Hello everyone, this is my first post.
I was diagnosed T3b PSA 70 Gleason 9 (5+4) in 2011 aged 49.
My treatment was 3 years ADT and radiotherapy, 70Gy to prostate, seminal vesicles and nodes. My oncologist told me that this was the tried and tested method but it would render me impotent.
I started with a month of Casodex tablets followed by Zoladex injections every 3 months for 3 years. The impotence set in quite quickly as my T levels plummeted. Hot flushes? Yep, sweat would pump out of me. Man boobs as well, but at least they gave me something to play with eh? There was a change in my emotional state, I would become upset over things that previously wouldn't have affected me. But the most frightening change was that I began to feel suicidal. This meant that I made sure that I never found myself alone in the house. I would tag along with my wife even if she was going somewhere or to do something that I hated. Anything rather than be left alone at home.
Fast forward to 2018 and my suicidal thoughts were under control and my problems were more confined to the physical. No erections for years had meant that although circumcised, what foreskin that remained was fused to my glans and had to be released under general anesthetic.
Sexual function began to slowly return as my T levels slowly rose. By 2020 the level was around 10. I started to use Tadalafil to help things along and can now get erections. I have suffered some shortening but would still fall within the "average " range and my testicles have shrunk a great deal. But the upside is that orgasms are more intense now than ever although dry. Sometimes I miss the ejaculation experience though. Also a durex cock ring helps to restore the missing length by stopping the blood flowing out.
Nobody from the health service advised me about the need for penile exercise during my treatment or prescribed any ED drugs. It was as though impotence was a cost of treatment and it was a price to be paid for a cure. That p***** me off.
But 7 or 8 years after my hormone treatment ended I still feel the effects. I still can get emotional and suicidal thoughts are never far away.
My PSA is 0.27 and my T is around 15 now. The rise in T levels have meant almost a second puberty and I have the sexual desire of a teenager although my body's response needs help. But as a one of life's cruel jokes, my wife and I are in our 60s and shall we say our desires are somewhat out of synch. If this carries on, my right arm will have muscles like Popeye.
Everyone's journey is different. Good luck.