tiredness

Hello Chris (Chris695) 

There are two parts to your post - let me answer them separately:

* The TURP - This operation is to "shave" your prostate and increase your flow. It should not impact on your tiredness but there shouldn't be any pain 5 weeks after the operation. You need to contact the urology department and advise them you are still in pain. (I have had a TURP and didn't experience any pain at all).

Tamsulosin is given to encourage urination. Perhaps this was prescribed before the TURP - you should check with your team IF you should still be taking it if you are up every hour and a half.

* Tiredness can be caused by many things and I would guess you are on Hormone Therapy. The main side effect from Hormone Therapy is fatigue/tiredness. The simple answer which you may not want to hear is exercise. I still get fatigued after 4.5 years - when I feel tired instead of sitting in the chair for a sleep I go for a walk (the dog loves it). I try to walk and exercise as much as possible - it's hard at first but once you get into it - I actually enjoy a good walk.

i hope the above helps - do let us know how you get on.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thank you for your reply it was very encouraging for me. I was given the Tamulosin before I had the TURP  operation so maybe I should stop taking it.

Cheers.

Chris

Hi Chris.

Congratulations on 44 years of marriage!

Like you, I was diagnosed in February. I'm not on the same course of treatment but I do have constant fatigue from Androgen Deprivation Therapy, which steadily got more intrusive as the months passed. I call it "cumulative" fatigue, which might not be technically correct, but it's how it feels. I wake up feeling as tired as when I went to sleep. I think we're all in the same boat in that respect, one way or another.

I have, for the most part, allowed myself to be frightened of exercising. I know that's the opposite of the advice, but I've been quietly scared of falling asleep when I'm out.

The thing is, I've discovered that actually, exercise makes me feel better. Not loads, but just short walks, and often if possible.

Yes, it makes me tired, but my rest periods seem more productive than when I've been doing nothing much and then have a sleep.

So that's one thing. The other thing you shared was the anger. I'm sorry about that. I have been scared at first, but not angry. I think it's because I convinced myself that I do have this condition, and no amount of wishing will change that. I have found, in life, that the minute you stop banging your head on the wall, your head doesn't hurt as much.  Imagine that the road map told you you could get to your destination on the motorway, but then you find the motorway is closed, for reasons beyond your control. You have to follow a badly signposted diversion to reach your destination.  But you WILL get there. All you have to do is keep driving. Take in the scenery. Let the people you're visiting know you'll be late. Pull over and check the map from time to time.

Take the pressure off yourself.  Everything you can do to make life easier, do it. Many of the pressures are self imposed, because we like to live ordered lives. Can you think of something you could stop worrying about? (Not a trick question).

Talk to the people close to you about what's bothering you. People want to help you out but sometimes they don't know what would help.

Talk to MacMillan staff. They have seen everything that's new to us, more times than I can imagine.

For me, this "diversion" is not what I had in mind when I set out, but I'm determined to keep going, whatever route it sends me on.

Take care Chris

Hello Lemsip 

That's a brilliant post - thank you for taking the time to post  it's a great analogy and as we are all on a "journey" it's very appropriate.

When I post about my personal situation (which you can read by clicking on my name or avatar) my thread is called "Que sara Sara"  - as my journey has progressed that's how I feel and believe it or not I don't worry about tests or scan results anymore - you can't change them. 

I still believe a positive attitude is 50% of the battle!!

Thanks again for your post - keep on carrying on!

Kind regards - Brian.