Post Radiation Therapy

Hi Rens

It's great to see you have completed your "sunbed" treatment - I hope it went well and there are no side/after effects.

Once you have completed the RT it's like being dumped - no appointments, no meetings - yes you can just get on with life. - Well there are a few appointments but not as many!

My post RT letter from the hospital tells me I am on 6 monthly PSA/Hospital checks for 2 years, HT to continue for 18 months and then yearly hospital check ups to keep an eye on my PSA. - My first post RT PSA test is Wednesday this week and I am hoping for a low number - my PSA prior to RT was 1.37. I did ask what the meetings every 6 months were about and as long as my PSA remains low, it's just a meeting to check if I am OK so for me no more MRI/CT. 

To be honest I completed my RT early February and I feel amazing - I feel well both mentally and physically (although being on the Manopause I have put on a couple of pounds - make that 6!!).

You take care and I hope all goes well for you.

Kind Regards - Brian

Hi Rena, well done!  It feels a funny old world when the RT stops! We felt relief, a puzzlement about what to do with all the time we suddenly had without the daily hospital trips, a sense of ‘what now?’ Followed by ….nothing! No tests, no appointments etc!  My husband had his first PSA test just before we went away ( 3 months after finishing RT) we are still waiting for the results ! If all is well, there won’t be another PSA test for 6 months. 

we were advised not to go abroad for 6-8 weeks after the end of the RT because it carries on working and complications can still occur. We were told no scans etc. I also think I read on here that the prostate would be so inflamed that the PSA might be high immediately after RT. I’ve not read this anywhere else, though!

hope this helps!

What complications can occur with Rt 

Well Shar

Most of the side effects are mild and tolerable. Although some side effects may develop months to years later.Ask your doctor about potential side effects, both short- and long-term, that may occur during and after your treatment. side effects of external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer may include:

• Frequent urination, leakage or pain when Peeing Stomach cramping and diarrhea
• Painful bowel movements and bleeding.
• Fatigue
• Sexual dysfunction, including diminished erectile function or decrease in the volume of semen
• Skin reactions (similar to a sunburn)
•  Most disconcerting are secondary cancers in the region of the radiation, which can occur years after the treatment.

Brian 

Thanks as ever and good luck. My PSA was 1.216 today. 

PSA History:

05/10/2022 11.660

04/01/2023 8.030

08/03/2023 8.037. 

04/04/2023 4.099

10/05/2023 2.112

07/06/2023 1.216

The trajectory is moving the right way. My cautious side reflects that others have fallen faster and lower, I just thank the lord that it is moving in the right direction.

My concern is that the Zoladex symptoms seem to get worse. The hot flashes are a constant issue, day and night.

Another big concern for me is a big deterioration in my cholesterol and triglycerides. Both have deteriorated to levels that I have never known.

On a positive note, progressing. It would be nice to see PSA fall below 1.

Rens

Thanks Worriedwife. It seems that I am receiving a slightly different treatment than you guys on the NHS. My PSA has been measured all the way as I have just posted. 

Rens

Hi Rens, Thank you for starting this post, it has you and all the other people I am following closely replying, which is great to get you all in one spot, My partner starts RT Monday so this collective info and your recoveries are very interesting to me. I’m glad you are all on the other side and seem quite upbeat about it which is a positive. You lovely people that are kind enough to share your experiences are like my blanket that I carry around with me for comfort.

Lx

Morning Rens

Well the drop in the PSA is great - the other issues - well not too good although I could do with a reduction in my cholesterol - I could stop taking the pills then!!

Hot Flushes - Sage tablets work for me - I don't have many these days and they are more the odd "night sweat" now. I often wonder if it's a different H T treatment as I am on 6 monthly Decapytol injections and on my 4th next week.

Best wishes

Brian.

Hi L

As I said on another thread - the main issue with RT is the travelling and preparation - the RT is a doddle, it's just like lying on a sunbed for 10 minuets but it's usually given with the aim to be curative. What a magic word that is.

I am off for my first post RT PSA test this morning - 1.37 before RT started and like Rens hoping for a below 1!!.

I know your partner is having a larger area than the Prostate "zapped" and I hope all goes well for him - it's a testing time but I am sure by early July things will be looking up. Let's hope the only side effect is a bit of fatigue. I did try to fight this be exercising (I know me and exercise in the same sentence!!) and it does work.

If we don't speak before next week - all the best for the RT - keep us posted - as I am sure you will - about his progress.

Best wishes

Brian.

It's interesting for me that your partner has managed to get PSA down to low levels from heady heights. Mine is making a slower descent ...."oh but what can a poor boy do?"

Good luck and keep us posted.

Rens