Prostate harder on one side.

User

Posted 22 Jan 2019 at 18:49

So far so good. Day 13 today and no nasty side effects yet. Apart from 4 or 5 bowel movements in the morning but I can cope with that. R Therapist said the success rates for this treatment for localised Intermediate Favourable are very good.

User

Posted 22 Jan 2019 at 18:58

You're getting there, Glad to hear its going reasonably well.

The important thing is those little s**t*y cells are getting blasted to bits.

Edited by member 22 Jan 2019 at 19:02 | Reason: adding a line

Ido4

User

Posted 04 Feb 2019 at 08:05

And that's over. 20 fractions and 60 Gy. Side effects are still little and often BM's, except for today when I produced a lot at once and noticed it was darker than usual. I'm hoping it's too much dark chocolate I've eaten in the last two days. Not hydrating enough either. Peeing is quite frequent but not much each time. A bit painful at times as is ejaculating but I've stopped that until things are back to normal. Early days, only the third day since the last radiation. Patience!

User

Posted 21 Feb 2019 at 19:19

Three weeks after treatment. BM's still 4 or 5 in the mornings and sometimes very little warning. Can't go away from home until pm. Peeing not so painful or frequent now, have been taking 3 or 4 Ural sachets daily which might be helping. Not prepared to risk ejaculating yet, but not an essential bodily function anyway. Will chat with my Dr in a week or so. Best wishes to all out there.

User

Posted 19 Mar 2019 at 20:10

And now it's about 6 weeks since the rt. Side effects have gone apart from the frequent loose BM's, but I think that's the way it will be now as a lot of my bowel was removed because of a blockage over 5 years ago. Saw the specialist on Monday. A bit of an anticlimax really. Arrived 30 minutes early as I do and then had to wait an hour after that. That's ok, busy man. But he seemed in a hurry and it was all over in ten minutes. He said not to worry about a weakened immune system which my dentist mentioned, no need to keep on taking Ural sachets - I've still got over 100! - and he'll see me in 3 months when I have the first PSA test since early July when it was 7.4. I asked about success rate and he said about 80%, I thought it was more than that but the 5 and 10 year survival rates were reassuring? I left feeling a bit confused and had a contemplative coffee. Any statistics for post rt would be interesting. Whatever, the nasty cells have had a zapping! He also said that it can take up to 18 months before PSA reduces significantly and the concern would be if there is an upward trend. Thanks for reading this far. Best wishes, John.

User

Posted 19 Mar 2019 at 23:02

Hope PSA stays nice and low for you. These meetings can be a bit surreal and then needing a contemplative drink!

Thanks for update. Best wishes.

Ido4

User

Posted 29 Mar 2019 at 20:02

I'm still finding conflicting survival rates but will settle for the almost 100% after 5 years for my grade of cancer and treatment. I don't know where the 80% he mentioned came from. Maybe the %age overall for all PC? Better to stop looking, I think I've seen them all from about 5 sites I visit! Concentrating on root canal dental work coming up soon and the $NZ1,200 bill to pay. Double ouch!

User

Posted 14 May 2019 at 10:26

I'm still here. Put off the dentist as I've got a temporary filling and there is no pain now. But it will need doing! Waiting for mid June for PSA test and another consultation. I've not had a PSA test for 10 months, I thought there would be one soon after rt. I expect it will drop from the 7.4, but don't know what to expect 4 1/2 months after treatment. Anyone out there with PSA levels for the first one after rt? I know we are all different, but just curious.

User

Posted 14 May 2019 at 11:04

I've just had my 6-week follow-up after my RT. My PSA immediately before treatment was 13; last week it was 4.6. Your PSA a few weeks or months after RT doesn't really matter (as long as it hasn't risen!); what matters is the PSA at the nadir which typically occurs around 18 months after the end of RT. You carry on "cooking" for a long time after RT stops!

Best wishes,

Chris

User

Posted 05 Jun 2019 at 00:41

Hi there. I had my first post rt PSA yesterday and it is 3.1. Down from 7.4 last July, so sounds about right? I'll carry on cooking hopefully as Dr is aiming for about 1 in 18 months or so. Will see him in 13 days.

User

Posted 05 Jun 2019 at 06:58

That sounds absolutely fine. Very much in line with what's happened to me.

User

Posted 13 Jun 2019 at 00:48

I'm seeing the consultant on Monday. Not sure what to ask him though. I suspect he will say 3.1 PSA is ok 4 months post rt and come and see me again mid September with an up to date PSA. My BM's are erratic but they have been since bowel cancer surgery and I don't have full erections now but haven't had for many years so I can't blame the rt. With testosterone injections, my level was 16.8 at last reading which is normal. My consultant said that they treat men with normal levels so I can keep having the 3 weekly boosts to keep it normal. Any questions I should ask gratefully received!

User

Posted 23 Jun 2019 at 21:39

Well, we had a chat. No dre either. He was encouraging about my 5 year survival prospects. I asked him about treatment if PSA starts to rise and he told me. Unfortunately, it was too much to take in, except that a scan, maybe a PET scan ? would not be funded. He discharged me and said to have the next PSA in 6 months, so that's a good sign? My Dr said 3 months, the Cancer Society person said 6, so I'll put it on hold and look forward to Summer.

User

Posted 08 Jul 2019 at 09:47

Hmm. I got the report and it had the medical history of another man. It's been fixed and the new one is about me. It doesn't mention that I was discharged or when to get the next PSA test. It does say to have annual dre's which he didn't tell me at the appt. I've been told by a few people on other sites that they are not done after radiation. Sooooo, I'm still confused and waiting to hear back from the hospital. Again. I'm one of hundreds of ageing baby boomers probably, so be patient.

User

Posted 24 Jul 2019 at 07:39

No word from the hospital yet but my Dr said PSA tests every 3 months to start and no dre required. Which is great! He said PSA should drop again in another 3 months. It was 3.1, 4 months after radiation. From 7.4 July '18. I hope there are people out there who could tell me that their PSA continued to fall with each post rt test. I know about the 'bounce' btw.

User

Posted 24 Jul 2019 at 09:33

Are you on HT?

Ido4

User

Posted 24 Jul 2019 at 21:09

No. I have hypogonadism and have to have 3 weekly injections of testosterone to stay 'normal.' Specialist said they treat men with normal levels. I did stop for a while pre rt and did notice unwanted effects.

User

Posted 24 Jul 2019 at 22:17

It may bounce about a bit but you should get your lowest reading (the nadir) about 18 months after the RT finished.

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

User

Posted 25 Jul 2019 at 15:09

Thanks Dunniz. I guess if you weren't getting testosterone injections that would be the equivalent of having HT.

Was that suggested at any point by your oncologist?

Ido4

User

Posted 25 Jul 2019 at 23:54

Yes, that makes sense. My Dr and a specialist I saw privately because I had to know, said to stop and wait until I saw the even more important oncologist. I did notice a difference when I stopped for a few weeks. Even more anxious about most things, (that's me anyway,) decreased energy, tiredness and more pronounced ed. I haven't had a full erection for many years and am past caring now anyway. BUT, the top man said to resume the injections as they now treat men with normal testosterone levels. They check it at the same time as my 3 monthly PSA tests. I've Googled too much and there is a lot of conflicting advice, so I'll need to stop that and leave it to the experts. So, the next stress in September with the blood tests. I'm fairly confident the PSA will show another drop. Keep cool if you can. Max 14 C here today but it is Winter, so that's higher than normal. I live in the 'deep south' of NZ and enjoy the cooler weather. No humidity or bity bugs in Summer either. John.

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