Dad just diagnosed. Need advice

I meant, now I've put the bathing formula on here, it is no longer a secret... 😃😄

Hi SR12,

Good to hear from you. Glad your dad's had the covid jab, my mom is 91 and just had hers, no side effects. I'm very glad she has had it. Good luck with dad's psa test. 

Hello,

Just thought id update dad's PSA results. <0.01

This is a good result but he only just had the last Zoladex implant in December and i believe the effects are still in the system for a few month's. Then i assume the testosterone will increase meaning the PSA will rise?

What level should it stay under? Is it 2?

Sorry for questions.  This is a new stage for us so just want to ensure i understand it.

Thank you.

Thank you so much Lyn. Very helpful as always! Hope you all are well.

If you want to try tamsulosin and can't be bothered with the hassle of getting a gp appointment, it can be purchased over the counter with the brand name Flomax. 

If it works, then obviously it will be better to get it on prescription as it will then be free. 

Hello!

Just checking in. Hope everyone is keeping well and enjoying the sun for today!

Dad is doing OK. He tried the tamsulosin but it didn't seem to work for him. He still gets up around 3 times on average each night. 

The hot flushes are getting a bit worse now, however his last Zoladex implant was in December so i think they should start calming down now.. i think i read it can take around 3 months for the side effects to start wearing off.

He is feeling really tired nowadays though. He is usually very active but somedays he struggles to get a walk in. I wonder if this is part of the on going side effects?

We have requested for full bloods to be done and just check PSA again although i doubt that would have risen in just 4 months?

He is also feeling depressed. I think a lot of this could be down to lockdown/maybe Zoladex side effects?

Take care.

Hey Bob!

Lovely to hear from you! 

It was very reassuring to read your post. I showed dad and told him that things will get better. He just needs to go with it for now.

He is really struggling with lack of energy. He says he finds it difficult to move his legs as they have become heavy?? I wonder if this is to do with losing muscle?

Really glad to hear you are getting back to your usual self and getting energy back too!

We all need to get out of lockdown and back to doing whatever we enjoy!

Take care and thank u so much for the reassuring post.

WOW! Maybe a mask on the chin stops covid from spreading. We have been wearing it wrong for a whole year! Oh dear, hope they can sort out the piles ASAP!

Dad has been in a better mood last few days. Phew. He had his radiotherapy on empty bowel and bladder, he was really glad about that as he had read the stories about full bladder! 

How is your wrist? I remember reading you had some pain there. Was it the wrist?

Really glad you are better now and pain has gone. So worrying when something else starts to hurt. Yeh dad coped well with the treatment whilst it was ongoing but defo is seeing the side effects now! 

Hopefully he will be better once he can start to go out and see his friends!

Have a good weekend. Take care and thanks for the advice!

I have a feeling we will have restrictions during the winter months.. pubs and restaurants.. just can't wait!

True! But you know the government get a bit excited about holidays! Lol!

So finally dad told us today why he feels so low. It is because he is experiencing some leakage from his bowl when he doesn't expect it. Apparently a fart is not a fart.. i remember reading about this side effect from RT, a while ago.

He said it is making him feel scared to go for walks etc and he doesn't want to wear pads.

Will this side effect wear off in time?

Any suggestions?

He said this, together with having to wake up 3/4 times a night to pee, is really depressing him. And the hot flushes too!

Any suggestions would be great. Thanks once again.

Thank you Bob. I have shared it with dad.

But, if like me, definitely clears up, seemed to take for ever to do so but may have been few months.

Peter

Me again!

Dad had routine full blood count done last week. The blood count (HB) came back slightly reduced so they want dad to give a stool sample to check for bleeding in the bowels. Dad has got slight bleeding since finishing RT. Happens very occasionally. We spoke to Macmillan who said this was very common after RT. We explained this to the GP, however they still want dad to give the stool sample.

I am guessing they want to check for Bowel cancer? He only just finished the RT in December. Shouldn't they give it a few months? 

Anyone else had experience of this at all? Maybe we should speak to the Onco?

Apart from that everything else came back fine.

Ah i see. OK, thanks Lynn. Dad suffers from Barrett syndrome (acid reflux) so does get checked every 3yrs for esphogues cancer. It was due last year but didn't happen because of COVID. I hope its not that.

Mind is going into overdrive. Best to just get it done and hopefully get to the bottom of this. Why can't things just be OK for a bit. One thing after another.

So glad i posted on here. Thank you.

Hi, it is decisions time for me, I am gleason 7 possible t3 with psa of 3.4,I am 74 years of age quite fit, I leaned towards hormone and rt, and I am due to see oncologist next Thursday, I met the urology nurse last week and she told me because of a split in the prostrate it is I am likely to be on hormones for 3 years, I have been bone scanned and body scanned along with mri and no sign of spread, I have observed quite a lot of people have been on hormones for three years, I can not seem to find out why people elected to go that route when removal only takes about 16 weeks out of your life is it a preference or medically requirement, i have to take hormones for 3 months if I choose surgery as waiting list is 10 weeks, I would welcome comments on these options, thanks 

Thanks Chris new to this site not sure how to start a new topic

Hello

Hope everyone is well and enjoying the sunshine!

I just wondered if RT and HT can cause a delay tiredness? Dad was OK during the treatment, still carrying on with normal activities. However, the past 2 weeks or so he has been extremely tired. Sleeps for longer and isnt going for walks. When he does go, he has to sit on the bench for a while.

He is also suffering from a bad cough (not covid as we got him tested). He has a chest xray next Monday.

Luckily, his endoscopy appointment for Barrett's esophagus has also come through for July.

He is convinced he has throat/chest cancer because the cough is really bad and he is tired.

Difficult to say until tests are done, however i just wondered if HT and RT tiredness can come on months after treatment?

He still has blood in stools too which Macmillan are not too concerned about but will test him for all that in August, when his next PSA is due.

Thank you in advance!

Good to hear from you Dave. Hope all OK your end.

Dad's energy levels are a bit all over the place. Sometimes he is shattered. Other times he seems to be OK.

GP gave him some meds for cough as they thought it could be his asthma. Its made a slight difference. He is also getting some breathlessness now and then.

Chest scan on Monday and endoscopy end of July. 

I am trying not to stress and wait for results.. its really difficult as i feel like we are back to investigation stages, which is what was happening exactly a year ago with his prostate.. fingers crossed.

Will post with results.

Take care.

Hey Bob!

Good to hear from you.

Dad had last HT in December 2020. I think it may be the side effects. He naps in the afternoon if he is home. This week, so far, has been OK.

The chest x-ray results say N/A. I assume this means no further action. I have sent a message to the GP to confirm. Really hope its clear. His cough has really improved. I suspect it was the asthma playing up.

He is still bleeding from bowels. That will be checked in August, together with next PSA test.

I know its a common side effect, hoping it is just that.

Hope you are keeping well and enjoying the sunshine!