Radiotherapy Starts on Thursday

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Well, I start my radiation on Thursday. I do hope those radiation gunners aim well! Thanks to all you guys who have supported me with words of encouragement so far. I do have one question can anyone who has had RT recall what quantity of water you had to drink before each session?

On a different topic, I am a very different man than I was a year ago. Setting sexual matters to one side, I find that my mind gets a little fuzzy on occasion but more noticeable is the fatigue that sets in, as an almost daily occurrence. Is this a reaction to the Zoladex? 

Well I have gone through two days of radiation. Hopefully all went well. I have adopted an approach which is rise at 0600 and walk for 45 to 60 minutes, then a small bowl of porridge with tinned mandarins. A shower, a shave a xxxx and a shoe shine. So far I have successfully managed to defecate unaided. I then drink 600ml of water precisely one hour before the treatment. It seems to work.

  • Hello Rens

    my husband had to drink 2 hospital plastic mugs of water which they said was 600 mls exactly 30 minutes before the radiotherapy and immediately after emptying his bladder.

    I described his cognitive state as being permanently jet lagged and blamed the hormones. I am, though, wondering if some of it was anxiety/stress leading up to the radiotherapy? He seems a bit better since the radiotherapy finished.

    I hope all goes smoothly for you from Thursday onwards.

  • Hi Rens

    You need to be fully hydrated prior to your treatment so drink plenty of water prior to the appointment.
    I got into the habit of drinking plenty then making sure I then had a further 330ml before registering then sipped a plastic cup of water from the water cooler in the waiting room. It’s getting a balance and takes a few sessions to be confident you have the right amount in the bladder. If yo don’t they ask you to go back to the waiting room and drink some more water.

    The more hydrated you are the better the retention.

    All the best.

  • Thanks as ever. My wife says it's stress but actually I don't think so. I know where I am and what I must do. I think it's that bloody hormone treatment. Glad your second in command is on the mend.

    Rens

  • Thanks buddy. It's a chore and I have had issues with constipation which is a nightmare.

    Tens

  • Hi Rens - Well that's great news and good luck with it, don't forget you should have 3 tattoos care of the NHS so they do have a target!!

    The water one is a good question - everyone on here has had to have a full bladder. I was on the sunbed at Christies in Oldham and we were "empty bowl and empty bladder". I did ask and the answer was a full bladder lifts the bladder off the prostate but can get in the way - ours found an empty bladder to be less in the way!!

    I am 10 weeks post RT and feel as fit as ever - yes I do have ED and the rest but I blame it on the hormones.

    Anyway - best wishes - keep us posted of your progress.

    Kind Regards - Brian.

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  • Hi I had a radical prostectomy Sept 2023, my PSA rose from 0.02 to 0.18 , I started hormone treatment 3 months ago and I’m on Zoladex injections, I am pencilled in for radiotherapy next month, 

    as for the Zoladex I’m having terrible ho flushes and sore nipples, I have been in touch with my consultant today and he’s prescribed me something to help with the flushes, 

    hope all goes smoothly for you and please keep us posted on your progress I’m sure it will prepare me

    regards, Pete 

  • Hi Pete - Good luck with the RT when it starts - My nipples are fine but I do now have the flushes and night sweats staring up again even though I am faithful to my sage Tablets. What medication has your consultant prescribed for the flushes - it may be of great help to many of us here.

    Cheers - Brian.

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  • Ha, I don’t know till tomorrow when I get the prescription, I will let you know 

  • Hi Rens

    The fatigue, whilst on HT, is the worst thing about it, in my view. So, pretty sure it's the Zoladex is the answer. With regard to the water. I, too, was obliged to drink 600ml before RT but others had less - think it depends on where things are in your body.

    Good luck on Thursday and don't panic if the machine stops half way through, as happened to me. Apparently the rays stop too. Phew!

    Regards

    Stuart

    Trying to get fit again!
  • The sunbed indeed! You are a joker Brian. Slight smile

    Rens