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Done with HDR brachy treatments - some questions on tiredness and libido

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Posted 2/15/2012 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
So last week I had the 3rd of three HDR brachy treatments. Side effects up to now have been fairly mild. Some urinary frequency and urgency, but not too bad. I'm already out of my "pull-ups" and into big boy underwear. Whee.

However, I'm very tired, much more so than before. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm listless and sleep 12-13 hours a night. Wondering if this is just a side effect of radiation or if I'm coming down with something. I haven't read anything about this anywhere else, but perhaps I've missed posts.

FWIW, ED looks like it will be a problem. I wasn't in great shape before all this radiation, due to diabetes and such. Now, I have little in the way of libido and nothing happening at night or when I try for some firmness. I know there are things I can do for ED (I've read a lot of your posts and will try the different options) - anything we can do for libido and desire? I know my testosterone level was very, very low before this treatment, but it doesn't make sense at this point to try to fix my T level, so are there other ways?

Thanks to all of you for your help and support through all this.

Greg.
Posted 2/15/2012 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Greg,

I had low dose BT followed by IGRT so I don't have the HDR experience of others. That said, my experiece leaks me to believe that your fatigue and diminshed libido is definietly related to the radiation. Just remember that you just finished your treatment. Give it a few months. My fatigue factor was gone in about 6 weeks and while the libido in not back to 100%, it is much improved. Regards,

Joe
Posted 2/18/2012 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Syz,

I am about 15 months out from permanent seed brachy ( I dont' really know what the HDR stuff means). I too was concerned about libido which seemed to desert me right about the time of my diagnosis. I also got some mild ED from the treatment. I chose the seeds originally because I was told that if I developed Ed, drugs were more likely to work  than they might be with surgery. Everything I've experienced and learned has supported that. Viagra works great for me even the Indian variety. In fact, other than the slight color difference, thery are identical in my experience.

I suppose the libido thing is psychological. Of course, I'm not a doctor, but mine has shown huge improvement in the last 3 to 4 months. In fact, to be perfectly honest, I just turned 60, and I am enjoying the best sex life I've ever had. Of course I have a very sexy girlfriend which doesn't hurt. Seriously though, she is a huge reason that I went the seed route, and I couldn't be happier. I have several buddies who went the surgery route and none are enjoying sex at this point. Not trying to start and arguments (that is pretty easy to do around here). Just saying that you made a great choice, and it will work out for you.

God Bless.

Posted 2/18/2012 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Syz

I had HDR, IMRT and am on HT. The only side effects I had fro the HDR was some soreness and a couple days of painful urination after the first session. The soreness when sitting cleared within two weeks. I never had the fatigue, even though I had a lot more radiation than you with the IMRT. I did have bloody semen for about 3 months due to the HDR, but no ED. Now with my HT I have a very diminished sex drive since I have no testosterone, but I can perform.

I suggest you speak with your rad-onc. I would also look at lifestyle. I adjusted my diet by eliminating red meat, pork, eggs, dairy, caffine, carbonated drinks, and reduced potatoes and pasta significantly. I greatly increased fruits and vegetables, seafood, and started an exercise program consisting of daily aerobic exercise (treadmill, elliptical, bike) for 30-50 minutes and some strength training 3 days a week. I feeel good and have no ed but I know I will feel much better once the HT stops.

I am like you in that I am very happy with the HDR brachytherapy. I often compare with some friends that had either surgery or permanent seeds and our comparative reports indicate I chose a very good treatment.

Good Luck

Jack
Posted 2/19/2012 5:45 AM (GMT 0)

Greg,

I had IMRT followed by HDR last November-December.  It only took two weeks after treatment for libido to return to pre-treatment level.  But as a practical matter it took a couple more weeks to get blood out of the little fluid that I eject and for erections to really firm up and hold.  Getting back to pre-treatment libido without ED works for me.  My wife still seems apprehensive which makes me have a little performance worry, but it's getting better.

I never really got too tired from treatments.  My side effects were different.  Somehow the HDR caused a blockage and I couldn't pass urine, especially at night.  Had to go to ER for a catheter one time, then my uro showed me how to cath myself, which I had to do one more time.  Finally I passed some blood clots and my urine stream much improved.  I figure the HDR needles must have nicked the urethra, or bruised it somehow.  I still use .4mg Flomax daily but hope to get off it soon.  Now my only real issue is hemohroids.

HDR is pretty invasive, so it will take some time.  Hang in there.

Posted 2/19/2012 1:48 PM (GMT 0)

syzygy51 said...
So last week I had the 3rd of three HDR brachy treatments. Side effects up to now have been fairly mild. Some urinary frequency and urgency, but not too bad. I'm already out of my "pull-ups" and into big boy underwear. Whee.

However, I'm very tired, much more so than before. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm listless and sleep 12-13 hours a night. Wondering if this is just a side effect of radiation or if I'm coming down with something. I haven't read anything about this anywhere else, but perhaps I've missed posts.

FWIW, ED looks like it will be a problem. I wasn't in great shape before all this radiation, due to diabetes and such. Now, I have little in the way of libido and nothing happening at night or when I try for some firmness. I know there are things I can do for ED (I've read a lot of your posts and will try the different options) - anything we can do for libido and desire? I know my testosterone level was very, very low before this treatment, but it doesn't make sense at this point to try to fix my T level, so are there other ways?

Thanks to all of you for your help and support through all this.

Greg.

Hey Greg,
You mentioned your T level being very low, were/are you on HT as well? Low T levels will certainly sap your libido and desire. I have 10 weeks left in my 12 month Lupron HT treatment and I can't wait until my T levels are back up to where they are suppose to be. Be patient and hang in there!
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