Plans?

By redroadtraveler

1 min read

Plans? What plans?

Low energy from prostate cancer

I don't have near the level of energy and stamina I used to have before the advent of my stage IV prostate cancer. We live on a 30-acre farm with animals to take care of. Not many, thank goodness, but it's all I can do to just keep up with caring for two horses, feeding the barn cats, and my wife's service dog (wife had polio and gets around slowly with the aid of an arm cane), and mowing the lawn and horse pasture area.

Chores became difficult

I used to be able to do these things easily and have time and energy for other projects. Now, my goal is to simply keep up with routine maintenance. I do things slowly for an hour or two and then lay down for an hour or two to recover. Some days I can only do one thing for an hour or two and I am shot for the rest of the day. I find that my lack of strength and stamina is the most frustrating part of this journey.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The ProstateCancer.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

Richard Faust Community Admin
Hi <inline-mention username="redroadtraveler" user-id="4834445"/>. You definitely are not alone. Fatigue can be a real problem for those undergoing cancer treatment, often from both the cancer and the treatments. I want to share with you this search of our archive with various articles written on fatigue for you to peruse at your convenience: <a href='https://prostatecancer.net/search?s=fatigue' target='_blank'>https://prostatecancer.net/search?s=fatigue</a>. I'm guessing part of your treatment is androgen deprivation therapy, which can be a major contributor to fatigue. Mind if I ask what treatment you are on and how things are going? Also, I want you to know we have men here who have been stage 4 for quite some time and going strong. Hope is real. Best, Richard (ProstateCancer.net Team)
redroadtraveler Member
I used to get androgen deprivation shots which kept my testosterone below 50. I haven't had them for over a year and contrary to the doctors opinion I don't see that correlation that low testosterone equals low psa. My primary treatment is keytruda infusions and bone strengthener infusions. At the start, my psa was off the charts - something like 850. Recently it has been down around 3 or 4. Then it started rising again. Dr. Wanted to go back to androgen deprivation shots but I said no as I had had normal testosterone for a year with no correlation between testosterone levels and psa levels I then had five radiation treatments. So far that has slowed the rate of increase in psa levels and hopefully will show a decrease in psa from my current 12 or so over the next few months as a result of the radiation treatments.
Dennis E. Golden Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="redroadtraveler" user-id="4834445"/> Cancer along with the many related treatments just suck the energy out of you. Over time I came to realize that I can only do what I can and then you just take break. We know our own bodies better than anyone else. I believe it is always best to follow your instincts while keeping an eye out for any developing changes that may cause concerns. It appears that you and your MD are working as partners on this journey and that is good. Best of luck to you ... Dennis(ProstateCancer.net TEAM)
Dennis E. Golden Moderator & Contributor
redroadtraveler Cancer along with the many related treatments just suck the energy out of you. Over time I came to realize that I can only do what I can and then you just take break. We know our own bodies better than anyone else. I believe it is always best to follow your instincts while keeping an eye out for any developing changes that may cause concerns. It appears that you and your MD are working as partners on this journey and that is good. Best of luck to you ... Dennis(ProstateCancer.net TEAM)
Sue Franke Moderator & Contributor
Cancer, as many illnesses, can zap the energy out of you. It sounds like your normal chores with the farm, animals and home would zap the energy out of almost everyone. Letting yourself rest when you need to is important. Cutting back where you can or maybe getting help can also help. Richard Faust mentioned that there are many men in this group who are stage 4 and going strong. My husband is one of them. When he was first diagnosed and as he went through treatment his energy plummeted. After treatment, it still took a long time for his energy, or some of it, to return and we realized that we needed to adjust our lives to what his body needed to heal and to live. I hope as you continue to heal and let your body rest when you can, your energy returns. Best wishes.