About to start radiotherepy

Hi Rich,

I'm around the same age as you, will be 51 at the end of the year. I had RT/HT as my primary treatment.

From a point of view of HT side effects they came on gradually, probably over 6 months. For the first couple of months i didn't feel too different, although I was constantly looking for side effects and putting normal fluctuations in how I felt down to it. Reading other peoples stories the side effects vary greatly from person to person, some people really suffer, other not so much, there seems to be no rhyme or reason why.

I have some of the same side effects that CeePee has experienced, they're all pretty standard. I've found exercise has been a great help at fending them off! Also I was prescribed tadalafil and a vacuum pump to help get mini John though through the dark times relatively unscathed I think - and Calcium/Vit D tablets to protect my bones.

Have you been told how long you'll be on HT?

As to RT, this was much easier in my view, I think others would agree. I didn't feel particularly tired from it. Wet farts were a thing, one of the doctors said its a bit like getting a cold in your bowel, it gets irritated by the RT and produces a sort of mucus. This started about half way through for me and carried on for a month or so after. 

I'm sure the process will be explained to you but you're required to empty and then fill your bladder at each session, plus use a mine enema. The first time doing this is at the planning scan, the idea being everything on your insides is kept to the same size/position at each visit.

Others have taken a change of clothes just in case of accidents on the way to and from sessions. I didn't bother as my journey was only about 15mins each way, and I never felt in danger of any accidents anyway. Also you might be given diet advice. A chap on here said his nemesis was broccoli! Only change I made was avoiding spicy food during the week, but other than that I ate normally. Oh and skipped alcohol too during. Everything is pretty much back to normal now. Though I am on tamsulosin due to some reduced flow. I gather salvage RT is not as intense as it is for primary treatment, though might be wrong!

All the best 
John

Hi Richhales

I am still all in one piece but have been on HT for a year nearly and have had 5 months of chemo, and am probably in line for RT later in the autumn...

In terms of HT it can mess with you big time!  Emotions are wicked and throw in the other meds I have had and there were some days when I didn't know my rear end from the hinged joint in your arm.  HT created fatigue for me, muscle loss, body hair loss, brain fog etc etc.  I keep active, try to exercise as frequently as possible (indoor bike, weights, resistance stuff) to combat the losses and fatigue.

I am also on a watch my weight programme as it went up alarmingly - about 6kg in 6 months.

Some of the meds have messed with my bloods as well - so now I am classed as pre-diabetic, but the exercise and better diet are working and I have now lost weight.

Libido has tanked and I have some shrinkage...

However - I am still in a good frame of mind (mostly) which is helped by being active, but not particulary looking forward to an up coming Hernia op and constantly wondering what my kidney stone is up to...

Those cancer cells are taking a beating and that is what matters!

They say that PCa is the gift that keeps on giving.......

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All the best

KrisPy