HT drug questions.

Millibob said:

It's a good job my first dose of Hormones didn't give me any reaction as the banged a full 6 months worth of hormones into my backside in one

Quite and ouch!

I was told today my injections would be in my stomach?

I don't think it's actually in the stomach, but sub-dermaly around the stomach area?

Morning Able  I think the type of the medication determines the injection site. Mine is Decapeptyl - 6 monthly and it goes into the upper quadrant of one's buttocks. I am aware others go into the stomach area.

For me it's 4 down 2 to go and the penultimate one is the end of this month!!

Best wishes - Brian.

Prostap in the arm for me

Prostap in stomach for my husband. Urologist grabs a chunk of fat about 2 inches either side of the belly button, keeps hold of the wodge and inserts the needle, pushes the plunger making sure it clicks, then withdraws the needful and finally let's go of the wodge. Urologist says he doesn't feel a thing, husband says it feels like a sting for a short period of time. Only comment from the urologists was that he had more fat to grab - husband's excuse was the steroids from chemotherapy and nothing to do with the nutty bars. 

I think you make a good point about information. In this day of technological advancement I was disappointed that I wasn't given PowerPoint presentations along the way with slides to take home with me. Maybe that's just me!

Greener

Greener,  The NHS are trying to get a video out to show the processes from diagnosis all the way through to include treatment..  Last year they had a generic  one for all types of cancer and are now supposed tro be working on separate videos for the different types of cancer.

I had a link somewhere.  I will try to dig it out for you.

That's a step in the right direction Steve, thank you. I'm off for my fifth Zoladex on Wednesday and dreading the side effects. Hey ho.

Greener

Greener said:

I was disappointed that I wasn't given PowerPoint presentations along the way

I wonder how many of us here have what you might describe as 'good GP's', one you can actually talk to, have a real conversation with?

We had a younger mobile Pharmacist type person at our local Drs the other day, seeing us (well, I think we went there for the Mrs but she saw me while we were there because it made sense) and she was like a breath of fresh air. Actually listened, actually interacted, actually actioned stuff ... brilliant ... and much more efficient for the practice ... IF that's what they are interested in, over getting a steady flow of people though the door to get their NHS payments up?

After having the blood test back in April (that I requested because the Dr was just issuing tablets), I was able to check online and see all my main chemicals were 'normal'. I didn't spot the PSA thing and got a phone call from the Dr's receptionist, notifying me they had referred my to the local oncology unit because of a raised PSA??

After the call you Google that and that's the first time you learn you are likely to have cancer. ;-(

Seeing the consultant the first thing he asked me was what conversation I had had on the subject with my Dr and I said 'none'. He just shook his head.

I don't see why at that point I could have been handed a simple sheet with bullet points, outlining the typical pathway re what would happen next, at least up to the decision of RT or Surgery, if you are given the choice.

You may need to do all / some of the following:

1) Blood test > PSA range table and your current reading.

2) DRE (finger) to see if anything can be felt.

3) MRI scan to see if anything can be seen.

4) Biopsy to confirm what the MRI has seen and to grade what's found.

5) CT scans. Chemical marker die to check it's not in the organs. Radioactive marker to see if it's in the bones.

6) Panel decides what options are then available and you may be able to choose between surgery or Radiotherapy.

(See notes for the details for each option).

etc etc (probably got it wrong / out of order).

10Up said:

Prostap in the arm for me

I think I prefer the sound of that rather than in the stomach but I guess it's best they apply it to where it works best?

That is my point exactly.

Remember in the old days, when the Dr had stethoscope around his neck and whatever your query he took your blood test. Moreover have you noticed that these days it's rare for a GP to lay a hand on you. They are treating the symptoms not the patient. It's a generational decline.

Greener