HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE RADIATION

[ricefarmer]

HI I START MY RADIATION MID AUGUST THRU END OF OCT . WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING TO BE PREPARED FOR THIS? I WILL BE 300 MILES FROM HOME AND WANT TO BE READY TO GET THIS PROGRAM UNDERWAY. I HAVE HAD A SHOT AND MY SCORE WAS A NINE AND PSA 6.75 THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

[YostConner]

There’s not much you need to do. Be prepared for afternoon fatigue. You might find it useful to change to a low residue diet part way through for bowel comfort. Treatment itself will probably be the easiest 15 minutes of your day. Good luck.

[Break60]

Your RO should send you detailed instructions. Just follow them and assuming you’re staying near the facility, and not commuting, find stuff to keep you busy.

[Emmett50]

My husband had radiation session 18 of 40 today and I asked him what he would suggest to you as you begin this part of your journey. Your radiation oncologist will give you instructions as to empty bowel and full bladder. However, here’s some thoughts from another PCa patient.

First, if you haven’t already, have a discussion with the RO about SpaceOar, a hydrogel that is placed between your prostate and rectum to minimize side effects like radiation prostitis. You’ll find a difference of opinion on this board as to efficacy. However, our insurance covered it and our cost was minimal. My spouse found the insertion to be no big deal. He also hasn’t felt the fullness he was told he might experience with the gel in place. However, he decided on the SpaceOar after he had been mapped so that process had to be repeated. So you want to make a decision about it prior to mapping although the remapping was quick and easy, He is almost halfway through radiation and has had no bowel issues so far.

Also, my husband suggests that you be very forthcoming with your treatment team. Don’t minimize how you’re feeling. Paul has been on ADT since March (daily Casodex and Lupron every 3 months) in addition to radiation. I’ve been with him when he’s told the MO and RO that he’s feeling fine. Not true! He’s exhausted- in part to getting up 7-8 Times a night to urinate. He finally mentioned that last week and was prescribed Flomax. He’s now getting the best sleep he’s had in months and months.

Finally, Paul’s intention was to work through treatment. He’s had a very tough time the past 2 weeks that has led to workplace issues. Who knows exactly why; diagnosis, ADT side effects, radiation-all of the above? He is exhausted and his cognition has definitely declined. After a number of tearful days, he’s now seeing the cancer treatment team psychologist and is on temporary disability leave from work. He and the MO agreed to 2 months leave but in CA, that can be extended to a total of 52 weeks. I believe it has taken all this time since diagnosis in December 2017 for Paul to be realistic and accept his new normal. I have been concerned for him and hate to see him in crisis mode. However, it takes what it takes for each man to come to terms with advanced prostate cancer.

I’m sorry that you have prostate cancer. Please take care of yourself. I hope you have a support system in place. Maybe there’s a support group in your area? Be honest and open with your family and your treatment team. Ask for help when you need it-and you will need it! Blessings as you start this journey. You are not traveling alone.

[Travelholic]

Took me a few days to get my gas, liquid, solid balances right (none, full, emptied) and timing right for my 0815 treatment. My solutions: 1st bowel movement on rising at 0545 (earlier sometimes), breakfast at 0600 and take Gas X, 2nd bowel movement 0645-0700 -- the coffee effect, 0715-30 drink 16oz of water (a challenge to hold urine thereafter should another bowel movement threaten), 0745 drive to hospital, 0800 check in, 0815 treatment, 0830 bathroom urine relief -- ahh. Took 2 imodium pills per day, 1st at breakfast and 2nd at lunch to handle diarrhea but not interfere with the above schedule. 2nd Gas X pill with dinner so the gas doesn't intrude on sleep. Took a few days to discover my winning pill formula and timing. Good luck and stay positive.

[whatsinaname in reply to Travelholic]

Fantastic reply, Travelholic I couldn't help smiling a lot, especially after reading about the 0830 bathroom urine relief

Very precise timings maintained by you. Was the hospital also always on time for your 0815 treatment ? If yes, that is remarkable and laudable indeed.

Cheers and all the very best, Travelholic.

[Travelholic in reply to whatsinaname]

Yes, always 0815 though they had to adjust a couple of times. I'm an odarkthirty early riser and it seems few others wanted their earliest start times. Good bunch running the process. Referred to them as "Our Ladies of the Beam."

[WayneSC in reply to Travelholic]

I could not agree more on the importance of a routine.

[WayneSC]

Finding a gym in the location you are being treated will likely be very helpful. I did a 5-6 day a week routine for an hour or so each day. You may find it helpful to find a physical therapist develop a training program for you that suits your needs and abilities. I was fortunate enough to have a PT that also offers a gym membership.

Also, I was in the 5% of patients that became unable to urinate without warning and had to go to the ER twice in a week to be catheterized. You must act immediately so please have a plan.

[pjoshea13]

See my new post:

"Simvastatin & Radioresistance."

-Patrick

[BartonKen]

I was provided with Dexamethasone 4mg - 2 tablets twice a day, start day before, day of and day after. It was for prevention of nausea and vomiting. It’s a steroid. My voice dropped. My throat and tongue tingled, but the part that bothered me for days was constipation. It was suggested I take Ducolax, or Seneca. The problem with each, same as Gasex is they soften the tail of the stool, not the head which goes hard and has a tendency to tear the hemerrhoids, which I’ve had for years but dealt with by Preparation H. After three difficult poops, the hemerhoids prolapsed, now that was pain!!! The Onc nurses didn’t know what I should do as a surgical repair is out of the question being on Chemo (Docetaxel). I had a chat with my local Pharmacist who suggested that try “Clearlax” (Polyethylene Glycol 3350). Instead of 6/8 glasses of water a day for one day, I drank 4 glasses of “Clearlax” . The following morning I was passing stool relatively easy and have ever since. Don’t go on a steady regimen with “Clearlax”, maybe one day, once a week. I’ve used Anusol and Witchazel to shrink the prolapsed hemerhoids, but they won’t go back. It’s at a point where a “cushion with a hole” eases daily sitting. This may have been too graphic for some. I hope you find it helpful.

[kiboko]

I have one more radiotherapy session to go out of twenty. But in my case I had to have a totally empty bladder and it takes a bit of doing, but using a sitting position works. After the first two or three treatments bowels became a bit loose but that has been good in retrospect as I have tended to empty them out too. I have had no noticeable skin effects but use 'Sorbolene' twice a day on abdominal broad target area.

Each treatment was easy, just lie very still and calm. I have been given my choice of music and I relax-easy peasy! No idea how effective the treatment will be, maybe in six weeks time.

However as mentioned by others tiredness can be extreme, be prepared. Having said that I've had no problem staying alert when needed and driving is not an issue.

Also, as said earlier, be very open with your medical people, don't be coy, they've heard it all before !

Good fortune.

[j-o-h-n]

Listen to your Radiologist! I may be an exception to the rule but I had 8 straight (39, five day sessions per week - no weekends) weeks of post op radiation and to me it was like getting xrayed by my dentist. No problems, no pain, no discomfort or etc. But I must caution you that years later it was discovered that I had collateral damage done to my left urinary tract which to this day requires an in and out urinary stent every three months or so (again no biggie). Radiation performed at MSKcc in New York city.

Good Luck and Good Health.

j-o-h-n Friday 06/29/2018 1:17 PM EDT

[sammamish]

There is some very encouraging research from Dr. Longo at USC that suggests that fasting prior to radiation improves efficacy of radiation and reduces side effects.

news.usc.edu/41212/fasting-...