Re: preparation for radiation

[Guest guest]

> My dad is getting radiation treatment in October. He is

> getting the seeds implanted mid-September. We were wondering

> if there is any significant pain or discomfort after the

> initial seeds are implanted. And if so, what type of pain or

> symptoms occur and how long does it last?

I had two HDR brachytherapy procedures, which are similar to what

your dad will get except that they use very " hot " seeds that are

put in and removed seconds later instead of " cool " seeds that

stay in place.

The main side effects I felt were some soreness in the perineum,

and after the second one, difficulty urinating.

The soreness wasn't too bad. I didn't need any pain killers,

though I did use a doughnut cushion for a couple of weeks to make

sitting easier.

The difficulty urinating happens to many radiation patients. The

radiation causes the prostate to swell, clamping the urethra. As

a result, the patient needs more pressure to push through. In my

case, I couldn't urinate at all without Flomax, a drug that makes

it easier. Then I could urinate just enough to reduce the

pressure, but then the clamping resumed and I wasn't able to get

it all out. So I had to go to the bathroom very frequently. At

its worst, I was getting up seven times a night and took to

keeping a urinal by the bed to make sleeping easier, and a jug in

my car in case I was driving and couldn't make it to a bathroom.

The problem was at its worst for about two months. After that it

got gradually better. I started taking one Flomax a day instead

of two, then one every two days. By around five months I was

completely off Flomax and the problem was resolved.

All in all, I'd say that my problems weren't a big deal. I had

the procedures done on a Thursday, they kept me overnight at the

hospital, and I only missed two days of work for each procedure.

I was back at work on Monday and worked a full schedule.

Basically, the main effect on my life was that I went to the

bathroom more often for a while.

Alan

[Guest guest]

> My dad is getting radiation treatment in October. He is

> getting the seeds implanted mid-September. We were wondering

> if there is any significant pain or discomfort after the

> initial seeds are implanted. And if so, what type of pain or

> symptoms occur and how long does it last?

I had two HDR brachytherapy procedures, which are similar to what

your dad will get except that they use very " hot " seeds that are

put in and removed seconds later instead of " cool " seeds that

stay in place.

The main side effects I felt were some soreness in the perineum,

and after the second one, difficulty urinating.

The soreness wasn't too bad. I didn't need any pain killers,

though I did use a doughnut cushion for a couple of weeks to make

sitting easier.

The difficulty urinating happens to many radiation patients. The

radiation causes the prostate to swell, clamping the urethra. As

a result, the patient needs more pressure to push through. In my

case, I couldn't urinate at all without Flomax, a drug that makes

it easier. Then I could urinate just enough to reduce the

pressure, but then the clamping resumed and I wasn't able to get

it all out. So I had to go to the bathroom very frequently. At

its worst, I was getting up seven times a night and took to

keeping a urinal by the bed to make sleeping easier, and a jug in

my car in case I was driving and couldn't make it to a bathroom.

The problem was at its worst for about two months. After that it

got gradually better. I started taking one Flomax a day instead

of two, then one every two days. By around five months I was

completely off Flomax and the problem was resolved.

All in all, I'd say that my problems weren't a big deal. I had

the procedures done on a Thursday, they kept me overnight at the

hospital, and I only missed two days of work for each procedure.

I was back at work on Monday and worked a full schedule.

Basically, the main effect on my life was that I went to the

bathroom more often for a while.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Alan, are seeds used in  SRT? Doug in Durham

> My dad is getting radiation treatment in October. He is

> getting the seeds implanted mid-September. We were wondering

> if there is any significant pain or discomfort after the

> initial seeds are implanted. And if so, what type of pain or

> symptoms occur and how long does it last?

I had two HDR brachytherapy procedures, which are similar to what

your dad will get except that they use very "hot" seeds that are

put in and removed seconds later instead of "cool" seeds that

stay in place.

The main side effects I felt were some soreness in the perineum,

and after the second one, difficulty urinating.

The soreness wasn't too bad. I didn't need any pain killers,

though I did use a doughnut cushion for a couple of weeks to make

sitting easier.

The difficulty urinating happens to many radiation patients. The

radiation causes the prostate to swell, clamping the urethra. As

a result, the patient needs more pressure to push through. In my

case, I couldn't urinate at all without Flomax, a drug that makes

it easier. Then I could urinate just enough to reduce the

pressure, but then the clamping resumed and I wasn't able to get

it all out. So I had to go to the bathroom very frequently. At

its worst, I was getting up seven times a night and took to

keeping a urinal by the bed to make sleeping easier, and a jug in

my car in case I was driving and couldn't make it to a bathroom.

The problem was at its worst for about two months. After that it

got gradually better. I started taking one Flomax a day instead

of two, then one every two days. By around five months I was

completely off Flomax and the problem was resolved.

All in all, I'd say that my problems weren't a big deal. I had

the procedures done on a Thursday, they kept me overnight at the

hospital, and I only missed two days of work for each procedure.

I was back at work on Monday and worked a full schedule.

Basically, the main effect on my life was that I went to the

bathroom more often for a while.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Alan, are seeds used in  SRT? Doug in Durham

> My dad is getting radiation treatment in October. He is

> getting the seeds implanted mid-September. We were wondering

> if there is any significant pain or discomfort after the

> initial seeds are implanted. And if so, what type of pain or

> symptoms occur and how long does it last?

I had two HDR brachytherapy procedures, which are similar to what

your dad will get except that they use very "hot" seeds that are

put in and removed seconds later instead of "cool" seeds that

stay in place.

The main side effects I felt were some soreness in the perineum,

and after the second one, difficulty urinating.

The soreness wasn't too bad. I didn't need any pain killers,

though I did use a doughnut cushion for a couple of weeks to make

sitting easier.

The difficulty urinating happens to many radiation patients. The

radiation causes the prostate to swell, clamping the urethra. As

a result, the patient needs more pressure to push through. In my

case, I couldn't urinate at all without Flomax, a drug that makes

it easier. Then I could urinate just enough to reduce the

pressure, but then the clamping resumed and I wasn't able to get

it all out. So I had to go to the bathroom very frequently. At

its worst, I was getting up seven times a night and took to

keeping a urinal by the bed to make sleeping easier, and a jug in

my car in case I was driving and couldn't make it to a bathroom.

The problem was at its worst for about two months. After that it

got gradually better. I started taking one Flomax a day instead

of two, then one every two days. By around five months I was

completely off Flomax and the problem was resolved.

All in all, I'd say that my problems weren't a big deal. I had

the procedures done on a Thursday, they kept me overnight at the

hospital, and I only missed two days of work for each procedure.

I was back at work on Monday and worked a full schedule.

Basically, the main effect on my life was that I went to the

bathroom more often for a while.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Kerry,

I had ADT, radiation and seeds also. My seeds were done in January of this year on a Friday.

Friday and Saturday I felt no discomfort and had a lot of energy for some reason, but by Sunday I started to lose the energy and felt tired. I worked on Monday, but Monday night I started felling ill and I had waves of nausea through out the night and next day. Never vomited, although I felt like it. I just slept for the next two days and eventually it passed. I didn't have trouble sitting, I was on pain medication, but I don't think I really needed it. I was black and blue down there for quite a while and it was only sore if I touched it while showering.

All in all not a painful experience and I'm doing fine now. My PSA is less than .01.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your Dad.

Chuck

preparation for radiation

Hi, My dad is getting radiation treatment in October. He is getting the seeds implanted mid-September. We were wondering if there is any significant pain or discomfort after the initial seeds are implanted. And if so, what type of pain or symptoms occur and how long does it last? Thanks,KJ

[Guest guest]

Kerry,

I had ADT, radiation and seeds also. My seeds were done in January of this year on a Friday.

Friday and Saturday I felt no discomfort and had a lot of energy for some reason, but by Sunday I started to lose the energy and felt tired. I worked on Monday, but Monday night I started felling ill and I had waves of nausea through out the night and next day. Never vomited, although I felt like it. I just slept for the next two days and eventually it passed. I didn't have trouble sitting, I was on pain medication, but I don't think I really needed it. I was black and blue down there for quite a while and it was only sore if I touched it while showering.

All in all not a painful experience and I'm doing fine now. My PSA is less than .01.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your Dad.

Chuck

preparation for radiation

Hi, My dad is getting radiation treatment in October. He is getting the seeds implanted mid-September. We were wondering if there is any significant pain or discomfort after the initial seeds are implanted. And if so, what type of pain or symptoms occur and how long does it last? Thanks,KJ

[Guest guest]

....

> Friday and Saturday I felt no discomfort and had a lot of

> energy for some reason, but by Sunday I started to lose the

> energy and felt tired. I worked on Monday, but Monday night I

> started felling ill and I had waves of nausea through out the

> night and next day. Never vomited, although I felt like it. I

> just slept for the next two days and eventually it passed.

There's no way to know for sure what the cause of your discomfort

was, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were a reaction either to

the anesthetics they used, or possibly to any antibiotics they

gave you, rather than the seed implantation _per se_.

It reminds me of two other side effects I had. My throat was

sore and I had a headache for a couple of days. I'm sure the

sore throat was because they stuck a tube down my throat during

the procedure (I never knew it because I was knocked out when

they put it in and took it out, but they told me about it.) They

told me that I might also have reactions to the anesthetic and I

think, for me, it caused a headache.

Alan

[Guest guest]

....

> Friday and Saturday I felt no discomfort and had a lot of

> energy for some reason, but by Sunday I started to lose the

> energy and felt tired. I worked on Monday, but Monday night I

> started felling ill and I had waves of nausea through out the

> night and next day. Never vomited, although I felt like it. I

> just slept for the next two days and eventually it passed.

There's no way to know for sure what the cause of your discomfort

was, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were a reaction either to

the anesthetics they used, or possibly to any antibiotics they

gave you, rather than the seed implantation _per se_.

It reminds me of two other side effects I had. My throat was

sore and I had a headache for a couple of days. I'm sure the

sore throat was because they stuck a tube down my throat during

the procedure (I never knew it because I was knocked out when

they put it in and took it out, but they told me about it.) They

told me that I might also have reactions to the anesthetic and I

think, for me, it caused a headache.

Alan

[Guest guest]

> Alan, are seeds used in  SRT? Doug in Durham

No.

Seeds are only used in an intact prostate.

SRT is done with external beam radiation. You lie on a

table with your pants down while an x-ray machine zaps

you from various angles.

You don't need anesthetics and you don't feel a thing.

Alan

[Guest guest]

> Alan, are seeds used in  SRT? Doug in Durham

No.

Seeds are only used in an intact prostate.

SRT is done with external beam radiation. You lie on a

table with your pants down while an x-ray machine zaps

you from various angles.

You don't need anesthetics and you don't feel a thing.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Alan, returning to something you said before; were you saying that the order of treatment choice would be 1) hormonal 2) chemo 3) SRT ? Thanks Doug in Durham

> Alan, are seeds used in  SRT? Doug in Durham

No.

Seeds are only used in an intact prostate.

SRT is done with external beam radiation. You lie on a

table with your pants down while an x-ray machine zaps

you from various angles.

You don't need anesthetics and you don't feel a thing.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Alan, returning to something you said before; were you saying that the order of treatment choice would be 1) hormonal 2) chemo 3) SRT ? Thanks Doug in Durham

> Alan, are seeds used in  SRT? Doug in Durham

No.

Seeds are only used in an intact prostate.

SRT is done with external beam radiation. You lie on a

table with your pants down while an x-ray machine zaps

you from various angles.

You don't need anesthetics and you don't feel a thing.

Alan

[Guest guest]

> Alan, returning to something you said before; were you saying

> that the order of treatment choice would be 1) hormonal 2)

> chemo 3) SRT ? Thanks Doug in Durham

No.

Assuming your PSA is low enough that the doctors think the chance

of it being local is good, then the order of treatment choice is

generally:

1. SRT

2. Hormonal

3. Chemo

If the docs think it's a systemic recurrence (i.e., outside the

prostate), then choice 1 goes away and it's hormonal followed by

chemo.

At least that's the current practice.

Alan

[Guest guest]

> Alan, returning to something you said before; were you saying

> that the order of treatment choice would be 1) hormonal 2)

> chemo 3) SRT ? Thanks Doug in Durham

No.

Assuming your PSA is low enough that the doctors think the chance

of it being local is good, then the order of treatment choice is

generally:

1. SRT

2. Hormonal

3. Chemo

If the docs think it's a systemic recurrence (i.e., outside the

prostate), then choice 1 goes away and it's hormonal followed by

chemo.

At least that's the current practice.

Alan

[Guest guest]

I agree you don't feel a thing during the treatment. I kept my underpants on all the time, male nurse always pulled down to my pubes once I was on the TX table but I didn't have to take them off.

Chris.

Re: preparation for radiation

On Wed, 8/19/09, douglas richey <dglsrichey> wrote:> Alan, are seeds used in SRT? Doug in DurhamNo.Seeds are only used in an intact prostate.SRT is done with external beam radiation. You lie on a table with your pants down while an x-ray machine zapsyou from various angles.You don't need anesthetics and you don't feel a thing.Alan

[Guest guest]

I agree you don't feel a thing during the treatment. I kept my underpants on all the time, male nurse always pulled down to my pubes once I was on the TX table but I didn't have to take them off.

Chris.

Re: preparation for radiation

On Wed, 8/19/09, douglas richey <dglsrichey> wrote:> Alan, are seeds used in SRT? Doug in DurhamNo.Seeds are only used in an intact prostate.SRT is done with external beam radiation. You lie on a table with your pants down while an x-ray machine zapsyou from various angles.You don't need anesthetics and you don't feel a thing.Alan

[Guest guest]

In my case, the urologist required me to undergo a three-month period of ADT before seed implantation. I later found out the two reasons for this: 1. If the gland is enlarged, it needs to be shrunk prior to radiation treatment. 2. ADT seems to have a synergistic effect with radiation treatment. I chose surgery instead to avoid ADT!Louis. . . . To:

ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 2:58:55 PMSubject: Re: preparation for radiation

On Wed, 8/19/09, douglas richey <dglsricheyyahoo (DOT) com> wrote:

> Alan, returning to something you said before; were you saying

> that the order of treatment choice would be 1) hormonal 2)

> chemo 3) SRT ? Thanks Doug in Durham

No.

Assuming your PSA is low enough that the doctors think the chance

of it being local is good, then the order of treatment choice is

generally:

1. SRT

2. Hormonal

3. Chemo

If the docs think it's a systemic recurrence (i.e., outside the

prostate), then choice 1 goes away and it's hormonal followed by

chemo.

At least that's the current practice.

Alan

[Guest guest]

In my case, the urologist required me to undergo a three-month period of ADT before seed implantation. I later found out the two reasons for this: 1. If the gland is enlarged, it needs to be shrunk prior to radiation treatment. 2. ADT seems to have a synergistic effect with radiation treatment. I chose surgery instead to avoid ADT!Louis. . . . To:

ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 2:58:55 PMSubject: Re: preparation for radiation

On Wed, 8/19/09, douglas richey <dglsricheyyahoo (DOT) com> wrote:

> Alan, returning to something you said before; were you saying

> that the order of treatment choice would be 1) hormonal 2)

> chemo 3) SRT ? Thanks Doug in Durham

No.

Assuming your PSA is low enough that the doctors think the chance

of it being local is good, then the order of treatment choice is

generally:

1. SRT

2. Hormonal

3. Chemo

If the docs think it's a systemic recurrence (i.e., outside the

prostate), then choice 1 goes away and it's hormonal followed by

chemo.

At least that's the current practice.

Alan

[Guest guest]

KJ, You might like to go along to my site

at http://www.yananow.net/Experiences.html#brachy

You will see about 40 entries from men who had brachytherapy. Most of them will

answer any questions you might have.

All the best

Terry Herbert

I have no medical

qualifications but I was diagnosed in ‘96: and have learned a bit since

then.

My sites are at www.yananow.net and www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za

Dr

“Snuffy” Myers : " As a physician, I am painfully aware that most of

the decisions we make with regard to prostate cancer are made with inadequate

data "

From:

ProstateCancerSupport

[mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of johnson.kerry

Sent: Wednesday, 19 August 2009

10:39 PM

To:

ProstateCancerSupport

Subject:

preparation for radiation

Hi,

My dad is getting radiation treatment in October. He is getting the seeds

implanted mid-September. We were wondering if there is any significant pain or

discomfort after the initial seeds are implanted. And if so, what type of pain

or symptoms occur and how long does it last?

Thanks,

KJ

[Guest guest]

KJ, You might like to go along to my site

at http://www.yananow.net/Experiences.html#brachy

You will see about 40 entries from men who had brachytherapy. Most of them will

answer any questions you might have.

All the best

Terry Herbert

I have no medical

qualifications but I was diagnosed in ‘96: and have learned a bit since

then.

My sites are at www.yananow.net and www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za

Dr

“Snuffy” Myers : " As a physician, I am painfully aware that most of

the decisions we make with regard to prostate cancer are made with inadequate

data "

From:

ProstateCancerSupport

[mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of johnson.kerry

Sent: Wednesday, 19 August 2009

10:39 PM

To:

ProstateCancerSupport

Subject:

preparation for radiation

Hi,

My dad is getting radiation treatment in October. He is getting the seeds

implanted mid-September. We were wondering if there is any significant pain or

discomfort after the initial seeds are implanted. And if so, what type of pain

or symptoms occur and how long does it last?

Thanks,

KJ

[Guest guest]

To all of you looking for treatment options look at proton therapy.My husband finished with no side effects .Most doctors will not mention it as they are not going to send their bread and butter surgery to proton.Check it out.Florida has proton .Harvard ,Loma , ,Indiana university and Okla. city. It is the way of the future of radiation and can be for other cancers as well.It is so accurate it can take a tumor off the optic nerve and not damage the optic nerve.Research all options to make the right decision.Suzy

Re: preparation for radiation

Alan, returning to something you said before; were you saying that the order of treatment choice would be 1) hormonal 2) chemo 3) SRT ? Thanks Doug in Durham> Alan, are seeds used in SRT? Doug in DurhamNo.Seeds are only used in an intact prostate.SRT is done with external beam radiation. You lie on a table with your pants down while an x-ray machine zapsyou from various angles.You don't need anesthetics and you don't feel a thing.Alan

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi,

> My dad is getting radiation treatment in October. He is getting the seeds

implanted mid-September. We were wondering if there is any significant pain or

discomfort after the initial seeds are implanted. And if so, what type of pain

or symptoms occur and how long does it last?

>

> Thanks,

> KJ

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi,

> My dad is getting radiation treatment in October. He is getting the seeds

implanted mid-September. We were wondering if there is any significant pain or

discomfort after the initial seeds are implanted. And if so, what type of pain

or symptoms occur and how long does it last?

>

> Thanks,

> KJ

>