Possible biochemical recurrence.

Piers, I'm glad to hear you have got it sorted with you bladder fill level. I was prescribed Solifenacin which helped with easing the bladder urgency but it was still difficult to control. I'm now seven weeks post RT and things are gradually settling down. I can hold a fuller bladder but it's not yet back to pre RT capacity and I need to get up at least twice a night for a pee compared to the usual once. I'm still suffering from some bowel urgency as well. The lesson I have learned is go when you think you need to go. If you leave it until you know you need to go then you have just a ten second fuse to do something about it. Hopefully it will settle down in time. Chris

Tomorrow's EBRT will see me with more fractions completed than I have left to go. I might throw a small party.

This is not what I thought. I did some research online and formed the opinion that it was going to be a minor inconvenience for 6.5 weeks, but no more. Turn up each day, chat to the nurses, have a coffee and my treatment and go home. I might endure some slightly loose stools, but that would be it.

So far, the reality has been significantly less fun. Today's treatment was quite painful as my bladder rapidly filled. In fact, I had to get off the table initially to "let a bit out". By the time the session was over I nearly leapt from the table at full height to get to the toilet.

I think my bladder has scar tissue from the RP and it is just not flexible. It has gone from being a balloon to being a freezer bag, with little flexibility.

I have started getting some rectal inflammation too. It is quite uncomfortable to sit down at times.

So, my conclusion is that I am either experiencing something worse than most other people, the accounts online are underplayed or I am a monumental wuss. I am prepared to accept any of the above explanations!

Piers. It sounds like you might be suffering from radiation proctitis. It certainly made my bowel movements a real PITA. Mine started about mid way through the sessions and I was given Proctosedyl suppositories to take. They did ease the symptoms a bit but it seemed to sort itself out in the latter sessions. I hope yours does.

Did anyone here, who underwent EBRT, suffer with memory issues? In the past week, I have become mentally hopeless.

I lost my credit card - I never lose my credit card.

I ordered two of my son's Christmas present.

I have complained to two retailers about items that have not arrived, only to find them neatly put away in my office. I have no recollection of receiving them.

I had a tradesman at our property this morning. I made and delivered him a cup of tea and then had no recollection whatsoever of doing so.

I am wondering if it is the treatment, or whether I am becoming senile!

I've only been taking them immediately prior to EBRT sessions. But I suppose it could be linked.

Thanks Chris,

Moderator(s), can you please split this conversation?

Thanks,

Peter 

This really isn't going terribly well.

Yesterday I was booked in for an afternoon slot, but one of the radiographers called me at midday to ask where I was. I said that my appointment wasn't till the afternoon, but they said it had been moved, because I was the only patient left for the day.

It turns out that I, their secretary and the radiographers all had a different time for my appointment!

I went to some lengths to move my day around and got there within an hour, only to be met with one particular radiographer who was clearly fuming because they had been unable to leave early. 

Because I had been called in at short notice I was not sufficiently hydrated and was on the table for half an hour or so. They did the treatment, but my bladder was not full. Which causes me concern. I am not sure if it is connected, but I have bad diarrhoea today

As I left the building, the radiographer was speeding out of the car park.

I rather wish I hadn't agreed to help them out by attending early!

I have to say that I don't feel particularly safe at present. Does anyone know whether a single incidence of insufficient bladder volume is likely to cause issues?

If the bladder wasn't full enough to have the treatment safely, they would not have gone ahead with it.