Just a quick note to say things are NOT going bad. I feel guilty not having any significant side-effects when I read what some of y’all are going through. Peeing a lot, some GI looseness, but overall I can’t complain. And I’m usually a big complainer.
Today was fraction 16. Twelve to go.
Most side effects occur in the last week of treatment or starting a week after. Think of it as a bad sunburn where the sun don't shine. As with a sunburn, there's usually a delay before peak inflammation. I took NSAIDs, Flomax, and daily Cialis as a preventative. And exercise, of course,
Way to harsh my buzz, Tall_Allen - I was feeling good about my progress! 😀
I’m taking flomax, but may I ask… why Cialis? For erections, or some other side-effect. (Erections not my big concern right this second)
Cialis has other properties - it protects vasculature and diminishes LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms). In fact, it is FDA-approved for LUTS independent of its erection-protective capability.
I did not know that. Who should I ask about that? Only seeing RO during this period.
Tell RO you want it for LUTS prevention.
Prior to IMRT i was going 4 times a night after radiation and cialis 5 mg once a day (one year ago) my urination has decreased to 2x a nite. do you think that was caused by the cialis effecting the urinary tract or the radiation. lastly, is the use of cialis to protect vasculature forever or only for a certain amount of time after radiation. thanks
On the average, patients have urinary function better than before the radiation within a year.
I took daily ED meds for 6 months.
I have taken now cialis for a year every day to protect my vasculature & erections..Have I done my job or do I need more continued use to protect vasculature or can I stop the cialis (again its been a year)..
I took it for 6 months and never had a problem with ED.
TA..I thought you took viagra every day to protect erections..I have been taking cialis every day to protect vasculature but the headaches and blurry vision are bothersome.. does viagra cause headaches like cialis and can it also be used in low doses to protect vasculature? TIA
Yes I did. It does both. Try all the available ed meds to find the one that works best for you.
After RP.
My Uro gave me a Rx for Sildenafil generic for revatio. (to open lung vasculature)
Wrote it that way for insurance, mine wouldn't opay for ED meds at the time.
Agree. Cialis, Flomax if you need it and whatever diet works best for you.
Don’t neglect the exercise. If it was a drug it would the first one prescribed.
"... things are NOT going bad. I feel guilty not having any significant side-effects..."
Same here. 20 prostate IMRT in 2021 and 30 pelvic IMRT in 2023 caused no side effects. Radiation has been an easy ride.
Good to read. Enjoy your progress and few SEs. Hate to be a downer, but TA is right re timing. Initially, I, too, felt a real buzz of "gee, this ain't so bad." But, as time went on, I began to respond to the treatments. Note: I was also taking Lupron which was awful for me. Hopefully, you'll escape the worst of it and be a shining example of the variability of responses to treatment. PS: YES to ED meds. And, exercise the "works" and the rest of your body. You'll be glad you did.
EdinBaltimore
Just starting my 2nd week and glad to hear no side effects on ur part. Please update once done.
My only side effect was increased frequency during the radiation and some lingering fatigue after. It resolved in a couple months. I did have a spaceoar place prior. I exercised daily even for only 10-15 minutes, it seemed to help. Much better than the chemo, except for the full bladder and the irritated prostate.
didn't feel the fatigue until almost done RT
My advice:..........
Keep your hands a bit higher.
take off your glasses
wear a mouth piece
open your eyes
add advertisements to the bottom of your boxing shoes...
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n
Yeah, my visual point is that I don’t like the idea of “fighting” cancer (expressed earlier…), and don’t really know what I’m doing exactly. Plus, it’s a metaphor, and a callback to an earlier page. But here’s the last two panels on that page. Basically, against my better instincts, I’m starting to anthropomorphize my cancer
You're not alone, many of us occasionally fantasize that our good cells are fighting and killing our Pca cells....like a Hollywood full screen technicolor movie extravaganza. (And no admission fee required)..... Hang tough!!!
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n
Do you draw these comics?
Good thread and good tips ! What are thoughts on diet during radiation treatments ? I've heard 'go bland, limit fiber', 'find out what doesn't bother you' and 'eat anything you want'..... Thoughts ?
Heard from whom? Not me..........
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n
We were told bland (because of the gastrointestinal side-effects inherent with EBRT) and not so much limit fiber as limit gas-producing food, like legumes or cruciferous vegetables. It’s kinda a hard diet to follow, especially since you also want to keep regular for the treatments.
JP, that's wonderful news. I'm glad to hear this because half of me still wants to run in the other direction. Per T-A, I know the SEs can be delayed, sometimes up to a couple of years or even longer. Can you remind us, did you have a protective gel installed? My RO wants me to have one prior to starting. Assuming it happens in April, I'm still scheduled to start my RT in May. Best wishes to you.
No gel. I asked my RO and he said it wouldn’t be useful with the plan they came up with for me. Your mileage may vary. I gotta place my faith in the medical professionals - part of the reason I went to Emory.
Thanks for the update. You’re right, at some point you have to trust the doctors. I wish there was more congruency in the recommended procedures. I really appreciate everyone’s postings on this website. They illuminate well the many options for PCa care. A lot of decisions are up to us.
BM before EBRT
Starting Chemo next week
Starting Chemo & Immunotherapy this week
EBRT to prostate - advice please.
