Exercise Prostate Cancer

Hi Upside 

I have had RT without the HT.

From what I have read HT def the worst of the two.

RT caused me no major issues apart from a few side effects that went away a few weeks after treatment finished.

I think that HT can cause issues but does vary person to person.

Hopefully someone will post who has had both 

Steve 

Hi

I have had both and HT, for me, was the worst. RT leaves you tired but HT leaves you tired and weak. It also lasts much longer.

I am nearly 12 months on, from finishing a 2 course of Prostap, and my strength and stamina levels are poor - which I find very frustrating. I like to walk and, before PC, could easily walk 10 miles. I am now struggling to do half.

The tricky thing is, as the CNS recommend, to keep fit during treatment. The problem with that is you won't feel like it, especially when both the HT and RT are affecting you. That said, anything you can do will help longterm.

Regards

Stuart

Hi Upside and welcome to the forum.

I was 71 when diagnosed in 2018 with T3A N0 M0, Gleason 4+5 = 9 and PSA of 15. I had three years of Prostap and 20 sessions of RT in Feb/Mar 2019.

1. Yes tiredness and muscle weakness are both well known side effects of hormone treatment. I'm afraid the only way through it is to grin and bear it and keep going. 

2. Radiotherapy can also cause fatigue especially towards the end of the treatment. By week 4 I was having a nap in the afternoons. We lived on an island at the time of my treatment so I was accommodated in an hotel next to the treatment centre during the week, only getting home at weekends. That was also quite stressful as the journey was partly by ferry and February isn't the best time of year to be using ferries! There can also be other side effects of RT such as bowel problems which may clear up after the treatment ends. You should make sure you follow the radiologists instructions to the letter and tell them if you have any problems at all and they will deal with them straight away. Remember, although it's your first time having the treatment, they have been doing it for a long time and will have experience of every problem the patients may have.

3. Yes, you will put on weight on hormone treatment, mostly around the waist. You should also be aware that HT can cause a rise in your HbA1 leading to Type 2 diabetes. At least one of the drugs (Cyproterone Acetate) used to combat the hormone induced hot flushes can also have the same effect. Many doctors don't seem to know about this side effect (at least they might know but don't tell the patient) and you need to control your intake of sugar, alcohol and carbs during the treatment period. It's also wise to control caffeine intake too.

Having said all that, it's now nearly nearly 18 months since my last Prostap injection and, at 75, I am swimming a mile twice a week, coastal rowing as often as the wind and tides allow and walking at least 30 miles a month. Probably fitter now than I was 10 years ago!

I hope that helps and please keep in touch and let us know how you get on with the treatment.

Hi Upside

Forgot the type 2 diabetes and care with diet. My hospital ( Poole) gave out a recommended diet sheet, to be ignored at your peril - I did and it wasn't funny. I am struggling with my sugar levels and hovering just below when the GP wants to give me tablets. This is despite following the diet sheet religiously.

Also make sure your GP gives you Calcium + vitamin D tablets as the HT can weaken your bones. My GP missed the instruction from the hospital for 2 years until I picked it up talking to someone else.

Thanks Seamus for the prompt!

Stuart

Hi, I totally agree with Seamus and Stuart, I found the Fatigue from the Radiation treatment hit me the worst.  It's just over a year since my last Radiation session.

I still don't have any stamina (I think there may be a light at the end of the ED tunnel).

Some men don't have any side effects at all, lucky B******.

One thing, I don't have any regrets on having the Radiation and Hormone treatments.  They did their jobs.

Hope everything goes smoothly for you. 

Hi Upside, I agree with the above comments.

I found I had PC  almost 3 years ago at age of 73 with a Gleason score of 8 . I had 20 sessions of  radiotherapy and found I picked up very minor issues eg a rash on my face and became a bit more emotional. Fortunately this only lasted a couple of months and looking back the treatment etc was no real problem.

I am about to finish 3 years of Hormone injections. The side effects are worse than Radiotherapy and a bit of a pain but you learn to live with them. eg hot flushes ( I’ve had to move  into a separate bed from my wife),put on a lot of weight on my stomach and have grown busts, loss of muscle over most of my body. (Interestingly the weight I’ve put on around my stomach is counter balanced by the loss of weight in losing muscle ,) feeling tired, exercise takes a lot of effort .  I feel that because of the side effects I feel as though I’ve aged about 6 years in the time (3 years) I’ve had hormone treatment.
However, at 76 as long as I can go for a walk of 4-5 miles a couple of days a week, play bowls in the summer and enjoy life with my wife then I’m happy.

The good news is the cancer is currently suppressed and my PSA is 0.06 and so I’d recommend this treatment.

Happy to share my experiences and hope your treatment proves to be not too bad.