Problems with radiation treatments

Vp3: I was pleased with my MRIdian treatment for a number of reasons. My focus was what might do the least amount of harm to healthy tissue. The MRIdian stood out to me because of its narrow margins (2 mm vs 4-6 mm with other machines), it’s built in MRI so everything the RO team saw was in real time, it’s auto stop feature that stopped the radiation if my body moved based on the mapping programmed into the machine (internal movement caused by various natural movements can shift the prostate), three skilled people watching over me (vs less in other machines) and real time dynamic mapping, if needed. The Mirage randomized trial which compared the MRIdian viewray to other radiation machines (as a general radiation machine category) also helped me decide on the MRIdian and its limited side effects issues, again because minimizing the radiation to healthy tissue was a key focus for me. Of course, every one is different regarding side effects but mine were not bad.

The machine was open on both ends and they gave me special glasses to watch calming images while I was being treated.

I did have the spaceoar gel inserted which again helped with rectum separation from radiation.

With my first treatment, they had me drink 50oz of water 50 minutes before I was treated and although I made it through the first treatment without stopping, they could visually see with the built in MRI the rate of bladder fill and on the next treatment, 30 oz worked for me

In my research, it was hard for me, at first, to deal with all the terms like linac simulator, linear accelerator, and others, as it almost seemed as if I was not supposed to know the differences in machines and what the advantages of one type over another was. Maybe the dr’s, even RO’s, have too much on their plate to understand the subtleties with them all and to keep up with changes in terms. I think there are also machine biases’ for various medical and non-medical reasons all of which seem to end with “ outcomes are all the same” catch all phrase. In any case, in terms of protecting healthy tissue from radiation, while still being effective, I would make the same decision again.

Radiation sucks, it’s poison. My initial PSA came in at over 1,000, I’m told I was literally off the charts. Not sure what the count may be today, got to go in for a blood lab.

Keep your powder dry and stay positive!
RLS

30 oz seems a lot...I chug 16 1 hr before...one thing...I'v mentioned this before...do NOT be embarresed if you lose it during treatment...tech's are used to that, and will calmly do a wipe down disinfect...that should give you some comfort...good luck/God Bless edk

I am just finishing my first week of Proton therapy. I do believe I go in pretty hydrated. I usually pee before they start treatment. An x-ray is taken before the proton machine does it thing. If my bladder was not full the techs would notice it on the x-ray that was just taken. No issues so far with not having a full bladder.

Thanks so much for your response. Leaning heavily towards MRIdian for all the reasons you stated.
Was your cancer on one side of prostate and if you don’t mind sharing your Gleason score.
Thanks so much

I had the same problem I try to keep my bladder full for the radiation but by the time I made it to the hospital I had to pee every single time so we just figured on peeing when I got to the hospital and I would drink water for 45 minutes and then they would treat me. There’s no sense trying to hold it it didn’t work, so see if that worked for you go to the bathroom when you first get there and then just drink the amount of water that you can handle and it works for me. Good luck. The worst part was going to the bathroom after the radiation. They make some good steroids that give you for that. Good luck. Dave

VP3: right mid biopsy: 3+4 group 2 25% of core, left mid adenocarcinoma 3+3 group 1 and left apex adenocarcinoma. That was 11/1/22. Started Mridian in January 2023. PSA was 10.29. Decipher genetic material test: 2.2% risk of metastasis in a 10 year period and .9% in a 5 year period.

Thanks for the info. Best of luck and health going forward!
VP3

vp3: Thanks vp3 and to you as well.

Hubby now has a catheter, clamps it off 45 min before radiation to fill his bladder. Not pleasant for him, but 4 treatments in, working ok. Photon rad treatment. Gleason 8, grade 4, with seminal invasion, PSA 14 before ADT and Zitiga. Now PSA is non measurable.
Just plugging away. Thanks for all responses.