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Martin's Story

Ethnicity
White British
Age
70-79
Work
Other (please specify)
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Geography
South East
Relationship status
Married/In a Civil Partnership
Listen

Hormone Therapy (tablets)

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

The questions are a little blunt. I did not really lose interest in having sex, but knew it was largely impossible to have full penetrative sex. But the desire for close physical contact with the woman I deeply love remains strong (though not fulfilled, for non-medical reasons). For me sexual desire has always been closely linked to love.

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

I have always kept myself fit and exercised regularly. I increased my gym routine after diagnosis, as my oncologist said there was some evidence that exercise could delay the outcome (death in my case). I have maintained a gym routine, but have to acknowledge that I am often unable to workout for as long as before, because of fatigue. The exercise does not appear to have reduced weight gain, but of course I can't know this.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

I had to reduce the amount of time given to my work (I'm an artist mainly carving stone, so loss of strength and stamina are critical). Setting up exhibitions of heavy work is far more tiring. Additionally I have always read a great deal in several languages in the evenings, and now I am often too tired. I also had to give up the saxophone, as I could no longer properly control a column of air and the notes fell apart.

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

I would choose Xtandl again because I understand the effects of chemotherapy to be considerably worse. (I should also perhaps mention that I also have injections of Decapeptyl. I was not able to say yes to both this and enzalutamide earlier in the questionnaire.)

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