ADT and radiotherapy

Hi Antoinette,

I went this route (2 years of ADT in total), I was Gleason 3+4 T3b (so it had progressed into seminal vesicles), I was worried what the side effects would be like.

Radiotherapy

I found I was up in the night more frequently 3/4 times for a wee. This started towards the end of radiotherapy and for about 3 months after I'd finished. Wet farts were also a thing but I never felt concerned I wasn't going to make it to a toilet, again that stopped a few months after RT finished. I worked right through, and never felt any extra fatigue during the day, though nodded off more easily in the evening, this could be the ADT as still have no problem dosing off in front of the tele!

ADT

Peoples experience of this seem to vary greatly. My side effects are loss of libido and everything that goes with that, was prescribed tadalafil and a VED device, an appointment for this took quite a few months. I've gained weight round my middle and lost muscle, hot flushes have been very mild and again I've worked through with no real problem. I would suggest doing some resistance weights and/or going for walks if you can, this can help protect you bones and reduce muscle loss

I've recently signed up for a 12 week exercise class (for those recovering from cancer) which has helped greatly with my energy levels.

I was also put on 1000mg calcium tablets again to help protect bones, so worth asking about them if they've not been mentioned

All in all I've found ADT very manageable, that's not to say I'm not looking forward to being off the stuff in 7 months time!

All the best

John

It is very overwhelming, however once I started I felt a lot better, I think a lot of it was the unknown. I do remember sitting with the first Bicalutamide tablet in my hand thinking this is it, no turning back! Mentally now I'm so much better, I went into the radiotherapy with no trepidation either, I think because I knew all this is to get rid of the cancer and hopefully cure.

To help avoid side effects I quit caffeine and alcohol before starting radiotherapy and spicy food at least during weekdays when my sessions were. Some one on here said broccoli was their nemesis!

For the ADT I started doing daily walks with my wife, and generally trying to eat more healthily, less snacks etc to avoid putting too much weight on. I think resistance weights/bands and walks are the best thing to try and keep up from an energy point of view and reduce muscle loss.

Thinking back I did also get achy elbow joints, this has stopped, but can't remember exactly when!

I do now have a drink every so often, less though than before, more out of personal choice rather than any issues it was causing, same with caffeine.

My injections are Zoladex, first one was a 4 week version just to see how I got on with it, then changed to every 12 weeks. The other one offered in other areas is Prostap, I think pretty much the same.  All my injections have been at the GP, handy as it's only 5mins walk from me verses a 20min drive to the hospital.

I didn't really notice any change in the first few months, loss of libido was probably the first.

Thank you for that.  I've read some frightening things that i think ill just stick to positives . One thread I saw was women whose husbands wouldn't even look at them or touch them.  I think it's some sort of aversion. I think that would be the most awful thing I can imagine. I'm now dreading that.. I think I'm over thinking things 

Hi I found your reply echoes how we feel really well. I feel quite let down by the doctor and the nurse we saw. We both expressed concern about loss of sex life. It's who we are as a couple. On hindsight they should have referred us then. They brushed it aside.  

We have come up with a plan. Although he may not feel desire, his brain will know he wants to give me pleasure. I want to do the same for him, which may be bit more difficult. 

We are buying a pump today, He knows he has to keep the tissues healthy so he knows he needs to give that a try. He's good at walking and perseverance,  he's walked the coast to coast , so I know he'll put in the effort. We're so lucky to live in the countryside with walks from the backdoor. Also opposite us is the playing field which recently had a running track put in all the way round the perimeter with exercise machines at intervals. He's also made contact with a trainer who can do it remotely and is thinking of 10 weeks x  twice a week 30 mins.

We can't do more. 

Yes I feel guilty for worrying about this when most of all I want the treatment to succeed.  But I can't override this. It's just my nature 

Thank you for that thoughtful encouraging reply. It really helping. We are so close. Yes he is the same and all this is keeping him as healthy as possible. 

Thank you 

Then when off ADT the slow return of body hair started in the pubic region and spread upwards.