Side effects back 6months after treatment.

[Baldoldgit]

Hi all

I am 67 and was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year with a PSA of11, an MRI indicated a couple of areas of concern in the prostate which was later confirmed by a Prostate biopsy (Ouch!!).

I was given a choice of treatments and I opted (rightly or wrongly) for external beam radiotherapy as it seemed to be the least invasive procedure. The first 2 or 3 'therapy' session were not too bad but then as the treatments continued it became extremely painful to pee and bowel emptying became painful and bloody, had quite a few accidents as well! After the treatment I was off work 2 to 3 months until by my symptoms improved - which they did and for about 6 months I had a fairly normal existence. In the last couple of months the symptoms have returned; urgent need to pee and a feeling that I have not emptied completely. I recent did a 90 minute car drive and had to stop 5 times - each time luckily I managed to find a toilet, also I have a feeling that every time I pee I need to poo at the same time.

So what do you think?, is this what I will be stuck with from now on or will things improve again - I certainly hope so.

Thanks for reading!

[D_Cymro]

Reactions to radiotherapy of the prostate seem to vary quite a bit, but your symptoms do appear to be unusual and quite severe. What do your doctors say?

I had ‘salvage radiotherapy’ to my prostate bed 18 months after surgery (in the summer of 2019) and experience urgency sometimes, which I have to manage by changing my drinking habits (what and when). My radiotherapy has also affected my bowels, as I was warned it would.

You could also find a so-called Late Effects service to ask for more specific advice on what to do. The Pelvic Radiation Disease website has a directory of them.