Radiation therapy effects: Can it cause brain fog & memory issues?

@05271935
Yes a Gleason Score of 10 really needs attention.

Did they offer a Decipher test? If not I would ask about one. It can define your risk level much better than Gleason score. They can use same biopsies.

Good news on PSMA.

I assume orgovyx is a hormone treatment. I did not have to have that as my Decipher came back low risk versus biopsies as intermediate and would have had hormone treatments.

Good luck on 7th.

Thanks for all the good info nfo. I meet with rad md on the 7th so now have a base point. Gleason was 10. I’m 89 years old. Psma C had not traveled to other organs. One lymph node possible. Been on Orgovyx.

@05271935
It is a personal decision. All the types carry with them pros and cons. You need to do research and then get opinions from providers.

Without having your Gleason score and other information not much I can provide to my own experience. Also it is your life and your quality of life that you want, what your feelings are for side affects, etc. that is important as what another may feel as gold may not be for you.

What I chose was proton radiation versus photon. That is only two of the types of radiation treatments. When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer my Mayo PCP recommended I research both photon and proton radiations. I did, had consultation at Mayo Jacksonville (for photon) and UFHPTI for proton.

The biggest difference between photon and proton is not the success of treatment outcomes it is that photon radiation enters and leaves the body. Proton radiation is different as the amount entering can be controlled, the release of radiation can be controlled at specific points, and does NOT exit the body. It stops where the R/O has determined is the best place for radiation to stop. Most R/O will not just treat know areas but all areas of prostate and margins. This is what mine die.

So I chose proton as if there was anything I could do to lesson the chance of additional radiation damage to surrounding organs and tissues I was going to do.

When you get into radiation there are high does and low does. The difference again here is amount of treatments and the fact high does as it states the radiation level is much higher. It comes with reduce number of days verus low dose but also my medical doctors are seeing increase in side affects with high dose.

How are you doing @rogerbid59 ? Have you finishing radiation now? Have the symptoms diminished?

I am 2 weeks post salvage radiation (25 sessions) and will be on Orgovyx for 1 more month (total of 6).
I have had every side effect you all have mentioned - even the ‘sunburn’ in the abdomen. I compare it more to a Vicks mentholated lozenge exploding in my gut.
No urinary issues (so far) but some days I might have 6 bowel movements, other days one. Fatigue is a constant companion and I do nap if I can.
All this was told to me by the RO so I am taking it as it comes. He even warned of blood, mucus in the stool and if it persisted to call his office.
We have to remember that we have been exposed to HIGH levels of ionizing radiation - something we should always try to avoid if possible since it can GIVE you cancer. And yes, some of us will get that - possibly intestinal or bladder. Statistics don’t lie.
But the radiation we received was also dosed, pulsed and shaped to CURE the cancer we already had and hopefully, not give us any more.
These side effects, though not fun, are a small price to pay for YEARS on this earth we might have never had. That’s how I think about it whenever I run to the toilet and try to get my pants down before I crap all over myself!

Is there a gold standard for radiation equipment? What are the most important considerations when considering radiation?
JackB

After a few weeks of radiation, I started feeling dizzy when dismounting from the treatment machine platform. Blood pressure would spike, as well.

I had 35 rounds of salvage radiation that finished in May 2022. I also started ADT (Lupron, Abiraterone, Predisone) In April of 2022. I haven't been the same since. During radiation, I had extreme fatigue and pain. The pain felt like a severe sunburn on the inside of the lower abdomen. Today, nearly two years since the treatment, I still have extreme fatigue and sunburn-like pain on the inside where it was radiated. The pain comes and goes depending on how much I exert myself. Also, notice it when sitting (driving, flying, etc.) for extended periods (4+ hours).

I had a little bit of this when I was first diagnosed with prostate cancer, before beginning any treatments at all. I had EXTREME fear and anxiety, which overshadowed most everything else in my life, i.e. it was hard to concentrate on anything when all I could think about was having cancer. It definitely got worse with ADT but (and I'm not a doctor) being worried or anxious about something can affect concentration on other things.

It’s not that the medicine is in your system. Testosterone doesn’t recover right away. It could take many months for some people even if they have been on Orgovyx.