Hey Badboy

Thank you for the post. That is good to hear. I had a PSA test just a few weeks back which was 0.04. That should be great but I have a non secreting prostate and the PSA had doubled. It may have been one of the bounces we get told about so I am having another PSA test at the end of March. I feel pretty good, body aching like mad cos of the hormone therapy, (of which I have another year) but relatively few symptoms. Good urination strength, very rarely getting up during the night, feel listless every now and then followed by periods of feel good attitude. I sleep well. So I am cautiously optimistic and hopefully the recent PSA test was a bounce due to other factors. However, hearing your story has made me feel good and I thank you for it.

Mick

Hi all,

It's been a year since my diagnosis, psa 162 Gleason 4+5=9 spread to lymph nodes. I went on hormone treatment followed by 37 lots of radiotherapy wich I finished the end of Sept.. after my first psa test since it went down to 3 my next one is the end of Feb and it need to be below 2.

Feeling ok with the hormone but a bit weak,radiotherapy was a long slog,everyday for 37days and I have over an hour each way .My flow is a bit slow now but other than that all seems well

Good luck

Pungle

Hi all,

I'm still confused about the gleason score and maybe posting here and getting answers from people more in the know will help us all understand it a bit better. I lost my dad to prostate cancer but it's been a long time since he was first diagnosed and I read up all about it. I just find the gleason score to be useless at best and misleading at worst, hope I'm not offending anyone but it really did not help us and I'm still looking to understand it a bit better.

As far as I remember (and please someone correct me if I am wrong) the gleason score is an indication of how aggressive the cancer is likely to be and a high gleason score does not neccessarily mean the cancer has already spread. Likewise a low gleason score does not mean the cancer will definitely be slow growing (my dad is proof of that) it just means the cancer cells look less agressive and less likely to spread. One of the things that make me think the gleason score is misleading is that if a man decides to have a prostatectomy the gleason score is often completely different and found to actually be much higher afterwards. 

My dad never had a prostatectomy because he only had a gleason 6 and was told he was more likely to die of something else-if he had a higher gleason score he might've had the surgery and still be here now. I don't think you can put too much stock into the gleason score what happened to my dad made me completely disregard it really. They always say about how inaccurate the PSA test can sometimes be which is why they are sometimes reluctant to give men one but imo it's a really good indication-0.04 is fantastic btw I can't remember my dads ever coming down below the 5 he was diagnosed with. Gleason score is just an indication, there are men still fighting fit with gleason 9 way after my dad died and it turns out my dads supposed "gleason 6" was actually extremely aggressive.

Hi all i have recently been diagnosed with two i guinal hernias and prostate cancer witb psa 63 and gleason score eleven they said intent to cure. Fingers crossed. They. Cant start radiation until my hernias are repaired. My herniaz put me to bed for around four days continous where i am in, so much pain, i, cant think,. Mo e. Or e eneat. And alwaYs nauseous. Does anybody have the same experience? 

My family has a history of prostate cancer and as such I went for checks as I was peeing a lot through the night. In early 2014, at the age of 54, it was discovered I had a PSA level of 6.3 and a Gleason score of 9 - I subsequently underwent hormone treatment for a year during which time I have 4 weeks of radiotherapy.

My outcome has so far been good with my PSA at zero for the first 5 years but has since moved very slowly up to 0.2 where it has remained for the last year - I'm due another check next June.

Issues I have encountered are muscle wastage, some erectile disfunction and  weight gain.

Shortly after my initial treatment I went to the gym, almost daily, which increased my energy and outlook; that said my outlook has been one of positivity from the start supported by the increase in fitness and sustained weight loss. Unfortunately I suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA / minor stroke) in December 2015 which has also added tiredness to my list of issues.

That said, I enjoy my semi retirement whilst still carrying out various bits and pieces which include playing golf, walking football, going to the gym, following my local team and looking after grand children and most importantly going on holiday.

Prostate cancer, like other ailments, affects us all differently with some of us having better outcomes than others for which we must be appreciative; nonetheless - don't simply give up - do what makes you happy, and if its difficult, still try.

Best of luck to everyone.

Hi Callum

I was 60 when diagnosed with Gleason 9. I had 37 sessions of radiotherapy and have this very morning had the last of my zoladex implants (2 yrs 9 months of them) and I feel pretty nackered. I was a very active sportsman, but this final year has really taken it ought of me. I`ve put weight on, become quite fatigued (not tired). Fatigue is unlike any other type of tiredness and is so debilitating. I`ve got muscle wastage and all my joint are aching. I`m desparate for the testosterone to come back to make me feel better. I know that may give the cancer a kick start but I will not go through this hormone therapy regime again. I`ve tried to be positive but it`s difficult when you feel so crap all the time.

Anyway, time to stop moaning and get on with life. Got to wait for the golf course to thaw so I can go up there and give my mates all my money because I don`t hit the ball as far as I used to and so now can`t play to my handicap. They`re loving it and will be quite sad when I die cos it`s like a weekly pension for them.

Hope everything goes well for you 

Cheers 

Mick