Prostate cancer. A useful resource.

[The general]

treatment.

Can I ask you personal question what treatment did you have ? No problem if private , but I take a lot of interest in this subject .

 

[BillandHelen]

Can I ask you personal question what treatment did you have ? No problem if private , but I take a lot of interest in this subject .

No problem, I was diagnosed with intermediate favourable prostate cancer, 1 of 14 samples on biopsy, Gleason score of 3+4, so all treatment options were available. As all treatment options give similar 10 year “cure and survival” outcomes, I was most concerned with side effects and quality of life. The 2 main potential serious side effects that I wanted to avoid were incontenance and impotence, so for me that weighed in favour of radiation rather than surgery, I elected brachytherapy where they implant seeds into the prostate which over 6/9 months release radiation and kill the cancer cells. Procedure was painless, in and out of hospital same day, side effects have been minor and manageable, mainly going for a pee a bit more often and flow a bit weaker. Sexually mechanics all in working order! It’s a very personal decision, a friend just wanted the prostate out, knowing the cancer was gone, much more serious side effects but peace of mind.

 

[seasideBill]

No problem, I was diagnosed with intermediate favourable prostate cancer, 1 of 14 samples on biopsy, Gleason score of 3+4, so all treatment options were available. As all treatment options give similar 10 year “cure and survival” outcomes, I was most concerned with side effects and quality of life. The 2 main potential serious side effects that I wanted to avoid were incontenance and impotence, so for me that weighed in favour of radiation rather than surgery, I elected brachytherapy where they implant seeds into the prostate which over 6/9 months release radiation and kill the cancer cells. Procedure was painless, in and out of hospital same day, side effects have been minor and manageable, mainly going for a pee a bit more often and flow a bit weaker. Sexually mechanics all in working order! It’s a very personal decision, a friend just wanted the prostate out, knowing the cancer was gone, much more serious side effects but peace of mind.

Good look and I hope it all proceeds according to plan. Treatment is a very personal decision.
I’m pleased to hear all is well in the trousers department!

 

[Hettie's Crew]

No problem, I was diagnosed with intermediate favourable prostate cancer, 1 of 14 samples on biopsy, Gleason score of 3+4, so all treatment options were available. As all treatment options give similar 10 year “cure and survival” outcomes, I was most concerned with side effects and quality of life. The 2 main potential serious side effects that I wanted to avoid were incontenance and impotence, so for me that weighed in favour of radiation rather than surgery, I elected brachytherapy where they implant seeds into the prostate which over 6/9 months release radiation and kill the cancer cells. Procedure was painless, in and out of hospital same day, side effects have been minor and manageable, mainly going for a pee a bit more often and flow a bit weaker. Sexually mechanics all in working order! It’s a very personal decision, a friend just wanted the prostate out, knowing the cancer was gone, much more serious side effects but peace of mind.

Good to hear, I too had 1 of the 14 samples testing positive and a Gleason of 3+3. After numerous information leaflets etc and a comprehensive explanation of all the options by the Consultant, I thought the Brachytherapy would be the best option. Currently though I’m on ‘surveillance’ with a next PSA test in January.

 

[BillandHelen]

Good to hear, I too had one of the 14 samples testing positive and a Gleason of 3+3. After numerous information leaflets etc and a comprehensive explanation of all the options by the Consultant, I thought the Brachytherapy would be the best option. Currently though I’m on ‘surveillance’ with a next PSA test in January.

If my Gleason had been 3+3 I would have done the same, but knowing there was a bit of “spreading” cancer convinced me to treat it. Good luck for January. If you decide on brachytherapy, let me know if you want more info.

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[The general]

Many thax for info , yes personal choice I wasn’t offered brachytherapy , but had choice out or HT/RT i went for RT 20fractions , now psa test every 6 months . Unfortunately I still get side effects from treatment but hey oh . Friend had brachytherapy and got bowel damage , it’s just luck of the draw . All the best . It deffo helped me knowing friends having been thru it . One mate had his out BUT still had to have 33 fractions to mopped up cells ? His psa was showing it was still active but he’s now on 6 monthly test .and undetectable.

 

[The general]

Currently though I’m on ‘surveillance’ with a next PSA test in January.

Very very much borderline ,which is good , luckily such a slow growing cancer surveillance is the way for quality of life , because any treatment is not a free ride .

 

[Nirvanauk]

Yippee! Just had a telephone consult with the oncologist and after 3 years have just been discharged from the oncology clinic!!

 

[cyberyacht]

No problem, I was diagnosed with intermediate favourable prostate cancer, 1 of 14 samples on biopsy, Gleason score of 3+4, so all treatment options were available. As all treatment options give similar 10 year “cure and survival” outcomes, I was most concerned with side effects and quality of life. The 2 main potential serious side effects that I wanted to avoid were incontenance and impotence, so for me that weighed in favour of radiation rather than surgery, I elected brachytherapy where they implant seeds into the prostate which over 6/9 months release radiation and kill the cancer cells. Procedure was painless, in and out of hospital same day, side effects have been minor and manageable, mainly going for a pee a bit more often and flow a bit weaker. Sexually mechanics all in working order! It’s a very personal decision, a friend just wanted the prostate out, knowing the cancer was gone, much more serious side effects but peace of mind.

Friend of mine has recently had brachytherapy. Seems to be doing OK atm. Not sure if he glows in the dark. I'll have to ask his wife.

 

[BillandHelen]

Friend of mine has recently had brachytherapy. Seems to be doing OK atm. Not sure if he glows in the dark. I'll have to ask his wife.

They give you a card to show at airport security in case you set the sensors off! Thankfully on our recent holiday in South Africa I wandered through 8 different security areas and none detected the radiation from the 68 seeds. Helen tells me I don’t glow in the dark!

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[POH]

Only the other day I was thinking along these exact lines..

whoever designed the prostrate had a bad sense of humour ...

Must of been Mrs God to get back at us men because of all the pmt they have suffered !!!!

 

[POH]

I can never understand why they cannot use something similar to how they open up narrowed arteries & blood vessels? Insert an expanding spring from in to out through the prostate & jobs a good un? Only the same as how a catheter works?

Gus, I asked the same question to my consultant his answer was while its possible they don't do it because of all the infections that it causes.

 

[POH]

2hrs for me, sometimes 1,5. Doesn't bother me. straight back to sleep.
I do drink a large amount though,not alcohol, but tea, coffee coca cola. bitter lemon & at least 2 litres of water. Probably at least at least 5 litres/day

Gus if you stop drinking the cola,bitter lemon, and the normal tea and coffee you will be up every 2 hours, try the decaffeinated ones it works for me and stop the carbonated drinks you will find it does help.

 

[Oldrat]

I must do my pelvic floor exercises.
I must do my pelvic floor exercises.
I must do my pelvic floor exercises.
I must do my pelvic floor exercises.
I must do my pelvic floor exercises.
I must do my pelvic floor exercises.
I must do my pelvic floor exercises.
I must do my pelvic floor exercises.
I must do my pelvic floor exercises.

 

[Chasnam]

Has any body been prescribed oxybutynin to help with urgency/frequency issues.
I'm half way through my first prescription of these and they have made a tremendous difference
I take tamulosin as well.
Chasnam

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[Nirvanauk]

Has any body been prescribed oxybutynin to help with urgency/frequency issues.
I'm half way through my first prescription of these and they have made a tremendous difference
I take tamulosin as well.
Chasnam

I was prescribed TOLTERODINE TARTRATE for the same reason but had to stop after a few days as it gave me incredible headaches.

 

[Chasnam]

I was prescribed TOLTERODINE TARTRATE for the same reason but had to stop after a few days as it gave me incredible headaches.

Well so far no side effects for me butable to sleep through the night only wake now due to hot flushes.

 

[scotjimland]

Has any body been prescribed oxybutynin to help with urgency/frequency issues.
I'm half way through my first prescription of these and they have made a tremendous difference
I take tamulosin as well.
Chasnam

I only use Tamulosin ,
it helps relax the muscles in the prostate and the opening of the bladder.
It works fine for me on it's own, no more up every hour having a pee, I can go all night now.. and no planning shopping trips around public toilets


I looked up oxybutytin.. It works by relaxing the muscles around your bladder. so a two pronged attack ! Interesting, thanks for posting.

Oxybutynin is a medicine used to treat symptoms of an overactive bladder. These can include:

• a sudden and urgent need to pee (urinary urgency)
• needing to pee more often than usual (urinary frequency)
• wetting yourself if you cannot make it to the loo in time (urinary incontinence)

It's also used to treat bedwetting in children (nocturnal enuresis).
Oxybutynin works by relaxing the muscles around your bladder. This means your bladder can hold more liquid and you do not need to pee as often or as urgently.
Oxybutynin is only available on prescription.
It comes as standard tablets for immediate release, or slow-release tablets (also called prolonged release), a liquid to swallow, or as patches.

 

[Chasnam]

Before I had RT tamulosin worked well but theRT meant I had to be catheterised that lasted 6 weeks at the moment I have to self catheter twice a day as I am not clearing my bladder yet, it is improving slowly as they say it takes time
Chasnam

 

[cyberyacht]

There's a useful app called "Flush" which is basically a 'Find my nearest loo'.

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[BillandHelen]

There's a useful app called "Flush" which is basically a 'Find my nearest loo'.

I’ve also got a MacMillan cancer charity card the hospital gave me, it’s to show in shops/cafe/hotels etc basically saying my cancer necessitates frequent toilet need and could they please help.
Not had to use it yet but a good idea.

 

[pjay]

You can also get a 'radar key' which gives you access to all disabled toilets

Get it via your local council for around a fiver or there are 'unofficial' ones on the web, can't vouch whether they fit or not though.

Pete

 

[pagey]

Just got back from the biopsy all went well no big deal 5 samples on the left and 4 on the right wait now 3 weeks for the consultation

 

[dulvil]

They sent me for removal of prostate, then brachytherapy, but due to heart problems no one would operate as had my lifetimes supply of radiotherapy and cannot have anymore.
Been on zolidex injections to hold it back for a while

 

[pagey]

went to the hospital today for my biopsy results no good its cancer but its in its early stages so we had a chat to how to go forward and i am to have a bone scan to check ,take a pill for 1 month and a weekly injection to stop testosterone and shrink the prostate then to barts hospital every day for 1 month for radiotherapy and hopefully thats it the consultant is very confident it will be as there is no sign of spread big thanks to Oldrat for the heads up at the beginning . i have had no symptoms at all and still dont so be aware

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[seasideBill]

went to the hospital today for my biopsy results no good its cancer but its in its early stages so we had a chat to how to go forward and i am to have a bone scan to check ,take a pill for 1 month and a weekly injection to stop testosterone and shrink the prostate then to barts hospital every day for 1 month for radiotherapy and hopefully thats it the consultant is very confident it will be as there is no sign of spread big thanks to Oldrat for the heads up at the beginning . i have had no symptoms at all and still dont so be aware

Not a great start to 2024, but sounds like you’re in good hands and caught it early. I wish you well.

 

[rod_vw]

went to the hospital today for my biopsy results no good its cancer but its in its early stages so we had a chat to how to go forward and i am to have a bone scan to check ,take a pill for 1 month and a weekly injection to stop testosterone and shrink the prostate then to barts hospital every day for 1 month for radiotherapy and hopefully thats it the consultant is very confident it will be as there is no sign of spread big thanks to Oldrat for the heads up at the beginning . i have had no symptoms at all and still dont so be aware

Welcome to the club that none of us want to belong to!
I officially joined in early July 2023, now on HT since 27th Sept and now awaiting date for RT.

 

[pagey]

Welcome to the club that none of us want to belong to!
I officially joined in early July 2023, now on HT since 27th Sept and now awaiting date for RT.

Did you or do you have any symptoms I ask as I have none at all

 

[Oldrat]

(I’ve separately messaged pagey )

Since my diagnosis and treatment, I’ve become a bit of an evangelist in nagging guys who have niggles or concerns about ‘down there’.

So far I’ve had SIX guys inform me that because of my ‘heads up’ as Pagey calls it, who have been checked out and have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

All but one were quick off the mark and diagnosed as having treatable early stage cancer with excellent prospects.

One gent ‘got around to it’ after a year…. The surgeon removed far more than his prostate and warned him to expect his cancer to surface elsewhere as it had spread.


Don’t be blokish about it….. If in doubt

GET IT CHECKED

 

[Oldrat]

And ladies…. You have a role here too.

If you have concerns about your other half, then book him in!

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