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LDR Brachytherapy after HT

User
Posted 06 Nov 2017 at 16:14

November 6th 2017

Now approximately 9 months since my Brachytherapy operation and can report that my latest PSA is 1.3 and that The Christie Hospital have moved me onto 6 monthly monitoring appointments.

I have to request a PSA test from my GP about 2 weeks before each appointment so am now effectively back on Active Surveillance.

Until recently, my large prostate (70cc) would have ruled out Brachytherapy as a treatment option but this is no longer the case if HT is first used to shrink it.

Still taking Tamsulosin but trying just 1 tablet every 3 days. Will probably stop altogether at the end of the week and see how I get on?!

Regular night time trips to the loo still a bit of a problem, but showing signs of improving.

ED issues are slowly improving with the aid of Viagra!!

Mean while, can I take the opportunity to wish all my fellow sufferers all the very best for the future.

To those families whose loved ones sadly do not see the light at the end of the tunnel, my sincerest condolences.

Tom        

       

User
Posted 06 Nov 2017 at 22:16

Thanks for the update Tom, I love threads like yours- giving the full journey and being prepared to update post treatment on the big 3! Of cancer control, continence and functionality?

Really helpful to those who may follow a similar path!

Thank you and great news that it's all going well.

Clare

User
Posted 07 Nov 2017 at 10:12

Hi Tp,

Sounds like you are winning I am a few months ahead of you from operation it will be 14 months on the 25th November.I got off the Tamulosen last April and my last PSA was down to 0.59 and at last meet with the specialist team they seemed happy but i did not get all my questions answered.

Apart from that it's nice to hear from another LDR Brachytherapy patient as it does boost the spirit a bit.I still have the dreaded Ed but like you we can get by with the pills.I was also given a three month break to my next blood test in mid January so have come over to Europe in my motorhome and will tour till the New Year ( Spain at moment) before returning to the UK.I am finding being away from home very useful as it gets me away from the over thinking and analysing what's happing to me.

Good luck for the future and keep us all posted on your progress.

And high all the rest of the members on here I have not forgotten you all and your own journeys with PC and still follow you and try to give some help if i can.

 

John.

User
Posted 24 Apr 2018 at 15:33

Still here folks and able to update you all on my progress!

April 24th 2018 (D + 15 months)

PSA 3.4 ng/ml …up from 1.3 on 27/10/2017

Testosterone 10.0 nmol/l …down from 10.3 on 26/07/2017 (acceptable range 6.7 to 25.7) so still lowish

No Tamsulosin since December 2017

6 month check up with The Christie Urology Nurse … raised PSA level could be due to “The Bounce”. Switch to PSA every 3 months until long term trend established

Still 3 to 6 nightly visits to the loo (very occasionally just 2!). Was reassured that the trauma exerted by the Brachytherapy procedure can take a relatively long time to settle down! WE SHALL SEE?

Currently finding that it is a difficult balance between taking on board sufficient fluids and minimising the urgency to find the nearest loo!!

I dare so I am not alone in finding that this disease not only has a fairly severe physical impact but a psychological one too!!    

However, I am feeling a bit more positive since seeing the nurse today.

Next appointment in approximately 6 months time

Tom

 

User
Posted 24 Apr 2018 at 15:40
Hi tp1944,

Hopefully as you say the increase in PSA is a bounce and not a trend.

You are so right in saying the physical side effects and psychological effects of Prostate cancer and it’s treatment are a roller coaster.

Stay as positive as you can,

Best wishes, Ian

Ido4

User
Posted 24 Apr 2018 at 16:19

Many thanks Ian for your best wishes.
You certainly have been on a bigger roller coaster ride than I have and at a younger age too!!
May your good news continue for many years to come
Best Wishes, Tom

User
Posted 26 Jul 2018 at 09:57

Latest update on my "Living with Prostate Cancer" journey

July 26th July 2018 (D + 18 months)

PSA 4.6 ng/ml ….. up from 3.4 on 24/04/2018

Testosterone 9.6 nmol/l …. Down from 10.0 on 24/04/2018

Not the good news I was hoping for!! Both parameters trending in the wrong direction still!

User
Posted 23 Oct 2018 at 18:00

Oct 23rd 2018  (D + 21 months) … 6 monthly review today at the Christie Community Prostate Clinic so time for an update :

PSA 4.7 ng/ml ….. up from 4.6 on 17/07/2018

Testosterone 9.1 nmol/l …. Down from 9.6 on 17/07/2018

Still disappointing but at least the PSA rise is not so steep so no need to be too concerned (yet?!)

Next review date in 3 months time (rather than 6)  

Tom

User
Posted 23 Oct 2018 at 18:27

Your PSA rise is small but three month review seems sensible. I presume you are still on active surveillance?

Best wishes.

Ido4

User
Posted 23 Oct 2018 at 19:07

Many thanks Ido4. Yes I guess it is Active Surveillance for the moment. Just thankful I was in my 70's before I had to deal with this desease!

Regards Tom 

User
Posted 23 Oct 2018 at 23:57
TP did they say anything at the review appointment about next steps if your PSA has risen again in 3 months? Or at what PSA level they would start to be concerned?
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 24 Oct 2018 at 10:24

The Urology nurse I saw at the latest review was slightly concerned at the elevated PSA and indicated that the next review in January will be the point at which they decide on what course of action needs to be taken (if any). She reassured me that there were several options available. I am currently awaiting a follow up letter from this recent review.  

Regards Tom   

User
Posted 24 Oct 2018 at 11:28

Hi Tom,

I am still here following you on the Brachytherapy road and so far my results have been good and dropping.Sorry to hear yours are rising a bit but i am sure you are in the best hands.

There are not many of us LDR on here and i find i am not much help or comfort to the Radical operations members not having had their treatments.

Good luck in January i am sure they will give you a good going over for the best result.

Regards John.

 

 

User
Posted 24 Oct 2018 at 12:10

Hi John .. good to hear from you again and glad to see you are in "good health"!

As you indicate there are not many of us LDR patients on the forum therefore it is important that we keep our threads going.

It was thanks to yours and Johsans husband's latest PSA results of <1 that I realised that my treatment may not have been 100% effective.

We will just have to wait and see what happens.

Will update again in Jan 2019

Meanwhile, hope you have a great Christmas

Regards Tom     

User
Posted 24 Oct 2018 at 17:18

Whatto John the Print, TP1944 and Johsan,and all other LDR Implantees,

As my profile will tell my LDR (Seed Implant)Brachytherapy goes back to April 2010 which kind of makes me feel like Kenneth Clark where he sits in the Commons as 'Father of the House.' If anyone wants to deprive me of 'Longest LDR Seed Implantee' then go right ahead.

I have enjoyed a spectacularly healthy 8.5years since LDR and have monitored my PSA level every 3 to 6 months throughout this time. The lowest PSA I ever recorded was in January 2013, almost 3 years after treatment, when the level dipped to 1.0 which therefore became my nadir. It is a little worrying that my most resent PSA test in August 2018 came back at 2.4 but by constant closely monitoring I am aware that my PCa can be described as slow growing but taking no chances I am looking to a NHS MRI scan mid November 2018. My most wonderful Consultant is keeping his eye steadily on my PSA ball and if and when it reaches 3 he will decide if intervention is necessary. There are several treatment possibilities available to me but I see no point in chasing rainbows until the make your mind up time is in my face.

I am 74 years old and play Golf 3 or 4 times every week. I have no symptoms now nor have I ever had even prior to diagnosis in October 2009.For me, even if I drop dead tomorrow, Low Dose Radiotherapy has been a monumental ,side effect free, success.

I have given my honest advice to many posters on this forum and will continue to so if I can be of assistance to anyone. I find that that the best way to get my message over to anyone is by direct email which becomes of course much more personal.

My advice, in line pretty much with that of Bollinge, is for anyone living under the threat of PCa for goodness sake by fair means or foul get your  PSA blood tests done as regularly as you can and if the numbers become worrying get your arse down to the Quacks or get on to your Consultant's Secretary for an appointment.

I have read the Prostate Cancer UK forum every single day since my diagnosis looking perhaps to help a newcomer and I ask that all posters keep it in mind that there is a need to extend compassion and just as the medical profession preaches 'first do no harm'. Just imagine the thoughts of a first time poster when he/she arrives here and is met with what seems like some kind of confrontation.

 

I am an authority on Low Dose Radiation Brachytherapy but not remotely authoritive.

 

Kind regards to everyone.

Edited by member 24 Oct 2018 at 17:48  | Reason: An after thought.

User
Posted 24 Oct 2018 at 17:44

Hi Chigwell,

Thanks for your interest in the Brachy guys sorry i have not picked up on you before and i tended to think was i right in going for the Brachytherapy as against  the Radical surgery that the first specialist told was they way to go.

It was only that i had a friend from the print had been diagnosed with PC and had taken the brachytherapy option that was very successful and was on remission after two years,unfortunatly he died of a heart attack while on holiday in Spain so we will never know if he beat it.

So maybe it pays not to worry about the PC to much as there are many more other ways to meet your maker out there.

But i must say it is nice to hear from other members on here from time to time and their own personal journeys that had the same procedures.

I still find the PSA scores very confusing as mine was lower than your start at 2.19 with gleason 3+4 =7 but 5 out 20 samples positive and yet the normal PSA for a 70 year old is about 5-7.

I think i have been very lucky with the results so far and the specialist has handed me over to the oncology nurse for six monthly blood tests.

 

Regards John.

User
Posted 10 Nov 2018 at 11:00

Nov 10th 2018 ….It is with great sadness that I now inform fellow forum members of the death of my dear younger brother yesterday morning from this s**t disease .

He was rushed into hospital about a week ago and a scan showed that his cancer had spread though out his body and there was nothing they could do. An added complication was Alzheimers.

He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends, but his suffering is now over.

I had an MRI scan yesterday and a Bone scan a week ago so now just awaiting the results. Hopefully they will help provide explanations as to why my PSA is so high.

Tom  

User
Posted 10 Nov 2018 at 11:37
Sorry to see this TP.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 10 Nov 2018 at 13:08

Sorry to hear that TP, this disease is truly awful.

Ian

Ido4

User
Posted 12 Nov 2018 at 14:23

Hi Tom,

Sorry for late reply I just read about your loss. Its bad enough to have the PC yourself but when it affects your brother it gets very hard.We are thinking about you at this sad time and hope the pain will lessen with time.

Wishing you the best of luck with your next appointment please keep in touch.

 

John.

 
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