HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

MEMBER COMMENTS FOR LDR/HDR/SBRT/IMRT MONOTREATMENT CLUBS--How did it go? Lessons to impart?

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/23/2015 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
Tudpock invited me to start this thread to match the RP and SRT threads.
Posted 7/24/2015 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
I had beam radiation. It worked just fine. Three years later I am near nadir. Side effects have been minimal and I am happy with my choice.

The treatment process is long and a bit of a grind. During treatment the drinking water routine gets old, random things hurt and you shouldn't trust a fart. Fatigue hit me bad near the end, but it doesn't get to everyone.

Andrew
Posted 7/24/2015 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
I had IMRT and brachytherapy. 20 sessions of IMRT followed by the brachytherapy. I had no immediate side effects from the IMRT. I never became tired or had any discomfort.
Brachytherapy was a breeze. Short-term was no worse than the biopsy. I had short-term frequency that Flomax eliminated. That was it as far as short-term issues.

Long term--Large improvement in BPH. I haven't peed this well in years.

On the other hand, grade I rectal bleeding. For over a year now, I will have a little blood on my tissue or on my stool. At first this upset me. Over time, no big deal. No pain or discomfort.

A decreased ability to maintain an erection. This is totally eliminated by Cialis.

Minor issues in all. If I had it to do over again.....I might have eliminated the IMRT and only had the brachytherapy.

Paul

Post Edited (PDL17) : 7/23/2015 9:31:10 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/24/2015 10:53 AM (GMT 0)
Reposting what I said to 'beeman' yesterday:


"Beeman,
I am five years out from my LDR brachy treatment. My treatment was a one time procedure which required one night's hospital stay. I missed 3 days work and 1 week at the gym. My psa is less than 0.1 and has been for several years. I am continent and my sex life has never been better. Every time make love with my lovely girlfriend I am eternally grateful that I made the choice that I did. For the life of me, I don't know why more men don't take advantage of this treatment. You will be extremely happy with the choice that you've made.
I know very little about HDR brachy, but from what I've read here, the results are excellent as well."
Posted 7/24/2015 11:00 AM (GMT 0)
Jock, to say I am happy with my treatment choice (LDR BRachytherapy) is a vast understatement. I'm seven years out, have no urinary or bowel issues and my sex life is unchanged and passionate. It seems I have reached a nadir of .1 PSA and my doctors tell me that they don't need to see cured patients any more. You can read my whole long winded story by copying and pasting the link in my signature.

Re lessons, the main one is to get educated on our disease and consult multiple practitioners before making a decision. My experience was that a number of doctors had understandable bias but also misinformation. As Tall Allen frequently points out, you cannot expect a surgeon to be an expert in HDR Brachythery nor an LDR Brachytherapist to be an expert in SBRT, etc. Do you homework, get informed and make an educated choice with a clear understanding of the benefits and deficits of each option.

Jim
Posted 7/24/2015 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
I had proton beam therapy (a form of EBRT) almost 4 years ago. My PSA steadily dropped after treatment to its current level of 0.03. I had some minor SEs during treatment but none that continued on a long term basis. I had a total of 44 treatments at 79.2 gy. The first 28 doses targeted both the prostate and the seminal vesicles, the final 16 the prostate only. The first 28 doses included a margin of 12mm. The final 16 a margin of 6 mm.

I am totally satisfied with my treatment. No urinary or rectal problems. Sexual function is basically same as before treatment. If I were being treated today I would definitely consider proton again. However, the new SBRT/CyberKnife treatment is appealing because it is only a 5 day treatment schedule.
Posted 7/24/2015 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
My 1-year anniversary, PSA will be coming up next week with fingers crossed for another drop. Had 81 Pseeds placed this time last summer with the normal burning pee and bruising for about two weeks followed by fake poop feelings after urination which was easily fixed by a short walk. Some light-headed ness associated with Flomax and retrograde ejaculation which are all a memory. about the only side effect left is the loss of about half the sauce. I am totally happy with LDR monothearapy but realize that toxicity issues may arise in time. Am also concerned about recurrence given my lousy kinetics going into BT.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply