I have had an issue maintaining erections, a visit to GP was fine and prescribed the NHS version of medication which worked well with no side effects.
I am is a very difficult situation as I have a severe spinal conditon that requires major surgery to resolve. I am waiting for and supposed to now be classed as an emergency. Until this is done and I have recovered I cannot have my treatment, Brachytherapy. The spinal surgery is scheduled for August 2023 and if it does go ahead I expect to be fit enough to be referred back to my Oncologist to start the process of planning for Brachytherapy about Q2 2024.In the meantime I am on Active Surveillance. Had a PSA test late June 2023 that will show how the cancer has developed or not in the 8 months since my initial test in October 2022. This was a private test as part of a FreeMasons initiative in Cheshire. I was by surgeon told that due to my age and other factors I was not suitable for prostate surgery. I completely disagree as was just an excuse, especially when using age as a factor. But having done research and using Prostate Cancer UK website with their specialist nurses along with a fantastic Oncologist I am happy that Brachytherapy is best suited option for me. The surgeon I saw without an Oncologist being present, which was totally wrong as surgeon was not well placed and did not explain everything fully and was totally negative. In spite of being aware of my spinal issue was just pushing radiotherapy, 20 sessions, which is physically impossible for me to undertake. Luckily with the help of Prostate Cancer UK and my Oncologist I had found the Brachytherapy option that I am happy with. I cannot speak highly enough about Prostate Cancer UK and their specialist nurses, simply fantastic.
Yes
Due to my spinal issues I cannot physically manage 20 sessions of radiotherapy lay on my back for any period of time. Neither could I manage to get to the hospital if I had any of the know side effects as it is a minimum of 40 minutes drive if no traffic, more than an hour with traffic. I was not aware of Brachytherapy until found out about it on Prostate Cancer UK website, for that I am immensely grateful.
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