Urinary urgency after treatment .. occasional

[Yokohama2023]

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!

[Tall_Allen]

It usually gets better and returns to better than baseline within a year.

[Derf4223]

you are hardly alone.

[SongofFred]

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.

[Yokohama2023 in reply to SongofFred]

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.

[London441]

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!

[Murk]

Yup agree, this urgent feeling slowly dissipated for me over time after series of radiation treatment.

[NYC_talker]

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.

[Yokohama2023]

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 !

[Derf4223]

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?)

[Farlo]

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!

[cancerfox]

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. 🦊

[Jimbo47]

I had HDR Brachytherapy in 2018. It started about 2 years after my treatments and gradually keeps getting worse.

[Yokohama2023 in reply to Jimbo47]

That’s a bummer … People mention kegel exercises which I feel like I’m inadvertently doing when the urge arises. I hope things get better for you .

[Jimbo47 in reply to Yokohama2023]

Thanks

[conbio]

Yea, except my issues started a bit later - like 8 months after treatment. Urologist said - hang in there - it will pass (no pun intended)😀