HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

A little help please

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/4/2021 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
Good day to Everyone,
I had brachytherapy seeds implanted about two years ago. The first few weeks after seeds were implanted I had horrible burning during urination. Urologist prescribed Uribel and it cleared up eventually.

Now two years later the burning is back. It only burns when urinating and stops a few minutes after finishing. Went to Urologist a month ago and he did digital exam and said my prostate was flat and smooth. My urine test came back negative also. I was given more Uribel which did help a bit. Now a month later I am also getting pain in groin area. Not horrible but just achy type pain. My psa is I believe .06 and the urologist was ok with seeing me just once a year from now on.

I am a patient at Urology of Virgina and called yesterday to make an appointment. It will be a month as they are always slammed. The appointment desk said they would try to work me in sooner which I hope they can. At my last appointment a month ago my Urologist said if this did not clear up he would scope me to see whats going on. I did a quick search of side effects two years after seed implants on the forum and found quite a few incidents of this same thing going on. Other here have said their urologists claim its the side effects of seed implants and could happen anytime within five years of implant. Other members claim its not possible as the radiation has left me after two years. I have no idea.

Well there you have it gentlemen. This is my story and I would appreciate any advice I can get. I do not feel sick or have a temperature which would indicate a UTI. I however do feel miserable with groin ache and burning pain when urinating.

Thanks all for reading this long novel

I am sick of all this as I am sure most people on this forum are also. I am so sorry for everyone having prostate cancer and I have had my share of prostate infections before ever having developed cancer.
Posted 12/4/2021 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Ocean, sorry you are going through this, wish i could offer some advice but i did not have brachy. I'm sure others will comment in the next day or so, as you know it can be quiet around here on weekends.
Posted 12/4/2021 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
No direct experience either, my Dad had LD Brachytherapy and a few issues over the years.

This older HW link might provide some help

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1502786
Posted 12/4/2021 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear of all the difficulties you're experiencing. My brachytherapy was HDR, not seeds, so I can't really be helpful in terms of what you're going through. But I'm wondering if in addition to your urologist that it would make sense to discuss this with the radiation oncologist that did your brachy. To the extent that they've seen this in other patients, that perspective might be helpful.
Posted 12/5/2021 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
I had LDR, burning while urinating is expected but usually the worst in first week and lessens after that rapidly. Depending on the type of seeds, palladium for me with a short half life.
2 years out though? like already mentioned, call your RO and ask if it’s possible to experience bladder or urethra inflammation that far out.
Also you can have a UTI without fever or other symptoms, just burning. Google reasons for burning while urinating and see what comes up. Call back the URO and Mention your in pain( play it up a little) and see if they can squeeze you in and/or get on the call list for cancellations. Bad time of year with deductible and co pays and increased cost to us looming on the horizon of the new year. Hopefully you will helped sooner than later and let us know what they say and what the fix is
Posted 12/5/2021 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Mumbo for the link. That is the thread I had found when I first started searching for similar symptoms to my own. If anyone has read through the thread they can see others have had burning two or more years from surgery date. Weather its from Brachytherapy or not who knows!!

I plan on calling tomorrow to see if I can be moved up. I have a number of other medical issues but urological issues by far seem the most invasive and painful. I have had so many kidney stones with trips to the ER I doubt I would survive another!! Also plan on calling my Rad Oncologist to see what he thinks. I was told by my Oncologist that having Brachytherapy somehow welds the prostate to the rectum. Anyone heard that before? Anyway as one of the posters in the above thread said he felt as if a wire went directly from his prostate to his rectum. I can seriously identify with that. I get sharp rectal pain after urinating most times. Thankfully the pain does not last long.

Thanks all and I will let you know as these prostate/cancer problems continue to plague my life.
Posted 12/5/2021 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
i also had burning a couple of years out accompanied with dry blood. it's not the radiation but irritation caused by radiation. i also had a lesser occurrence a couple of years later. for me it was part of the healing process. my doctors were not concerned. i have never taken prescription drugs for SEs but i still take saw palmetto daily
Posted 12/7/2021 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Just a quick update, Urology of Virginia called and moved me ahead a month. So glad to hear this. I get to see the dr this Friday.

I was thinking also it might be a good time to add an anti anxiety med to the mix. The past six months have seen more bad news with additional health problems. Rheumatologist called to tell me my osteoporosis is worse. This means the prednisone which I was given to help PMR will not much longer be given to me. I am already tapering quickly.

Thanks for listening.
Posted 12/8/2021 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Are you taking any supplements as there are a few that can help, somewhat? I mean it's worth a shot at this point.
Posted 12/8/2021 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
Urology of Virginia was my practice when I was first diagnosed, but I didn't like them and switched to another urologist in Williamsburg, VA, Dr. Joseph Habibi. I like him and have always been able to get in pretty quickly.
Posted 12/9/2021 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Urology of Virgina is a big practice. Loads of drs and PA's. I cant complain as they have always fit me in when I need to be seen such as this time. I like both my Urologist and my Oncologist so I think I will stay put. I appreciate the kind advice though.

I have no idea where the dr will start with me. My PSA about a month or so ago was .06 so I dont believe cancer is the problem, at least not in my prostate. I was told a scoping was in my future so who knows what my urethra and bladder might be hiding. Of all the drs I go to and I have quite a few I hate urological problems the most. I guess like most guys this area is not one where we enjoy be poked, prodded or biopsied to death!!!

I will keep everyone updated on what the heck is going on when I know anything. Lastly I want to thank this community for all the wonderful help. Great work guys.

Thanks
Posted 12/11/2021 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Just a quick update. My urology appointment today was with the PA. My urine analysis came back with hematuria. PA will discuss my results with the dr on monday, she said he would surely schedule a cystoscopy exam. I was given antibiotics and more uribel for now. PA said most likely diagnosis is radiation cystitis given my symptoms and past history.

I asked the PA how long a flare lasts but she said it varies from patient to patient. I am hoping there are some meds to help make this a bit more bearable.

I will update again when I have the scope done. I was given a spacer jell before my seed implants which was supposed to keep radiation cystitis from happening. The burning and aching lower abdominal pain has been going on about three months now.

Again thanks for reading this and any help is much appreciated.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply