Start of the journey

Hello Ash11 and welcome to the prostate cancer family. In order to help us help you, and to save us asking the same questions each time, it would be helpful if you could add a little information onto your profile page like initial PSA, TNM, Gleason score, age - but only if you are comfortable doing this.

The main things to address as soon as you are put onto hormone therapy are your physical health and your penile health as being proactive in these areas can help reduce possible side effects and improve time to recovery if or when you come off it.

In terms of physical health it is advised to try and get as fit as possible and add in some weight training to maintain muscle and bone strength. I would also ask about calcium and vitamin D supplements.

In terms of penile health - the HT can cause shrinkage of the penis and scrotum so you can ask about tablets and possibly a vacuum pump to try and maintain blood flow, plus manual stimulation. Loss of libido happens for most men so you and your wife might need to find a different dynamic. Basically use it or lose it. 

The hormone therapy can be given in different forms but usually you are put onto Bicalutamide tablets initial to block the cancer from getting at its food. This is then followed by an injection which can last for 1,3 or 6 months. The tablets are given to counter the initial flare in testosterone caused by the injection and are not normally continued. The injections work to stop testosterone production and this drop in Testosterone is what causes the side effects. I have attached a link to hormone therapy which might help explain things.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/hormonal-therapy-for-prostate-cancer

I also usually point people to a book which you can download for free which might answer some of your questions.

https://issuu.com/magazineproduction/docs/js_prostate_cancer_guide_for_patients_ezine

Radiotherapy can come in different forms so once we have a little bit more information we can help you with your options and give you more information so that you can have an informed discussion on your treatment pathway. 

My husband has advanced prostate cancer and has been on hormone therapy for 4+years, plus he had EBRT to the whole of the prostate area which remains successful. He has also had targeted radiotherapy SBRT plus chemotherapy and everything is under control. The hormone therapy does affect him both physically and mentally but it doesn't stop us from having a good quality of life.

I don't know if you have children but as both you and your wife have cancer then genetic testing and counselling might be advisable as any offspring have a greater risk of developing cancer. I hope your wife is recovering well but prostate cancer is also a couples disease so make sure she is coping ok. As you have been dealing with cancer for the last 18 months I expect you are aware of the help Macmillan can offer but don't be afraid to ask for pointers.

Please ask any questions but I am sure others will be along to help with their experiences.

Good morning, Ash11 .

 Alwayshope  always says more than I can, in fewer words. She is really good at this.

I have been on hormone therapy for 5 months now, in preparation for Radiotherapy beginning in January. I have a friend who has just started.

From our joint experience it confirms that the side effects can be radically different in different men.

For him, so far, the side effects have been zero.

For me, I have a number of them, but to an extent that I find easy to deal with.

The most powerful side effects I have encountered are loss of libido and erectile dysfunction. However, my wife and I had decided about 18 months ago that we would not be sexually active, at least in terms of penetrative sex, because the treatment she had for a condition that she has made that impossible.

Our experience has been that intimacy is more passive, but, strangely, more powerful.

I am content. And so is she.

All the other effects have been at the level marked annoying, but I am learning how to manage without any medication. For me, it has not been hard.

The main things that have changed for me is diet, and exercise.

There are three sessions at the gym.

I am trying to use intermittent fasting to keep my weight under control.

I have been prescribed calcium and and vitamin d.

Going on the way I feel, all of this is working.

The paradox is that I may be fitter now than before I was diagnosed.

I hope all goes well for you,

Good Morning Again Ash11 

I am pleased you have found us and there's not much more I can say that's not already been said in the posts above.

As Alwayshope said, adding your diagnosis and journey to your profile helps us help you and in my case I use it as a diary reminding me where I have been. (You can read a profile by clicking on a user name or avatar). To update your profile on your home page click on the chair - top right, then "profile" then "edit". once you have written something, don't forget to save it!

The latest thread on Hormone Therapy side effects is this one:

 Hormone hell 

Feel free to join in any conversations and ask any questions, however trivial they are - you will get answers.

Best wishes - Brian.