I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer Feb. 15. On Feb. 16
is was given a 4 month Lupron injection. My PSA is 15, Gleason Score 6, Staged at T1, and my prostate is 47cc.
I went through tests for cancer spread and they were all negative. The cancer is contained in my prostate. I am 14 treatments into IMRT. (23 more to go)....I have a few questions regarding side effects. The Lupron is giving my hot flashes and sweats nightly, I'm not sleeping well, I can't get an erection even with 100mgs. of viagra. I do not want to stay on this Lupron. After the 4 month shot, will my testosterone come back and how long will it take?
I am having urinary urgency and frequecy, is this the radiation or Lupron? My bowel the last few days feels like I have to elimanate when I don't and lots of pressure. Some soreness aroud my rectum. Also, a little fatique I am concerned about the side effects of the IMRT and would appreicate any feed back, I am still working. Thanks, Mike
I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer Feb. 15. On Feb. 16
is was given a 4 month Lupron injection. My PSA is 15, Gleason Score 6, Staged at T1, and my prostate is 47cc.
I went through tests for cancer spread and they were all negative. The cancer is contained in my prostate. I am 14 treatments into IMRT. (23 more to go)....I have a few questions regarding side effects. The Lupron is giving my hot flashes and sweats nightly, I'm not sleeping well, I can't get an erection even with 100mgs. of viagra. I do not want to stay on this Lupron. After the 4 month shot, will my testosterone come back and how long will it take?
I am having urinary urgency and frequecy, is this the radiation or Lupron? My bowel the last few days feels like I have to elimanate when I don't and lots of pressure. Some soreness aroud my rectum. Also, a little fatique I am concerned about the side effects of the IMRT and would appreicate any feed back, I am still working. Thanks, Mike
My treatment was surgery, but in determining approach, I came across one item that may relate. My "numbers" are similar to yours in terms of a 48cc prostate and 3+3 Gleason, though my PSA was 3.7.
One side effect of radiation is due to the prostate lying on the opposite side of the rectum. This means that the radiation goes through the rectum to reach the prostate, though some new techniques apparently minimize this to some degree. The soreness is probably related to this and reflects the fact that radiation cannot be totally focused on the targeted cells, but does do a number, at least temporarily, on all cells radiated.
At the more personal experience level, I am sure others will be able to help.
Best of luck to you!
Yes, urgency and bowel problems are sometimes related to IMRT.
Side effects from short term hormone therapy are temporary. If used for an estensive period of years the effects become more likley to be permanent.
You might find the side effects become less of a problem with time, or if an alternative type is used.
Hormone therapy is believed to enhanse the benefits of radiation treatment. "Compassionate oncology" claim good results with the use of hormone treatment for 13 months as a sole treatment for early stage PC.
