Burning and frequent urination beginning 5 months after having salvage

Posted by frankstags @frankstags, Jul 30 8:30pm

I completed external beam radiation therapy 4 years ago after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. My subsequent PSA's decreased dramatically for 2 years. They began rising again and after various testing had salvage prostate brachytherapy performed. I was told to expect some burning and frequency issues when urinating. I had minimal issues until 5 months after surgery. Then I started having burning and frequency issues which is now going on for 3 months. The urologist performed a cystoscopy and reported mild stricture and inflammation probably caused by the radioactive seeds. He told me he couldn't be precise but that this could continue for up to a year. I am taking daily dosage of advil, flomax and pyridium but still have little relief. Although manageable, I avoid going anywhere where I don't have access to a public restroom. I have given up golf for the time being.
Does anyone else have similar issues?

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heavyphil | @heavyphil | Jul 31 7:20am

Although I do not have your problem, I can definitely understand it occurring. After EBRT you got even more radiation to the same area with Brachy - kind of a ‘no-no’ but an accepted, often done treatment…what else can you do other than very difficult salvage surgery??
Hopefully your symptoms will resolve; only palliative treatment (which you are getting) can be done until this passes.
Radiation is so damned unpredictable since we are all made a little differently, right down to the cellular level. Best,
Phil

brianjarvis | @brianjarvis | Jul 31 10:39am

I’ve heard that, if having pain and burning during urination (dysuria) caused by radiation treatments, if they’ve ruled out a UTI and prostatitis, what you’ve already tried generally provides some relief:
> Pyridium (Azo: it’s basically a urinary analgesic)
> NSAIDs (Ibuprofen/Alleve/Advil/Naproxin/Motrin).

Other things I’ve heard that reduce inflammation and may provide some relief:
> Avoid fruit juice, smoothies, etc. - anything that may contain citric acid.
> Try prescription strength NSAIDS (e.g., Celebrex)
> Try Medrol dose-packs (steroids)

As always, check with your doctor about these remedies first.