How do you cope with the side effects of prostate cancer treatment?

amylynv

Many factors can lead to side effects, including the type of treatment you've had, other health care conditions, risk factors, and age. We want to know the worst side effect(s) for you and how you cope.

berenjohn Member

always tired , no energy , complete loss of sex , my whole life has changed and not for the better
1. pocon10 Member
  
  I know it's tough but when I'm tired or depressed I get moving. Take a walk, exercise, keep moving even though you don't feel like it. It helps. Join a Zoom group like the ones Zero Prostate Cancer offers.
2. Jack_Jr Member
  
  Luckily the only side effect I have is leakage. I had my prostate removed and was able to have sex about a month later. Compared to some of everyone’s side effects my are relatively insignificant. I had to overcome the stigma I had about wearing pads and not wearing khaki colored pants very often but you get used to it.
danny115 Member

I became severely depressed after realizing I would never have sex again (endangering my marriage) and having to wear adult diapers 24/7. I also had to stop working due to the terrible incontinence.
1. beebs Member
  
  I decided to get the penile implant for ED as a result of my radical prostatectomy surgery in 2020. After 2 1/2 years and trying pills etc., it became clear to me my natural erections were not coming back. So, I had the surgery, and it's been great. Closest thing to natural function out there. Couple weeks of serious pain and swelling following surgery, but once things healed up, works great and easy to use.
2. railroadmack1 Member
  
  You are so right. The implant is the only way to get back in the game.
Dude63 Member

I was lucky. The major side effect for me was very frequent urination. Other than that, i never noticed much difference. Sex is different but not impossible in my situation. Find a physician that will be honest with you. Better to be alive and different than dead. My brother and I went through this at the same time. Talking helped quite a bit.
1. javman Member
  
  Had 45 radiation treatments have some leakage but it is manageable and frequent urination. Sex is different for sure. Physician wasn't very helpful but my cousin and a good friend had the same treatment just about the same time and we have talked through and supported for most of the issues. After living through several more life threatening issues it is not so bad.
2. Richard Faust Community Admin
  
  Hi . Thanks for sharing and good to hear that things are going pretty well. It sounds like it was helpful to have someone you could talk to about the various issues. Permit me this opportunity for those he may not have someone readily available to talk with to post this article from our patient leader Jim on the benefits of support groups: https://prostatecancer.net/living/support-group. Wishing you the best. Richard (Team Member)
Musicwade Member

I did not have side effects.
1. CommunityMemberb3187b Member
  
  What is SBRT?
2. Richard Faust Community Admin
  
  Hi and . You both had the same question (illustrating it is a pretty common one), so I'm including both of you. SBRT stands for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy. This article from our editorial team discusses the various types of radiation therapy, including SBRT: https://prostatecancer.net/treatment/radiation-therapy. This article from the Mayo Clinic goes into further detail: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/sbrt/pyc-20446794. Hope this helps and please feel free to ask additional questions. Best, Richard (Team Member)