Tiredness after radical prostatectomy

Posted by hammer101 @hammer101, Feb 20, 2023

Curious if anyone has experience with tiredness after having a radical prostatectomy. I am about 3 months out from a RP and have my first post-surgery PSA check at Mayo-Rochester on March 14. Surgery went well, initial indications showed the PC to be contained. I have been getting 10-12 hours of sleep every night, but still feel tired and sometimes take a nap in the afternoon. Also, physical activity seems to make me more tired.

I am 55, in good physical condition, and historically have been good with 6-7 hours of sleep. Thus, wanted to check if others have had a similar experience?

Jim H

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Yes, definitely more tiredness or fatigue after RP August 2022.

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Yes, I for sure feel more tired and less energy sometimes. I can often fall asleep sitting on the couch in the middle of the day whereas I didn't do that before my radical prostatectomy. Had my RP in August of 2022. Remember that a radical prostatectomy is a serious, invasive surgery and it takes a lot out of us and it'll take some time to get to feeling better. Good luck with your journey, I wish you the best.

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I had my RALP in August of 22. Operation went well. PCa was contained in Prostate also. No issues with incontinence after surgery thankfully. I was 60 yo at time of operation. Generally I have been more tired. Don't know if it is from the operation, the stress of being diagnosed with PCa, or just getting older. I'm at the gym 3 or 4 times a week to do my Kegel exercises as well as being a stress reliever. I think this helps me mentally more than anything. Try to listen to your body and rest when you need it. Good luck with your recovery. It seems you are doing quite well. We are all blessed to be living in an age where so many treatment options are available for this issue.

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@perrychristopher

I had my RALP in August of 22. Operation went well. PCa was contained in Prostate also. No issues with incontinence after surgery thankfully. I was 60 yo at time of operation. Generally I have been more tired. Don't know if it is from the operation, the stress of being diagnosed with PCa, or just getting older. I'm at the gym 3 or 4 times a week to do my Kegel exercises as well as being a stress reliever. I think this helps me mentally more than anything. Try to listen to your body and rest when you need it. Good luck with your recovery. It seems you are doing quite well. We are all blessed to be living in an age where so many treatment options are available for this issue.

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Thanks for the feedback, gives me a good perspective for where I am at.

Jim H

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@cirrussantafe

Yes, I for sure feel more tired and less energy sometimes. I can often fall asleep sitting on the couch in the middle of the day whereas I didn't do that before my radical prostatectomy. Had my RP in August of 2022. Remember that a radical prostatectomy is a serious, invasive surgery and it takes a lot out of us and it'll take some time to get to feeling better. Good luck with your journey, I wish you the best.

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Appreciate the feedback on your journey post RP.

Jim

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Hi,
I had RALP in January 2022. My cancer had left the prostate and was later verified in one lymph-node. The surgeon had to cut “wide”. My side effects included being incontinent for 11 months and no erectile function. The good news is, I’ve been physically active; I’m a runner. My energy level has been good, and I’m sleeping normal. I’m 74 years old.
Good luck with regaining your energy. I’m sure it will come around for you. God bless you.

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MyRP was in April 22. I'm 67, and definitely do not take mid-day naps. But RP is significant surgery, and healing takes time. For months after the surgery, if I didn't get a midafternoon nap I'd be useless. But that gradually passed. And at 10 months post-surgery I'm back to 100% in terms of fitness and energy levels.

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Though awhile back, March 2014, within a few days after my surgery I was out walking, started slow but gradually increased distances, we're talking down to the mailbox to 1-3 miles. After the catheter came out, I asked my surgeon if I could start working out again, he said yes, albeit slowly build back up to my pre-surgery weights, swimming, elliptical...well,, I was at the gym the next day, fully intending to do a light workout...my friends were playing basketball, how could I not, so I did.

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@kujhawk1978

Though awhile back, March 2014, within a few days after my surgery I was out walking, started slow but gradually increased distances, we're talking down to the mailbox to 1-3 miles. After the catheter came out, I asked my surgeon if I could start working out again, he said yes, albeit slowly build back up to my pre-surgery weights, swimming, elliptical...well,, I was at the gym the next day, fully intending to do a light workout...my friends were playing basketball, how could I not, so I did.

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I would only add one word of caution, my doc (,..and my 3 nurse sisters) all suggested I wait for 4 ish weeks to be sure to avoid a hernia which can happen if you try to do too much after the surgery.
Once at that point though I worked my way back to pretty much normal workouts over the next several weeks.

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Yep. Been about 4 months for me and still tired a lot more than usual. I used to walk/hike about 5 days a week and lately, I’m lucky if it’s 2 times a week. It’s not really a big deal. I just need to grab a quick nap in the afternoon sometimes. Probably the worst part about it is my girlfriend gets concerned if I’m laying around a lot. She doesn’t seem to understand the impact of the whole ordeal. I get REALLY sick of people saying, “it’s just prostate cancer”.

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