Headlines: I believe that anxiety about prostate cancer diagnosis can be extremely stressful and lead to other issues…It should not be underestimated.
After PSA test of 11 end of last year, I was referred to the local hospital for DRE test. Beforehand I asked for likelihood of it being cancer he said 30%. Upon identifying a slight lump, he then updated this value to 80% and then I returned home pretty devastated.
Issue 1). After a week or so I began having real pains in my belly which I’d never had before. I thought it might be linked to the prostate cancer (how the mind works…) and after 5 night’s really bad sleep arranged a visit to the local doctors. (Pre- lockdown). I was diagnosed with IBS and had a prescription for peppermint pills and codeine. Within a few days I was back to normal.
After all the prostrate tests I had a T3a diagnosis with Gleason 4:3. I was offered surgery or HT/ RT/ Brachy. After much reading on this site and other discussions I went for the latter route. I felt a great relief having made the decision as it was sending me bonkers. Here’s my thought process as to the decision.
Decision RP vs HRT/ EBRT Sense Check - Localised cancer - Prostate Cancer UK Online Community
Issue 2). I then started the HT route with the initial bical pills to prevent psa flaring. It was at this point I began having dizzy spells whilst hill walking, and again arranged a visit with the doctors. This time I was referred for an ECG, and to my amazement found out I had Atrial Fibulation (A-Fib) – a heart defect. Again, a really scary diagnosis within only a couple of months of the one for Pc.
I wondered when the A-Fib started. Fortunately, I have always taken my blood pressure/ pulse randomly over the years, every few weeks or so as part of my health monitoring. Much to my surprise I found that my resting pulse rate had recently increased from a normal of ~60 to ~80bpm on some occasions, which can indicate Afib. The starting point for the increase was clearly around the time of the diagnosis of Pc. I’m now on medication that is somewhat problematic, but just getting on with things as best I can.
Back to the prostrate, HT has been ok and I’ve just completed 23 fractions of radiotherapy, with few problems. LDR brachy is set for 2 weeks’ time so I’m in self isolation.
So, the prostate cancer diagnosis in itself was a horrendous thing to handle. However, the resultant anxiety led to two other issues, one of which is permanent.