Prostate cancer treatment and IBS

[merve1]

Dear Friends and Sufferers! I've been diagnosed with prostate cancer and have the option of removing the prostate or radiotherapy with or without hormone treatment. Can anyone out there who has experience of these offer advise on their impact on IBS and bowel function? At the moment, I've got IBS looseness and urgency under reasonable control by taking the treatment for bile acid malabsorption (Questran powder) although I have not been formally diagnosed with bam: who knows, the benefit of Questran could simply be the placebo effect! All advice would be gratefully received.

[merve1]

Oops, "advice", not "advise"!

[Ellie-Louise]

I can’t offer advice as to your other problem, but for heavens sake if you have been given the chance to have your prostate taken out…DO IT!

Both my husband and brother were diagnosed with prostate cancer a few years ago. Both had it taken out and both have been completely happy with their choice.

My brother had the normal removal surgery, and my husband had his taken out via robotic surgery. My husbands recovery was much faster than my brothers because it was less invasive, but neither needed to wear the incontinence pads very long afterwards because they were on top of the exercises they were given.

Their PSI test comes back with the lowest result possible now which is fantastic, (you have a test every year after your surgery).

You won’t regret it, and you will be relieved that you chose to have it out.

Best of luck, I know you will make your decision wisely.

[merve1 in reply to Ellie-Louise]

The advice I received was that surgery could (emphasis on could) cause immense urinary and sexual problems...... Thanks for sharing your experience on this - all data are useful!

[Ellie-Louise in reply to merve1]

All I can tell you is that my husband and brother have had no problems in that area.

[userotc]

Sorry I can't advise re IBS issue. Re prostate, it must be a decision taken by yourself and close family, particularly any partner. Ideally based on a risk-benefit analysis involving disparate factors or at least gut feeling (no pun intended). Good luck.

[merve1 in reply to userotc]

Thanks! It really is a difficult area to navigate given all the pros and cons.

[Hidden]

I had prostate cancer and went the radiation route which does have some side effects, immediate and latent. It can cause irritation of the rectum and anal area and create urgency with bowel movements. This may or may not stack on top of the IBS symptoms. If you have access to a computer, you can watch YouTube videos from Dr Scholz. He is the main man at the Prostate Cancer Research Institute in the US. His videos are very informative.

[merve1 in reply to Hidden]

Very useful information - many thanks!

[Pedrof1976]

The questran will be balancing things out as it removes bile acids stimulating production and causing a balance with the body. The bile acids then help breakdown the fats you ingest stopping the greasy loose stool (steatorrhoea). With regards to your prostate management the surgeons and oncologists should be able to guide you with optimal treatments as they should be black and white giving you statistics of success and risks.

I work with cancer patients and also have 2 family members with prostate cancer. If you ask all the options and decide whats best for you, then you will never look back and wonder. They should be able to give you a percentage of what the benefits are

[merve1 in reply to Pedrof1976]

Thanks for replying - all info is useful info!