3rd opinion: How many opinions did you get for prostate cancer?

Hello, my husband was diagnosed last year and our situations are similar. My husband is 55yrs old, Gleason score (4+3) and PSA was 32 at diagnosis. We went to 3 doctors and was told that surgery was his best option and that preserved the possibility of radiation should we need it later. His PSA following surgery was 1.5 so he started Lupron and radiation. Side effects were somewhat mild and tolerable. It is a long journey so brace yourself for that. Take care of him but also yourself. As his wife and caregiver, a lot will be on you as well. Give yourself grace and take those moments to spoil yourself. It’ll be a rollercoaster ride. All the best.

Yes! I can speak about side effects of Radiation. I had 20 fractions of Tomotherapy. Not everyone has side effects, it's just that I did. After about 15 sessions of RT, I started having some side effects, primarily issues with urine. The side effects peaked around a week after completion of my radiation and continued for about 5 weeks, basically a lot of pain and burning during peeing, constriction, tremendous urgency at time leading to incontinence on a couple of instances, dribbling (at times I would take 15-20 minutes to feel satisfied after peeing). At its worst it was bad, but then I knew it would pass, which it did. I had my last shot of RT on 19th Feb and today I am feeling good. Constriction, dribbling and the issue of incomplete voiding seems much better that pre-radiation. But not everyone has side effects.

He's stage 3b. He's on elligard injections & Zytiga-oral chemo for 2 years. He also had Spaceoar and markers inserted.
He had 26 rad sessions, finished today. He was not able to maintain a full bladder, so they did a foley catheter which he would clamp before treatment to fill his bladder. That was not a good experience, but did the trick.
He is fatigued, sleeps alot during the day. Burning with bowel movement and urinating. Some hot flashed, but not bad. Overall, the worst was the catheter thing. Without that problem, I think he would have gotten through rad sessions well. Everyone's experience is a bit different. Good luck to you and your husband!

Gleason 8, with seminal invasion. Both surgeons we met with recommended ADT and radiation over surgery. Both said chances of recurrence were equal between the 2 treatment strategies. We went with the radiation.

Congratulations on getting thru the process! Must feel good to have it behind you. My husbands starting the journey on Friday with the first ADT injection.

Thank you for sharing. Gives me some hope. Hubby also has catheter due to urinary retention after biopsy. ADT starts Friday. How soon did you realize any side effects from Elligard? I believe that is what my husband will be on to shrink BPH first, and then radiate the cancer in a month or two for 28 sessions while continuing on ADT for sometime. Not sure how long? A year or more?

Thank you for sharing. Gives me some hope. Hubby also has catheter due to urinary retention after biopsy. ADT starts Friday. How soon did you realize any side effects from Elligard? I believe that is what my husband will be on to shrink BPH first, and then radiate the cancer in a month or two for 28 sessions while continuing on ADT for sometime. Not sure how long? A year or more?

Thank you. Have been advised Surgery would not get it all due to regional spread, and would then need to be radiated anyway. ADT and IMRT suggested. Starting Eligard Friday in hopes to shrink prostate, remove catheter (post biopsy complication) then start radiation 28 sessions. Need to follow up with cardiologist regularly due to heart condition ADT combo. Anyone know if hot flashes and side effects start right away after ADT shot or does it build up?