Dad just diagnosed. Need advice

Hey Bob!

Was a very humid day..but glad no rain!

The last HT in December was 4 weeks. He had 6 months HT in total. 

He said the hot flushes are getting worse, particularly at night. Could also be the weather.

No he isnt on Tadalafil. Can't remember if he tried it but not on anything at the moment.

The cough has practically gone. Just a bit worried about the bleeding from bowels. He said its a few times a week now.

Hopefully colonoscopy in August will rule out anything serious.

Take care.

Hey Lyn,

I remember reading about some permanent side effects and hot flushes was one of them. Must be really difficult in the summer.

Dad didn't get them initially.. the evening primrose and sage helped.. but recently they are getting worse at night. He has about 5 held hand fans around the house! Sometimes one in each hand going at the same time lol! 

I must admit, the problem has improved - but it has been such a long time to even get an appointment, I'm sticking with it. Actually, not all that hot today here in Suffolk - but I'm traveling to Gloucestershire in the Morning, (Sunday) I suspect, I will need to change into Shorts when I arrive!.

Enjoy Sunday Bob. Its going to be 29 in London!

Thanks Peter. Really glad to hear hot flushes finally stopped and treatment has done the job. Really reassuring to hear this. Il defo speak to dad about accupunture. He had it many years ago for migraines and it did work, so he may be up for it again.

Thank you!

Fab! Really fantastic result Bob! So pleased. That is a great PSA read. And long it may continue!

You got the Colonoscopy soon? After that you can hopefully relax and forget about medical stuff for at least 6 months!

Fantastic! Yes, i think Lyn explained that once the testosterone rises again then the PSA will rise as that is normal. I am not sure what figure it gets to before it is a concern? Maybe it's an individual thing? I hope my dad also has a similar result. His next PSA is in August. Keeping everything crossed!

Hey Bob,

How are you? Did you have the colonoscopy done?

Dads cough has improved as he has been on antibiotics. Not completely gone but its better. Chest x-ray was clear. He still gets blood in bowel movement so waiting for a colonoscopy date to come through. He has his routine endoscopy coming up in 2 weeks. Hopefully that will be OK.

Hot flushes still there but i ordered him this cold towel thing that he wears round his neck, which he says really helps. It stops the hot flushes lasting too long. He seems better on the whole, which we are all grateful for! 

How are you and things on your side going?

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Edited by moderator 20 Jul 2021 at 10:11  | Reason: Not specified

Sorry, Bob, to hear of your cancellation as I can empathize with all the prep  (especially taking the powder that virtually forces you to sit on the toilet for 15 or so hours whilst emptying your bowels) that you had to do to be ready for the colonoscopy. That was the worse for me when I underwent a colonoscopy in 2018. My procedure was carried out at Addenbrookes and though I was not looking forward to it, the reality for me was that it was a piece of cake. I didn't even know that they had started and when I asked the consultant when they were going to start he drew my attention to the monitor,  which showed the tube about halfway up my colon. I was being "fed" pure oxygen from a device clipped under my nose which, I think, made me quite high and oblivious of what was going on.

The result of the colonoscopy was there was no cancer, just piles.

Bob 

I was gowned up ready to go in ,the nurse returned and said sorry we have to cancel. I had been to an out of area hospital and they hadn't picked up that I had to have a hospital bug swab done. Livid doesn't go anywhere near describing my emotions.

I refused to go through it again and asked for the CT version of the scan. So a few day before the CT scan the hospital sent me a bottle of liquid to drink 12 hours prior to the scan. The effect was worse than the original preparation drink.🥴.

My scan also turned out negative for cancer and picked up piles.

My advice to guys now is dab don't wipe 

Hope it goes okay for you.

Thanks Chris

It's about health things about our body, under the control of strangers. That you HOPE are capable !

Good luck with the Sigmanoscopy Bob. Please keep us posted. They best not cancel this time round!

Lets hope they do go ahead with it! My dad got his letter, it says nothing on there re diet or lax. Just said to have a light breakfast, they will give enema once there. 

He is having the same procedure next week, wonder why prep is different?

He has the endoscosy for esphogues this Thursday so went for covid test (PCR!) yesterday morning too.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Hmmm interesting! Dads is different. They say they will give up to 2 enemas at the hospital. Light breakfast is fine and no special diet beforehand. Same procedure but diff prep as per what hospital wants.

Good luck with prep and on Thursday.

Why you having this procedure done?  Are you experiencing blood/discomfort, or to do with piles?

Yes, agree. Covid really messed NHS up. Dad gets a lot of bleeding, i think its a side effect from RT. Pls do keep us posted.

Only 2 loo visits? Though I suppose the time spent on the loo is the more pertinent question!

Phew! Glad they went through with it and can be treated. I just looked up what the treatment was. Literally heat to burn of bits. Hope you are feeling better now. I think dad may have something similar. 

Endoscopy today was clear. Next check up in 2 years time.

He has PSA, testosterone and full blood count on Monday for the Oncologist telephone apt a couple of weeks after. Fingers crossed PSA is still low. 6 months flew by!

Will post the results.

Hope you have recovered now Bob. Hopefully less windy lol! Dad isn't looking forward to the procedure. Shall message once we know more and also with blood results.

Dads PSA results are in <0.01. Really pleased!

Haven't got the FBC or testosterone yet. The Onco will probably let us know in 2 weeks on the follow up call.

Camera procedure this Thursday. Will post results but no blood since he stopped iron tablet's. Am wondering if Iron caused constipation, which in turn was causing blood due to straining. We will know more soon.

Take care.

Yes, I was thinking the same thing. His full blood count is also in. The red cell count has dropped again, its down as abnormal 4.07. Also the hemoglobin has dropped even further, which again is abnormal, 117.

A bit worried about why these are dropping. Im sure the bleeding has something to do with it. Could RT/HT also cause this?

Worried about why and what they may find on Thurs.

Endoscopy was all clear. 

Anything else that can cause a drop? Onco apt is 24th August. She requested these bloods, so hopefully she can advise.

Testosterone results not there yet.

Thanks.

Yes, did lots of research last night. He has always been anemic and on iron tablet's, which used to work. Since treatment they dont seem to be working. Just a bit worried about why. I read that even a bit of bleeding can cause red cells and hemoglobin to drop. Hopefully its just that. Shall find out tomorrow.

Dad had Sigmoidoscopy today. The findings were slight damage to the rectum  due to RT. Apparently its very mild so no need for treatment and should heal by itself. Dad was advised to cut down iron tablet's to one every other day to see if that helps 

No piles/polyps that they could see.

Doesn't sound like they went too deep in though as he wasnt given any prep before treatment and was told to eat as normal. He took an enema when he was there. Report says descending colon only.

Glad it wasn't anything more serious though!

Onco will call in 2 weeks and hopefully will be able to advise on how dad can get red cells and hemoglobin back up.

Glad all the tests are out of the way.. for now!

Seems that way! Are you feeling better and less windy now?