New relationship & likely SRT

User

Posted 20 Sep 2023 at 17:27

Hi all, might be an odd one this, I'm 2.5 years post op but had a recent sudden spike in my PSA from <0.1's to 0.37 so looking like I'll be heading for salvage radiation and/or HRT. Unless it's a blip?! 😬 My problem is I'm in a relatively new relationship (10 months), and it's been fantastic. After an edgy start the sex life has been great with the help of our little blue friends. Now facing going back to square 1 or worse in that respect and I'm contemplating not having treatment for that reason. I don't think it's fair to ask her to put up with someone defunct when she could move on and not have those problems. So I'm faced with old quality Vs quantity problem. And I can't face a life without her either, this feels like the real thing in our 50's.

Have you ppl who've had the op and then salvage and/or HRT ever really recovered a decent penetrative sex life? Is it possible? How long does recovery take and could I ever expect to get back to where I am now in terms of no real ED with the pill help?

Thanks all

Snolly

User

Posted 21 Sep 2023 at 00:45

While HT has a significant temporary effect on sex, it's not always used with SRT. If your oncologist does suggest it, ask what difference they think it would make to your chance of a cure if you didn't take it.

There is a chance RT could damage erectile function, although this is lower than the chance prostatectomy will damage it. It can happen at the time, or it can come on slowly starting up to a couple of years later. If you did get any additional effect, it might be a case of upping the Viagra dose (which you should be able to get for free on prescription). There are no guarantees of course.

User

Posted 21 Sep 2023 at 18:52

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Thanks Kev...good info there. How do you mean is 0.37 right? How could it be wrong? Although I do have to say I had a bike accident and landed on my genitals a few weeks back...seems a bit of a coincidence. I will be re-testing psa next week.

Risk Vs reward. Not sure I can cope with further treatment and what it might do to our QOL, having such a lovely time til now.

Hi,

I'm no expert regarding PSA figures and I don't know the timescales involved where you've gone from 0.1's to 0.37.. just seems a bit of a jump, but as you're getting a retest next week, you'll have a better idea as to what's going on.

As for further treatment, I found SRT pretty straightforward, apart from the daily grind of travelling to and from the treatment centre.

Try not to worry.

Good luck.

Kev.

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User

Posted 20 Sep 2023 at 17:51

I’m in the middle of HT and still have a sex life. I’ve had to adapt it because of Peyronie’s disease brought on by HT/RT so I would recommend Penile Rehab if you do go ahead with treatment. If it weren’t for the Peyronie’s I would be able to have penetrative sex….it wouldn’t be the same for me (dry orgasm and zero libido) but I can’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be as good for my wife. With the help of viagra, tadalafil and a vacum pump I can see no reason why you can’t still have a good sex life.

I see the real problem is the libido….I have just NO interest in having sex, and yet when we get going and with experimentation I can still get intense pleasure and orgasm through manual stimulation.

Have you discussed it with your new partner?

User

Posted 20 Sep 2023 at 19:05

Hi,

I'm coming up to my 4th post op anniversary, and like you, I had a positive margin. I had a good run of around 18 months until my PSA started rising.

I had salvage radiotherapy without HT last year. ED wise, I took a little hit at the time, but that could have been stress/anxiety.

Penetrative sex wise.. it's pretty good and I don't really have any problems now, although I still take my tadalafil prescription.

Maybe discuss your options, will SRT be with or without HT? Also, is that 0.37 figure right? are they going to retest etc..

Hope this helps.

Kev.

User

Posted 20 Sep 2023 at 23:26

Risk Vs reward. Not sure I can cope with further treatment and what it might do to our QOL, having such a lovely time til now.

User

Posted 20 Sep 2023 at 23:29

I haven't broached the subject yet no. Bit worried about the reaction. Seems like a lot of effort you are doing there for any normal sex life....I didn't get on with a pump at ALL, found the Viagra did the trick up til now.

User

Posted 20 Sep 2023 at 23:52

Also sorry to hear about the Peyronie’s disease, that is awful. When did that start and is there a specific reason? I hadn't heard of it before

User

Posted 21 Sep 2023 at 00:45

User

Posted 21 Sep 2023 at 18:52

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Risk Vs reward. Not sure I can cope with further treatment and what it might do to our QOL, having such a lovely time til now.

Hi,

As for further treatment, I found SRT pretty straightforward, apart from the daily grind of travelling to and from the treatment centre.

Try not to worry.

Good luck.

Kev.

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