does he go to the gym too?

I've managed to find a local  (Warwickshire) personal trainer who has cancer experience and have been training with him for a year, I managed to gain muscle again which helps.  if you're in the midlands let me know and I can share his details. I go to the gym twice a week, once with a trainer and once without, on other days I run/bike/swim/row which cover all the cardio.

I actually managed to do a sprint triathlon 2 weeks ago, tiny versus what I used to do but it's the first event I've done since being diagnosed almost 2 years ago, I was very slow but it was great to be a part of an event again.

Food wise, I was eating very healthy before but now moved to a mainly vegetarian diet, focusing on lots of protein in every meal, low fat, no processed food and no sugary stuff.

All the best

G

Thanks for your lovely message. Yes he’s doing gym work outs, weight training etc too. We’d love details of your trainer if that’s ok? We’ve also completely overhauled our diet, so one of the things my husband has found the hardest is knowing how to fuel his body with the right food when he’s doing an endurance event. So connecting with a trainer who has cancer experience would be fantastic. He’s really struggling to find someone. Would you mind PMing me? Congratulations on the sprint triathlon!

Sure, I've just sent you a connection request.  Though my trainer is more in the bodybuilding area rather than endurance, and he doesnt do my nutrition. I have done (before cancer) lots of long distance endurance events, I can share my experience on PM. 

Hi

keeping an eye on these posts as I too used to do triathlons and managed 4 Ironman up to Covid and iv been a couch potato since. However I’m due to go on ADT soon and so have started to slowly get myself running and doing light weights again. I guess we are all different and some will struggle more than others. But I can see reading others posts that it’s also a mental challenge as well as physical . Wishing you all the best and perhaps we can do a triathlon relay someday ( slowly haha )