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
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
Yes
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
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
Yes
Because my PSA has stayed low and I have been in remission for a period of years
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.
Yes
Because they are easy to have and seem very effective, now in combination with bicalutimide
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.
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.
Not sure
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.
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