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Douglas's Story

Ethnicity
White British
Age
70-79
Work
Retired
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Geography
West Midlands
Relationship status
Married/In a Civil Partnership
Listen

Radical Prostatectomy (Surgery)

Tips and advice for any bladder or bowel side effects of treatment

Talk to your medical team. I needed a stretch to cure the problem

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

Keep talking to your partner. Be prepared to experiment. We tried a number of ways of improving my erection and achieved a suitable solution at the fourth attempt

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Urgency in relation to urination can be difficult. Erectile dysfunction takes the spontaneity out of your sex life

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

Having a prostatectomy offered the chance to have radiotherapy at a later date if the cancer returned. This did happen

Hormone Therapy (injections and relugolix tablets)

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

Its hard to get an erection if you don't feel aroused. These injections stop you feeling aroused. Its tough on the love life.

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

Hot sweats are unpleasant. I got them most at night. Need cotton pyjamas to absorb the sweat.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Loss of libido is a profound thing. Hard to enjoy sex if you are not feeling excited. hard on your partner too.

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

It kept the cancer at bay for some years. I was able to continue working and lead a normal life.

Radiotherapy

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

Acceptance.

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

When you have radiotherapy you meet lots of other people having the same treatment. Talking with them is a great help.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

For the 33 sessions of radiotherapy the treatment takes over your life. Having to present every time with a full bladder and an empty bowel is demanding. Travel arrangements can be difficult and you are hunting for a loo much of the time.

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

It worked.

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