Newly diagnosed with prostate cancer - advice from others

Hi Nigel and welcome,

You don't mention your PSA or staging, ie if contained within the gland etc.

As you are on HT tablets I assume that u are going for Radiotherapy?

You shouldn't have any ED problems once u come of the tablets although it may take some time to recover.

These days Radiotherapy doesn't normally produce ED issues  especially in the long term

Anything else just ask away.

Steve

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your reply. My PSA was 4.5 and the cancer does not seem to have spread from the prostate although I am still awaiting the result of a head to toe bone scan. I am not going for surgery, although the type of Radiotherapy has not yet been decided.

I am concerned about ED during the period of treatment with hormones and the subsequent recovery period - my consultant said the effect of the hormones would be that I would not be able to get an erection and also said 'but that can be overcome with Viagra', however I also saw from some of the information pamphlets given to me that vacuum pumps were recommended to maintain penile health but I have not seen advice about which was the the best one to get and when I look online there is huge variety but most seem not to be designed for fun rather than a more serious objective.

Nigel

I didn't have HT myself so I think that I will let someone else answer about ED issues and vacuum pumps.

PSA of 4.5 is really quite low, just above normal, so radiotherapy should produce am good result.

I must admit I struggle to understand why they give HT when the PSA is so low . Sometimes I think that they do it as a belt and braces approach. Obviously they are the experts.

I am sure that someone will answer about ED and the pumps.

Best wishes

Steve

Hi Nigel

The HT and RT ( if that's what they offer) will both cause tiredness and lack of stamina. I found the first 6 months particularly difficult. Trying to keep fit, as was recommended, was really hard. 

HT is likely to make you put on weight, particularly around your waist. If you can keep exercising, then that should help. Eating healthily, and reducing calorie intake, will too.

RT can impact your bowel and cause problems. In my case, I was OK, so long as I followed the diet they recommend. Ask for a diet sheet. Not following it was a big problem over Christmas 2019!

Although, I only found out about this very recently, when diagnosed with high glucose levels, Prostap can push you into Type 2 diabetes levels. Be aware of this as my GP wasn't. ( I checked this out with Macmillan and my Cancer Nurse Specialist).

Finally, HT most definitly affects libido. I have very little interest at all. Whether pumps etc would help, I can't say, but if its important to you then give them a go!

Hope the above helps!

Regards

Stuart

Hello Nigel, libido will suffer when on hormone treatment and there is a lot of advice to use devices such as a vaccuum pump to prevent atrophy due to absence of an erection over the period of time whilst having treatment. It's like a case of use it or lose it.

Some medical grade pumps are very expensive and I believe the cheaper "for fun" sex shop items will do the same job for you in the circumstances you describe. Just read the instructions before use.

I hope all goes well for you.

Derek.