Side effects of Bicalutimide/Prostap?

In my experience, the worst side effect of Bicalutamide is fatigue and the worst side effect of Prostap is hot flushes. The temporary side effects of RT are extreme fatigue too. It took me six months to get back to full fitness after 20 sessions of RT. The hot flushes are mostly dealt with by taking Evening Primrose Oil and Sage Leaf capsules twice a day. I also take an homeopathic remedy of Sepia (cuttlefish ink) every few weeks whenever the hot flushes start to build up. I had my last Prostap injection a couple of months ago so I hope I will be able to reduce the anti-hot-flush medication in a few months as the hormones diminish.

The longer term effects of RT can affect the bowels in different ways. I have had constipation almost continuously since finishing RT. I originally combatted it by taking Fybogel every day which worked but I now have three soft figs and some walnuts every evening which is much more pleasant.

I hope that helps 

Thanks, Seamus. It does  help. You experience mirrors a friend of mine who had similar effects. Very useful to know how you dealt with, and are dealing with, the fatigue. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - a post viral problem from many years ago - so I am not looking forward to that aspect of the treatment.

I had heard that the NHS were starting to use spacers between the prostate and the bowel to minimise the radiation overspill, so I might try to push for that even though it is a surgical procedure to insert the gel spacer.

What PSA level are you on now?

Jonno

Hi Jonno. My PSA has been undetectable for the last 2 years, I hope it stays that way as the hormones wear off over the next 6 to 12 months.

I believe there a a couple of members here who have had SpaceOar prior to RT, but it wasn't available to me when I had my RT.

Brilliant, Seamus! There seem to be many PCA sufferers who do well for many years after RT, I trust you will be one of them. Immunotherapy appears to be the way to go for either new folks or those who have had RT already, but it's not quite there yet. No doubt it will be when either of us have need of it!

I will investigate SpaceOAR further, although my last oncologist, who was a surgeon, said that spacers are rarely used on T3s.

Good luck with your health and thanks again for the info.

Jonno

Hello Seamus, I read your reply about the Sage and the Evening Promrose oil and bought some from Holland and Barrett. I take the Sage every afternoon with my meal and use the EPO with a light meal or snack if the sweats are heavy during the day.  As a result I now sleep virtually all night and am quite heavy eyed if I do have to get up in the middle of the night.

However I havce a question - Do you feel sleepy during the day ? I have noticed that my eyes play up and that falling asleep is becoming easier so watching a film is almost impossible.

Cheers

Red Tea. 

Hi Red Tea, interesting handle!

No I don't have a problem with feeling sleepy during the day even though I don't actually sleep more than 2 or 3 hours a night unless I take a sleeping pill. I often feel fatigue which is when I will go for a walk (I have some good waterproofs and walking boots so the weather isn't a problem).

I find exercise combats the fatigue and I feel great after a walk. I guess it's the endorphins kicking in.

I hope you find a fix for your sleepiness.