Salvage Therapy - Chapter 3
The first two chapters of my story (#1 biopsy to surgery, and #2 surveillance) can be found here https://prostatecancer.net/stories/my-one-year-anniversary.
Now on the chapter 3:
Having had the robotic surgery on March of 2021 (at the age of 64), and had a very good recovery. I have been on surveillance via 3 month ultra PSA blood draws ever since. In Feb of '23 I was elated when my PSA reached an all-time low of "<.01 undetectable" . However 3 months later in May I reached a new high of .05, another retest 1 month later also came in at .05.
So I am now officially into my own Chapter 3 = Salvage Therapy (hate that term "salvage", I associate that with a junkyard) !
However; I am confident that I am on an excellent and proactive treatment plan. I began my 6 months of ADT/Orgovyx meds on June 19th, 3 weeks later I have minimal side-effects, only afternoon fatigue. Hopefully that will be the worst of the ADT side-effects.
Then in early August I will begin 2 months of the radiation routine.
Thought I would share with a willingness to compare notes with others via this forum.
4 week Update:
Yesterday I completed my first month of ADT on Orgovyx. Happy to report that I am only experiencing 2 side effects: Afternoon fatigue/brain-fog, and the "friend of men; Mr. Libido has left the building. What I am actively doing to offset other side-effects:
To combat loss of muscle mass - Doing an hour of strength training every other day, and long walks (2-3 miles on alternate days)
Weight gain - limiting caloric intake by skipping one meal each dayUpdate: So tomorrow I will begin week #6 on ADT (Orgovyx). So far only the one side-effect has been afternoon fatigue and brain fog - I feel fortunate. Last week they ran the first blood panel to make sure of other side effects (Liver function etc.) - no concerns. Dr is happy with the result: Testosterone has been suppressed to 14 (normal range 200-800), and as a result PSA has fallen from .05 to <.01. So it seems this portion of the treatment is on track.
thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. I hope you continue to feel good during your sixth week. I am glad your blood panel looked good as well. Please keep us posted. Jill, prostatecancer.net
UPDATE: So I have just passed the 1/2 way mark on my salvage therapy as follows;
Just finished the 3rd (of 6 months) of Orgovyx ADT, and have had #20 of 39 radiation treatments. So far only one significant* side-effect; fatigue from the ADT and then some added fatigue from radiation. I am considering myself lucky.
As for my routine; still doing an hour of strength training every other day and walking several miles on days the weather permits. As for strength training I seem to have increased the weights I am pushing by an additional 10~15%. As for my own weight I have gained only 3 lbs. (seems to have gone to my belly). As for other preventative measures; I am still doing 15 minutes of VED exercise every day.I am glad to hear you are doing well and you are able to keep up your fitness routine even with the added fatigue. Please keep us posted. Jill, prostatecancer.net team great to see you battling, it’s encouraging. I am going to begin Orgovyx this weekend. My surgery was in February and residual cancer was discovered in June after several 0.23 psa results. Can you recommend any particular time of day to take Orgovyx? Thank you for sharing your experiences.
I take orgovyx when I get up in the morning, and have had no initial side effects. However; after about week #2 the fatigue set in. For me the fatigue has been the only noticeable side effect. I hope you also have minimal side effects. Good luck and keep us posted - wishing you well!
