Radiation Therapy.

User

Posted 07 Oct 2021 at 18:06

Almost everyone would do well to drink cranberry juice, male or female, young or old, prostate or not. I can't think of any reason why men who have had RP shouldn't drink it. As you said, pure is far better than the cheaper 'from concentrate' versions - even cheaper is to buy fresh or frozen cranberries and whizz them into a drink at home.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 07 Oct 2021 at 19:30

Good luck and keep the faith. Maybe let every body know when you have made a full recovery. Best wishes

User

Posted 22 Oct 2021 at 15:35

Hi David

I just had my third Radiation shot today after hormones for around 4-5 months.

No major side affects as yet except I think I am going for more urinations at night than usual, but not much more maybe 3-4 times an evening - daytime seems better.

I've been drinking water as suggested - up to 2 litres per day or 24 hrs, but my pre treatment scan showed bladder was reasonable first day, full and great the second day and a bit small the third day. I understand the bladder needs to be full and bowel empty before treatment to clear the prostate.

I do the pre treatment enema an hour before, toileting and then 500ml of water half an hour before. I thought I was drinking enough during the day but it seems to be a bit hit and miss with the bladder. I understand from google the bladder can take 7-8 hours to fill, so having a pee within an hour of your radiation would surely deplete the amount in the bladder??

How are you getting on with this - any issues or has anyone any tips about water intake to ensure your bladder is full before treatment - hope I haven't made it more complicated than it needs to be.

I get this feeling that if the bladder isn't right and full, despite ones best efforts, the Xrays will be hitting it and causing irritation

Cheers

Joe

User

Posted 22 Oct 2021 at 18:29

I have now had my 5 th of 6 th RT fractions of 6 g. This week I have felt distinctly under the weather and getting up 5* a night but expect it is all worth while and the side effects will reduce shortly after the final fraction next Tuesday. After that I have a blood test in early November then an ocno meeting in mid-month that should confirm the situation and onward path. I expect my nadir at 0.03 has been reached.

Edited by member 22 Oct 2021 at 18:30 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 22 Oct 2021 at 19:07

Hi David,

As you have seen from the responses of others, it is very common as RT progresses the need to urinate increases and this becomes very tiring. However, it does usually decrease so that by two or three months post RT you are back to pre RT visits. So if you have suffered greatly in this respect as I did too, take heart that it will ease over time. The body also seems to become accustomed to the effects of RT and HT in combination, although tiredness and other side effects caused by the HT do seem to continue while you are still having it.

Barry

User

Posted 26 Oct 2021 at 23:39

Thanks. I have now finished my 20 RT sessions and am relieved to forego the travelling to hospital 5 times a week. But I miss the wonderfully dedicated, caring and professional staff, and equally the interaction with fellow patients. One woman patient I spoke too a few times said that it had been an eye opener for her that men could talk openly about their feelings and the details of their condition. I have enjoyed the company of all sorts and conditions of humanity. Itcs a strong bond. As for my side effects they have been fairly predictable; increased urinary frequency and urgency, with several loo trips during the night but I am able to get back to sleep. Urination can often be slow to start and there is some discomfort, though in the evenings I take some paracetamol as advised and I can live with the discomfort because it is transient. Iam hoping that as with most people the side effects will start to improve 2-3 weeks after cessation of radiation. I have another week or so to go and am still drinking 5/6 pints of water spread out through the day, from a pint beer glass and I tick each one off to keep a tally. I have had a little early leakage just twice because I wasn't quite quick enough but mostly its fine. I finished my 6 month dose of hormones just about half way through the RT but I'm told it will take a while before the effect of this washed out of the system completely. Still a bit tired but manage 10 K steps spread out over the day. Am optimistic about the long term. This is a wonderful treatment with remarkably successful results, though my nurse practioner described it as gruelling. But in the end I have seen a wonderful side of humanity through this whole experience which has enriched my experience of life.

User

Posted 27 Oct 2021 at 08:24

I found similar at Addenbrooks Hospital, David. The staff are dedicated, far more than many other NHS settings.

& fellow patients, mostly did not mind talking of their treatment. Some were much worse than myself.

I remember several chaps who had a Prostectamy then had to have RT as well ! Not good.

User

Posted 27 Oct 2021 at 08:41

Glad to hear that you've got through it OK, David. If flow problems persist, get a prescription for Tamsulosin. It'll completely sort it out.

It's strange how you do miss the RT in a way. It dominates your life for weeks (almost two months in my case) and you're the centre of attention, and then it's all over and you feel almost "abandoned"! I felt just the same.

Very best wishes,

Chris

User

Posted 27 Oct 2021 at 22:26

Yes. Addenbrooks must have a connection with Cambridge University, so is a centre of expertise. I was lucky enough to have had my treatment at the Churchill, Oxford which is a leading cancer hospital. And also some of the guys there had had very high PSAs, which made my 10.2 (Gleason 3 + 4) look pretty tame. Some will have to stay on hormone therapy for a while, while my 6 monthly injection should be it over and done with. Best wishes to you.

User

Posted 27 Oct 2021 at 22:31

Glad to hear things are going well and I understand well the effects. I'm sure you will be cured and feel back to yourself. Stay well, my friend and best wishes.

User

Posted 28 Oct 2021 at 10:30

I completed my RT (6*6) on Tuesday. I am used to the fatigue and various aches and pains, along with increased urination despite the tamusolin (?). I have bloods nex week and do not know what to expect after 0.03 PSA last month. I have an onco meet in 3 weeks and wonder if he will recommend a new CT scan to confirm status of PC and the three mets. Thoughts?

User

Posted 28 Oct 2021 at 11:46

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Have you been told about Tadalafil tablets?

They can help with ED & other problems caused by HT etc?

I found Tamusolin gave me a bunged up nose/cold symptom - which was horrible.

User

Posted 28 Oct 2021 at 12:41

I think the onco will say it is too soon for a scan

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 28 Oct 2021 at 13:51

Presumably the PSA test will be unreliable, being so soon after RT. So if it is low take it as a positive but if it is high ignore it and get another one in a few months. As you can tell I am a glass half full person.

Dave

User

Posted 28 Oct 2021 at 20:48

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

I found Tamusolin gave me a bunged up nose/cold symptom - which was horrible.

I know it doesn't suit everyone, but it's worked wonders for me. I only take one tablet every other day, but if I forget to take one, the day after I should have taken it the difference in flow becomes very noticeable. It's something I'd certainly suggest anyone with flow problems should try and see how they get on with it. You can buy it over the counter, although I get mine on prescription.

Cheers,

Chris

Edited by member 28 Oct 2021 at 20:48 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 13 Nov 2021 at 18:05

You'd be much better starting a new discussion thread for your treatment rather than jumping on David's thread. Let's leave this one for David to talk about his treatment!

Best wishes,

Chris

User

Posted 13 Nov 2021 at 18:12

Tried that but site blocked me posting new thread... Probably as I'm new member? Not sure thread contributions should be only focused on the originator, but point taken.

User

Posted 13 Nov 2021 at 19:42

Make sure you're in the appropriate topic area of the site then click the "Start a Conversation" button. Your post will be approved by a moderator before it comes visible, which can take 24h or so.

Best wishes,

Chris

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