Post-treatment update

Posted by scottbeammeup @scottbeammeup, 3 days ago

It's been a year and two months since I started treatment (Gleason 7 4+3). I had three months of Casodex and Lupron with 5 sessions of SBRT two months in. I switched to Orgovyx halfway through when Lupron became intolerable. I was in a bad place mentally but people on this forum REALLY helped me--THANK YOU!

Urinary issues disappeared 3 months post treatment. It was too painful to ride a bike but this spring the pain is gone and I resumed my 30 mile rides, which has improved my mood tremendously. Never had bowel issues.

My PSA and testosterone were undetectable on ADT. My first testosterone/PSA test three months post Orgovyx was .1 and 350 T. Six months post Orgovyx my T dropped into the 200s but PSA is now undetectable.

My oncologist says T supplementation is a NO but my sexual health doctor says supplementation after a year is fine if my T keeps declining.

About a month ago, spontaneous "morning wood" came back and my libido is increasing. My penis length is better than while on ADT though still shorter than before. I was anorgasmic but that's also improving. I'm a data nerd so track my mood, sleep and sexual function (needed 100 mg Viagra right after treatment but just 20 now).

This year I've felt good 97 days, mediocre 29 and sad or suicidal 14. I'm socializing A LOT more which is helping.

My sleep still isn't great. 50 days of poor sleep (< 4 hours), 70 mediocre (4-6 hours, waking up 3-4 times) and 20 days good (6-8 hours, waking up only once).

Out of 72 times of partnered or solo sex I've had good orgasms 33 times, moderate 19 and none 20. Unfortunately, I can't reach orgasm through sex anymore and have to finish manually. I'm currently doing five weeks of pelvic floor therapy to see if this helps. I'm in week two and so far no change.

In short, doing better and hopefully will keep improving over time. T dropping is concerning but I think my medical team can help. So much of this is just a waiting game.

Again, everyone here has been so helpful and understanding and my thanks for helping calm me down when I was at my worst.

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

I wrapped up 6 months on Orgovyx two months ago and 28 sessions of EBRT about 5-1/2 months ago. Had blood work done about 5 weeks ago - PSA was at 0.08, T had come up to 35, from 7 in October of last year.

Radiation side effects are pretty much gone. ADT side effects have lingered a bit, but hot flashes are becoming rare and the sexual side effects seem to be dissipating - I can perform, with help from a small dose of Viagra, and actually have an interest in sex again.

Hope things continue to improve for you, too. Hang in there!

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I am so happy to hear that. I hope that things keep improving for you, and don't forget about us here when you're back living a cancer-free life.

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Scott, your improvement is epic! Just a few short months ago you were nowhere near this current level of positivity and sexual ability. Time is a great healer and hopefully you will continue to improve.
Even if you don’t attain your previous level of T and sexual prowess, beating prostate cancer is a HUGE checkmark in the plus column - never forget THAT PART!!!
Phil

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