PSA level increasing

Hello Cuthbert  Welcome back - I am sure we have spoken in the past.

Radiotherapy is a great second line if surgery hasn't got all the little buggers - I am sure if you advise your surgeon of your IBS they will take this into consideration - I am sure I read somewhere that it's sometimes a shorter course (not 20 fractions) after surgery but I may be wrong. Keep us posted as to how you get on and my best wishes for a successful treatment.

Kind Regards - Brian.

Thanks Brian. I suppose it's the shock of returning to the fight. I still haven't told one member of my close relatives the latest but will do this weekend when he visits for Christmas. It appears many of my relatives and friends believed the surgery sorted it out. To be fair the surgeon did tell me he couldn't guarantee it had all been removed.

That's the problem with surgery - it's very professional but just can't guarantee to mop up any stray cell and you need to ensure you have them all. The good thing is HT/RT is available to you as you are aware if they miss some.

Personally I would put the worry to the back of my mind, have a good Christmas and New Year and then in the New Year put my positive energy to fighting " Lord Voldemort" (other Dark Lords are available). Hopefully your surgeon will have some positive news next week.

Best wishes - Brian.

oh dear - this is a worry you certainly did not want. My husband has a 'delicate bowel' which has been somewhat spuriously been treated as IBS as he's never had any investigations. He tends to get the pains when he's stressed! Anyway - he had 20 fractions of RT in Feb/March. He did suffer with some bloating but they advised him to become lactose and gluten free . He did this and was fine. Post radiotherapy he gradually introduced both into his diet and is fine (until he gets stressed!!!)

HTH.

Hi Cuthbert and welcome "back" to the community, So sorry to hear surgery left a few cancer cells behind, but radiotherapy is so good these days and many people only need 4 treatments,  which are often done in 2 days it's good to see you go to the gym as well as being fit will help you later. All the best for Christmas and especially the new year. take care, Eddie

Thanks for taking time to reply. Yes I have never been diagnosed with IBS but do have a history of a sensitive tummy. Spicy and rich foods seem to be a trigger. Your experiences seem positive. Unfortunately I have just received a telephone call cancelling my appointment with the surgeon next Wednesday due to the junior Dr's strike. It is hard when we were getting our head around the next step.

Thanks for your positive response. Feeling a little down at the moment due to junior Dr's strike next week my appointment with the surgeon has been cancelled. By the way I am fully behind the Dr's. Our Government seem to have failed the NHS and patients. 

Oh, that’s a shame! Hanging around waiting for appointments and results is very wearing on the nerves! What I found worked was asking the admin and medical staff to consider us if they have a last minute or late cancellation and made it quite clear we could drop everything and go - the only consideration being the travel time. This has worked really well and it advantages yourself and the NHS

That's a good tip  thanks.

Cuthbert, how very annoying for you.  That is not what you want to have hanging over you at such a stressful time.  On a positive note, if they are prioritising appointments maybe they don’t consider you that critical?  Just a thought.

Anyway, hope you get seen soon.  Worriedwife makes a good point if you are able to get to attend a late cancellation, worth a try.

Best wishes. David