Depression and hormone therapy

Exercise and doing something for someone else helps get us out of our head. One makes you feel better the other gives you purpose.

Getting outside, visiting a friend, seeing that there are others not as well.
It seems my life has been put on hold for 2 years with fatigue from treatment. More down days
than up. IT can be difficult. This site helps.

@madisonman0326
It is strange that a radiologist would tell you that would happen right away. Most men who have radiation can get an erection after, A few years later, it frequently becomes more difficult. If you end up on ADT, it makes it much harder as well.

Sounds like you’re doing great.

Completeness is a vague term depending on how you look at it. You can't help how u are so in a sense you are complete. You are too hard on yourself. Your partner as you put it by what you say understands I think about it 2 but if that's what a marriage is all about them I'd rather have remained single Love is patient and kind without any conditions.

@jeffmarc
Thanks for the heads up.
She went through the impotency blues with husband number two and he just stopped trying. This ultimately was a factor in their divorce.
I will let her know what lay ahead so she can consider whether it’s worth continuing our relationship. She’s still an attractive woman so she may have a chance of finding a fully functional man.

@madisonman0326

When you’re in a spin class, you’re sitting on a bicycle seat. If those seats are narrow and press into your perineum, they cause erectile dysfunction in men. This is a common problem a lot of bike riders have. This could make your problem with ED worse. The thing is if you do something about it, it frequently increases the desire.

Usually radiation doesn’t prevent you getting an erection but being on ADT and Zytiga will reduce your testosterone so you will have little desire for sex And it can be hard to get an erection.

Some people get implants so they can still get erections, There is a very high satisfaction rate with people that have done this.

You can also use injections into the penis, which can give you a solid erection. They have Bimix and Trimix Injections that can be used and they work very well for most people.

It is also recommended that people take Cialis daily to keep the blood flow working properly.

You don’t have to give up. There are solutions.

@heavyphil @mdisonman0326
I think we all suffer from some degree of depression, anxiety and stress with having PC and then the treatments that affect some more than others.

I am no where close to what I was prior to diagnosis and my treatments mentally. I am being treated for PTSD, anxiety/panic disorder but was prior to PC diagnosis.

So I relied on my psychiatric specialist to help me through my journey with PC. I think very importatn to consider doing mental health counseling. I also consider being truthful with your partner about your feelings. Most of the time you will hear "did not know you were feeling that way." Being honest really helps communications and feelings.

Now have posted that some spouses do not feel comfortable with advise. Some think don't want to say something wrong and make it worse and others are confronted of what should be said and withdraw which affects the spouse who sees and feels that.

There are great medications out there for depression and also lifestyle changes that can really help with mental outlook.

I hope all those reading these that are having problems and concerns will reallize not uncommon to feel that way and absolutely no negativity of reaching out for help from psychiatric department and open and honest discussions with partners.

@madisonman0

What a wonderful uplifting story!

@jeffmarc

At the risk of sounding pedantic, there is a large distinction between a radiation oncologist ( the specialist to whom you refer) and a radiologist. I practiced radiology (Interventional and Neuroradiology) for 40 years.

A radiologist interprets various imaging studies (PET, MRI, CT, US etc and reads plain films, with some specialty radiologists performing procedures-tumor ablation, angioplasty, biopsy, spine fracture stabilization, embolization, drainage of blocked kidney/ biliary systems etc).

A Radiation Oncologist uses radiation to treat cancer.

Again, apologize for minor detail correction but just a pet peeve of mine having practiced the specialty.

Our stories are similar. Diagnosed at age 68, second marriage, G9( 4+5) prostate cancer with limited metastatic disease, had triple therapy with additional 6 weeks of pelvic radiation, When I was put on Lupron and my T fell to essentially zero I became depressed and anxious with the other side effects as well. My libido was compromised and my wife was less than supportive. I had ED and climaturia (urine leakage with orgasm). Our previously wonderful sex life disappeared.

My MO insisted I see a therapist and get on anti depressants which I did. I was eventually taken off Lupron and placed on TRT. I eventually divorced my wife. My libido returned. I met a wonderful woman who is understanding and has no issues with my history or climaturia. I currently use Trimix and my sex life is now wonderful again. I remain on the anti depressant and have no depression. My therapist plans to wean to me off the anti depressant in a few months.

So, in summary-sex can still be fulfilling even with ED. Depression can be treated. Life can be wonderful again!