Nick's Story

Ethnicity

White British

Age

60-69

Work

Retired

Sexual Orientation

Straight

Geography

South West

Relationship status

Married/In a Civil Partnership

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Radical Prostatectomy (Surgery)

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

Discussed with my wife and agreed for the need to proceed with treatment despite likely impotence. Received help and equipment to tackle ED, and tried them but did not have libido to pursue but nevertheless found the NHS nurses support very good and practical

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Reduction in libido and increase in weight were the main impacts, and these have been things to learn to live with, nit just for me but also for my partner

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

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

Because I was lucky to have had a good surgeon who agree to operate fairly quickly, and even though there was a high risk that it would not work because of the fact it had spread already, I was glad that I could 'throw everything at it'. I had other treatments as a follow including radiotherapy, hormone injections and tablets, and chemotherapy

Hormone Therapy (tablets)

How this treatment impacted my life the most

Actually very little, the tablets are a part of my daily routine. The general side effects have reduced over time as my PSA has come down and mostly stayed low except for one relapse. Though some side effects seem permanent: weight gain, impotence (of course), tender breasts, some tiredness

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

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

Because my PSA has stayed low and I have been in remission for a period of years

Hormone Therapy (injections and relugolix tablets)

How this treatment impacted my life the most

The injections are convenient at 3 monthly intervals and given in local surgery. They don't have any obvious side effect in themselves, it is more the general concern over the PSA results, hoping that they stay very low, which they have on the whole.

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

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

Because they are easy to have and seem very effective, now in combination with bicalutimide

Chemotherapy

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

Persevere with the chemo doses if you possibly can even though the side effects can be severe for a period

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

Chemo was the toughest of the treatments that I have had, but I there was good support from the nurses and doctors. My advice is to keep persisting in asking for treatment and appointments, and if necessary a take and pay for a second opinion from another oncologist, which I did, and which led to chemo being offered at my hospital.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

The chemo had major side effects. I was hospitalized briefly due to worrying liver and other blood results (white cell). This was pretty grim, but I managed to stay the course and complete the doses after a delay.

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

Not sure

Why did I give this answer?

It was adjuvant treatment to support my other treatments, and was the standard of care in some NHS hospitals. I think I would take it again because research shows that it improves survival rates in the long run but it was not pleasant.

Nick's Story

Radical Prostatectomy (Surgery)

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

How this treatment impacted my life the most

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

Why did I give this answer?

Hormone Therapy (tablets)

How this treatment impacted my life the most

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

Why did I give this answer?

Hormone Therapy (injections and relugolix tablets)

How this treatment impacted my life the most

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

Why did I give this answer?

Chemotherapy

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

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

How this treatment impacted my life the most

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

Why did I give this answer?

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