Its seems harder to get over this than through it

Members on here find this helps the situation you articulate -> After the treatment ends, then what?    

I've read it.  I think it hits the nail on the head of many scenarios. 

Hi Gav 

I must say that  I  found the most difficult time once treatment had finished , think perhaps cos hospital visits and tests are over and you're pretty much on your own.

It did take some considerable time to get back on an even keel and it may be worth considering counselling which is what I did and it did help to an extent.

I understand your issue with HT for 2 more years, wonder if your stats warrant that,  you don't mention your stats always worth including your figures for best advice.

I hope things work out, am sure they will in time

Best wishes

Steve 

Hello gavref2 A warm welcome to the online Prostate Cancer Community.

Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer has side effects that differ for all of us. I can appreciate at the time, you had no idea that you had Prostate Cancer, and the combination of HT and Radiotherapy have now done the job and reduced your PSA to a good level and the Cancer is under control.

You state you have been told HT for 2 years and you have done 9 months - is it the side effects of the HT or just the thought of the HT that is causing you concern - or both?  I am sure your medical team have your best interests at heart so would you like to chat further about your issues or would you like me to find you that little bit of extra help to enable you to resolve the situation?

If you can expand a little further I will see what I can do for you.

Best wishes - Brian.

The effects of androgen can be very effective and some of the side effects come and go. It has without a doubt stopped all Testosterone production so you can imagine the effects that has. It has also raised my emotions and natural feelings to a much higher level that i have ever had. My wife and i for complicated and personal reasons did not have children a decision that was right at the time. Sadly today because of the reflection caused by the diagnosis, i so regret the outcome but not the original decision. I always wanted to have children (two girls if i could have chosen) but the reality is that time has come and gone. Things were complicated some weeks ago when we witnessed a terrible accident and a young female Jockey was very badly injured when crushed under a horse. My paternal feeling went to the stratosphere along with my emotions that was in some way being fed by the androgen in my system ratcheting things up several notches. The sweats mainly at night are way over and above anything i have ever had.

I have nothing but praise for my medical team, their take at time is this is side effects and not symptoms, not that i know the difference. It does mess with your head when you felt fine at the start but now feel worse than when you started. My fears are real at time although also i expect raised because of these issues. There is no getting back to normal everything is different now and i hate the way this has changed me and made me think differently.

Gavin.

I'm sure things will improve Gavin , just give some time and obviously if you are also cured  another plus.

All the best

Steve 

Hi Gavin and welcome, being diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer changes many of us emotionally, empathy levels rise and we are more open to our emotions, and many of us like the person we have become, though none of us like the physical changes, If you are ok discussing them, there are many on the forum who can offer advice  on how they dealt with their side effects. 

Eddie

Many Thanks This is much tougher than i ever expected. Its made worse as i had no symptoms and i felt fine and knew nothing. Now i feel worse than when i first found out.

Whilst PSA results are great my Oncology team will not use the word cured neither will they say this may not come back but prefer to say they are cautiously optimistic. So for the foreseeable future i have to learn to live with a level of uncertainty. It seems very surreal that despite feeling perfectly healthy and fit, i had something in me that could have had a very different and dramatic outcome. I got lucky and boy do i know it, that's what make the guilt feel out of place, but boy do i have it some days.

Hello gavref2 

So we have two main issues to address here as I see it:

SIDE EFFECTS OF HT.

We all have these - some more than others - but they are a small price to pay for curative treatment for cancer.

Sweats - Have you tried Sage Tablets, they worked for me, I have "Menoforce" from Holland and Barret and they stopped my hot sweats within a fortnight - they don't work for us all but at least give them a try.

Other Side Effects - I can cry for England, I have put on weight, I have a pair of "Moobs" , I have the odd "dark day" and yes I have low testosterone which puts sex out of the question - but for all of these I am thankful I am on a "curative pathway" for my cancer and they will all go away in due course once the HT ceases.

ANXIETY AND FEAR OF CANCER

We all have this to some extent - and it's always at the back of your mind. Below please find the link to our free counselling that is offered by BUPA via MacMillan

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/emotional-help/bupa-counselling-and-emotional-well-being-support

I think you would benefit from this.

As an aside I am 2 years into a 3 year hormone therapy journey - you are not alone - click on my user name to see my journey - I am aiming for a "happy ending".

If i can do anything to help you please let me know - my personal message box is open if you don't wish to put something on a public forum.

We are here to help, it's OUR Community and YOU are a most welcome member.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi, I agree. From April thru to Sept last year it was full on. From my gp suspecting I had prostate cancer thru to diagnosis and surgery. After surgery it was like everyone disappeared in terms of health professionals. I actually felt like a ship without a rudder. Thankfully the urology nurse is supporting me now regarding penile rehab. I’ve also been referred to clinical psychologist as they feel I have PTSD following everything that happened over a short period of time. I never really felt I processed it all. I’m on waiting list (3-4 months). I had to ask for help and make sure I got it. 
it’s hard post surgery I feel.

best regards

Col