Long term side effects of Radiotherapy for Prostrate Cancer

Good Evening Scottish_James  A warm welcome to the Online Prostate Community

I am so sorry to find you here but as a fellow Gleason 9 and TURP member we have a couple of things in common!!

I am 12 months post Radiotherapy (if you read my profile by clicking on the icon of the beach you can follow my journey) and apart from a couple of "small" issues during the radiotherapy - and the fatigue - I don't consider at this time I have any side effects from it.

I am aware there are Community members who have issues both short and long term from Radiotherapy and I am sure they will be along at some point to chat to you about these.

A bit of "house keeping" if you don't mind. To help us help you and stop us asking questions, can I ask you to fill in your profile with a little bit of your diagnosis and journey to date - to do this go to your home page, click on the icon of the chair - top right, then "profile" and then "edit". - You don't need to write a novel like mine!! Thanks in anticipation.

I hope this helps - I am sure others will be along with their answers.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Scottish\-James and welcome to the forum though sorry to hear about your diagnosis, My experience, i had locally advanced prostate cancer T3b/4 Gleason 9 and had a TURP as well, Side effects caused by HT, RT or both, fatigue started after RT pretty hard for 6 to 8 weeks then ok after 6 more weeks, incontinence TURP, HT or RT poor leading up to TURP, better after then got worse during and after HT, 5 months later not perfect but happy, erectile disfunction not a problem, though the TURP meant my semen/sperm were diverted into my bladder and for 6 weeks after HT had no interest in sex, man boobs here to stay, hot flushes started with HT lasted 7 weeks, Emotions HT  and RT became tearful and empathetic and still am to this day but slightly less so which i have come to value. there are other side effects but these are the ones that impacted me, We are all different and react differently to treatment some get away with virtually no side effects, others are not so fortunate. i wish you well.

Eddie

Hi Scottish_James  and welcome to the forum.

I was 71 when diagnosed with T3A N0 M0, Gleason 9 and a PSA of 11 (risen to 15 by the time treatment started). That was in 2018 and I had three years of HT with 20 sessions of RT in Feb/Mar 2019. The worst side effect of the RT was extreme fatigue which continued for a while after it finished but my friends from the rowing club got together and made a rota to make me go out for a walk every day. That was a lifesaver and now, at the age of 76, I walk at least 30 miles every week, swim a mile twice a week and go coastal rowing as often as the wind and tides allow.

Occasionally I still get a bit of constipation, but a sachet of Fybogel sorts that out. Otherwise I am fitter now than I was pre-diagnosis.

If it helps I was treated at the Beatson in Glasgow.

Keep in touch and ask any questions you might have as someone here will be able to help.

Hi.. I'm Derek.. got Prostate Cancer 3+3  they want me to have a Turps.. but feel it doesn't get to the real root of the problem.. anyway how was your Turps.. its a crazy procedure in this age..  it was first used a hundred years ago.... so how was it for you?

Hi Derek, and welcome back, it's good to hear from you again. Sorry to hear your still unsure whether to have a TURP, when you posted previously a couple of guys shared their experiences of the operation and it's benefits, everyone of us found it a positive procedure, can I ask if you have urinary problems and how old you are.

Eddie 

I do not know much about the Turps op. Do they use that to help men who have to go to the toilet upto 20 times in 24 hours?. I'm meeting with my urologist later this month to discuss my urinary issues. I'm currently on HT for another 12 months, following Rt 18 months ago. I'm locally advanced PC

Thank you

Morning Brizzy1, a TURP, is done to help with poor urinary flow, I was peeing many times during the day and night often for just a second and it was a little painful, as my urethra was being crushed by my enlarged prostate.

Brizzy, I don't know if a TURP is right for you, but definitely mention it at urology.

The operation is/can be done with an epidural, totally painless takes 30 minutes to widen the urethra, they shave it to enlarge it and the shavings will  likely be analysed, you need a catheter for one or two days and I  stopped in hospital for 2 days, catheter removed on day 2, was able to pee 3 times then home, pretty much straight away peeing was so much better, and with exercises it continued to improve.

Eddie 

1. Thanks Eddiel......I will mention it in my next meeting with him.....there must be something that can be done ?

Your welcome, my urology department likes to give your body an initial 6 months to heal itself, and if signs are good, will extend this, or if not, other options become available, there is a booklet explaining these options, should be available at urology, best wishes with your appointment. Eddie