Newly diagnosed

[Bilko952]

Hi...New to the Group..I was diagnosed a few months ago with a Gleason score of 4+4.While I wait to see the Oncologist I've had a Zoladex implant.

Finding it hard to sleep at present and would appreciate any advice ! I also use a CPAP at night.

[Tall_Allen]

Are the hot flashes keeping you up? If so, there are ways to deal with it.

Were you diagnosed with metastases as well? How many? Why aren't you having radiation?

[Bilko952 in reply to Tall_Allen]

No .. I don't have flushes at night so they don't interfere. Got to see the Oncologist before I can have Radiotherapy apparently.

[AlanMeyer Moderator]

Bilko,

Sleeping is a problem. Somewhere in the world I'm sure there are men who have been recently diagnosed with cancer and aren't bothered by it, but I haven't met any of them. Most of us have had to battle with anxiety, depression, and insomnia. So the first thing I'll say to you is, you're not alone. There are lots of people in the same boat.

I don't know the best way to deal with it, or whether the techniques that I use will work for you, but what worked best for me was to focus on life, not on death. I was still working when I was diagnosed and I had to struggle to concentrate on work, but when I did, it helped me. I knew I was doing work that was useful to others and helping others helped me too. It took me out of myself. I also forced myself to read books, listen to music, work on my hobbies, spend time with my grown children and my friends, help and support my wife. That all helped me feel connected with the world and with other people and made me value my life. I know I'm going to die some day. All of us do. But I want to spend the time that I'm alive enjoying life, not worrying about dying. And sometimes I just walked outside at night and looked at the stars and thought about how vast the universe is and how tiny I am, and how life will go on after I'm gone - but I was a part of it and the part that I played will always have existed and will always have had the meaning and value it had.

Maybe that will help you. You may also be able to get help from sleeping pills, tranquilizers, or other medications, or maybe from physical exercise (a good thing when you're on Zoladex.) Meditation or counseling may help if you can find a counselor who works well for you.

Now here are some concrete suggestions for working on your disease.

If you are known to be metastatic, join the "Advanced Prostate Cancer" group. It has many, many, many men who are metastatic and have been through what is now happening to you. There may be an in-person, face to face support group near you too that you would like.

Post more information about yourself. Your age is significant, your last PSA score from before the Zoladex is important, and your current score if you have one since starting the Zoladex. Also, if you're looking for a good doctor or a local face to face support group, post some information about where you live - the city or region where you can easily get to a doctor. Someone may live near you and know a particularly good doctor to see. I say that because seeing a particularly good doctor, a real prostate cancer specialist and not just a urologist or oncologist who treats all kinds of problem or any kind of cancer, can make a difference in your outcome. You can also find good doctors in the U.S. using the National Cancer Institute's list of "Designated Cancer Centers". See: cancer.gov/research/nci-rol... .

Your life is changing. Cancer changes it. Zoladex and other treatments will change it. But in spite of that, you can still lead a good life, a life that you like and that enables you to deal with the changes and still enjoy life. Work on making that happen! It's important. It's the alternative to anxiety, depression and insomnia. Some men discover that, before they had cancer, they were just drifting along, but now they're focused on making life be what they want it to be.

Best of luck.

Alan

[jazzy53 in reply to AlanMeyer]

What a beautiful reply. Thanks, Alan. I endorse everything you said. The only thing I'd add is that when you feel tired and unmotivated to do anything, try doing it anyway. Sometimes the effort brings some relief from fatigue and discouragement. I say this as I sit at my computer, poised to begin the work day, feeling utterly exhausted and uninterested in doing the detail-oriented work that is my job. I'm lucky in that my boss is allowing me to work at home full-time until I feel energetic enough to come back to the office. At home, I reward myself with breaks. I walk around the backyard, pull a few weeds, or play a tune or two on the piano. The fatigue is always with me. It's a matter of pushing through it at times, backing off and resting at others. We'll see how today goes. Every day requires effort.

[Bilko952 in reply to AlanMeyer]

Thanks so much for a wonderful response to my post. I'm very grateful for time

and consideration you gave in your reply.I will endeavour to follow your lead.

[Adf2529]

I recently signed up for a course in Meditation (TM). It’s got nothing to do with any particular religion. I’m finding it very effective in dealing with the anxiety of pc. But you should DO the course. Cost is income based and they are flexible. Better to meditate than medicate.

[Bilko952 in reply to Adf2529]

Thanks Adf...I'll bear it in mind !

[RonnyBaby]

Medicinal cannabis is the God's send that deals with my insomnia. In fact, insomnia runs in my family - we are all affected by heredity.

All of the prescription sleeping pills / aids are like consuming candy for me. They don't work - period.

In Canada, thankfully, we can legally get medical cannabis.

For those who can't sleep, an Indica tincture (basically an olive or MCT oil extraction) does the trick. It's the THC that is needed for sleeping.

CBD oil is good for daytime use (not impairing). That's what I take during the day for chronic pain management. I can drive and function well with CBD.

You can find lots of do-it-yourself tips on YouTube .....

Sleep well tonight .......

[j-o-h-n]

Hello Sargent,

Here I go again..... In your mind build a log cabin.... piece by piece... anyway you want it.... it's your imagination. I never get past the first floor then zonk out. It works for me.... but me is me......

Good luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 06/13/2019 5:54 PM DST

[Bilko952 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Thanks j-o-h-n... I'll give it a try !

Stand easy !