PSA levels during and after hormone therapy.

 tunybgur 

The best advice I can give is to listen to the radiologist and do exactly as they say. Many on here have been given diet sheets and a micro-enema before every RT session. My RT was nearly five years ago and I didn't have either, however I did get three gold seeds so my ashes will be marginally more valuable than most!

Don't forget to tell the radiologists if you have any problems as, although it's your first (and only) time, they have done it many times and will have an answer for you.

Keep in touch and let us know how you are progressing.

Thanks for the advice Seamus,

It's nice to get support and advice from people who have walked the walk.

I'll keep a diary of my progress like you guys,

Keep up the good work!

Good luck

Derek

Hi tunybgur, when I underwent RT I was given a diet sheet which stated to avoid all green leaf vegetables, beans, pulses, alcohol, fizzy drinks etc.

I had mostly morning sessions on the 'sunbed' and had to take a micro enema an hour before RT then drink 500mls of water 30 minutes before RT.

I did have one occasion when I couldn't hold on and had to pee, so they swapped my appointment with the next on person on the list, asked me to have a bit more to drink and all was fine.

Hope this helps and good luck on your journey.

Regards

Peter 

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the info, nice to know they give a diet sheet, makes sense.

It's just a bit daunting to try and keep your digestive system behaving itself for so long but I guess I'll give it my best shot.

Thanks for taking the time to reply,

Good luck

Derek

Brian! Really! I thought it was the mathematician or the accountant. Stop trying to put the blame on the engineers.

Derek a big welcome from one of the wives here. My husband had 33 sessions of radiotherapy three years ago which was very successful. For some reason the hospital who gave him the sunbed treatment didn't need him to take the microenema and provided he had a full bladder he was OK. Diet was my responsibility and what everyone has already said is true. One thing that you have to watch out for is calcium, especially as you say you have cut out milk but you are still eating cheese in your favourite macaroni cheese. Hormone therapy can deplete the calcium in your bones so keep an eye on your blood calcium. Exercise will help keep your bones strong as well as reduce the fatigue which will eventually get you. If necessary a calcium and vitamin D supplement will keep the levels up.

I would also like to reassure you that from a wife's point of view having fun in the bedroom, or anywhere else you might choose, does not have to stop. There are plenty of ways to share your love and we have found that this journey has brought us closer together. From a wife's perspective keep the sprouts and beans level down as we do not appreciate the consequential farts, particularly at intimate moments. We have also found that a good sense of humour helps.

On a more serious note, we wives suffer with you and need to understand what is going on so make sure your wife is kept fully informed if she wants to be. We have our fears and some find it useful to talk to others in a similar situation and find that places like Maggie's offer this in abundance. As another poster says, this is a couple's diagnosis so make sure your wife gets support and advice if she needs it.

Good luck on your journey. I am sure that you will have many questions and you have come to the right place here so keep everyone updated and keep asking any questions no matter how small you may think them.

Hi Alwayshope,

I had a real energy crisis when I started on my minimum carb diet, but my body eventually adjusted and I'm through that now.

I'm hoping my calcium levels are ok as the soya drink I take in place of milk is fortified and I eat a lot of oily fish, mackerel, sardines, salmon etc, and green veggies also have calcium although I'm not sure of the bioavailability of some sources, but cancer cells are hungry for carbs and I'm not about to feed them.

Apparently calorie reduction is more effective at starving them than carb restriction, but unfortunately we do need calories to maintain our own bodies, but I do consume a lot more protein now and my weight is stable.

For exercise, I play golf three times a week and am on my way to the gym after replying to you, I try to get my heart rate up over 100 for at least 10 mins every day, I've got an exercise bike for the rainy days.

My wife is on the journey with me, but she drew the line at raw garlic (a very powerful natural PCa cell killer), it was cut the garlic or live in the spare room!.....although she's ok with leeks, also a great PCa assassin.

I'm not looking forward to the RT, but I'm less worried now after all the explanation and support from the people on this site, as they say, it's good to talk.

Thanks for your support!

Kind regards,

Derek

Hello Alwayshope

Yes, Accountant by trade BUT after the children went school and I was still fit enough I worked way up in the preserved railway world to become a qualified steam engine driver - my training included working in the engineering workshops and I can use most machine tools and am not too bad at solving most mechanical issues.

Back in the "real world" I am on calcium and Vitamin D tablets to protect my bone structure - I have these on prescription - I also take Sage Tablets for hot flushes (haven't had one in 4 months!) and 9 months after the end of RT am pretty good.

The fatigue has gone - and I am now battling with my weight - but am winning slowly - this is where quality of life over being healthy comes in as I do like my food and Real Ale. (and the EFES here in Turkey). Walking 10000 steps a day is my target and I am usually there.

Best wishes - Brian.

As a matter of interest Brian, what Sage do you take?

I might try it myself, but I don't really trust any of the supplements on Amazon, too many fakes....

Derek

Hello Derek

I take Holland and Barret (other retailers are available) tablets called "Menoforce" they are quite expensive but they work for me so - "happy days".

Best wishes - Brian.

Thanks Brian, I'll give them a go.