(Sep 28, 2017 11:40 PM)elte Wrote: [ -> ]It looks to me like your handling it better than I could. I could see how they don't want people taking more of the pills than necessary.
That is good insight about the 100 years.
Almost forgot but each week I'm expected to fill in a survey/questionnaire regarding my experience/observations. Most of this deals with the ability to urinate. However there are a couple of questions regarding sexual function and to tell you the truth, and I said it to one of the staff, this is the last thing on my mind. Goes back to some guys more concerned about sex than surviving. I'll appreciate having time to worry about it once all this cancer stuff is dealt with, yet I don't think I'll be spending lots of time dwelling on this anyways.
That seems ok to me since I stopped thinking much about that stuff quite a few years ago.
(Sep 30, 2017 04:43 PM)Zinjanthropos Wrote: [ -> ]Almost forgot but each week I'm expected to fill in a survey/questionnaire regarding my experience/observations. Most of this deals with the ability to urinate. However there are a couple of questions regarding sexual function and to tell you the truth, and I said it to one of the staff, this is the last thing on my mind. Goes back to some guys more concerned about sex than surviving. I'll appreciate having time to worry about it once all this cancer stuff is dealt with, yet I don't think I'll be spending lots of time dwelling on this anyways.
Are you receiving antiandrogen therapy, as well? If so, the side effects should subside once it’s discontinued. I’m sure your doctor has explained that even radiation therapy alone can damage the nerves required for an erection, but they can recover overtime. It can take up to 1-2 years.
Most men don’t like to talk about it because your masculinity is so linked to your sexuality, but you know what they say, sexuality is not sex. It shouldn’t put any strain on your marriage because you seem to be open to communication and that’s all we need.
Best wishes, Zinman.
(Sep 30, 2017 05:45 PM)Secular Sanity Wrote: [ -> ]Are you receiving antiandrogen therapy, as well?
No. I told them sex was the farthest thing from my mind when we first started talking. This stuff is called Tamsulosin Hydrochloride. Apparently it just allows an easier flow. As I understand the prostate has probably enlarged even more since radiation began thus inhibiting flow. This stuff doesn't shrink it but allows for my pee to get to the exit point.
Thanks for the response.
Elte said: That seems ok to me since I stopped thinking much about that stuff quite a few years ago...... I hear ya. lol
Rough weekend. Spasms of excruciating pain throughout most of Sunday. Why does this stuff only happen on weekends? Regardless I had to phone Monday before I came in to let them know I was hurting. When I got there I immediately met with the doctor. It's a side effect she says that occasionally occurs with people well into the treatment or with those that have diabetes. What I have is an inflamed urethra, one of the more painful side effects. But to be sure she had me pee in a test cup. I find out today whether or not there's a culture present.
They had never given me permission to down a pain killer but when I was I the phone they advised I take an ibuprofen before coming in. It helped immensely and I'm now taking two a day to help me along. The pain is still there, mild for the most part, and as of this moment I haven't had a spasm in the last 15 hours. My appointment today is in 3 hours. My doctor suggested we postpone yesterday's session but I assured her the pill had kicked in and I was ready, I want this over with sooner not later. She relented and I had my 8th session yesterday. Last night I had some normal sleep but got up twice to pee. Still some pain associated with that but tolerable. I've notice that the onset of the spasms was actually my body telling me to urinate. Trouble was that there was so much pain on the weekend I couldn't tell difference or I was too hesitant. By waiting too long the spasms would begin.
So what's really helping is that I've managed to figure out what's going on inside my body. That with the ibuprofen and I'm able to manage much better. It's really the key, as one of the technicians said to me yesterday " all this will pass, everything down there is inflamed right now". Makes sense to me and it's my job to recognize a call to pee, despite any other discomfort taking place. Today I have reason for optimism as we move on and hope the worst is behind me.
Sorry about that severe pain especially when services were lower during the weekend. You're making good progress on the treatments. It's definitely getting there.
I'm halfway. 10 more sessions to go . Today was a little interesting, apparently there was a pocket of gas in me that had to be removed before we could start. At first I was to either walk around or sit on a crapper and try to fart but 'oh no', medicine has come up with a device that speeds the process. So for the first time I had a fart bag (it's what I called it) inserted into my rectum by a trained nurse, and it collected the stored gas. Apparently everyone experiences this thrill at least once during radiation therapy. Met with the doctor and she took me off of the laxative for the stretch run. Because I still experience pain when urinating I was handed a piece of paper with the name of three products available in the USA that I can't buy in Canada. So after leaving I ventured stateside at Buffalo NY which is only 10 km from my place (the advantages of living close to another country). I picked the stuff up(Pyridium) and it should eliminate pain after two days. Apparently I'll be peeing orange when it takes effect.
Nine more and I'm done. Suffered from painful side effect all night. Was unsure whether I should have used an ibuprofen with some stuff I bought in Buffalo for burning sensation. Eventually I couldn't stand it any longer and took one disregarding safety. In the end it was OK and I'm back on a regular schedule of ibuprofen. Mentioned it to doc today and she said to continue my normal course. When I got to the hospital I was still suffering from bouts of pain and proceeded to have a spasm just before hopping on the table. Anyway I made it through the session without a recurrence as the pain killer kicked in. Once this is all over it's going to take a couple weeks at least for all the inflamed tissue to recover so I guess it's ibuprofen for the next month at least.
Flomax is supposed to help relieve the symptoms of radiation urethritis. It’s not an over the counter drug like pyridium, though. You’d need a prescription. I think they can be taken together. If it gets worse, you might want to ask your physician about it.
(Oct 5, 2017 09:27 PM)Secular Sanity Wrote: [ -> ]Flomax is supposed to help relieve the symptoms of radiation urethritis. It’s not an over the counter drug like pyridium, though. You’d need a prescription. I think they can be taken together. If it gets worse, you might want to ask your physician about it.
Well the Pyridium didn't do much other than add color to my pee. I suffered greatly by going off the Flomax during those couple days. I went back on it Friday night and overnight things improved. It still hurts to pee but the pain spasms have gone. Right now I use the Flomax with ibuprofen and feel much better. Going to stay with it until Doc says stop. 12 down and 8 to go, session 13 on Tues morn.