Husband has prostrate cancer

My husband was diagnosed in march it had spread to lymph nodes, but had gone scan and body scan and hadn't spread anywhere else. He is on hormone therapy tablets and had radiotherapy for 7 weeks. Now having side effects with bowel and other things. Worried now when he has any pain anywhere.   Told him to call the nurses to see if the effects he has are common or normal, he's not well and thinks now he never will be.

  • Hi Vale, and welcome, I too have prostate cancer which had spread to lymph nodes, so radiotherapy was targeted at the lower pelvic floor and not just the prostate, to target the lymph nodes as well, unfortunately a lot of healthy cells are damaged in the process, but unlike cancer cells, damaged healthy cells will recover though it can take time. I had bowl and bladder problems and other side effects as well which are mostly in the past. Radiotherapy and hormone therapy can take a lot out of you, but there are ways to deal with them, if I can help in any way please ask, my best wishes to you both.

    Eddie.

  • Offline in reply to eddiel

    Thanks. Yours sounds very similar to my husband,  he's on tablets and 3 monthly injections,  feeling not so good at yhe moment.  Bowel mainly effected and stomach off.  Ive heard it can take months to improve.  He didnt feel too bad during the Radiotherapy and seems worse now.  He is worried that he will never feel right again and feeling low. I'm very worried for most 9f the time.

  • Online in reply to Vale

    Hi Vale, the full impact of RT often hits a few weeks after RT finishes, I was hit with fatigue, urgency, feeling sore and bleeding with bladder, and constipation and bleeding with bowels, mostly caused by damage from RT,  but HT causes its own problems, and your right it can take some time to heal. But a good diet, cut out the irritants and plenty of water helps, as does exercise, Greek yoghurt, berries, broths, fish and chicken can help, but  you should ask to see a dietician.

    Eddie xx  

  • Offline in reply to eddiel

    We have rung 111 as his pains now in jaw and temple,  rash now and very sore, *** too.   Could be shingles, says more susceptible after RT, so will see. Have you ever suffered with it?    No one told us guess so much can be effected.  Its hard for family as you worry,  thanks for your messages 

  • Online in reply to Vale

    Hi Vale, your welcome, I'm glad you've called 111, I haven't had shingles, but I have heard that RT can let the zoster virus in, I know shingles can also cause joint pain, but unlikely the pain in his temple, Sadly there's a lot we are not told, and I understand the worry you feel for family, my eldest daughter is also fighting cancer, It stops you worrying about your own. If it is shingles, an ice pack can help with the pain, while you wait for a response from 111, please let me know how you get on, if I can help, just ask.

    Eddie xx

  • Offline in reply to eddiel

    Thanks. 

    Hes been told it could be shingles and it can caused head pain and jaw pain too, the rash is right near his eye brow area, so being very careful.   There is an ophalmic shingles just found out.     Thanks once again, it does help to talk as you don't feel as much on your own with it.    So sorry to hear about your daughter.        My daughter has a health issue herself so cannot even get suppofrom her 

    Thanks x

  • Online in reply to Vale

    Hi Vale,  so sorry to hear about your daughter, it makes things so much harder for you,  can I ask has your husband been given an appointment or something to help, or any advice, I'm happy to help, if I can, I hope his "shingles " are treated quickly, happy to talk anytime Vale, take care m, both of you m.

    Eddie xx 

  • Offline in reply to eddiel

    A Dr at 111 rang late yesterday, confirmed shingles , ophthalmic shingles, so that's why his temple, eye brow bone and side of head ached,  he's now on tablets, saw our own Dr today, his eye could effected a quite serious, getting eye checked at an optician tomorrow. Yes never had shingles before so might be due to the radiotherapy.  Just a lot with everything else, as you know it's so hard.

    Thanks for your messages 

    Val x

  • Online in reply to Vale

    Hi Val, it's good he has a diagnosis, and treatment has started, and best wishes for tomorrow at the opticians, I will have everything crossed for good news, that's so true Val, side effects and problems related to treatment can get you down at times, but be strong, these things affect many of us, but we find a get through them, as will you, we are all stronger than we think, take care.

    Eddie xx