New Member recently diagnosed

Hello Brightondj (David),

It's a decision that all men hope they will never have to make for themselves.  Unfortunately it's happened & there is no easy right or wrong answer so in the end is down to each individual depending on their own circumstances. 

Information is key to helping make a choice that's right for you, so reading up on each option via Macmillan or Prostate Cancer UK will certainly help with this.

I was Gleason 7 (4 + 3) & chose HT & RT mainly because I knew I didn't want to have an operation (the wimp in me) & was told that the aim of the treatment was curative.  A big plus was that I was only going to be on HT for 9 months.  If it helps in any way you can read my journey by clicking on my icon.

All the best,

Brian

Hi Brian 

Thank you for your message and i have read you personal journey with interest . Same age as myself and recently retired which has given me the time to act. I have to say that my GP was very quick in fast tracking my case . in hindsight, i dont really want to loose my prostate or opt for the HT/RT. As long as they can save my nerves for erections I may well opt for the surgery. Its a tough call as i want to stay sexually active.

Hi, I had HIFU treatment in March (Gleason 3+4 localised) thanks to the NHS and Prost8 UK charity at Bath RUH. My PSA is now 0.81 and I have very little discomfort. I’m almost back to normal. My outcome has been so much less damaging than more invasive treatments and I was a day patient. I’m 56 and was wanting to preserve as much of my lifestyle as possible. A big thumbs up for HIFU from me. The only increased risk is a margin of around 5% more chance of recurrence compared to other treatments; so 20% rather than 25% chance of recurrence.

Good luck.

David ( Brightondj),

the Ultrasound method sounds good, I have just been reading about it. I hope it develops as a treatment because it sounds like a good alternative to having bits cut and the potential side-effects surgery has.

I was doing well until I got to a part about having a catheter inserted, and possibly having to wear one for around a week. I had one during the early days after my initial diagnosis and I don’t want to go back there.

Tony.

Good Morning Tony (Beerandrocks) 

There are so many research projects and trials underway that new treatments and new ideas are in the pipeline. The issue is NICE appear reluctant to licence some because the cost of the research is passed onto the cost of the drug.

What price life?

On a side note I had an indwelling catheter for 10 months. Once I got used to it after 2/3 weeks it became the "New Normal" It made life interesting at times - passing through airports, sitting in the pub with my mates and smiling when asked "are you having a wee? The downside (which was not too bad) was a couple of leaky leg bags and learning to wee again after 10 months!!

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Tedstar,

It's so good to hear about results from HIFI, I knew about it, but you can't beat feedback from someone thats had it. It's such a new thing, would you consider Starting a new post headed  HIFI and putting this on, so if someone is "searching" it would come up? I would love to know how low your PSA eventually gets down to as its early days and will it keep going down? With RT it can keep going down for sometime unlike surgery. I would love to know what your 6 month follow up is.

Brilliant post, Thank you

L

Hi BarryW

Thanks for your comments.

Good idea, I will start a new post. It is important to know that HIFU is an option. I'll update with PSA in 3months and my planned MRI in March next year.

Cheers