HDR Braco tomorrow - recovery question

Hey canuck, I can' help you out as I had LDR but wanted to wish you well. There's quite a few guys that went the HDR route and they'll join in soon.

Canuck-

You're asking about HDR brachy, but your profile says "HD permanent BT seeds." HDR (high dose rate) involves temporary implants. LDR (low dose rate) involves permanent seeds. To make it more confusing, LDR can be done with different radioactive isotopes with different dose rates ranging from I-131 (lowest) to PD-103 to Cs-131 (highest). HDR brachy uses Ir-192.

- Allen

Hi Allen
I have updated the profile. Got into a new clinical trail and now doing the HDR Brachy ( probe placed in prostrate, blasted with radiation for 10 minutes = no seeds temp or pernament) Just a one day surgery/treatment ( 3hrs ).

Canuck,

Can't tell you much about what to expect since I went a different route but wanted to wish you smooth sailing. You will be our new expert on the single-treatment HDR blasting procedure.

Keep us posted.

Canuck

I am the HDR pioneer here having done it three years ago. I had two sessions a week apart in the final two thirds of my IMRT treatments. After each HDR procedure I had a little urinary burning for two days, a little tender sitting for about a week, and my nether region and equipment was black and blue for about two weeks as there is some internal bleeding and it pools there. After that and since then, absolutely no problems.

You can expect some side effects from the IGRT. Urinary and bowel frequency and urgency will increase....don't trust anything!! My docs put me on Flomax in the form of Jalyn (with Avodart) and that helped the urinary. You may get fatigued (I didn't) and you may have some skin burning (I didn't).

Overall as TallAllen said, HDR presents very little in the way of side effects since it is the most conformal type of radiation you can have. You will do well and I am ready to help in any way I can. Be sure to ask the docs to see the catheter contraption they insert after they remove it....you will be amazed!!

Best wishes,

Jack

Hi Canuck...hope I'm not weighing in too late.

I had some burning and urgency for 1-2 weeks afterwards. It was most acute the first 3-4 days and then tailed off. Warm baths helped with this A LOT. I also had a hard time sitting on hard surfaces for about 2 months--very few folks have complained about this, but I mention it just in case.

I also had EBRT after my HDR brachy and that slowed down my improvement in peeing. I had more frequent bowel movements through my EBRT. But I'd say that 3 months after EBRT I was 90% of normal in that regard and today (7 months later) I feel completely normal with the exception that when I have to go...I really have to go.

FWIW, I'm also 52. Good luck and make us proud! E-mail me if you have any questions.

Michael

I worked throughout my initial treatment. Over a three month period I missed three days. One to a colonoscopy and two to the HDR procedures. I did my radiation at 6:30 pm each evening. Thus treatment never got in the way of work. I am self employed so it was great not having to take time off. That you will have time off is great.

I suggest you get in a very good exercise routine like swimming, walking etc. I usually did my treadmill routine after radiation and then a steam bath. It kept my weight down, kept me relaxed and I think kept my energy level up.

Keep us posted and best wishes,

Jack

Good luck by the way.....and are you a fellow Canadian?

Sorry for the delay - Update time.
The HDR bracytherapy went really well. Under for about 3- 4 hrs and woke up feeling good. I stayed over night as they thought I had a touch of sleep apena. Felt great that day and the next. Went for a short walk on day 3. Stayed close to home for a few days. Some brusing. Ice pack every hour. Some blood in urine for a day or two only. That was it. No colon issues. I was really pleased with how it all went and afterwards was fine. I was off work so that is a big key to recovery too. Started EXRB a week later and now only have 5 treatments left. 5/23.
Again doing very well. A bit of loose stools last week but took something for that. nap after morning treatments and doing well most of the day. Bed early. Diet is odd as no antioxidants, salads, berries, and no food with fiber. Placing cream on skin too.

To recap - for me, so glad we fought to get the HDR instead of LDR. My doc was please so see no bleeding in urine still - he said that with LDR they often still have bleeding.

HT, have no weight gain, no muscle lost and still have hair. have no liblo but also No ED up till HDR ( Haven't tired since).

Getting lots of rest and taking it slow, no stress.... I think that is was key.

thanks for the support

Canuck, glad things are going well and I hope they continue to do so.

Jim

Good stuff and you're pretty lucky to have all this expertise at your finger tips.....

That's great to hear, Canuck.

Good luck with the rest of your radiation and please keep us posted.