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Final diagnosis - Hormone Therapy

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User
Posted 29 Mar 2018 at 23:26

After months of anxiety, i post my updates here.

PSA 38.5 26th Jan 18

DRE 8th Feb

MRI 9th Feb

Trans perineal Template Biopsy 1st march

Results 14th March - 32 biopsies;

left side 15 with some cancer, 1 with 100% cancer

Right side 12 with some cancer, 4 with no cancer

Gleason score 4:5

23rd March bone scan

26th march CT scan

29th March results

Bone scan clear

CT scan clear

I start Bicalutamide 50mg tablets on the 9th April to prepare my body for Zoladex 10.8mg hormone injection on the 23rd April, these Bicualutamide tablets are to prevent a testosterone "flare" I then take the tablets for a further 2 weeks, then stop them and get the Zoladex every 3 months from the 23rd April. I start external radiotherapy about the 9th July for 6 or 7 weeks, Monday to Friday. Then its review time. My oncologist expects me to stay on Zoladex for up to 3 years. I accept the side affects of course as they will give me a longer life expectancy. My wife, however is not enamoured with the ED side effects. I have read about using vacuum devices with rings to help obtain erections and maintain them, but there seems,as expected companies keen to ask huge amounts of money for what is a simple device. Any advice on afordable sources would be gratefully received

 

User
Posted 29 Mar 2018 at 23:26

After months of anxiety, i post my updates here.

PSA 38.5 26th Jan 18

DRE 8th Feb

MRI 9th Feb

Trans perineal Template Biopsy 1st march

Results 14th March - 32 biopsies;

left side 15 with some cancer, 1 with 100% cancer

Right side 12 with some cancer, 4 with no cancer

Gleason score 4:5

23rd March bone scan

26th march CT scan

29th March results

Bone scan clear

CT scan clear

I start Bicalutamide 50mg tablets on the 9th April to prepare my body for Zoladex 10.8mg hormone injection on the 23rd April, these Bicualutamide tablets are to prevent a testosterone "flare" I then take the tablets for a further 2 weeks, then stop them and get the Zoladex every 3 months from the 23rd April. I start external radiotherapy about the 9th July for 6 or 7 weeks, Monday to Friday. Then its review time. My oncologist expects me to stay on Zoladex for up to 3 years. I accept the side affects of course as they will give me a longer life expectancy. My wife, however is not enamoured with the ED side effects. I have read about using vacuum devices with rings to help obtain erections and maintain them, but there seems,as expected companies keen to ask huge amounts of money for what is a simple device. Any advice on afordable sources would be gratefully received

 

User
Posted 30 Mar 2018 at 10:42

Goodness, you don’t look it 😂

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 01 Apr 2018 at 16:39

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
After I looked at a video on YouTube showing a transperineal prostate biopsy just before I had mine, I said I wouldn’t look at treatment videos anymore.
However out of curiosity I followed the video showing injection of a Zoladex treatment. I just hope I don’t get a doctor like the one in the video!

Alan,

My 2 Zoladex implants were both painless. GP concealed the needle. It took a firm push, but left no mark. Less pain then any of the 'sharp scratches' I had in the last year.

One forum cyclist members recommended Selle Superflow and Max SLR Gel Flow saddles with big cut outs to get back on the bike sooner.

User
Posted 03 Apr 2018 at 20:53

the Zoladex implants look worse than they feel. I had mine done by nurse who was more worried than me.

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User
Posted 30 Mar 2018 at 01:01

No no no - the pump should be prescribed free on the NHS! Ask your nurse specialist or GP for referral to the local ED nurse or andrology clinic (if there is one).

And has anyone told you about applying for your prescription exemption certificate?

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 30 Mar 2018 at 01:04

PS important for you both to understand the difference between ED and loss of libido. You may still get erections but have no sexy thoughts. Unless you are one of the lucky few, the pump will be less about using rings and having intercourse, and more about maintaining penile health and minimising atrophy (shrinkage)

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 30 Mar 2018 at 06:41

I would have a word with Onco about six sessions of early chemo

before you start anything , as it has been shown to improve treatment 

results 

 

Barry

User
Posted 30 Mar 2018 at 07:22
Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

No no no - the pump should be prescribed free on the NHS! Ask your nurse specialist or GP for referral to the local ED nurse or andrology clinic (if there is one).

And has anyone told you about applying for your prescription exemption certificate?

I’m 66 now so I get free prescriptions

User
Posted 30 Mar 2018 at 10:42

Goodness, you don’t look it 😂

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 31 Mar 2018 at 21:08
Don’t know how much the experts on here think of tools like this but I just tried this as it was applicable to my situation witches having been diagnosed knowing my Gleason score and my T score;

https://webcore.mskcc.org/survey/surveyform.aspx?preview=true&excelsurveylistid=4

It returns to figure comparing the information you put in compare to 100 other people with itheoretical dentical symptoms

User
Posted 31 Mar 2018 at 21:12
After I looked at a video on YouTube showing a transperineal prostate biopsy just before I had mine, I said I wouldn’t look at treatment videos anymore.

However out of curiosity I followed the video showing injection of a Zoladex treatment. I just hope I don’t get a doctor like the one in the video!

User
Posted 31 Mar 2018 at 23:57

The MSK nomograms are well known but bear in mind that UK results are worse than America's - and certain areas of the UK have worse outcomes than others so your hospital will have put your stats into their own version as part of working out which treatments might be offered to you.

On my husband's diagnosis letter, the urologist included the nomogram result. Worth you asking your doctor?

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 01 Apr 2018 at 16:39

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
After I looked at a video on YouTube showing a transperineal prostate biopsy just before I had mine, I said I wouldn’t look at treatment videos anymore.
However out of curiosity I followed the video showing injection of a Zoladex treatment. I just hope I don’t get a doctor like the one in the video!

Alan,

My 2 Zoladex implants were both painless. GP concealed the needle. It took a firm push, but left no mark. Less pain then any of the 'sharp scratches' I had in the last year.

One forum cyclist members recommended Selle Superflow and Max SLR Gel Flow saddles with big cut outs to get back on the bike sooner.

User
Posted 03 Apr 2018 at 20:53

the Zoladex implants look worse than they feel. I had mine done by nurse who was more worried than me.

 
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