1. < Prostate Cancer

Did you Pause or Stop Radiation Therapy (EBRT)?

Posted by seasuite @seasuite, Dec 21, 2023

My wife convinced me to not go in today as she noticed that I was up, at least 15 times during the night, with a stream so weak that I could barely, painfully, urinate. I had taken two Flowmax (vs. 1) before bed and was hopeful my side effects would improve, but, they were worse than usual. My urine test was negative.

After completing 17 x 180 cGs (3060), we are both afraid that the damage is so severe that I will not recover properly. I asked Drs. on Monday about pausing/stopping and they said a short pause would work, otherwise it would require stopping altogether.

I agree with my wife that I can't go on risking further damage without a very clear understanding of the risk/reward. I'll be taking with Drs. today as I made the abrupt decision not to go in. Hence, if anyone has had similar experience, please share. Did you 'push though'? Have irreversible damage?

For reference: My treatment plan for NCCN unfavorable intermediate risk prostate adenocarcinoma -- T1c (T3a based on MRI) M0N0 ISUP Group Grade 3 (Gleason score 4+3; 4/14 systematic cores); initial PSA of 4.08 ng/mL; Decipher 0.57 intermediate, is 4 months ADT (3/4 completed), Cyberknife 950 cGy x2 (2 completed), EBRT 180 cGy x 25 (17/25 completed).

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ozelli | @ozelli | Dec 21, 2023

At about 3/4 of the way through, I had painful, dribbling urine that improved a little at the end. I used to just stand in the bathroom, close my eyes and let it dribble down my leg basically. Most unpleasant. I really looked forward to the weekends as they gave me a bit of a breather.
I didn’t drink enough water too which was counter productive as I developed hemorrhoids. I did think about quitting too but after discussing with nurse, battled on.
Good news was post treatment, all issues resolved very quickly.

REPLY
1 reply
seasuite | @seasuite | Dec 22, 2023
In reply to @ozelli "At about 3/4 of the way through, I had painful, dribbling urine that improved a little..." + (show)
@ozelli

At about 3/4 of the way through, I had painful, dribbling urine that improved a little at the end. I used to just stand in the bathroom, close my eyes and let it dribble down my leg basically. Most unpleasant. I really looked forward to the weekends as they gave me a bit of a breather.
I didn’t drink enough water too which was counter productive as I developed hemorrhoids. I did think about quitting too but after discussing with nurse, battled on.
Good news was post treatment, all issues resolved very quickly.

Jump to this post

Thanks @ozelli, I really appreciate hearing what really did happen in conjunction with Drs.' 'what we expect to happen'.

Yesterday, I had a PVR (post-void residual) test (able to void) and Urine Test (negative). Since I missed Thursday, my RO said to come back on the 26th after Christmas, hence, I get a 5 day reprieve.

My working theory, in collaboration with a resident, is that taking two Flomax right before bedtime, recommended by my main RO, increased urgency while the urinary tract was inflamed by treatments and stream was very weak...(insert any analogy about you can only get so much thru a goose;-).

After 5 days off, I plan to push thru the final 8 treatments, barring any unforeseen circumstances, and hope to declare victory early in the New Year.

Let me take this opportunity to wish you and All the PCa Brothers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

REPLY
1 reply
michaelcharles | @michaelcharles | Dec 23, 2023
In reply to @seasuite "Thanks @ozelli, I really appreciate hearing what really did happen in conjunction with Drs.' 'what we..." + (show)
@seasuite

Thanks @ozelli, I really appreciate hearing what really did happen in conjunction with Drs.' 'what we expect to happen'.

Yesterday, I had a PVR (post-void residual) test (able to void) and Urine Test (negative). Since I missed Thursday, my RO said to come back on the 26th after Christmas, hence, I get a 5 day reprieve.

My working theory, in collaboration with a resident, is that taking two Flomax right before bedtime, recommended by my main RO, increased urgency while the urinary tract was inflamed by treatments and stream was very weak...(insert any analogy about you can only get so much thru a goose;-).

After 5 days off, I plan to push thru the final 8 treatments, barring any unforeseen circumstances, and hope to declare victory early in the New Year.

Let me take this opportunity to wish you and All the PCa Brothers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Jump to this post

Not sure my experience is analogous, however I was experiencing extremely painful radiation proctitis related to balloon insertion during Salvage radiation tx.
Rad Onc offered brief 3/4 day weekend respite, which I declined because I was 5 txs to finish line.
Glad I made the choice to push thru.
It took 3- 4 wks for symptoms to resolve, and a few days would not have helped.
Good news is that it fully resolved.
Best to you in your tx and recovery.

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russ777 | @russ777 | Dec 26, 2023

I has 38 fractions of IG/IMRT following BCR after RP. Diarrhea began about halfway through and got intense for the final 3 weeks. It was brutal, especially since it occurred mainly late at night. There were two mornings where I was so weak and tired I had to call the RT facility and tell them I wouldn't be in that day. My RO had no issue with it and even encouraged me to take a holiday whenever it became too much. Thankfully I got back close to normal a week or two after I rang the bell.

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seasuite | @seasuite | Dec 26, 2023

Super helpful @russ777, you da man! I appreciate knowing that I'm not alone in these challenges and, while I understand my case is not as serious as some, it's huge deal to me...great that you are back to normal! My medical team did not include this type of information in the briefing materials. In fact, while I had a plethora of content told and handed to me, it sounded 'boilerplate', even CYA at times, and impossible to differentiate what was most likely to happen.

I had 4 days off for the Holiday and planning to complete the remaining 8 starting the AM.

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