HT duration

Hi Delbert and welcome

This is always a difficult one but I think depends quite a lot on your stats.

You say Gleeson 7 (3+4) which is ok, I assume that PSa is also lowish?

As it is contained then hopefully a shortish term on HT might suffice.

You should check it out with your specialist before commencing treatment and voice your concerns about a lengthy term on HT 

With your stats I would say that 3 years would not be necessary but obviously u need to check this. 

All the best 

Steve

I think it's unlikely that you'll be on HT for 3 years. I was Gleason 4+5=9 when diagnosed as T3A N0 M0 I have just 6 months left of a three year cycle of HT. The side effects of HT vary a lot between men and I am lucky that mine are well managed. I take Evening Primrose Oil capsules and Sage Leaf capsules twice a day and don't have any problems with hot flushes. I do a lot of exercise, walking at least 20 miles every week and I have been doing the NHS Strength and Flexibility programme three times a week for nearly a year now (since lockdown started last March).

Cutting out caffeine and alcohol completely will help. I have only had three drinks (Xmas Days only) since starting HT in October 2018! I have started drinking coffee again in the last six months but only in the mornings.

Please keep in touch and let us know what treatment path you choose.

Hi Seamus,

Thanks for your encouraging reply. I'm leaning towards the HT/RT route, at the moment surgery just seems too emotionally traumatic but my son's done me a spreadsheet to put in 'scores' for how I feel re the various treatment side effects and the totals should be helpful in getting clearer on my overall response.

I'll report on how this plays out, I expect it might be a very useful tool, there are so many variables it's hard to see the big picture.

And I'd welcome a compelling reason to give up drinking for a while!

Best. Alan

Thanks Steve,

Yes, psa was 5.1 so all things considered it doesn't feel too desperate. I saw my consultants on Tues and forgot to ask about the likely duration of HT, I got through to speak to my dedicated nurse but she wasn't able to be specific on this question since the plan is not set out till I decide which way to go. and of course I'm now spending a lot of time looking around for info - and very reassured to have found this community!

Decision has to be by beginning of next wk and I already have the drugs as a contingency so I anticipate diving in to a few decent bottles of wine over the weekend since I may be on the wagon for a while..

Thanks again, it's so much more meaningful to speak with men who have been through this.

Best. Alan

My son is a doctor and was able to come to my appointment where my treatment options were discussed. He took notes and when we got home again we got a large sheet of paper and laid out the cons and not-so-cons (there aren't really any pros). My options were the same as yours but I chose the HT/RT route as there is a possibility of "Stress Incontinence" following surgery and I am a very active person. I didn't want to be returning from a rowing trip smelling like a urinal!

Have a look at my profile and follow the link at the end to see my journey through RT.

I hope that helps.

The majority of people these days get 18m - 2 years after RT, but occasionally it will still be the full three.

What's your TNM score? (Tumour, nodes, metastases), that is often a clue.

When looking at the options, do look at the long-term effects of all the options; it's easy to get hung up on the immediate issues, but the longer-term ones are more life-changing. It's never easy!

Good Luck, whatever you choose.

Hi Seamus,

Just had a read of your profile, very nicely documented and very encouraging to hear that you're well and rowing!, given such a high score - psa and Gleason.

I agree with your observation that there  are no 'pros' to enter into the spreadsheet but I found the process helpful to focus more on evaluating all the variables. But as i have also noticed as a fairly recent diagnosee - if that's a word - that the reality of the situation takes it own time to  assimilate and be accepted as something that has to happen and the initial 'conscious' considerations don't admit the more powerful emotional responses to what it coming down the tracks. - My assumption was that I would be a healthy 80 something yr old gently pottering around restoring a French barn and driving around rural France in a vintage car quietly deteriorating in the usual way - Reality Check! Maybe not!

However, although I haven't nailed it down yet I'm tipping towards HT/RT (not eligible for Brachytherapy cos of location of cancer cells very near surface of prostate) and this entails a longer timespan of treatment, I'm building confidence in being able to cope with the side effects as they manifest and being prepared to enter - a little apprehensively - the arena, stage left, a walk on role I trust!

Plus the fact that at the moment it's not possible (Guy's and St Thomas) to predict timescale of surgery opportunities so the prospect of getting a phonecall which is 'there's a slot tomorrow, can you be here' is too much background stress.

Helpful just to write this stuff down so forgive me for going on.

Next Tuesday is my decision day so I'll prob be back here then.

Best, Alan 

Thanks Heinous for your input, I'm not aware of my stats re the TNM but I believe it's localised and therefore assume HT would be 'relatively' less long term. I'll be keen to verify this when I speak to my consultants in about 10 days time. In terms of the side effects - I'm having to repeatedly re-assess the side effect issue - but it's boiling down to an aversion to be cut open having something removed from me, and the recovery from that procedure as opposed to what I'm judging as a receding of the HT effects when I cease treatment, but I've always been a pretty incompetent poker player..

Getting there!

Alan.