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Questions about radiation for prostate cancer: Can I drive myself?

Posted by paulcalif @paulcalif, Jan 31 10:07am

Question to you who have been through radiation treatment for prostate cancer or have knowledge of the proceedure.
I'm considering some type of radiation treatment for my cancer. My main question is, will I be able to drive myself to and from?

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brianjarvis | @brianjarvis | Feb 4 4:12am

I had 28 sessions of proton radiation treatments during April-May 2021, (plus Casodex and Eligard, and SpaceOAR Vue).

The proton radiation treatments were uneventful, and I had no significant side-effects. (My wife later told me that if she hadn’t known I was undergoing radiation treatments, she wouldn’t have realized it from any change in me.) There was no special support system necessary; I drove myself to and from the proton radiation center each day (40 minutes each way), and stopped by the gym to work out every day right after treatment.

Yes, you should be able to drive yourself.

REPLY
jc76 | @jc76 | Feb 4 6:31am
In reply to @gently "paulcalif, stuck between 28 proton fraction, 5 proton fractions and 5 MRgRT fractions. I can't tell..." + (show)
@gently

paulcalif, stuck between 28 proton fraction, 5 proton fractions and 5 MRgRT fractions. I can't tell which would cause the fewest side effects. If your studying yields any convictions, let me know.

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@gently
Really a personal decision and should be based on what you think is best for you after doing research and talking to your doctors. I would always get a second opinion.

I did discuss the newer 5 high dose treatment being done now versus the 20-30-40 lower dose treatments. I had the 30 dose at UFPTI (proton beam). My EP stated that his research was showing some increased side affects with the high dose which you would expect. The main benefit for the 5 dose is TIME. The both have equal success.

I discussed this with my oncologist/radiologist at UFPTI who has been doing proton radiation treatments since 2006. He also stated the increased risk and statistics showing an increased in side affects with high dose.

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2 replies
toolbelt | @toolbelt | Feb 4 8:33am
In reply to @jc76 "@gently Really a personal decision and should be based on what you think is best for..." + (show)
@jc76

@gently
Really a personal decision and should be based on what you think is best for you after doing research and talking to your doctors. I would always get a second opinion.

I did discuss the newer 5 high dose treatment being done now versus the 20-30-40 lower dose treatments. I had the 30 dose at UFPTI (proton beam). My EP stated that his research was showing some increased side affects with the high dose which you would expect. The main benefit for the 5 dose is TIME. The both have equal success.

I discussed this with my oncologist/radiologist at UFPTI who has been doing proton radiation treatments since 2006. He also stated the increased risk and statistics showing an increased in side affects with high dose.

Jump to this post

Some research shows that fewer higher doses may be more effective than more lower doses.

REPLY
imbimbo | @imbimbo | Feb 4 9:01am
In reply to @michael219 "In my opinion, you should definitely be able to drive yourself. I underwent 29 Proton radiation..." + (show)
@michael219

In my opinion, you should definitely be able to drive yourself. I underwent 29 Proton radiation treatments and was fully able to drive myself - even when my better half was with me I drove. If you haven't yet researched Proton vs. Photon, please do so to educate yourself on the (big) differences. We met with several top-level cancer centers and were given multiple options from 5 SBRT sessions, 20-30 Photon, and 29 Proton sessions (or zaps as we called them. I came away confused as the experts were offering different options, willing to modify if I wanted and it was "us" who ultimately needed to do the research. We also saw the Inherent built-in medical bias as cancer centers that did not offer Proton offered reasons why it was not appropriate.......yet this was because they currently did not offer Proton and wouldn't for several years (sell what you have, not what is coming in a few years).
I came away extremely pleased with my decision to go with Proton (early 2023), I had zero side effects, other than some brief fatigue. It was the ADT that kicked my butt!

I wish you all the best as you research and make this important decision!

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The doctors who dint have proton at their facility always say that proton is no more curative than photons which is true but they sidestep the other concern which is the collateral damage that proton minimizes.

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1 reply
ava11 | @ava11 | Feb 4 4:07pm
In reply to @jrhamp "2010 for 10 weeks of proton radiation therapy at Loma Linda. I understand currently, the time..." + (show)
@jrhamp

2010 for 10 weeks of proton radiation therapy at Loma Linda. I understand currently, the time frame is much less due to better targeting and "mapping" of the prostate cancer. I had absolutely no post issues. Each day after radiation, I played racquetball at the March AFB gym..where I stayed for 10 weeks.

Proton radiation was initially invented to cure brain cancer in children with precision and less issues with post standard (then) radiation options. According to the physician who I met and who remains there today, proton radiation for prostate cancer was a logical followon for treatment. Every morning about 0800 five or six of use would be awaiting a call to take the proton radiation and I recall about 75% of those I met were doctors...which reinforce my decision making process initially. Do your homework..don't accept singular opinions and consider all options. RH/LTC, US Army (ps: My TriCare for Life insurance paid the entire bill)

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Who is the radiation Oncologist at Loma Linda treated you. I might be a candidate for radiation soon. I live about 45 minutes from Loma Linda in Irvine , ca. My other choice is UC San Diego California Protons.

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2 replies
ava11 | @ava11 | Feb 4 4:17pm
In reply to @michael219 "In my opinion, you should definitely be able to drive yourself. I underwent 29 Proton radiation..." + (show)
@michael219

In my opinion, you should definitely be able to drive yourself. I underwent 29 Proton radiation treatments and was fully able to drive myself - even when my better half was with me I drove. If you haven't yet researched Proton vs. Photon, please do so to educate yourself on the (big) differences. We met with several top-level cancer centers and were given multiple options from 5 SBRT sessions, 20-30 Photon, and 29 Proton sessions (or zaps as we called them. I came away confused as the experts were offering different options, willing to modify if I wanted and it was "us" who ultimately needed to do the research. We also saw the Inherent built-in medical bias as cancer centers that did not offer Proton offered reasons why it was not appropriate.......yet this was because they currently did not offer Proton and wouldn't for several years (sell what you have, not what is coming in a few years).
I came away extremely pleased with my decision to go with Proton (early 2023), I had zero side effects, other than some brief fatigue. It was the ADT that kicked my butt!

I wish you all the best as you research and make this important decision!

Jump to this post

where did you get your proton radiation treatment? I may be a candidate for radiation soon!
How can I find out which center has the latest Proton machine and which doctor does the most prostate treatments with best outcomes?

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1 reply
michael219 | @michael219 | Feb 4 5:20pm
In reply to @ava11 "where did you get your proton radiation treatment? I may be a candidate for radiation soon!..." + (show)
@ava11

where did you get your proton radiation treatment? I may be a candidate for radiation soon!
How can I find out which center has the latest Proton machine and which doctor does the most prostate treatments with best outcomes?

Jump to this post

Hallo ava11,
I received my Proton treatments at the UF Proton Center in Jacksonville, FL. We chose this cancer center for two primary reasons, the first being that they offered Proton which I had decided was the route best for me, and secondly, of the several cancer centers we visited, Dr. Bryant was the only physician to actually do an exam and equally as important, he was open to discussion yet firm in his treatment recommendation(s). I included the last component as we (my wife is a nurse) were baffled and frustrated by other RO's suggesting a treatment plan, but leaving it to me to decide which option I wanted (almost like picking one from column A and then go to column B, or perhaps look at 'C', whatever you want we will do. This was quite frustrating for us.
I will however say that my Mayo visit was virtual as their Jacksonville location did not offer Proton (supposed to have it in a few years), but their MN and AZ location apparently do offer Proton. This forum provided by Mayo has been extremely helpful, both before and after my treatments (Proton and ADT).
Please do not hesitate to ask questions, everyone here is very helpful..!!

REPLY
2 replies
ava11 | @ava11 | Feb 5 12:12am
In reply to @michael219 "Hallo ava11, I received my Proton treatments at the UF Proton Center in Jacksonville, FL. We..." + (show)
@michael219

Hallo ava11,
I received my Proton treatments at the UF Proton Center in Jacksonville, FL. We chose this cancer center for two primary reasons, the first being that they offered Proton which I had decided was the route best for me, and secondly, of the several cancer centers we visited, Dr. Bryant was the only physician to actually do an exam and equally as important, he was open to discussion yet firm in his treatment recommendation(s). I included the last component as we (my wife is a nurse) were baffled and frustrated by other RO's suggesting a treatment plan, but leaving it to me to decide which option I wanted (almost like picking one from column A and then go to column B, or perhaps look at 'C', whatever you want we will do. This was quite frustrating for us.
I will however say that my Mayo visit was virtual as their Jacksonville location did not offer Proton (supposed to have it in a few years), but their MN and AZ location apparently do offer Proton. This forum provided by Mayo has been extremely helpful, both before and after my treatments (Proton and ADT).
Please do not hesitate to ask questions, everyone here is very helpful..!!

Jump to this post

Thank you for the response!

REPLY
gently | @gently | Feb 5 5:34am

ava11, CA Proton the SD facility you refer to has my recommendation. The director trained at Loma Linda. I was there for a GI cancer five years ago. Carl Rossi is the prostate md. All he does is prostate proton, His experience is vast. If you are going for prostate, there is a dedicated oar surgeon Dr. Davis, with the experience of placing several hundred every year. La Jolla in April, before the crowds is another advantage.

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2 replies
kaspar | @kaspar | Feb 5 8:59am

I did MRI guided SBRT MRLinac at UCLA on the MRIdian machine. There was nothing to it. 30-45 minutes on the table with headphones and music while you watch the actual treatment. No markers, no balloons. I didn’t need ADT. 5 treatments over 7 days. It doesn’t get any easier. Treated by the Chair of RO Michael Steinberg. I stayed at the hospital for 10 days at their hotel with the wife in a nice area of LA. It was pretty much a vacation, we went out to eat with friends during the evenings. I drove myself home 3 hour drive the morning after 5th treatment and went back to work the next day with no issues. Any side effects were minor and didn’t last more than 2 weeks. It’s been almost a year since treatment now and I’ve never felt better. 90-95% chance of cure with my numbers. I highly recommend looking at the MRIdian. It tracks your prostate at 4-8x a second, can see all soft tissue and won’t fire if the prostate isn’t in target.

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