Radiation treatment recovery

How long does it take to recover from on radiation treatment? How long before you can go back to work?

Thanks
Tom

I had 25 fractions of IMRT and two HDR brachytherapy procedures.   The only work I missed was on the HDR days because the procedure required me to be at the clinic from 11:30 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon.   At the same time my wife was also undergoing IMRT for breast cancer and had 35 fractions.   Never missed a day of work.

Just arrange your schedule properly and it shouldn't be an issue.    My wife had the first appointment of the day on her way to work.  I had the last of the day on my way home from work.   The radiation itself generally presents very mild side effects, nothing that disrupted my schedule.

As for recovery, many people have some mild fatigue, and some urinary and bowel issues.   Basically increased urgency and frequency that most people manage well.   This generally starts about two to three weeks after the radiation has started and subsides two to three weeks after the radiation is done.   Of course some men have more significant issues, but they seem to be in the minority.

If it's IMRT, you probably don't need to miss work, although you'll likely be tired toward the end. For brachytherapy, you'll likely need a few days. However, there's someone on this board (Dewayne) that went to work the same day after having HDR brachy.

I had SBRT. No recovery or downtime at all. I went to the gym and to work throughout.

Thanks so much for the reply's. I'm looking at going with radiation as primary treatment. No surgery. Not sure what type yet.

I had my first HDR Brachytherapy treatment on December 2, came home took a two hour nap and went to a board meeting and a Christmas party that night.  I went to work the next day.  I work in a professional office without physical labor.  I worked out at the gym a week later.

I had the second HDR on December 16 and took my docs advice and took a day off work (next day).  I milked it a little too, sleeping until 9 a.m.; going in a little late and taking an afternoon nap for about a week or two.

I started working out again pretty hard on Jan. 2.

I m almost on the half way mark of a 33 sessions IMRT..so far my routine challenge is the filling up of the bladder 1000ml and hold it for 50 to 60mins before getting onto the "table". I m still working as per normal accept getting to the hospital for the treatment ard 2 hrs.
Currently on a low fiber diet and avoid all gassy foods else exacting gasses from the rectum b4 radiation is quite troublesome. So far got 3 occasions have to be treated with this procedure.
I m still keeping my fingers cross for SE...as I m also aware that certain risks are involved on RT. Just my sharing.
All the best to your treatment of your choice.