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Recent experience of Hormone Treatment with radiolgy

User
Posted 25 May 2026 at 11:40

Does anyone have recent experience of Bicalutamide tablets.? Also hormone treatment with radiology?

User
Posted 25 May 2026 at 11:40

Does anyone have recent experience of Bicalutamide tablets.? Also hormone treatment with radiology?

User
Posted 22 Jun 2026 at 19:17
Hi there. This might be a bit late for you John, but it might also help someone who finds it.

I first visited my GP in December, had PSA, (4.5: just over normal for age 63), MRI and biopsy, and was diagnosed by the end of February with T2N0 (stage 2). ADT and radiotherapy was far more appealling to me than prostatectomy. I started on Bicalutamide and didn't notice a thing. They prepare the pituitary gland for the shock of the enforced testosterone embargo. Bicalutamide lasted four weeks, with the ADT injection in the third week.

Its now the end of June, radio hasn't started yet, but I know my PSA level is now below 1. So that's all good stuff.

I have not had the side effects I was worried about. I thought I would turn into Ada Shufflebotham (the Les Dawson character in my profile pic).

The only side effect I do have is fatigue, and while this might not be medically accurate, it certainly feels like cumulative fatigue. The first few weeks after the ADT injection, there was nothing to report at all. The fatigue began about a month after and it got more and more noticeable for a couple of months. The difference from day to day was imperceptible but I got to a stage where I'd think "I could have done this a couple of weeks back".

It now seems to have levelled out, and I have grown used to it. It is definitely in the way, but I am still working (desk job) pretty much full time, but taking proper rests (instead of "breaks") and doing flexible hours. I'm working from home most days because some days I just can't contemplate driving. As for home life I am definitely doing less. I will do a stint of gardening or something for maybe 45 - 60 minutes and that's me done for the day. I have a sleep in the afternoon or evening. I'm conscious that the radiotherapy has a delayed onset side effect of fatigue and I am expecting to be out of commission for a couple of weeks.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! I consider myself very lucky to have been diagnosed with this instead of cancer somewhere like my bowel, lungs, brain or pancreas. Sure, I'm going to die in any case but probably not of this. This side effect is the price I am more than happy to pay, and its less than I thought I would have to pay, for an extension to my life which, when I was a much younger man, would not have been worth contemplating.

Also, I have started wearing outrageous Hawaiian shirts, because they put a smile on the faces of family and strangers alike. We have to be positive about this. Not a forced smile but a deep seated appreciation for what those thousands and thousands of scientists and clinicians and engineers have achieved, which is the power to extend our lives. It is bloody amazing.

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User
Posted 26 May 2026 at 18:40
Hi John. Husband started Bicalutamide for 4 weeks back in December. Two weeks afterwards he had a Decapeptyl injection. I was terrified.

His side effects so far have been negligible.

ED. We have worked on this. No help was offered or our expressing our wish to maintain a relationship taken any notice of at all. A vacuum pump, Sildenafil from the GP and the Squeezy app. This is keeping our relation intact and I'm sure just helps us carry on as normal.

Hot flushes- he occasionally breaks out in a sweat on his forehead. It passes in seconds. Bit sweaty today, but it's 35°!

He's been taking Apalutamide for 8 days. I was very apprehensive . But so far I know its early days no difference. He has bought a weight training bench and uses it with music blaring out.

He's very active despite being 74, walks a lot is still on the go all the time. I'm sure this is helping .

His Radiotherapy is planned to start on June 28th . 20 sessions over 4 weeks

User
Posted 26 May 2026 at 19:24

John if you are new here welcome. I had Ht and RT in 2024 for Gleason score 8 T3b High Risk with a starting PSA of 48 which smartly reduced with the ADT and with the aid of the RT became undetectable. This time last year the oncologist allowed me to stop the HT (Prostap 3 & Abiraterone) due to the results and as I was at the brink of being unable to tolerate its toxicity. My PSA last month was 0.4 which seemingly is perfectly acceptable given I still have the gland. I am on 4 monthly reviews. It’s too early to say “I’m cured” as The treatment is still working causing hot flushes at night, mood swings and cognitive impairment. However at almost 73 I may be losing some of the cerebral ability anyway. I am still working and have done all the way through. I don’t get much opportunity to exercise but if you can exercise then do as it will help you tolerate the side effects. Good luck on the curative path.

User
Posted 10 Jun 2026 at 09:00
Hi John,

I had hormone therapy combined with radiotherapy, although everyone's experience can be a bit different. I was prescribed Bicalutamide for a short period before starting the main hormone treatment injections. For me, the tablets were generally manageable, with some tiredness and occasional hot flushes, but nothing too severe.

The hormone treatment was actually harder than the radiotherapy itself. The radiotherapy sessions were quick and painless, but fatigue gradually built up towards the end of the course and for a few weeks afterwards.

One thing I'd suggest is keeping active if you can. Even regular walks seemed to help with energy levels and some of the hormone-related side effects.

How long have they prescribed the Bicalutamide for, and are you due to start radiotherapy soon? Others here may have more recent experiences as treatment protocols can vary.

User
Posted 22 Jun 2026 at 19:17
Hi there. This might be a bit late for you John, but it might also help someone who finds it.

I first visited my GP in December, had PSA, (4.5: just over normal for age 63), MRI and biopsy, and was diagnosed by the end of February with T2N0 (stage 2). ADT and radiotherapy was far more appealling to me than prostatectomy. I started on Bicalutamide and didn't notice a thing. They prepare the pituitary gland for the shock of the enforced testosterone embargo. Bicalutamide lasted four weeks, with the ADT injection in the third week.

Its now the end of June, radio hasn't started yet, but I know my PSA level is now below 1. So that's all good stuff.

I have not had the side effects I was worried about. I thought I would turn into Ada Shufflebotham (the Les Dawson character in my profile pic).

The only side effect I do have is fatigue, and while this might not be medically accurate, it certainly feels like cumulative fatigue. The first few weeks after the ADT injection, there was nothing to report at all. The fatigue began about a month after and it got more and more noticeable for a couple of months. The difference from day to day was imperceptible but I got to a stage where I'd think "I could have done this a couple of weeks back".

It now seems to have levelled out, and I have grown used to it. It is definitely in the way, but I am still working (desk job) pretty much full time, but taking proper rests (instead of "breaks") and doing flexible hours. I'm working from home most days because some days I just can't contemplate driving. As for home life I am definitely doing less. I will do a stint of gardening or something for maybe 45 - 60 minutes and that's me done for the day. I have a sleep in the afternoon or evening. I'm conscious that the radiotherapy has a delayed onset side effect of fatigue and I am expecting to be out of commission for a couple of weeks.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! I consider myself very lucky to have been diagnosed with this instead of cancer somewhere like my bowel, lungs, brain or pancreas. Sure, I'm going to die in any case but probably not of this. This side effect is the price I am more than happy to pay, and its less than I thought I would have to pay, for an extension to my life which, when I was a much younger man, would not have been worth contemplating.

Also, I have started wearing outrageous Hawaiian shirts, because they put a smile on the faces of family and strangers alike. We have to be positive about this. Not a forced smile but a deep seated appreciation for what those thousands and thousands of scientists and clinicians and engineers have achieved, which is the power to extend our lives. It is bloody amazing.

 
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