Radiotherapy after prostate removal

Hi Anon

Yes RT is necessary because the HT just holding it back but won't cure it so that's y the RT.

Unless he has existing bowel issues then RT is ok, not many side effects and they tend to go away after treatment ends.

Best wishes

Steve 

Thanks Steve, that’s reassuring 

Hi Anon,

I had my prostate removed in July 2020. PSA 0.1 (baseline)

November 2020 my PSA moved to 0.07. A month later it moved to 0.09

February 2021 it was 0.24 - something needed doing.

Started Prostap hormone treatment in March 2021

Radiotherapy started July 7th - 34 daily sessions of 72 seconds.

At session 18 I noticed it was becoming tiring. This sorted itself out apprx 2 weeks after the finish.

The prostap was every 3 months for 2 years (8 jabs)

2021 - all went well no side effects.

January 2022 I was becoming tired much earlier than normal - Bed time = 9pm

January 2023 somebody flipped a switch and I became knackered. No aches or pains just exhausted

The  exhaustion was such that I would become breathless if I exerted myself. GP thought I was having a heart attack.

Got the 'all clear' in late April 2023  but the exhaustion continues - however I can push  myself to actually do things.

This leaves me exhausted the following day.

I do feel better as time passes but very slow progress.

If you have questions contact your  MacMillan nurse - they have helped me.

It is a long haul but stay positive.

Today - I am alive.

Roger

Hi Anon

For me, the key to the potential bowel issues, was to follow the diet recommendations, to the letter. Poole hospital gave a diet sheet, but in short, low fibre everything,  no caffeine and no alcohol. The only time I had any problems was Christmas lunch 2019, when I had a couple of glasses of wine and a few sprouts. Not funny.

Regards 

Stuart

Hi Roger

Your journey reminded me of what happened to me this year. In January, I was 2 years after my last Prostap injection.  My fitness levels had picked up and I was regularly walking 6+ miles. All good.

As in your case, it was like I hit a wall. Breathless, after walking a few hundred meters , even on the flat. Hopeless. This went on for a while, until I decided to see the GP who discovered, following blood tests, I was slightly anemic. I was put on iron tablets which seem to have sorted it. The GP was surprised the low reading had a noticeable effect - but it did. In fact my lack of stamina was worse than when I was on Prostap.

Apparantly, I was told, the RT can affect the red blood cell production in the pelvis.

Might be worth a chat with your GP.

Regards

Stuart

Hello Anon89

Radiotherapy is easy enough so long as you follow the advice given.

* Stick to a decent diet - nothing that would give you wind - beans, pulses, green leaf vegetables etc - also avoid fizzy drinks, caffeine and alcohol.

*Fatigue will be lurking around and is sure to catch up with your dad either during or just after RT so keep exercising.

Just follow the instructions given by the radiologists regarding enemas and drinking water and it should be like a walk in the park.

I hope it goes well for him.

Best wishes

Brian.

Sorry to hear that and thanks for sharing your experience 

Thank you for sharing your experience and advice 

Thanks a lot Brian

Thanks Stuart, very helpful