Bladder urinary problems after radiaiton for Prostate cancer

Been There Too
Trew,

I had my surgery on Sept 17, 09. I completed my Rad treatments Jan 15, 2010.

So I am in my first full week following rad. I was fully continent after surgery and all through rad. However since completing rad I have a real issue with urgency. Drink a cup of coffee and then make 6-8 trips to the john in the next hour. No real pain but definitely irritation. If I don't answer the call right away there is an issue of control, but so far so good with that. I did notice the presence of a little blood at the end of the stream a few days ago. I called the RO and told them what was going on and they assured me that it was to be expected as the rad really does it's work. It should begin to clear up in another week or two.

They only said I should call and come in if the bleeding worsened. So far so good.

So I don't think what you are experiencing is unique. But I would caution you that if you begin to have difficulty with voiding anything I would call them right away. It may be swelling and it may be the beginning of scar tissues developing in the bladder neck. That is something they will want to address as soon as possible.

Good luck with the outcomes of the treatment,

Sonny

60 years old when diagnosed
PSA 11/07 3.0
PSA 5/09 6.4
Diagnosis confirmed July 9, 2009
12 Needle Biopsy = 9 clear , 3 postive
Gleason Score (3+4) 7 in all positive cores
da Vinci 9/17/09
Post Surgery Pathology: GS 4+3=7
Stage: T3a
Tumor Volume 12.5%
positive margin, extra-prostatic extension
30 day PSA 0.4, 50 day psa 0.53, 64 day psa 0.6
IMRT completed 1/15/10 35 treatments- 70Gy

abiggerplate said:

Been there done that
I was treated about two years ago with protons only. I found my symptoms of swelling, urgency and difficulty in urinating got better everyday after treatment. One a scale of one to ten my problems were a .5. Two years later I am convinced protons are the way to go. My PSA continues to decline.

I should stay of coffee, but I love it to much. What's the point of being alive if you can't enjoy things in life.

For those of you having diarrhea or if you are about to start treatment, the best advice I got was to take pro-biotics every day before, during and for about a few weeks after treatment. If you think about it, Radiation kills fast growing cells and is bound to effect your digestive bacteria. The pro-biotics are cheap and easy to take. Good luck.

Proton
Abig, Hi!! We are from GA and would really like to know a little more re your proton experience....we read the lit, "you can beat prostate cancer" and my husband is really feeling pos on proton.....we are closest to Fla...where did you go?? any other good advice?? were the people you met pleased as well......we've been on protonbob, but there is no blog or contact page....we are going to request contacts, but we love csn, and like the people here. There isn't a lot of proton action here, though.....we re waiting to see if our insurance will go for it......i'm worried because i won't be able to stay with my husband the two months...just weekends, because of my work...wanted to know about day to day effects??? Thank you so much!! Ralphie's wife

Trew said:

In early Feb. I was put on
In early Feb. I was put on the 6 day steroid pack for bladder swelling. Since then I am dripping almost continually all day but pretty dry at night. The urinary pain is now gone- one positive anyway.

I don't seem to be able to squeeze any muscles to gain control, either. I am trying to rebuild with about a 100 kegels a day, but it is very discourging right now. Spotting some blood today, too. So it goes.

RE Proton treatment, I had the proton treatment for 3 weeks- 15 treatments- and I met a lot of the guys on it and they were very pleased. From Loma Linda there is a fellowship of the BOB (short for the balloon LLU inserts into your rectum and fills with water before each treatment) and always very positive statements there.

proton
Thanks Trew...we really value your oppinion!!! I'm glad your pain is better. Hope we will be proton brothers in the next few months!! Ralph