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I also had an enlarged prostate which was brought down to normal with Lupron.
I was already having some urinary flow problems before radiation began. Took Flomax for about 6 weeks prior to radiation and it worked great for a while then seemed to lose its effectivness.
After about 13 IMRT treatments, I was forced to double up on Flomax which has given me some relief. I have the typical frequency/urgency/flow issues but fortunately, no pain. I was concerned about the Flomax side effects but so far I have tolerated it very well. No dizziness.
I think I would probably be struggling a lot more with the urinary issues if I were having EBRT and Seeding.
Hang in there Phred. Try to focus less on the side effects and more on the desired effect.
The radiation is making you uncomfortable but it's making the PC REAL uncomfortable.
I'd strap a microwave oven around my waist if I thought it would help.
Pat ... Voiding completely? Well, depends on where I am at the time, seriously. If I'm home in my recliner with my little friend (plastic hand held urinal), yes. If I'm down at the local tavern shooting pool, probably not, but, if not, I pay for it by having to revisit the urinal in a matter of minutes but it's embarrassing to just stand there while two or three more folks come and go ... I know, I know, that's silly, but that's me.
Tony ... trying to "hang in" but it's tough. It's just amazing to me that with all the medical technology available today we have to go through this.
Thanx for the support guys and, don't worry, I'm okay ... heck, maybe it's the holiday season and I'm just a little down over all this.
It's really good that this forum exists, been a big help ... thanx again.
I had 103 seeds implanted in Jan, 2007. My urinary pain and burning have been constant since January, but have ssubsided about 30% better since Sept. Pain was so bad that I had to use a handicap bathroom and hold on to the sides in order to withstand the pain without collapsing. In may I began to suffer from hemorrhoids due to my system forcing to urinate. I increased fiber and used RoidBalm a product I found at Whole Foods supermarket, have put ice to the Roids. Roids have gone away but the uirinary pain is still severe.(11 months)
Radiation Oncologist has me on Flomax and lyrica which is supposed to block nerve pain to the brain. After 11 months of pain I am discouraged, but my PSA is currently at .34 therefore I am focusing on that. Dr says pain should subside at about 18 months.
Thanx for the response Jerry ... man, you're just a bundle of good news (grin). I understand about "holding onto" something while urinating, it's tuff but I'll get thru it too.
Well I don't feel so bad now, I'm 3 months into my seeding and my frequency has been since the second month about 24+ times per 24 hours. The spasms at the 1 hour intervals at night are intense and last about 15 minutes, the first spasm results in about 6 drops and finally the last wave delivers about an ounce to an ounce and a half. All these voids during the days are spasms free until 5 o'clock then the slight spasms start and continue to get worse until I get the courage to lie in bed because sleep is little to nothing. I met with my Uro Dr, and he didn't give me much encouragement that my frequency will end soon.
I failed to mention that I had bladderretainage before the seeding so we have compounded the problem
The pain from spasms is a real problem and I may have the answer. My friend told me when he had his done his Doctor gave him Belladonna Suppitories for the urinary pain and spasms. I asked my Uro Dr, and he was very surprised that I knew about Belladonna but, he gave me a script for it. I filled it but, didn't take any and to be honest, I forgot all about it.
Night before last as I was waiting for the spasm to pass it came to mind. I tried it last nignt and got the best nights rest in 2 months. Still void 5 times but no spasms at all.
The Belladonna worked for one night?? I'm back to maybe like 12 to 14 times from midnight to 8am, very intense spasms. Durning the day the freqency is managable.Does anyone know why the spasms return with a vengence at night and go away when I get up?
There has been many drugs mentioned on this forum and most of them don't seem to work ... seems like things like urinary problems are something we have to live with.
No, no explanation has been offered to me for the worsening symptoms at night and I haven't researched it.
I notice you use the word "spasm" ... what exactly do you mean by that? For example, just before I "go" I get a tremendous surge of pain which seems to cover the entire abdominal area and burning which feels like it's in the penis.
The "pain" eases off a little when the urine starts to flow (small flow, sometimes dribbling only) but the "burning" intensifies until I stop urinating.
Once I doubled up on the Flomax and the alalgesic Phenazopyridine (one in the morning and one in the evening)the pain/burning has diminished by half (but still bad).
Phred, Your pain and my spasms are one in the same.
The other night I maked on my pad 14 times this occured between midnight and 8am. The next night I took 600mg of ibuprofen at dinner and a ex strengh tylenol at bed and I never void all night???? In the morning after I got moving around I voided freely 3or 4 times and that was it. The balance of the day I voided every couple hours with no pain. Last night I did the same meds and was back to 10 times with plenty of pain??? I can't figure it out.
Lots of things happened since my last posting.
I met with my Uro Dr. and he was very alof about my frequency and if it would get better, he said, may not. When I asked what my options were, he said, maybe we can scrap a little tissue to help empty the bladder and reduce the frequency, maybe. I got fed up and got an appointment with a specialist in Boston. He did a cyctoscope and found my prostate had a dome at the top blocking the neck, and a lot of scarring from years of retainage. Suggested I self catheter.
To stop more scarring and to reduce the frenquency.
