A new milestone, it's been a while

This is partly correct. Androgen receptors can't use the Testosterone because the Bicalutamide blocks them, and that's the way many things in your body use Testosterone. Actually, your Testosterone level increases because the Bicalutamide blocks the androgen receptors in your hypothalamus and pituitary glands which monitor and adjust your Testosterone level, because it stops these glands seeing your Testosterone so they think you need some more.

However, there are other ways too. For example, Testosterone is used to create Estrogens in men, which are also pretty essential for men, although not at the level found in women. When you're on hormone therapy injections which switch off Testosterone, you also lose your Estrogen, and it's that which causes osteoporosis, and significantly contributes to hot flushes. However, on Bicalutamide (and no hormone therapy injections), your Estrogen levels increase because your Testosterone level is higher. The raised Estrogen level causes your bones to strengthen (opposite of osteoporosis). Breast tissue can't see any Testosterone because the androgen receptors are blocked by the Bicalutamide, but they do see the raised Estrogen level, and this is the signal they use to detect a girl reaching puberty and causes breast tissue to grow (gynecomastia in men). Tamoxifen is a selective Estrogen and Androgen blocker, blocking the Estrogen receptors in breast tissue which therefore usually stops breast gland growth, but it doesn't block the Estrogen receptors in bone, so you still benefit from increased bone strength.

Recovery from Bicalutamide is faster than for hormone therapy injections, but it does still take a couple of months to flush out of your system.

Edited by member 29 Apr 2023 at 20:54  | Reason: Not specified

So my Zoladex journey is coming to an end after three long years.  I have my last implant 26/01/2023.  Onco says it will take at least six months to clear my system and for things to start to readjust to normal.  Looking forward to getting some strength and energy back and maybe losing some body fat.  

The sex side doesn't bother me.  To be honest I'd rather not have the urges back.  I'm 67, been divorced 10 years and have no partner and am unlikely to ever have another.  So being free of the desire for sex has actually been quite liberating for me.  I appreciate that might seem weird to some.

What I'm looking forward to most is any change in my mental health.  I've suffered severe depression since long before I started on the Zoladex.  But it's undeniably got worse the past three years.  If I can see any improvement whatsoever in that I will be very happy.  

Anyway, here's to the future and hopefully a bright 2023.

I’m near the start of my journey after only 6 months of Prostap3 and RT starting 16th January.

trying everything to improve side effects with varying success…the hot flushes are certainly better now than 3 months ago…I think the acupuncture has helped significantly.

Anxiety which came on immediately I started the HT has been solved by Sertraline, it really has made such a difference to my moods.

I’m keeping as active and positive as possible, fatigue has not really been and issue with me, I find the more active I keep, the more energy I have….I am just hoping I can keep up my gym going, walking and cycling to some level during the RT.

All the best for 2023

Hi Bean121,

Glad to hear that the planned exercise programme is already starting to improve your mood and outlook.  Sometimes, all we can do is take one day at a time.

Good luck.

JedSee. 

I get a 'green sheet' request form from the onco team for my regular GP blood tests, and  if its not on there, I just add 'testosterone' in manuscript. Always works!

Another thumbs up from me for the benefits of a bit of resistance training: after my RT I got access to a phone  app which has a varying bunch of exercises to go through. They haven't got me back to where I was before 2 years of Zoladex, but they have slowed the decline.

So as mentioned previously had my last Zoladex 27 January 2023.  "Ran out" 21 April 2023.  Been over six months now and still waiting for signs of testosterone return.  None so far sadly.  My next bloods are due mid-November followed by Onco appt about 20 Nov.  She's added T to the PSA test, but only total serum, not a proper profile. 

I'm not expecting a lot so it's my intention at present to ask her a "hypothetical question" about the risks that TRT would pose to me.  I've been nearly 4 years without T and to be honest I've had enough.  I'm prepared to bet that at 68 I exercise more than most people 30 years younger than me.  I walk several miles a day, and resistance train with weights six days a week. Yet I still can't build stamina, can't add lean tissue, and can't lose body fat.  And I'm depressed as hell.

Of course I appreciate that HRT has helped prolong my life but at the same time I've had to suffer the physical and mental consequences of being without testosterone.  I need some light at the end of the tunnel.  I'm fully aware that the NHS are unlikely to prescribe TRT and that I'd likely have to go private if I could afford it, but if I can I will.  Ok, rant over, just wondered if anyone else has gone on TRT after EBRT and HT?

Edited by member 23 Oct 2023 at 19:50  | Reason: Not specified