One side effect I’ve noticed is an occasional sudden need to urinate. Like when you were a young kid stuck on a school bus and had to really really go. This doesn’t happen all the time but maybe 20% of the time so several times a day. I’ve had brachytherapy (5 months ago), external radiation (3 months ago), and ADT for 9 months ended 2 months ago. Gleason 7 unfavorable. Sometimes it happens and I really focus on stopping it and it goes away. When I do use the restroom often my bladder isn’t really that full.
Has anyone else experienced this and did it get better or worse over time? Thanks!
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Yokohama2023
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I’m 8 months out from HDBT and pelvic SBRT for 4+3. My year on Orgovxyx/ Nubeqa ends in two months. Pre-treatment, my bladder would hold 400-500 ml before needing to go, and even then it was just normal pressure, not that excruciating discomfort/pain that has you fidgeting and dancing. Now at 250-300 ml I get alarm bells. My radiologist told me two weeks ago that being this late of a symptom it’s likely permanent. I hope that’s not the case. In the mean time I’m trying to retrain and expand my bladder by extending the time before I urinate as much as possible, but to no effect yet.
I really don’t want to be on myrbetriq and such the rest of my life.
I’m a few months ahead of you, and I know we’re all different, but I’ll try to remember to let you know if it’s getting better at the one year mark.
Good luck to you keep focusing and trying. For me ADT ending seemed to improve some symptoms allot so hang in there since 2 months is right around the corner.
It’s very common, in all older men not just us. It may resolve or not. I have little ability or desire to hold much anymore and just go frequently, leak occasionally.
A good bladder relaxant may help or it may do nothing. I shrug it off, but I understand those who find it bothersome. Great luck to you!
Yes, I experienced that after LDR. Not so badly as others, but definitely needing to go a bit more frequently and then, when I'd go it wasn't much. It dissipated quite a bit, especially in year 2. I rarely wake up in the middle of the night, and even if I have to go I can hold it.
All good feedback thanks ! Some more sharing .. I don’t really wake up at night having to go..though sleep hasn't been the best. Just random times sudden massive urgency to go and really not a full bladder but not empty. Other times 2-3 in a row no urgency at all. I have noticed my focus on stopping the sporadic urgent feelings is improving. Once stopped it goes away and I can wait another 20-40 mins before the need to go returns .. generally these urgent pee sessions result in half the volume or less . Other times no urgency and normal full bladder release. I feel like it may be improving .. time flys by .. but I realize I still have brachy seeds half life”ing” their radiation and only 3 months out from LINAC. I had space oar but during the external beam the bladder volume pre treatment was always a juggling act.. though I think I did fairly well. I recall the doctor ..through translation mentioning some side effects can worsen 2-3 years out but not clear on that. Hot flashes are pretty much gone about 2 months since last shot. Things get better keep the faith! On top of that I sprang some middle of the night wood after a dream .. it’s a start !
There may be food/drink intake involvement wrt bladder irritation. Something to consider before adding meds. I did some Dr. Googling on it and there is info aplenty, but sometimes conflicting (what else is new about using the infernal net?)
I go through similar. Feels like I have go bad, and drip, drip, drip. After a bit, it gets moving. I’m told it’s the way my urethra is positioned at my bladder. Always had a weak stream even as a kid. (Always lost the pee distance competitions, LOL). Every once in a while, I get a good stream and it feels great. I was on Oxybutynin in the middle of 44 IMRT rounds and it worked great with Terazosin. Still on Terazosin, off the Oxy, heard it may have a relation to Dementia??? Glad to be here and thankful for this group!
I'm over two years post-treatment with IMRT and LD Brachy and I still am experiencing symptoms similar to yours, plus getting up a couple of times at night, though they seem to be decreasing somewhat. 🦊
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