My MSK Precise / SBRT Journey -- One month after the final treatment

[Hope4Happiness]

I just wanted to check in here to give an update on my status one month after my final SBRT treatment at MSK in NYC.

Urinary:

The only real change has been frequency. In addition, when the urge hits, I must make my way to the bathroom pretty quickly. Other than that, it's basically the same as it was pre-treatment. I never had to get up from bed during the night to urinate pre-treatment, and I still don't now. There was some burning associated with urination for about the first week after treatment, but that has subsided.

Sexual:

There have been no problems with erections for intercourse. I think these are about or close to the same as they were pre-treatment. There was some burning during ejaculation for about the first two weeks after treatment, but that has subsided. One aspect that has changed a bit is sensitivity -- I'm a bit more sensitive down there during sexual intercourse, and it has caused me to ejaculate sooner. The feeling is intense a lot quicker. At this point, there is still semen, but it appears the volume has decreased (most likely this will drop to nothing over time).

After treatment, my doctor prescribed two medications: Tamsulosin .4mg (for urinary issues) and Sildenafil 20mg (for sexual issues and blood flow).

Because I felt I didn't have any real unmanageable urinary problems, I did not take the Tamsulosin. If I was urinating many times an hour or if I was getting up from bed at night to urinate, I probably would have taken it.

It took me a while to get the Sildenafil prescription filled because insurance would not cover it -- I ended up finding an online coupon that cut the cost to 1/10th of the asking price! I started taking the Sildenafil just last week to be on the safe side. I figured even if I didn't need it for usable erections, it could only help with the blood flow down there.

Overall, I really have no complaints or regrets at this early point. With the holidays coming up, I've been practicing a lot of "mindfulness" to just focus on the season, time off from work, and time with family. From my biopsy in July to my treatment in November, so much of my thoughts and focus have been on my prostate cancer, that I just need to step back now until my next appointment as MSK in February 2022.

Best wishes for happy and healthy holidays to you all, and thanks for reading!

[Tall_Allen]

I took daily Viagra for about 6 months starting with the first treatment. I get them from India for about 50¢ each and cut them in quarters. It protects the vasculature. Never had a problem.

[WilsonPickett]

Thanks H4H,I’m in the midst of my treatment on the MR Linec at MSK. I’m going to share my experience all at once when I’m finished. It’s different than yours so it is probably useful for other readers heading into this experience. Mostly benign, looking forward to it being over.

[j-o-h-n]

Problem is, I get an erection but don't realize that I do..... until the Nuns on my softball team point it out to me.....😀

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 12/17/2021 2:51 PM EST

[Mando1]

Sounds like you had a very good and successful experience. Congrats and wishing you much health in 2022!

[Neversaydie]

Just finished reading your experience and I too have Dr. Zelefsky and will be going through same procedure you did. For those other members reading this, I'll be happy to share my experiences as well. My PSA was 10.2 last June, 2021 which had been steadily rising over the past six years. I was diagnosed in September, when I had an MRI with contrast which identified three lesions. A biopsy in October confirmed they were PCA and Gleason score of 6 for two tumors and 7 for a third tumor. the 7 was next to the neck of the bladder, so Dr. Zelefsky felt it must have spread to the neck of the bladder, but did a second MRI to confirm. It was inconclusive, but I decided on the SBRT over the Brachytherapy to be sure to get it all. I spoke with a colleague who was treated in CT (New Haven) and had over 30 treatments because they didn't have the equipment MSK has for SBRT. He said he feels OK now, and that while he didn't really need the sidenefil, he did highly recommend the Flomax. For years, I've had to get up at least twice a night to go to the bathroom, so I'm sure I'll need that. I had testicular cancer twenty years ago (2002) and treated at MSK with chemotherapy. The cancer had spread to the abdomen, and could only be treated by chemotherapy. Cisplatin. Chemotherapy for testicular cancer was very difficult for me. It consisted of twenty sessions, over a 12 week period. One week of daily infusions, followed by two weeks off. I've heard it's much easier now, but back then i was nauseous for a year after the last treatment. Compared to that, I'm sure this will be much easier to tolerate and like everyone else, can't wait for it to be over!