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Prostate cancer post op

Stephen-T
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This is my first time on here and I’m posting on behalf of my husband who had a radical prostatectomy 6 days ago. He seems to be recovering really well and is doing everything he can to help things along such as eating healthily , avoiding caffeine , drinking plenty and getting up and walking around the garden (we have a long garden on a good incline ) regularly. This said I’m concerned that following his anti clotting injections for the last two days he has almost instantly suffered a headache at the centre front of his head . He has had to take paracetamol to ease the pain - this does seem to get rid of the headache . Is this normal.

  • Hello and thanks for your enquiry,

    Headaches are a side effect of some anti clotting medicines. They are usually mild in nature and resolved with simple painkillers such as paracetamol. There is information about this on the NHS website. 

    You could seek advice and reassurance from a local pharmacist, or the hospital pharmacy department about this. The GP can also be approached if needed. Don't stop the medication, as it is better to seek medical advice first. The local pharmacy can also do a routine blood pressure check as well.

    If the headache changes to more severe, or isn't helped by painkillers, then seek urgent medical help. NHS 111 can provide guidance by telephone.

    I hope this helps,

    Best wishes,

    Vanda

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Vanda

    Thank you that was really helpful. The headaches did stop after 3days and haven’t recurred but he now has another concern. He had his catheter removed 4days ago and has been doing great but this morning he went to the toilet and he had blood coming from his penis. He says he didn’t strain but I suspect he may have strained a little as he complained yesterday that he was a bit constipated and asked me to get him more prunes. Should we be concerned.

  • in reply to Stephen-T

    Hello and thank you for getting back in touch,

    Some bleeding in the urine can be normal in the first few weeks after a prostatectomy. As your husband is only a couple of weeks after surgery, it is not unusual to notice some blood, and the amount may increase temporarily after activities such as walking, being more active than usual, or straining when opening the bowels.

    However, if the bleeding is heavy, persistent, or getting worse, or if there are large blood clots in the urine, it is important to seek medical advice. You should also contact the hospital team if your husband develops pain, a high temperature, shivering, feels generally unwell, or has difficulty passing urine, as these symptoms can sometimes be a sign of an infection or another complication that needs assessing.

    If you have any concerns, contact the team looking after your husband. If he has a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), they are often a good first point of contact and can advise whether any further checks are needed.

    I hope your husband's recovery continues to go well. Please do get back in touch if you have any further questions. You can also speak with one of our nurses on the helpline, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on 0800 808 4040

    Jemma

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