Chemo side effects

Chaps01

Diagnosed 1st Sept 2020, T3b N1 M0  Gleason 4+5=9

Treatable not curable, aggressive. High range Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer that has broken out into the lymph nodes deep in my pelvis (feel free to read my profile)

Finished 20 sessions of radiotherapy in August.I had 6 cycles of Chemotherapy (Docetaxel) at the beginning of the year and rested prior to the RT.

I was put on Prostap hormone injections for two year minimum at the start of my treatment, this has got my psa down to 0.1

Chemotherapy-

Cycles 1-3  were ok however at number 4 I could tell that it was starting to change.

Was told then that the chemotherapy treatment is cumulative.

5 like yourself was tough and neuropathy was taking place and is still with me mainly in my right foot/toes.

Cycle 6 was reduced a little but I made it through all 6

My hair is back and a lot darker than it was.

After both treatments I am now experiencing the following.....

Sudden bouts of fatigue

Since RT unannounced bowel movements along with increased urination especially at night.

Bone ache/pain especially my legs and my shoulders feel very weak.

Pain in lower back and hips.

I had a Total knee replacement one year before I was diagnosed and after improving it seems to have gone backwards, and walking has been difficult.

I have been given a consultation with a professor next Month regarding my knee.

(I did read that chemotherapy can weaken the cement on knee replacements)

So in just over twelve months I’ve undergone a lot of treatment of which I am so grateful for.

I get weepy lately out of the blue but keep telling myself that there is always someone worse off.

I hope that this helps and please take care and stay safe.

Spud

”you don’t know how Strong you are,

 until being Strong is your only choice”

Bob Marley 

Thanks for your response Spud. Very helpful. 

All the best and take care.

Love the Bob Marley quote.

Dave C

Hi

Chemotherapy can effect everyone differently, I certainly know about the being hit by a bus, plus after my third dose I caught sepsis, this was all four years and a handful of months ago.

I found the joint pain I suffer with was mainly from hormone therapy plus the work I used to do, wear and tear on the joints. It took a reasonable amount of time to get over the chemo, fatigue and tiredness was always an issue it’s just a case of living with them, of course I take co codormol for pain, sleeping was never great, with my PSA being so high, 893, and Gleason 9/10 I cannot have a break from hormone treatment, which is fine, I’d rather be here than not.

Hope that explains a bit of how side effects can get the better of you.

stay safe

Joe

Thanks Joe.

I didn't mention but I also had sepsis and pneumonia 10 days after the 6th cycle and had 6 days in hospital, including 3 in ICU. I had tolerated the hormone therapy well after the last break so I've been assuming that the joint and muscle aches are from the Chemo, or the sepsis.

Thanks for your support and take care.

Dave C

Sounds very similar, mentally took a long while to recover, fatigue was also an issue, still is at times although lot better. 18 months post last cycle. 

Thanks for your reply. The mental toll is difficult at times. My family have really helped me keep positive.

Just shaking off a cold and feeling a little better. I feel like I'm improving everyday, but very slowly and occasionally a few steps backwards.

Stay safe

Dave C