Starting my Brachytherapy journey

User

Posted 22 Jan 2021 at 10:50

Hi everyone. I've just registered on the forum today after receiving Brachytherapy op last week.

My PSA went from 3 to 4 to 5 over three years up to 2019 so I was referred and followed up with MRI and biopsy. Result was T1 Gleason 3+4 on right side of prostate. As cancer was found on <1% of the biopsy I opted for Active Surveillance, especially as my now late wife was going through hell with pancreatic cancer.

One year on and a follow-up MRI has shown an increase in the lesion. So I immediately opted for Brachytherapy (BT) ASAP as I'd spent many hours researching the various options and I'd decided I didn't want to wait until I was no longer a candidate for BT.

I had the procedure on 14 Jan and so far haven't experienced any side effects, save for some minor problems when weeing during the first couple of days after the op.

I'd love to hear from others who are further along this same road.

User

Posted 22 Jan 2021 at 12:42

Hello Geoff I had my LDR Brachy in Oct 2018. My latest PSA is less than 0.1 so it seems the Brachy has worked for me.

We all differ as regards side effects, I had a few and still think my bowel habits are not as they were. Just a new normal suppose.

The side effects I had were mainly bowel and bladder related, a bit uncomfortable at the time but they settled down eventually. You might find some side effects begin to kick in in the short term ( maybe now) and some a bit later. As I said, we all differ, you might get no side effects at all.

If you do get the bladder and bowel side effects you might see you GP, there are some effective things he/she can prescribe.

So hang on in there, time is the great healer!

John

Gleason 6 = 3+3 PSA 8.8 P. volume 48 cc Left Cores 3/3, Volume = 20% PSA 10.8 Feb '19 PSA 1.2

Jan '20 PSA 0.3 July '20 0.1 Jan. 21 < 0.1 Dec 21 <0.01 June '22 <0.01 April '23 <0.01

User

Posted 22 Jan 2021 at 12:53

Pleased to hear you're doing ok John. I was lucky enough to have a Space OAR as part of the procedure and I'm hoping that'll reduce future bowel problems. I've also been prescribed Tamsulosin for the foreseeable future.

User

Posted 22 Jan 2021 at 13:34

Hi and welcome as a Brachy club member.

I am 4 years on from my Brachytherapy in September 2016 at 70 with original diagnosis at PSA 2.19 Gleason 3+4=7. So far it's been a reasonably good journey with no real problems apart from ED but that also comes with my age.

My PSA is 0.08 in December 2020 and have been signed of by my specialist. If you click on my Avatar you can see my journey so far and if you need any questions answered please ask.

Good luck John.

Edited by member 22 Jan 2021 at 13:38 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 22 Jan 2021 at 14:14

Thanks John

User

Posted 22 Jan 2021 at 16:23

Hello Geoff,

I had HDR brachytherapy as part of a brachytherapy boost treatment (external beam, combined with brachy).

Last November, I started the Prostate Brachytherapy UK Support Group, which meets on Zoom. We had our second meeting last week, which was very successful with 30 people. The first half of the meeting was peer-to-peer support, with more recent patients asking questions of those further along the path. At the first meeting, there had been a lot of questions about Tamsulosin, so I invited a very experienced consultant urologist along to talk with us and answer questions, and I also happened to know he ran the first alpha-blocker trials, so there are very few people knowing more about Tamsulosin than him. He gave a short talk on the history of alpha-blockers and explained how they work, and went on to answer questions that encompassed everything from Tamsulosin right through to Peyronie's disease.

Our next meeting will be on Thu 11 March - I'll post about it here nearer the time.

If you are interested in joining the group, email: support@prostate-brachytherapy.uk

Edited by member 24 Jan 2021 at 10:57 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 23 Jan 2021 at 10:46

Whatto Geoff and a warm welcome to the L.D.R.Brachytherapy Club.

We have a very similar Diagnosis albeit my Diagnosis is now almost 12 years ago in April 2009.

What I am telling you now is not my attempt to appear to be a super hero but more of a success

story of the L.D.R. Brachytherapy treatment that you have opted for. I invite you to read my profile for

fuller details of my Diagnosis and recovery time. I am now 76.5 years old and play 18 holes of Golf

three times every week when Covid-19 allows. Having unhappily not played any Golf for over a month now

I am out everyday riding my Mountain Bike for an hour usually over quite rough terrain. I bomb about and

have only fallen off TWICE during the past month both caused by muddy weather conditions.(Not my fault!)

My PSA has never dropped below the 1.0 mark which therefore becomes my Nadir and when last tested in

November 2020 stood at 2.9 a very slow upwards trend but not that too high for my wonderful Consultant

to consider any treatment attention at this time. I have never for a single moment regretted my choice of

treatment and over the years have told my story to many PCa sufferers visiting this website for information

and hopefully my experiences have helped with their treatment decisions.

My best wishes go to you Geoff.

User

Posted 23 Jan 2021 at 11:36

Brilliant post Chigwell, you always make me smile

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

User

Posted 23 Jan 2021 at 11:40

Hi Chigwell. Great to hear your story. I'm looking forward to contributing to the forum.

User

Posted 24 Jan 2021 at 11:12

Hi. Can you remember how long after the brachytherapy before you rode a bike again? I've had 3 weeks and 3 months quoted to me from different doctors and nurses!

User

Posted 24 Jan 2021 at 12:38

Whatto again Geoff,

It was three months before I risked it, very soft and extra padded saddle. Special cycling shorts with built in undercarriage support. Oh yes, and a couple of Tea Towels shoved down protecting the perineum. I never sought any advice just tried it for a few minutes the 1st time and developed from there. You will know as soon as you put your body weight on the saddle.

Michael(Don't jump the gun)

User

Posted 24 Jan 2021 at 14:36

Treat yourself to a prostate friendly saddle - we bought John's online from Wiggle

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

User

Posted 24 Jan 2021 at 15:13

Will do. Thanks Lyn

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