Two weeks into salvage radiation

Hello,

Thought I would check in as we hit the two week mark tomorrow for
radiation. As a reminder, Allen had a protatectomy three years ago, and
his PSA just began rising beginning last December. He started radiation a
couple of weeks ago. He seems to be having some side effects already (for
about the last week) with diarrhea, some pain (feels like hemorrhoids),
some nausea and fatigue. Does anyone have any ideas on dealing with the
diarrhea or the pain? Immodium AD doesn't work for him and he's currently
taking codeine as prescribed by his gastroenterologist. He's trying
Preparation H for the pain - and will ask the radiation oncologist if that
is okay on Thursday. Anyway - any tips from your prior experiences are
welcome. Thanks - as always.

Debbie

Prostate Surgery 8/2004, 3+4=7, [capsular penetration, clear margins???]
Undetectable PSA until:
12/06 0.1
4/07 0.26
5/07 0.30
Started radiation on 7/11/2007.

"Debbie13331" <nospam@family.net> wrote in message
news:454cf69052181fb6967fe7dca1e16fc1@localhost.ta lkaboutsupport.com...
> Hello,
>
> Thought I would check in as we hit the two week mark tomorrow for
> radiation. As a reminder, Allen had a protatectomy three years ago, and
> his PSA just began rising beginning last December. He started radiation a
> couple of weeks ago. He seems to be having some side effects already (for
> about the last week) with diarrhea, some pain (feels like hemorrhoids),
> some nausea and fatigue. Does anyone have any ideas on dealing with the
> diarrhea or the pain? Immodium AD doesn't work for him and he's currently
> taking codeine as prescribed by his gastroenterologist. He's trying
> Preparation H for the pain - and will ask the radiation oncologist if that
> is okay on Thursday. Anyway - any tips from your prior experiences are
> welcome. Thanks - as always.

I had hemorrhoids before starting radiation. I also had a problem with my
shoulder. I was on Mobic for the shoulder and my GP said that he would take
me off the Mobic because that would only make the hemorrhoids worse. He
then said, "but your hemorrhoids won't heal until after your radiation --
and he was right.

He gave me a script for Procticil (sp?) and it worked great for pain.
Preparation H never worked for me.

On Jul 23, 11:57 pm, "Debbie13331" <nos...@family.net> wrote:

> ... He seems to be having some side effects already (for
> about the last week) with diarrhea, some pain (feels like hemorrhoids),
> some nausea and fatigue. Does anyone have any ideas on dealing with the
> diarrhea or the pain?

I had hemorrhoid problems before radiation (caused, I think, by
one of the gorillas who did a DRE on me). They got worse during
radiation, but I found that Preparation H helped a lot. I used
it liberally, multiple times per day. It's mostly just petroleum
jelly, but it helps keep the inflamed tissues from rubbing against
each other.

As for tiredness, I got an extra hour of sleep each night and
maintained my exercise program as best I could. That was hard
because I was on Lupron at the same time. My ability to exercise
went way down, but I was able to retain plenty of energy for
daily life.

I never experienced any nausea. Perhaps that's unrelated? It's
possible it's an anxiety reaction - which would hardly be surprising.
Who wouldn't be anxious when going through all this?

The good news is that my hemorrhoid problem cleared up fairly
quickly after radiation ended and my energy returned too once
I got off the Lupron. I had urinary restrictions that lasted
for about 5 months, but that was due mainly to the HDR brachytherapy
that I had along with the external beam.

Best of luck.

Alan

Steve,
you are great: You don't miss any post, you append always a comment : you
are worthy of praise for your perseverance. I do not take records like you
do but I really would like to hear again your story. I know you posted it
but googling your name it came out about 1000 results. Your age, when, how,
what etc.....your bottom notice isn't enough. Thanks
Colophony
"Steve Kramer" <skramer@cinci.rr.com> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:46a5d9a9$0$16513$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> "Debbie13331" <nospam@family.net> wrote in message
> news:454cf69052181fb6967fe7dca1e16fc1@localhost.ta lkaboutsupport.com...
>> Hello,
>>
>> Thought I would check in as we hit the two week mark tomorrow for
>> radiation. As a reminder, Allen had a protatectomy three years ago, and
>> his PSA just began rising beginning last December. He started radiation
>> a
>> couple of weeks ago. He seems to be having some side effects already
>> (for
>> about the last week) with diarrhea, some pain (feels like hemorrhoids),
>> some nausea and fatigue. Does anyone have any ideas on dealing with the
>> diarrhea or the pain? Immodium AD doesn't work for him and he's
>> currently
>> taking codeine as prescribed by his gastroenterologist. He's trying
>> Preparation H for the pain - and will ask the radiation oncologist if
>> that
>> is okay on Thursday. Anyway - any tips from your prior experiences are
>> welcome. Thanks - as always.
>
> I had hemorrhoids before starting radiation. I also had a problem with my
> shoulder. I was on Mobic for the shoulder and my GP said that he would
> take me off the Mobic because that would only make the hemorrhoids worse.
> He then said, "but your hemorrhoids won't heal until after your
> radiation -- and he was right.
>
> He gave me a script for Procticil (sp?) and it worked great for pain.
> Preparation H never worked for me.
>

"colophony" <colophony2002@yahoo.it> wrote in message
news:YWGpi.3041$pd1.1409@tornado.fastwebnet.it...

> you are great: You don't miss any post, you append always a comment.

That's a slight exaggeration, Colophony. For instance, this is the first
post I am responding to today. I was responding to a post earlier with some
really funny stuff, but I figure I've pissed off Heather enough this month.
:-)

> I really would like to hear again your story.

I'm not one for long posts, but at your request....

My grandfather died in surgery after collapsing with sever pain in his back.
When they opened him up, they found a cancerous mass wrapped around his
spinal column. His heart gave out and that's all that is on the death
certificate.

My father was diagnosed at 42 with PCa. He was about 50½ years old when he
died in 1982.

My first disconcerting PSA (based on the old > 4.0 standard) was 16.0 on
October 17, 2000. It was 3 weeks past my 46th birthday. I had my biopsy on
November 1, 2000. I was told I had not choice but surgery on November 3. I
went on a cruise on December 6 for my 25th Wedding Anniversary. We arrived
home on the 13th and my surgery was on the 15th.

I had a complication (illiitis) and was in the hospital 8 days, 6 of which
without food, water, or even ice chips. I came home on the 23rd and we
celebrated Christmas at my house on Christmas Eve. On Christmas day, I took
cookies into work. On January 3, I had the catheter removed. As with all
of us, that was a happy day.

My post op biopsy came back with negative margins, no lymph node
involvement, but with seminal vesicle involvement.

I was back to work on February 26, 2001 (1 day short of 6 weeks).

I think in March I had my first post-op PSA. It was < 1.0. It stayed that
way until December 2001 when it was 0.27. Then it was 0.37 in March 2002.
FAILURE!

I started with EBRT on May 5, 2002 (after my PSA climbed to 0.75) and my
last on July 3. It was during this time that I came to grips with the
certainty that I was going to die from prostate cancer (or bus or jealous
husband).

My first post RAT PSA was 0.34 in August 2002. Then it was down to 0.22 in
October. And down again to 0.15 in December. But, back up to 0.21 in April
and 0.32 July 18. FAILURE!

Interestingly, I had my first unassisted, usable erection on May 12, 2002.

I started Lupron July 2002 and my PSA wavered for 2½ years under 0.10. But,
February 20, 2006, it was up to 0.132. Then by June 19 it was 0.145.
Expected failure, but failure nonetheless.

I added Casodex July 17, 2006 and have been undetectable (< 0.050) ever
since.

I married young (21), so I have over 30 years in. I have worked since I was
9 and joined my current employer when I was 17, so I have 35 years in as of
2 days ago. I still work 40 hours a week and intend to continue until March
1, 2009 +/- 2 weeks. I have three children, all of which married, bought
houses and had babies (in that order) and none of which have taken a drug of
abuse or have broken any law greater than speeding. One is a fire fighter,
one a stay-at-home mom and helping her husband in his bakery business, and
one a customer service rep for a graphic designer. I have five grandkids,
all of which are vying for my affection and are, coincidentally, better than
anyone else's grandkids.

The long and short of it, Colophony, is the bastard is giving me the best
he's got. Eventually, without a cure, he's going to have the distinction of
putting my mortal body into the ground. But, for all intents and purposes,
I am currently kicking his ass and still enjoying my life.

Non Illegitimi Carborundum



--
PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins
PSA <.1 <.1 <.1 .27 .37 .75 PSAD 0.19 years
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 PSAD .056 years
Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 and every 4 months there after
PSA .07 .05 .06 .09 .08 .132 .145 PSAD 1.4 years
Casodex added daily 07/06
PSA <0.04, <0.05, <0.04 (06/12/2007)

On July 25, Steve Kramer wrote:

(snip, following his history)

> Non Illegitimi Carborundum

Thanks, Steve. You are an example to us all.....

You made tears.

Regards,

Steve J

Vive sencillamente. Ama generosamente.
Implicate profundamente. Habla amablemente.
Deja el resto a Dios...

Live simply. Love generously.
Care deeply. Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God...
-- Homer Thompson

FANTASTIC STORY, thanks for your patience. I translated your post to my
wife, she thanks you too
Colophony
"Steve Kramer" <skramer@cinci.rr.com> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:46a7dfad$0$12232$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> "colophony" <colophony2002@yahoo.it> wrote in message
> news:YWGpi.3041$pd1.1409@tornado.fastwebnet.it...
>
>> you are great: You don't miss any post, you append always a comment.
>
> That's a slight exaggeration, Colophony. For instance, this is the first
> post I am responding to today. I was responding to a post earlier with
> some really funny stuff, but I figure I've pissed off Heather enough this
> month. :-)
>
>> I really would like to hear again your story.
>
> I'm not one for long posts, but at your request....
>
> My grandfather died in surgery after collapsing with sever pain in his
> back. When they opened him up, they found a cancerous mass wrapped around
> his spinal column. His heart gave out and that's all that is on the death
> certificate.
>
> My father was diagnosed at 42 with PCa. He was about 50½ years old when
> he died in 1982.
>
> My first disconcerting PSA (based on the old > 4.0 standard) was 16.0 on
> October 17, 2000. It was 3 weeks past my 46th birthday. I had my biopsy
> on November 1, 2000. I was told I had not choice but surgery on November
> 3. I went on a cruise on December 6 for my 25th Wedding Anniversary. We
> arrived home on the 13th and my surgery was on the 15th.
>
> I had a complication (illiitis) and was in the hospital 8 days, 6 of which
> without food, water, or even ice chips. I came home on the 23rd and we
> celebrated Christmas at my house on Christmas Eve. On Christmas day, I
> took cookies into work. On January 3, I had the catheter removed. As
> with all of us, that was a happy day.
>
> My post op biopsy came back with negative margins, no lymph node
> involvement, but with seminal vesicle involvement.
>
> I was back to work on February 26, 2001 (1 day short of 6 weeks).
>
> I think in March I had my first post-op PSA. It was < 1.0. It stayed
> that way until December 2001 when it was 0.27. Then it was 0.37 in March
> 2002. FAILURE!
>
> I started with EBRT on May 5, 2002 (after my PSA climbed to 0.75) and my
> last on July 3. It was during this time that I came to grips with the
> certainty that I was going to die from prostate cancer (or bus or jealous
> husband).
>
> My first post RAT PSA was 0.34 in August 2002. Then it was down to 0.22
> in October. And down again to 0.15 in December. But, back up to 0.21 in
> April and 0.32 July 18. FAILURE!
>
> Interestingly, I had my first unassisted, usable erection on May 12, 2002.
>
> I started Lupron July 2002 and my PSA wavered for 2½ years under 0.10.
> But, February 20, 2006, it was up to 0.132. Then by June 19 it was 0.145.
> Expected failure, but failure nonetheless.
>
> I added Casodex July 17, 2006 and have been undetectable (< 0.050) ever
> since.
>
> I married young (21), so I have over 30 years in. I have worked since I
> was 9 and joined my current employer when I was 17, so I have 35 years in
> as of 2 days ago. I still work 40 hours a week and intend to continue
> until March 1, 2009 +/- 2 weeks. I have three children, all of which
> married, bought houses and had babies (in that order) and none of which
> have taken a drug of abuse or have broken any law greater than speeding.
> One is a fire fighter, one a stay-at-home mom and helping her husband in
> his bakery business, and one a customer service rep for a graphic
> designer. I have five grandkids, all of which are vying for my affection
> and are, coincidentally, better than anyone else's grandkids.
>
> The long and short of it, Colophony, is the bastard is giving me the best
> he's got. Eventually, without a cure, he's going to have the distinction
> of putting my mortal body into the ground. But, for all intents and
> purposes, I am currently kicking his ass and still enjoying my life.
>
> Non Illegitimi Carborundum
>
>
>
> --
> PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
> Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
> RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins
> PSA <.1 <.1 <.1 .27 .37 .75 PSAD 0.19 years
> EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
> PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 PSAD .056 years
> Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 and every 4 months there after
> PSA .07 .05 .06 .09 .08 .132 .145 PSAD 1.4 years
> Casodex added daily 07/06
> PSA <0.04, <0.05, <0.04 (06/12/2007)
>
>
>

Steve:

Keep kicking ass and taking names.

-- charlie

Thanks for the benefit of your experience - and thanks to Steve for telling
his story. I too was touched... Take care... Debbie

On Jul 23, 11:57 pm, "Debbie13331" <nos...@family.net> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Thought I would check in as we hit the two week mark tomorrow for
> radiation. As a reminder, Allen had a protatectomy three years ago, and
> his PSA just began rising beginning last December. He started radiation a
> couple of weeks ago. He seems to be having some side effects already (for
> about the last week) with diarrhea, some pain (feels like hemorrhoids),
> some nausea and fatigue. Does anyone have any ideas on dealing with the
> diarrhea or the pain? Immodium AD doesn't work for him and he's currently
> taking codeine as prescribed by his gastroenterologist. He's trying
> Preparation H for the pain - and will ask the radiation oncologist if that
> is okay on Thursday. Anyway - any tips from your prior experiences are
> welcome. Thanks - as always.
>
> Debbie
>
> Prostate Surgery 8/2004, 3+4=7, [capsular penetration, clear margins???]
> Undetectable PSA until:
> 12/06 0.1
> 4/07 0.26
> 5/07 0.30
> Started radiation on 7/11/2007.

Debbie,

I had salvage radiation - six months after surgery at age 46.

My PSA was <0.1 45 days after surgery. However it was 0.3 three months
after surgery.

A month later I went in for SR.

Now, four years and counting my psa is <0.01.

While going through SR, I had burning pain when going to the bathroom.
Unbearable at times. I had a hemmoroid also. The Doc said he could
prescribe something for the pain but I didn't want to take it. Steve
said to drink plenty of water, get extra rest and exercise - so I
followed the advice.

While going through SR - I ran 1-3 miles, 10 miles per week. I played
in mens basketball leagues, I weight lifted and trained on a daily
basis in the am. I found the exercise, drinking plenty of fluids and
getting extra rest greatly dimimished the side effects. In fact, my
Physician didn't believe me when I told him all I have is some burning
pain when frequenting the bathroom. Realistically, I rarely was
fatigued - only when exercising of course. My mental state was very
positive.

Any type of exercise does work - intensity and duration doesnt matter
- get out and walk, drinking plenty of water, getting extra sleep
works, having a positive outlook works.

To me the hardest thing to overcome was the mental aspect - going
through treatments - surgery and then SR - thinking about what's next
- you tend to get depressed. You cant let that happen. Live your lives
to the fullest every minute of the day. The burning and the pain is
only temporary. You have to deal with it one day at a time. It will be
gone shortly.

Best wishes

Dave P

Thanks Dave - lots of good advice (and great attitude)here. Congrats on
your continued good results!! We hope to follow in your footsteps!

Deb