Gradual Weight Gain After Radical Prostatectomy - Testosterone Levels?
I had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in may ,2009. The only real option for me was to have a radical prostatectomy because of age (58 years old and retired) :-( . I had this done in july, 2009 and since then there has been no evidence of cancer return. All PSA's have been less than 0.1. I have noticed over this time period a gradual weight gain of 7 lbs. I've always watch my diet and walk 5.5 miles a day. I'm 6'0" and now weigh 189 lbs. I do have rheumatoid arthritis which has been under control (sed rate=10) for a number of years using 0.5 mg prednisone and 1 or 2 vicodin es to control pain and flareup. Why is this happening with the weight gain? Is there any evidence or articles out there to support weight gain after radical prostatectomy ? Is this related to testosterone levels?
View 12 RepliesSevere Low Back, Thigh And Groin Pain After Radical Prostatectomy
Does anyone suffer with the same severe low back, thigh and groin pain as I have been for the past seventeen months following my radical prostatectomy. I am fine for the first twenty minutes of walking or general activity before the pains starts and increases in intensity if I don't stop. I have had M.R.I's and scans. The spinal consultant said it is caused by a lymphocele which I have had drained once, but urology don't think this is the cause. Can anyone offer any suggestions please. The nerve pain can get unbearable.
View 3 RepliesUrinary Incontinence :: After Radical Prostate Removal
My 73 yo father had a radical surgery 5 years ago (prostate removal) due to the cancer. To date, he is suffering from urinary incontinence. He is also taking "Cymbalta" as a medication but no relief has been granted. I was wondering if anyone could let me know about a new medication in the market that would work better than "Cymbalta" ?
Removal Of The Prostate By Robotic Arm? Any Information?
I am in a bit of a quandary is there anyone out there that has had their prostrate removed with the use of a robotic arm,I need to find out as much information as possible as I am thinking this may be the lesser of the two evils that they say I need. I would like to find out everything about the op and how it impacts on your life after, how long does it take to heal, how long do you wear a bag, how long before you can have sex or is that part of your life just a memory
View 8 RepliesProstate :: Holmium Laser Enucleation Prostatectomy Experience
Well, I got home this afternoon (Thurs) after the op Tues @ 7 p.m. And things seem to be working OK. No more Tamsulosin needed, so that's one benefit right there. I'll update after a few days as the the other possible effects.
The anesthetist chose a spinal anesthetic, which I was somewhat chary of, preferring to be totally knocked out. Later I remembered that there'd been some research that found that older people who had anesthetics died earlier, so he was right on that score. He also told me that this way I had a smaller number of anesthetics (general meant 14!, this way 1 to 3).
I didn't like the thought of being awake and watching the op, but he assured me I wouldn't feel a thing; I wouldn't see anything; and I'd be able to feed and drink more or less straight afterward rather than many hours later. And so it came to pass. Just numb legs for a while. I really didn't feel anything. All over in about an hour. I even dozed a bit on the op table.
However, that night (Tues) was not good. I had a constant feeling of wanting to sh*t. However, no matter how hard I tried (and I used two laxative suppositories), virtually nothing happened. I later found out this is a side effect of the somewhat larger catheter and balloon that was put in place.
So I found it hard to sleep. But just when I did doze off once, the nurse came in for the fourth time to take my blood pressure (2.00 am?). I was really upset and told her not to do any more (all the previous ones had been OK anyway). But by then I couldn't get back to sleep. So I was wretched all the next day (yesterday).
However, last night I got to sleep about 8:30 pm; and slept right through to breakfast. Bliss.
The surgeon had come in on Weds; told me about the defecation urge origin; said I could go home today if my urine was pretty clear by then and the catheter had come out. I see him again in a couple of weeks, when the result of the biopsy will be with him. He also said only 10% need the op again in 10 years; most are fixed for good. Here's hoping.
I was apprehensive about the removal of the catheter. In the end though, it wasn't too bad. I did most of it myself, easing it and rotating it a bit when it seemed to stick. Whew! Great. Then I pee'd a couple of times to test things; told I was OK to go. I left.
Home by 3 pm today. Then did a good walk (4 miles) and all's well. Still some blood and bits, but most clear. Good flow. Now to see how I am at night.
Prostate :: Green Light Prostatectomy - Difficulty Passing Urine
Hello,I am 61 years old. Six days ago I had a "Green Light" surgery to core out my narrowing prostate. I was catheterization for 24 hours and stayed in hospital. When I tried to urinate the stream was very poor. Initially my bladder was holding over 300mls and it was difficult to pass urine in the day, it was virtually impossible to pass in the night. I went back to the hospital after 3 days and I was then holding 280 mls after urinating. I complained to the consultant (who I trust greatly) and he remeasured the bladder after 5 days an there was 150 mls. The worry is a man will go in urinary retention (very painful) and would need emergency catheterisation. Currently my stream is still very poor. I am upset the treatment has made me worse, but I am hopeful the stream will improve as my Consultant believes it will. I am coping at the moment and will wait. If anyone wishes to follow my progress I am willing to share my experiences.
View 3 RepliesThyroid Cancer :: Radical Neck Dissection - 1 Week Post Op
I had another round of RAI in March as my Tg never went into the single digits after my first ablation 5/12.
I was in Irvine, CA to get neck fusion surgery at Hoag when an MRI showed a suspicous lymph node. That led to an US and a PET/CT. (obviously ACDF surgery on hold)
PET/CT showed about 5 lymph nodes consistent with metastatic disease, so the endo I saw in Irvine recommended neck dissection.
My sister had a great ENT in Vegas so I went there and had the surgery a week ago Friday. He was going to do a modified radical, but when he got in there he said my neck was "full of disease". He counted 8 black and hard lymph nodes and cleared out my entire right side.
I am waiting for the path report. Maybe cause of the holidays it is taking a while. I hate waiting!
I have since come to LA where my inlaws live and am going through the process of getting an appointment at the City of Hope. I do not want to get further treatment on Maui where I live. I need a little better level of care.
I'm kind of anxious as I feel I am in limbo land here. I've had the surgery, but I have had no follow up yet. No bloodwork, no nothing.
I know that when I finally get that appointment at CoH I will get the evaluation and perhaps further treatment I need.
Is it usual to have another RAI after a radical neck dissection? This surgeon said that my last round of RAI probably did not work because there was so much cancer in there.
Oh, I also have a small nodule on my lung. Haven't addressed that yet, and that kind of worries me as well.
Geez. Since dx last April of 2012 I have not had anything go well. The Endo thinks I may have the BRAF gene. I asked this surgeon to test for it and he said he didn't know if his hospital did that. I guess I'll find out when I see the path report and/or talk with the doc.
I am anxious about my next steps. I've been out of work now since Feb. 19th and my medical leave expires August 19. I am going to try to get an extension so I won't have to go on COBRA.
Large Prostate - TURP Surgery? Feedback / Reviews - Penile Implant
I'm 48 and would like feedback on the TURP surgery...
I've had issues with my prostate over the past 2 years. Last October it was 3.9 cm x 4.9 cm. An now its measured at 5.9 cm x 5.7 cm during the past year I've noticed I was getting 5-8 times a night and during the having to rush to the restroom with no time spare, in the past 4 months I've had to force my urine out. Called doc he ordered urodynamics test, it showed that my bladder has no reaction when I'm full of urine. Doc said MY prostate is so large it's shutting off my urethra tube. So he said I need the TURP surgery. .
I'm so unsure about this because I've had penile implant surgery this past Jan. and if I have the TURP I'll lose my ejaculation...
I also would like to know how to do all with not being able to cum?
Prostate Cancer, IBS, And Viagra?
I am 59 years young, and I have IBS and prostate cancer. I will be starting my prostate cancer treatments the last week of October and my doctor prescribed me Viagra that I am supposed to take beginning the week before my treatment begins. I don't have a lot of money (the treatment is taking every bit of my HSA) and he told me there were places I could buy it and save some money, as I'm going to be working a lot less during the treatments. Also, I am wondering if anyone has taken Viagra and if it affected your IBS at all?
View 1 RepliesProstate :: Testosterone Causes Cancer
I went to my doctor and she said that a PSA is needed for screening purposes. I asked why and she said that TRT can cause cancer. I told her I have heard nothing of this and if it does I would have never started it. I have read that being on TRT can fuel cancer that is already there making it grow faster and more likely to be aggressive in nature. She looked at me with a puzzled look and said really well maybe you are right I will check into it. OMG! this is my doctor. Now what the heck am I supposed to think. I have never read anything that links TRT to causing cancer, fueling it yes, but causing it no. I have also read that men with low T are at a higher risk of developing cancer so it would be safe to say I am better off on TRT than not. I wouldn't be on it, but my body no longer makes it so it was 0. My side effects from this were really bad. It is like having chronic fatigue syndrome and sexual dysfunction. With a side of extreme depression. It was terrible and I don't want to go back to feeling that way, but the doctor would like me to stop due to cancer risk and blood clotting. I am getting checked regularly for blood issues and have no desire to take a PSA test. I believe it will open Pandora's box. I wish to leave it alone. What is a guy supposed to do?
View 56 RepliesProstate Cancer :: Over Treatment
I have just been copied in on a letter from the Consultant Urologist to my GP giving an update on the appointment I attended following an MRI.
it says:- "Mr "Sailor Sam" was reviewed today. He is a known case of prostate cancer on active surveillance. His PSA has been slowly creeping up suggesting that he is progressing on a biochemical level. In view of this , radical treatment was discussed but "Sailor Sam" is not keen on this for fear of side-effects. His preference is to continue with active surveillance and therefore he will be seen in clinic in 3 months time"
Now on the letter it says Diagnosis:- Gleason 6 adenocarcinoma of the prostate diagnosed in 2012. Latest PSA 3.3
MRI Scan shows T2 N0 - prostate cancer in 43cc prostate gland.
Staging is small volume. A small low signal foucs at the junction of peripheral and transitional zones on the left lateral aspect at the base does show restricted diffusion and is likely to represent a small focus of prostate carcinoma. It is organ defined. No further focus suspicious for prostate carinoma. The seminal vesicles show normal appearance.
The MDT 17.9.15 concensus of opinion - OFFER RADICAL TREATMENT.
So what I would like to hear is what people think about this? My Psa resutls have been May 2013 2.4
Aug 2013 1.5
Mar 2014 1.7
Aug 2014 1.7
Jul 2015 3.2
Sep 201 3.3
I know there are some very knowledgeable people on this site but am I missing something? Offering radical treatment to a 52 year old man with this history? Is that right? I am a Mental Health Nurse myself and work as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team which is why I am having trouble coming to terms with their conclusion.
Could I ask for the MDT decision to be reviewed by a different MDT? would it make a difference?
Or are they the "experts" who arrive at this decision following a certain protocol. Not sure if there are any NICE guidelines for offering treatment for example.
I know I will need treatment and I recognise we are lucky that we live in a society that has a health service that can help us so much, but is this a case of over-treatment which I've come to hear more and more about
Prostate Cancer :: Avodart Forever?
I used to have PSA readings as high as 6.0 until my doctor prescribed Avodart 0.5 mg capsules daily. Since starting the Avodart regiment (3 years ago) my PSA readings have dramatically fallen to the range of 3.2 to 3.8 which obviously I am very pleased with. However, looking forward, (I'm 72), I'm wondering what to expect. If I stay on Avodart forever I assume that my readings will continue to be in the good range. But, is there a long term negative scenario for taking that much Avodart that I should be aware of ?
View 1 RepliesProstate Cancer? Increased PSA Level From 4.2 To 6.6
My psa level increased from 4.2 at the end of 2012 to 6.6 twelve months later at the end of 2013. My doctor sent me to a urologist who ordered another psa test and that came back at 11.00. There was only 3 weeks between my 6.6 reading and this latest one at 11.00. The urologist thinks that this huge increase is unlikely to be a cancer and wants me to have another test in 4 weeks time.
View 3 RepliesSpecial Needs :: 82 Dehydrated - Emphysema And Prostate Cancer
I am a' carer' to a member of our family who is 82 and suffers from emphysema and prostate cancer. He is getting very weak as he refuses food [sick when eats] We try to make him drink [he is becoming dehydrated] We have constantly pestered our GP and He was recently taken into hospital, but discharged as being 'well enough for an old man with his type of illness'. He had an injection last night to quell sickness [ again called out GP]. Today He is refusing food through fear of being sick..... GP coming again today!
View 5 RepliesProstate Cancer :: A Rise In PSA After Proton Treatment
I received my PSA blood test score today of 1.5. This is 14 months after Proton Treatment at Loma Linda. My Gleason score was 4+3 seven. My highest PSA pre treatment was 8.0
I had great numbers my first two tests.
!.3 after three months and six months later it was 0.50 in July of this year. I was not planning another PSA test until January but my GP did one as part of a normal physical. Was expecting a number lower than 0.50.
Appreciate any feedback. I know its the trend that counts, not one individual test but still it is disconcerting to not see a drop and even more disconcerting to see this significant an increase.
Prostate Cancer :: Thoughts On Proton Radiation?
Diagnosed in April. MRI done, consult with three doctors. One recommended RP. Two recommended Proton Therapy.
View 22 RepliesProstate Cancer :: Weak Stream And Impotence
I'm a 20 year old male.
I recently fingered myself, and I felt something unusual. I went all the way in with my entire index finger (around 3 inches deep). I felt a hard, kind of pointy bump. I'm not sure if this is my prostate or if it's fecal matter. I've fingered myself before, and every time I do it I feel this. I'm often constipated, so maybe it's fecal matter? I'm worried because I also have symptoms of prostate cancer like impotence and a weak stream when urinating. I was followed by a urologist who was not able to find a problem. She made me take Flomax to help me urinate better. I haven't take a Flomax pill for more than a year.
Note: I do not have a family history of prostate cancer, I am Caucasian. I have a normal weight.
I know I should probably go see my doctor and tell him about this but it's very embarrassing.
Prostate Cancer :: Hot Flushes - Hormone Therapy
Here are my own observations at week five into LH hormone therapy.
> After a faltering start I settled into three or so mild hot flushes a day with some at night.
> The worst part for me is that shortly after the onset of a flush my memory is impaired and logical thought becomes confused. I could live with the fuzzy feeling in my head if that was all. This impairment lasts about one hour after the flush subsides. So I cannot do much sensible work or play the piano without making a hash of it and frequently forgetting how to continue the piece I am playing.
> I have found the advice to keep cool helpful. So I wear lighter clothes than formerly and try to keep a feeling of being slightly cold. I don't like that but it is better than a flush.
> I have accepted the advice of many that exercise is helpful. Amongst other benefits it is held to assist in limiting hot flushes. So in addition to my afternoon stroll with my wife (I.5 to 2 mph) I now take two brisk walks a week on my own. (3 to 3.5 mph - I used to manage over 4 mph). Again picking up on advice relating to hormone treatment I have added home devised power exercises with chest expander spring and hurrying up and down the stairs six times in succession. Plus, pelvic floor exercises in anticipation of radiotherapy.
> I found that stress, warming exercise excluded, frequently brings on a flush.
DISCOVERY or just something I had missed.
> I have found that if during a flush if I do some exercise that I know from experience will be enough to warm me, when I stop I cool down normally and so cut short the flush. (I must cool down. If I stay warm the flush takes off again within a few minutes.) My flushes normally last about 90 minutes. For me the effective exercising is
>> six times rapidly up and down stairs.
>> five minutes brisk walking
> If I do this exercising within about 60 seconds of the start of the flush I avoid the memory and logic problems. (Any delay and the problems last the usual hour after the end of the exercising / flush. )
Does anyone use a similar "cure" for a flush? Does it work for anyone else?
Prostate Cancer :: Differences Among Proton Beam Centers?
I am considering proton beam radiation treatment and was told by a urologist that the equipment at some centers tends to yield better results than others, and that the differences are not based on age or expense.
Does anyone have any insight into differences among proton beam center equipment?
Assuming I pursue this as a course of treatment, I'd be willing to travel to those centers anywhere in the US whose equipment yields the best results.