Space OAR

2»

Comments

  • agent43
    agent43 Member Posts: 18 Member
    #22

    Have completed the first 4 IMRT treatments. The biggest problem has been to figure out how much water to drink and on what time schedule. At this point I am drinking 12 oz of water 1.25 hrs before the treatment time at 10:15 am. I will see how that plan works out next week. I find I must delete drinking any instant coffee/hot chocolate drinks with my breakfast since those drinks really mess up the kidneys. On one of the treatment days I had my treatment postponed for 25 minutes and that was a real bad experience. I almost urinated on the treatment table because I had to go so very bad. I did not think that the techs were very informed about what a 25 minute delay would mean to a 78 year old patient with a small bladder (whose measured bladder capacity is about 7 oz).

  • J69
    J69 Member Posts: 35 Member
    #23

    I had to drink 16 oz before my treatments. I was told to start drinking 1 hour before and finish within 45 minutes. One time my delay was 40 minutes, hopped of the table after the treatment and went straight to the bathroom. The techs have seen everything. Many have wet themselves. I took extra clothes in case I did. If you do, they will just have you fill up again and start over, no big deal. One day the machine broke down right before my treatment, they sent me home and made it up on a weekend. The good news is that you have started tackling the beast. Keep it up, the routine will kick in soon.

  • agent43
    agent43 Member Posts: 18 Member
    #24

    I wanted to update folks about my IMRT treatments which began March 29. Today I completed treatment #22 and have 23 remaining. The first few weeks were a struggle in getting the rectum empty and the bladder full. I believe that I have successfully met that challenge in this way: up at 5 am--changed the morning meal from oatmeal (which causes too much gas) to low fiber Kellogg's Special K, a pear and non fat milk; out on the treadmill for 30 minutes of exercise. Back in the house to await bowel action which is pretty regular at this point by 9 am when I drink my 14 oz of water prior to showering and getting ready. Leave the house at 9:30 am for the drive to the Oncology Center appointment at 10:15 am. This routine seems to have satisfied my radiology techs and so far I have not missed an appt. My first 25 treatments focused on the prostate, seminal vesicles, neural vascular bundle and the lymph nodes. The last 20 treatments will focus on the prostate. So far I have had no adverse side effects of the IMRT treatments. I attribute no side effects to the SpaceOAR implant done March 11. The only side effect of the 2 Lupron shots (I had my last one March 28) has been ED. I hope this information may be helpful to those considering the IMRT option for prostate cancer.

Discussion Boards