Hi guys, I was diagnosed last year with prostate cancer. I went on active surveillance as my son was ill in South Africa and I had to fly out to see him. Since then I have had 3 monthly checkups, and the last one showed my psa had moved from 15 to 18. I had another MRI which showed the cancer hadn’t moved but had a bone scan which was clear. My Gleeson has gone from 3-4 to 4-4, so they decided to start Hormone treatment. I am nearly at the end of my month on Bicalutamide tablets, and had first monthly injection of triptoraline 2 weeks ago. My problem is that I have never felt so tired and washed out in my life. It’s a real effort to do anything. Just wondered if anybody knows if I can do anything about it. I am due to have a ‘rebore’ op, and have had pre op and waiting for admission. Appreciate any help
Hi Paulalan sorry to hear of your situation.
I didn't have hormone therapy myself but I do know that there can be many different side effects associated with this treatment , tiredness/fatigue being one of them.
Try and do some excercise every day if possible this does help.
You could also talk with your cancer centre or GP for advice.
What is a 'rebore op', is this to do with the PC treatment?
Hopefully someone will post who has been thru HT
Regards
Steve
Hi Steve,
thanks for replying. The rebore is called a TURP. This is to widen the channel in my prostate to enable me to wee properly and not so often. It’s about an hour operation and about three days in hospital. I gather it can take up to six weeks to get back to normal. They told me that the plan is to have twenty sessions of radiotherapy and they will look to start it December or January. I haven’t seen an oncologist yet. They want to get op out of way first. I just hope I don’t carry on feeling so shattered, maybe it will improve after I stop the tablets on Tuesday, and just have the injections.
take care.
Paul
Hi Paulalan, fatigue is a listed side effect of HT. I found my body adjusted a bit over time to the HT but sometimes there’s no escaping that feeling of exhaustion.
I walk, play golf and try to keep as active as possible but also try to build in rests between activities. Steve is absolutely correct that maintaining a good level of activity actually helps reduce the fatigue.
The biggest problem I had and still have is poor sleep quality.
Others will reply but a chat with a specialist nurse on Macmillan or PCUK might help too.
This link might help https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/treatments/hormone-therapy
Also still get hot flushes a couple of times a day but these are manageable.
I was on PROSTAP for 2 years three months but still suffer after having my last jab.
It takes time to leave the system.
All the best,
Ido4
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007