Notification

Error

Anyone else having Ra-223 treatment?

Email this conversation Print this conversation
User
Posted 19 Aug 2026 at 16:14

My husband has just had his first injection of Radium-223 for secondary bone cancer from Prostate Cancer.  From the scarcity of information on the various forums, it seems that it isn’t used very much (probably due to the expense).  We have general information but it would be nice to hear people’s actual experiences, e.g. the level of fatigue they had, how much it affected their day to day life.  I realise not everyone gets the same side effects but it would give us some idea of how others coped.

User
Posted 20 Aug 2026 at 05:25

Hi Bookworm76, my husband had Ra223 last year and managed 4 injections before the treatment was stopped due to disease progression,  I have put all our info in my profile.  The process seemed straightforward and he had no additional side effects.  The problem was that it didn't work but then not much has worked for him.  Good luck with the treatment.

User
Posted 21 Aug 2026 at 12:14

Thank you Schubert.  I’ve read your profile and am sorry that it didn’t work for your husband,  and he has had so many other problems on his cancer journey.  We’re aware that this really is a last resort treatment, the HT and chemotherapy having failed.  Well, we now wait to see how hubby gets on with it.  It’s 3 days since his injection and he’s already experiencing some pain flares.  He’s been managing on Ibuprofen so far but it doesn’t seem strong enough to cope with these.  We know that at best it can only delay the inevitable for a short time. 

I’m glad that your husband has received good support from his palliative care team.  The level of care seems to vary across the country and I hope our local one will be equally attentive when the time comes.

Best wishes

User
Posted 21 Aug 2026 at 12:22

Hi Adrian, many thanks for your help in locating all the previous postings.  The search facility seems to have vanished on here although I’m sure there used to be one.

I’ve been reading through other people’s experiences and as you say, they’re not good.  Having been disappointed that both chemotherapies were unsuccessful we’re being pragmatic about this treatment and not pinning too many hopes on it. In the words of Han Solo, ‘I have a bad feeling about this’!  Still, that’s being negative and it remains to be seen how hubby will cope with the side effects.  Hopefully it will allow us a slightly longer time together.

All the best.

Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 20 Aug 2026 at 05:25

Hi Bookworm76, my husband had Ra223 last year and managed 4 injections before the treatment was stopped due to disease progression,  I have put all our info in my profile.  The process seemed straightforward and he had no additional side effects.  The problem was that it didn't work but then not much has worked for him.  Good luck with the treatment.

User
Posted 20 Aug 2026 at 06:38

Hi, Bookworm76

I'm very sorry to hear about your husband's condition. There doesn't appear to have been that many conversations on Ra223, and unfortunately, what there is, doesn't make particularly good reading.

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t33535-Next-step---Radium-223

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t31828-Radium-223-side-effect

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t30393-223Radium-treatment

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t13243-Radium-223---the-highs-and-the-lows

However, our site's piece on the treatment sounds a bit brighter.

https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/treatments/radiotherapy-for-advanced-prostate-cancer

Somehow, I missed your earlier thread conversation on the progression of your husband's disease.

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/default.aspx?g=posts&m=312625#post312625

I found it very touching. My heart goes out to you. I hope the proposed treatment manages to give you both a bit more comfort.

User
Posted 21 Aug 2026 at 12:14

Thank you Schubert.  I’ve read your profile and am sorry that it didn’t work for your husband,  and he has had so many other problems on his cancer journey.  We’re aware that this really is a last resort treatment, the HT and chemotherapy having failed.  Well, we now wait to see how hubby gets on with it.  It’s 3 days since his injection and he’s already experiencing some pain flares.  He’s been managing on Ibuprofen so far but it doesn’t seem strong enough to cope with these.  We know that at best it can only delay the inevitable for a short time. 

I’m glad that your husband has received good support from his palliative care team.  The level of care seems to vary across the country and I hope our local one will be equally attentive when the time comes.

Best wishes

User
Posted 21 Aug 2026 at 12:22

Hi Adrian, many thanks for your help in locating all the previous postings.  The search facility seems to have vanished on here although I’m sure there used to be one.

I’ve been reading through other people’s experiences and as you say, they’re not good.  Having been disappointed that both chemotherapies were unsuccessful we’re being pragmatic about this treatment and not pinning too many hopes on it. In the words of Han Solo, ‘I have a bad feeling about this’!  Still, that’s being negative and it remains to be seen how hubby will cope with the side effects.  Hopefully it will allow us a slightly longer time together.

All the best.

User
Posted 21 Aug 2026 at 19:33

Hi bookworm my husband finished Radium 223 in April this year, the main problem he had was stomach issues and tiredness, the scans he had after showed it had worked on some parts but not on others at the moment his PSA is close to 600 but oncologist says try not to worry about that, he is also on monthly alondronic infusions, the oncologist is arranging more scans within the next couple of months, he said he can only go on how my husband is feeling and atm he is up and down

 

many thanks 

ann

User
Posted 23 Aug 2026 at 16:31

Hi Worried Other Half, thank you for your reply.  My husband had the first injection last Tuesday. So far he had a pain flare for a day, and is very tired and has little strength.  No stomach issues so far, although he has little appetite and some food has started tasting strange.  It feels similar to his chemotherapy side effects.  We don’t know his PSA as his consultant very carefully didn’t tell us. It was 216 back in April so we dread to think!  They don’t seem too bothered about it though, and seem to go by the Alkaline Phosphatase level instead.  He’s also on Alendronic acid, taken in tablet form in his case.  He’s also been told to take Calci-D.

Best wishes.

 
Forum Jump  
Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.




MenuTop ▲
©2026 Prostate Cancer UK