Accept it as an inevitable part of treatment that could save your life
I accepted the side effects of treatment that probably saved my life
Despite experiencing tiredness and muscle weakness I considered it necessary to exercise as best as I could and to walk everyday
Exercise even when you don’t want to
It obviously impacted on my sex life but as I am 75 years of age and both my wife and I consider that this is a price worth paying. I am not as fit as I was before treatment but again I accept that this is part and parcel of the treatment. I take every opportunity to impress on men over fifty the need to have a PSA check.
Radiotherapy was straightforward. Twenty sessions over four weeks. Some tiredness and bladder issues such as urgent need to pee. Both have since improved and I exercise regularly. Treatment included two years of hormone therapy which had a variety of side effects. Impotence, insomnia and loss of muscle strength being amongst the worst. I am now off hormone therapy so time will tell. I am still up peeing two or three times during the night. I have recently experienced radiation proctitis which results in occasional bleeding when having a bowel movement . It was alarming the first time it happened but I now just accept it. I am very grateful for all that has been done for me
I had twenty sessions of radiotherapy followed by two years of hormone injections. The radiotherapy resulted in general tiredness and some peeing issues when there was a real urgency. The hormone therapy was more problematic ~ total loss of libido and impotence, insomnia, muscle weakness were the worst side effects. I have had the six monthly injections for the past two years and as my PSA has remained at 0.01 for the past year, the injections are to be discontinued. I have recently joined a gym and exercise and swim several times a week and walk at least one mile almost every day. I have seen an improvement in my level of fitness. I am still up two or more times a night to pee. My bowel movements are still regular although with a little constipation which I treat with additional roughage in my diet. I have occasional episodes of radiation proctitis which results in bleeding when I move my bowels. It was initially alarming but now I just accept it. I remain grateful for all the treatment and care I have received from the NHS
Yes
It was the only treatment appropriate to my cancer and I wished to go forward with whatever treatment was best for me
I was not given a choice. Radiotherapy and hormone therapy was the only option open to me
I feel it saved my life
By sharing your experience of prostate cancer on the infopool you can help others. Your experience is valuable as they go through their own journey. Help make the prostate cancer community stronger.
