treatment side effects vs cancer side effects

[alysona828]

”Pain” vs “discomfort” in abdomen region following radiation and on Lupron- is it side effects or the cancer itself?

Dad was diagnosed November 2023 and received radiation for 5 weeks that ended Jan 3rd. Started Lupron end of November. Cancer has spread to part of hip bone and pelvic lymph nodes. Never had any pain. I have posted before - he is having major GI issues— diarrhea, and major abdomen discomfort where he has to lie down to be comfortable. Not eating enough. Probably not drinking enough fluid.

Good news his numbers came down following radiation, from 21 to below 1 (not sure exactly what but significant).

He sometimes intertwines the word pain with discomfort when talking about how he’s feeling. The word pain comes up with when he goes to the bathroom.

This is a loaded question:How do you discern what are normal side effects from the treatment vs the cancer itself? If he is feeling pain could his cancer have spread? I know you can’t answer that specifically (he has called the doctor) but any experience here would be helpful. I am beside myself with worry for him. He just feels awful.

[Tall_Allen]

Radiation to pelvic lymph nodes can hit the bowels.

[BigJ32]

I had 5weeks of radiation therapy that ended 11/1/23. Following I experienced some bowel discomfort, difficulty urinating, and lower abdomen discomfort and pain. I also thought “is there something wrong?” I was on Flowmax (3 weeks) for the urinary issues, helped some, Dr said to take Aleve for the swollen prostate (radiation) and that worked well. In time, as of now, (2/2/23) all those symptoms have subsided. I still have other side effects from the Lupron/Zytiga combo, but I guess that’s to be expected. Hope this helps.

[alysona828 in reply to BigJ32]

Thank you. That is comforting. He is anxious to feel better and getting really discouraged I think he had read 3 weeks, not 3 months - to start feeling better following radiation

Could you share your side effects from the Lupron/Zytiga combo? At this point other than this awful GI discomfort he is just very tired. Doctor had mentioned he was thinking about adding another med to the Lupron.

[BigJ32 in reply to alysona828]

For me, fatigue, hot flashes, mood swings, excessive sweating during exercise, and some joint pain.

[alysona828 in reply to BigJ32]

Thank you 🙏

[j-o-h-n]

Get on the doctor's case..... Jump up and down in front of him..... screaming and yelling: "That's my Dad, help him for God's sake"..... Don't be shy....The squeaky wheel get the grease...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[Mgtd in reply to j-o-h-n]

I also had pain/discomfort after pelvic and prostrate radiation. Now 7 months since radiation and life is normal again. Some loose stools but that is probably caused by diet change to more fruits and veggies. I am still taking Flomax. No longer on ADT and PSA is not detectable and T is back to lower range of normal. Still need to pee at night but that has also reduced to 2 to 3 trips versus 5.

I am almost 80 so even us older guys can bounce back. Hope that helps.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Mgtd]

I think you meant to direct your post to alysona828 but that's ok I'm glad to hear you're doing "normal".....BTW you're almost 80... I'm almost 90..... C'est la vie....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[alysona828 in reply to Mgtd]

This is very comforting. Dad is 82 and really wants to bounce back 😔 just getting discouraged.

[alysona828 in reply to Mgtd]

This is very comforting. Dad is 82 and really wants to bounce back 😔 just getting discouraged.

[Mgtd in reply to alysona828]

You might want to remember that for him at our age the days can be long and years are short and it takes time to heal whether you are 50 or 80.

Encouraging him to walk and be active will help. In my case I have three dogs and a wife who depend on me to feed them and take care of them. Those dogs need exercise and play. If your dad is living alone that makes it tougher on him.

My son would call every other day or so just to check in and I really looked forward to chat. The grand kids took time to keep me up to speed on their college activities via email. Those really made the days so I had something to look forward to. Every once in a while the Amazon truck would leave a special treat of my favorite cookies.

[alysona828]

thank you so much for this. My kids definitely cheer him up!! I have a three year old who reminds him of me when I was little

I am always checking in with him on his health, how he’s feeling (I’m “that” daughter) but it’s a good reminder to bring him happiness too and talk about other topics. He is getting depressed (thinks he’s never going to get better) and I just brought up taking an anti-depressant. He’s not there yet.

he has a house that he has always loved taking care of (gardening, fixing things, whatever). He has not been doing any of that lately. He needs to, it’s good for him to get outside.

Ugh. This is so hard. I just want him to get better.❤️‍🩹