Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment
Be patient, let your body tell you when it is ready but be prepared for lack of performance. It helps enormously to have a patient partner who understands the condition and the affects of the disease and the likely side effects of the treatment. Talk about it fully so that you both know the likely outcome. We both found that mutual masturbation was as pleasurable as penetrative sex, in fact it was like renewing of courtship.
Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment
I would break out in a hot sweat at any time but particularly at night - my wife likened it to her menopause. My breast became swollen and my nipples tender and uncomfortable, this lasted quite a while. I lost most of my body hair and the hair on my head thinned. All has grown back over time.
Tips and advice for any mental and emotional side effects of treatment
At my earlist diagnosis I had made up my mind not to Google the disease, preferring instead to read the various helpful NHS information and listen only to the professionals. I also decided that I would treat every day as it came and, as I felt no real difference in my health, this helped me not to sink into depression or feel over-anxious. Once treatment had started, I was surprised at how emotional I became - crying very easily at the slightest thing, although I didn't really feel upset!
How this treatment impacted my life the most
Throughout the treatment I had a low level depression mainly caused by tiredness and the uncertainty of the outcome. The travel to various departments entailed early starts and a fair bit of driving entailing managing time scales. Our sex life became non-existant for a few months and it took a little while to recover fully.
Why did I give this answer?
At all stages of my treatment I was informed of procedures and treated with dignity. The fact that nine years after my diagnoses I am able to relate my story is the best reason for my answer.
