I should point out that I never had e.d. or any difficulty in having sex or masturbating at the slightest provocation before treatment. Even asking questions beforehand, I was unprepared for the quite devastating humiliation that goes with this area of hormone treatment. I had higher than average testosterone so the hormone took longer than expected to act. This was only mentioned by a second party but explained the questioning looks my nurse gave when looking at psa levels following treatment. It also explained the longer (6 months) than expected time for the castration to take effect. However, as quite a fit person at the lower end of the age spectrum for this, I was shocked at the immediacy and effect castration (eventually) had on my emotional and physical well-being as well as my metabolism. I had difficulty in explaining the effects to my wife, who got quite upset at her interpretation of what was happening. Even now, a few years on, I am below average testosterone and cannot manage to get as aroused as I did. I have difficulty in getting or sustaining an erection and have a loss of feeling in my penis (probably due to radiation nerve damage I'm now told). This in turn means I find it very difficult to climax. Hormone treatment (I think) has caused shrinkage in my penis, which was not explained beforehand and I hadn't seen mentioned in the research I did beforehand. Bit of a shock. I now have to take medication and therefor make an appointment to have sex which kind of furthers the humiliation that all of this brings. Basically, I disgust myself.
Again, ask searching questions. I had quite bad pain in my hips and feet resulting in me buying 3 different new pairs of running shoes. Turns out it was hormone associated muscle loss. When I tried massaging what I thought was sciatica, I was shocked at the soft flab my buttocks had become. I was also unprepared for not going back to what I was in fitness terms after treatment. Again there is very little mention (reading or in appointments) about the realities of post treatment recovery. I still have fecal incontinence and slight urinary problems despite practising pelvic floor exercises since treatment. My metabolism has not returned to what it was probably due to low testosterone, so I have put on weight that I find hard to loose. I cannot run anywhere near as far or as fast as I could despite (now) years of trying. Advice might be; be prepared for something a lot worse than is suggested to you. It seemed from discussions beforehand, and after for subsequent treatment, that my NHS nurse (probs guided by the consultant) has a vested (biased) interested in getting you into treatment. Bear this in mind
Most of my problems in this area are directly associated with hormone treatment. However, the emotional effects of the physical changes had a big effect on me in conjunction with hormone side effects. I have been treated (pills and therapy) for depletion and have been on medication for anxiety since prostate treatment. Advice? Again, be prepared for something worse than is hinted at.
My nurse has told me that I was likely the worst effected she's seen in 20 odd years so I realise my opinions and symptoms are maybe not average. However, when my psa rose a couple of years anfter initial treatment and I was offered ongoing hormone treatment, I told them I didn't want any. There was no discussion of alternatives such as intermittent or different hormones and when I asked was basically told it was the same hormones or nothing. I chose nothing. So the biggest impact treatment has had on me, is that I chose to have no more of it. I understand the consequences and am prepared to take those. There was an undue pressure from the NHS (not necessarily my nurse) via my multi disciplinary team meeting to go on treatment, even to the point of the question being raised, "does he know what he's doing?" Through my nurse, my consultant also offers to speak to me himself (what an honour!). I found these two last points particularly condescending which encouraged me in my decision. So, in summary, the most impact on my life was, I chose to discontinue it.
Not sure
I'm not sure I trust the process. It is after all down to individuals.
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