Tips and advice for any bladder or bowel side effects of treatment
Starting kegal exercises 3 times a day pre op is a must. You then have to stop these exercises whilst catheter is fitted post op which is usually for 2 weeks but then restart and continue doing them for as long as is necessary.
Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment
I am taking meds for erectile dysfunction. After 4 weeks they still do not seem to be having any effect. I have been advised to keep taking them for upto 8 weeks and then seek further help if still not working.
Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment
After 8 weeks I got an infection in my lower abdomen. My GP believes I did too much too soon as I had started gym work and was probably doing too much. I am now on antibiotics, which seem to be working although the area is still sore and containing a build up of fluid. Advice: Don't do too much too soon.
How this treatment impacted my life the most
I feel and my wife feels that my treatment and the side effects has taken away my sparkle. I've felt severely restricted in what I can physically do such as relationship, exercise, managing and attending two volunteer groups that I am lead for, visiting my children and grandchildren plus much more.
Why did I give this answer?
I could think of nothing worse than having a dead cancerous lump of prostate being inside of me had I chosen the hormone therapy and radiotherapy route. As it stands I have been told that pathology results identified that the cancer had spread to the seminal vesicles and that I may still need radiotherapy. That is something I/we will have to deal with when it happens. I am due my first post op PSA test at the beginning of September, 14 weeks after the op (usually 6 weeks but delayed due to the pathology findings).
