What side effects have you experienced from SBRT for prostate cancer

Posted by tommyo @tommyo, 5 days ago

Just diagnosed with prostate cancer Gleason score 7. Options are prostate surgery versus SPRT leaning towards SBRT anyone had experience with this?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

@vircet

Thank you for wishing the best for those of us in this same journey as your husband. I also we ish you both the best possible outcome.
I myself has gone through SBRT from April 9 to 21. Been on ADT (Orgovyx) since March 26. My side effect symptoms have been mild so far, but I'm particularly watchful of this coming week in which my oncologist indicated my SEs might peak. I'm hopeful, but I'm also prepared whatever the "peak" is or will be. These things will pass.

Jump to this post

Hi vircet, my husband was initially (5/6 weeks) fine on the hormone injection (can't remember which one but it was a 3 month dose). From theron the SE came in rapidly and by 8 weeks he was in constant pain throughout his entire body (he had all the SE's) I'm not sure if that is the 'peak' and obviously it varies hugely from person to person, some are lucky amd have minimal SE. Hopefully you will be one of the luckier ones who only get the minimal SE.

There are many different AD's and sometimes it will be a case of trialing out different options before hopefully finding the one that fits you best. Its taken him 8 months to feel the SE's have now gone, the flip side being obviously his PSA is rising rapidly again, but he wants to enjoy being able to play with his grandson again for a while before trying another one.

Good luck with your next appointment and treatment.

REPLY
@laccoameno5

You are correct. Side effects of ADT are generally much worse. Some have commited suicide on this S**T. ADT crushes what you were and can make you into shell of what you were before both mentally and physically.
SW

Jump to this post

You are correct, and my husband has suffered previously with mental health and doesn't want to return there again.

REPLY
@laccoameno5

You are correct. Side effects of ADT are generally much worse. Some have commited suicide on this S**T. ADT crushes what you were and can make you into shell of what you were before both mentally and physically.
SW

Jump to this post

ADT was an easy ride for 6 months. Exercise, eat well, enjoy life.

REPLY
@toolbelt

ADT was an easy ride for 6 months. Exercise, eat well, enjoy life.

Jump to this post

You are so lucky and one of the very few as well. Most suffer greatly from ADT(Lupron) and others. It has been pure hell for myself and have quit 2 times now. I now understand how some just give up. Suicide is not uncommon on this S**t Oncology Drs' never mention this but it does happen. Lost one of our infrequent support group members 2 years ago now at 59 YO. Shot himself in his back yard. Drs' will NEVER mention this.
Lacco Ameno

REPLY
@gshep

I was 3+4=7. Could have chosen any treatment. In choice selections, I was down to 2 . Brachytherapy or SBRT. Even though I believe Brachy is the better of the two, I chose SBRT. Because the expert for Brachy that I wanted to go to was in CA. I just finished SBRT this week. Before treatment I had 4 fiduciaries installed and a balloon. Not pleasant. My Dr chose the balloon over Spaceoar ? Side effects: Fatigue, Burning when urinating, inflamed rectum and triggered very angry hemorrhoids. 😡 I can say more, but I won’t. Not comfortable at this time. No ADT required at this time.

Jump to this post

Not looking forward to any of this...ugh

REPLY
@laccoameno5

You are so lucky and one of the very few as well. Most suffer greatly from ADT(Lupron) and others. It has been pure hell for myself and have quit 2 times now. I now understand how some just give up. Suicide is not uncommon on this S**t Oncology Drs' never mention this but it does happen. Lost one of our infrequent support group members 2 years ago now at 59 YO. Shot himself in his back yard. Drs' will NEVER mention this.
Lacco Ameno

Jump to this post

Had the Lupron injection a few weeks ago... Things are already getting ...different. supposed to have markers put in this coming Friday...mapping next Friday, 20 radiation treatments and brachy after that...
Losing the kidney was enough. I don't want to do this.

REPLY
@wn25

Not looking forward to any of this...ugh

Jump to this post

My husband has been on Lupron injections for many years, and has never experienced any emotional or mental health issues attributable to them. Men react differently to the medications used to treat prostate cancer, and there are several different hormones that can be tried. So don't assume the worst.

REPLY
@lag

My husband has been on Lupron injections for many years, and has never experienced any emotional or mental health issues attributable to them. Men react differently to the medications used to treat prostate cancer, and there are several different hormones that can be tried. So don't assume the worst.

Jump to this post

Definitely trying to stay positive, keep working and doing my normal stuff... Thank you for your input!
That is definitely good to know!
Seems a lot of people have no real bad downs from the injections... Other than always hot and mood swings...
"Man-ipause"... 😂
The radiation? Kinda the same from what I'm reading. Just don't "want" to deal with it all... Spoiled child syndrome I guess. Lol

REPLY
@lag

My husband has been on Lupron injections for many years, and has never experienced any emotional or mental health issues attributable to them. Men react differently to the medications used to treat prostate cancer, and there are several different hormones that can be tried. So don't assume the worst.

Jump to this post

👍

REPLY
@laccoameno5

You are correct. Side effects of ADT are generally much worse. Some have commited suicide on this S**T. ADT crushes what you were and can make you into shell of what you were before both mentally and physically.
SW

Jump to this post

The side effects of ADT vary widely by person; I wouldn't want to frighten people away from it if they need it to save their lives, but I also don't want to minimize the fact that some people do experience severe side effects.

For the majority, ADT results in mild fatigue, loss of body hair, some sexual dysfunction, breast-tissue growth, and an increased risk of weight gain, diabetes, and heat disease. We can mitigate most of those side effects with moderate exercise and eating a healthy balanced diet, as well as some assistance (mechanical or biochemical) for physical intimacy. In my case, the side-effects have lessened since I started on ADT in 2021, probably because my body has had time to adjust (the first few months are the toughest).

But for an unfortunate minority, the side-effects of ADT can be much worse, including severe depression, irregular heartbeat, etc. So if someone does go on ADT, definitely keep an eye out for those kinds of symptoms (and 🤞 they won't experience them).

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.