Surgery or Radiotherapy? Decision made!

Hi Alpine Wanderer

The reason I chose hormone and radiotherapy treatment is because my bladder isn't great I have a bad overactive bladder so the urinary factor came into our decision as I didn't want my bladder issues getting worse.

A double edged sword for me as having a full bladder for radiotherapy will be a nightmare  was hoping they might be able to do the radiotherapy with a empty bladder as some men have had including my prostate buddy how's my luck ? who I was hoping to get some tips of getting through treatment with a overactive bladder.

Seeing the oncologist on April the 3rd will definitely be asking the question of empty bladder treatment. 

Best wishes 

Peter

I didn’t do any sums.  It’s on the drop down menu.   AW

Hello PSB 2024

im afraid I can’t answer your question about radiotherapy with an empty bladder but I can tell you about our own experience and hope that it helps a wee ( pun intended!) bit!

my husband had absolutely no signs or symptoms of prostate issues - no problems with his bladder at all! He was diagnosed following increases in his PSA.

he had radiotherapy with a full bladder. He would leave the treatment room and dash to the loo! We had a good hours journey back home ( depending on traffic). He would dash from car to bathroom! In short, it was this urgency that was the problem for quite some time .

we bought a plastic, lightweight travelling urine bottle that he could use if need be. Although he never needed to use it, it did seem to alleviate his anxieties about ‘an accident’ and this seemed to slightly impact on the urgency ( for the better)A friend went through the same process after us. We lent him the bottle. It eased his anxieties and the bottle was returned, unused, to us! We bought the bottle on line and, then, it cost about £4. I consider it was £4 well spent for both men!

I do know that urinary symptoms can be a problem, though, and can understand your anxiety. My best tip is to tell the radiotherapy team immediately you notice any adverse symptoms. We did this ( my husband suffered with headaches and abdominal bloating) and his team had a whole tool box of remedies! They were fantastic! We were also given a 24/7 emergency contact phone number to ring so that if we had a severe issue such as urinary retention we could by pass the overstretched Emergency Department. I hope your hospital can provide this for you?

I do wish you well with your treatment!

Hi Worriedwife

Thank you for the plastic bottle purchase I'll definitely be getting one for sure,I was the same no symptoms other than weeing to much which got diagnosed as a overactive bladder 25 years ago.

Will definitely be telling the Radiotherapy team my peeing problem on two medications at the moment for the bladder as of yet no improvement. 

Best wishes 

Peter

Hi WW. This is a bit like how long is a piece of string. There are a lot of factors involved but the main one seems to be the initial risk stratification. I have found a 2023 article but even that has limitations because it doesn't include some of the latest treatments and the bias in the number of low risk (younger) patients who have a Prostatectomy compared with those having radiotherapy, plus the focal therapies are not included which can be effective for low risk patients.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2809152

Another statistic I have found is that approximately 25%+ of men who had a Prostatectomy have their risk upgraded following the histology results.

PSMA PET scans at initial diagnosis are changing the landscape on the accuracy of risk stratification but until they are routinely used we are reliant on the current system.

Alwayshope said:

because it doesn't include some of the latest treatments and the bias in the number of low risk (younger) patients who have a Prostatectomy compared with those having radiotherapy,

A very informative post as usual from Alwayshope : key points

1. Not including the statistics from the latest, more accurate MRI / CT / computer controlled radiotherapy 

2. Not taking into account the bias of younger, fitter, selected men for surgery.

AW

I now have this vision of you & your mother in law in the same bedroom but in single beds.  No wonder you couldn't sleep & I doubt if I will tonight as my MIL is stopping with us for the weekend 

I think I must be a cheapskate as rather than spending £4 on a bottle, I carried a 5 litre container in the car with me that had previously contained concentrated grape juice which my husband uses to brew his home made wine.  It has a nice large opening and tight screw top to prevent any accidental spillages if used.

It was certainly a great comfort knowing it was in the car on a just in case basis.

Hi Buzzers

I'll definitely be needing a bottle or container of some sort that's for sure 

Best wishes 

Peter