Advise and feedback

Surgery or HT/radiotherapy have similar outcomes in  localised CA other things being  equal . 

How old are you? They sometimes suggest  surgery in younger but well contained cases  as you are usually fitter and have more time life left to recover. But you are the only one who can  weigh up the pros and cons to their suggestions..

Hi I have just turned 59 and also with the colitis I understand that radiotherapy does not play well with it. I am worried about recovery time and the side effects of leaks and ED. 

Hi Finders2dab77,

I had my prostate removed in June 2024 and am an Ulcerative Colitis sufferer.  

I was advised against RT due to the colitis.  My experience was okay overall.  I did have a minor flare after the surgery but in some ways that was good as they don't let you go home till you've had a wee and a poo.  My poo was not long after I first got out of bed and the nurse told me not to be too disappointed if I couldn't go - well I went and some - you know how flares are!  Don't forget to take your medication in with you when/if you have the op and have enough to cover a couple of days.  Also, be ready for possible wind problems - extra strong mints helped me. 

The incontinence depends on you and as they say everyone recovers at their own pace.  Mine was bad to start with as I got a water infection but once the infection was gone I was down to two pads every 24 hours within a month or so.  Don't worry about pads - you will get them from the NHS. By the second week of December 2024, I was pad free.  Using pads can be a bit hit and miss to start with.  The first week or so I had a few pads drop out (it was hot and I was wearing shorts), but once I had some practice that never happened again.  Once I was able to drive, I did have problems with flooding as I got out of my car, but that improved over a few months.  If you read around on other threads you will read of some guys having almost no incontinence problems, so you will just have to wait and see how things are for you.

While I am still pad free, be aware that control may not be the same.  If I have a cold or over exercise then I can leak a little - thankfully most times resting is all that is needed and pads aren't required.  If I am out and about with my three year old granddaughter then I will wear a pad as lifting her can be too much, but my wonderful wife does do most of the heavy lifting.