Questions about radiation for prostate cancer: Can I drive myself?

2010 for 10 weeks of proton radiation therapy at Loma Linda. I understand currently, the time frame is much less due to better targeting and "mapping" of the prostate cancer. I had absolutely no post issues. Each day after radiation, I played racquetball at the March AFB gym..where I stayed for 10 weeks.

Proton radiation was initially invented to cure brain cancer in children with precision and less issues with post standard (then) radiation options. According to the physician who I met and who remains there today, proton radiation for prostate cancer was a logical followon for treatment. Every morning about 0800 five or six of use would be awaiting a call to take the proton radiation and I recall about 75% of those I met were doctors...which reinforce my decision making process initially. Do your homework..don't accept singular opinions and consider all options. RH/LTC, US Army (ps: My TriCare for Life insurance paid the entire bill)

In my opinion, you should definitely be able to drive yourself. I underwent 29 Proton radiation treatments and was fully able to drive myself - even when my better half was with me I drove. If you haven't yet researched Proton vs. Photon, please do so to educate yourself on the (big) differences. We met with several top-level cancer centers and were given multiple options from 5 SBRT sessions, 20-30 Photon, and 29 Proton sessions (or zaps as we called them. I came away confused as the experts were offering different options, willing to modify if I wanted and it was "us" who ultimately needed to do the research. We also saw the Inherent built-in medical bias as cancer centers that did not offer Proton offered reasons why it was not appropriate.......yet this was because they currently did not offer Proton and wouldn't for several years (sell what you have, not what is coming in a few years).
I came away extremely pleased with my decision to go with Proton (early 2023), I had zero side effects, other than some brief fatigue. It was the ADT that kicked my butt!

I wish you all the best as you research and make this important decision!

@gently
Really a personal decision and should be based on what you think is best for you after doing research and talking to your doctors. I would always get a second opinion.

I did discuss the newer 5 high dose treatment being done now versus the 20-30-40 lower dose treatments. I had the 30 dose at UFPTI (proton beam). My EP stated that his research was showing some increased side affects with the high dose which you would expect. The main benefit for the 5 dose is TIME. The both have equal success.

I discussed this with my oncologist/radiologist at UFPTI who has been doing proton radiation treatments since 2006. He also stated the increased risk and statistics showing an increased in side affects with high dose.

paulcalif, stuck between 28 proton fraction, 5 proton fractions and 5 MRgRT fractions. I can't tell which would cause the fewest side effects. If your studying yields any convictions, let me know.

Not only can you drive yourself, but one month after finishing SBRT we went on a two week SCUBA trip which ends today.

So many options, even just between the different types of radiation. So easy to find accolades for a particular proceedure from the manufacturers of their device. That's why posts from men who have actually gone through treatment are so insightful and much appreciated. I wish there were more reports from men being treated with FLA (FOCAL LASER ABLATION). It Appears to have almost no permanent side effects. Still studying....

I finished my 5 mridian linac built in MRI and narrow margin radiation in February 2023. Someplaces are still using the machine but the manufacturer, Viewray, is no longer around. Margins are important. The narrower the mapping around the prostate, the less healthy tissue gets exposed and the fewer the side effects. My margins were 2 mm but most radiation machines are 3-6 mm. You might also want to consider Elekta.com: MRI/Radiation machine combination unit which is Similar to the Mridian or Mevian.com: Proton therapy radiation machine manufacturer. I had spaceoar to separate the prostate from the rectum to reduce healthy tissue exposure as well. The FDA last year approved BioProtect which is supposed to protect an even larger area.

I used Flomax after the 3rd session to help open up the urination flow. No other radiation symptoms for me.