Prostap injection today!

Hi Mal - yes I agree with your mind set. Heard yesterday that a work colleague who I'd had a lovely long letter from in her Christmas card, developed pancreatitis and it turned into sepsis with fatal consequences on Christmas Eve. I'm sure she and her husband would swap for a PC diagnosis any day!

Happy New Year to you too

Hello Mal CG 

Mal CG said:

But tbh I just look at the world at 67 yrs of age and think there's a lot of people out there I wouldn't swap places with

You are so right, I feel lucky to have a loving wife and family and just to be where I am with this cancer. There are plenty of people who have more problems than you can shake a stick at!!

Best wishes for the New Year and may 2025 bring you all you wish for.

Brian.

Brian - can I just say that it's thanks to the work of people like you, and of course  others, on this forum, helping us newbies understand that life still has hope, when the 'c' word inevitably creates initial panic and fear that life is over. You can't underestimate how valuable that is so thank you

Alison (Ally52) 

I do it because 3 years ago on Christmas day I was lying on a hospital bed almost dead with very little kidney function - never mind Prostate Cancer. My Macmillan nurse suggested the online Community and from being like a rabbit in the car headlights - the good folk of this community sorted me out. Their kindness, unbridled help and generosity to me will never be forgotten.

I started out by putting a bit back in and 16 months ago was "headhunted" for the Champs job. The training has made me a better person and I enjoy doing what I do. I have some great friends on this Community and other Champions and I don't want anyone to go through a Cancer diagnosis and treatment "blind" without any help.

I have the time to do it - and it keeps me out of the pub!!  As I said in another post "everyday is a school day". Here's a link to some facts about the Community

 The power of peer support- the Online Community in 2024 

So that's me - full story by clicking on my avatar.

Happy New Year - Brian.

Ally 52

I second your message to Brian I have my first injection on Thursday 2nd Jan I've been ok on the Bicalutamide apart from the first 2 days when I had pelvic pain but fortunately no nausea at all. I've struggled mentally since I was diagnosed in September but I am having counselling with the Macmillan/Bupa service which has helped. Happy New year to everyone on the forum & Best wishes for your treatment ahead in 2025.

Michael 

Hi Brian,

My partner had his first injection on Monday this week. I see you mention 

prescription for Calcium and Vitamin D tablets should be given.

How do we go about getting this, as nothing was mentioned at the GP surgery where he had his.

We don't get to see the oncologist until 28th Jan.

Thanks, 

Jane

Good Morning Michael (Ziggy63) 

Happy New Year - I have just read your profile and you seen to have everything well under control. I do hope the HT/RT goes well for you, keep in touch - we are here for you.

Love the avatar and username.

Best wishes - Brian

Good Morning Jane (DJN) 

Happy New Year - Hormone Therapy weakens the bone structure so it's advised to take Calcium and Vitamin D tablets. My team didn't prescribe them as a matter of course, I had to ask after a Community member on here told me.

I am sure if you contact your GP Surgery they will sort you out. Ours in a large group with their own pharmacist who is very good with medication and general advice.

Best wishes - Brian.

Happy New Year too, we are both feeling rather anxious. My partner wasn't given any leaflet when he had has jab of Decapeptyl, he was expecting some sort of sheet, with some guidelines of dos and donts, but nothing was given. I wasn't actually with him, as I would have spoken up, he doesn't like to question things, this forum has been amazing for pointing me in the right direction. He does take Vitamin D3 (Solgar) has been for years, was prescribed due to him taking Phenytoin for life. I will ring up the cancer nurse and ask her advice on the type of Calcium he would need

Hello Jane DJN and Happy New Year. I have attached a link to the Macmillan page on Decapeptyl which will give you a broad outline of how it works and possible side effects but generally these are similar for all the different hormone therapies.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/triptorelin-for-prostate-cancer#:~:text=Triptorelin%20is%20a%20hormonal%20therapy,type%20of%20cancer%20you%20have.

The main do is more exercise, particularly with some resistance element as this helps to reduce the side effects from the HT. He may experience more aches and pains initially for which an over the counter painkiller is usually effective but watch out for 'moob' pain. Another do is to look after penile health - use it or lose it - the penis and scrotum usually shrinks but keeping the blood flow with tablets from the doctor plus manual stimulation can help reduce this if it is going to concern your husband.

As for don'ts it is more to do with diet such as reduced animal fats and full fat dairy products. Cutting down on caffeine and alcohol. Eating plenty of fruit and veg plus trying to incorporate more plant based proteins into the diet.

If you are worried about anything then ask questions as there is usually a solution.