Talk Cancer

Question:

Have just started Radiation Therapy. I have had six of the forty-two treatments. I am already experiencing change of bladder habits (frequency and urgency) and difficulty in passing urine. Is there any one on this NewsGroup who have had ER and experienced the side effects so early in the treatment?

Response:

Have just started Radiation Therapy. I have had six of the forty-two treatments. I am already experiencing change of bladder habits (frequency and urgency) and difficulty in passing urine. Is there any one on this NewsGroup who have had ER and experienced the side effects so early in the treatment?

I had frequency/urgency after about 2 weeks, requiring voiding about every 2.5 – 3.5 hours (up twice a night).  Flow problems occured half-way through, and was fixed with Flo-Max, which opens the plumbing up fine.  Ask your Dr. for an Rx. The symptoms continue for a few weeks to a month after the treatments end, then back to normal.  I’m now 2 months post treatment and sleeping through the night, with good flow when I go. Still waiting for the hammer to come down concerning ED; so far so good, but too early to be excited.

Response:

I completed 40 Proton Beam treatments.The urgency, frequency and slight pain went away with Flo-Max.  I am 3 weeks post treatment and all is normal with a few pills left. I hope Flo-Max does the job for you.   Please visit protonbob.com and www.llu.edu/proton/

Response:

I was warned of it’s possibility, but I drank gallons of water and that seemed to keep me regular. — Steve Kramer Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 PSA  .1  .1  .1  .3  .4  .8 PSA  .3  .2  .2  .2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Have just started Radiation Therapy. I have had six of the forty-two treatments. I am already experiencing change of bladder habits (frequency and urgency) and difficulty in passing urine. Is there any one on this NewsGroup who have had ER and experienced the side effects so early in the treatment?

Response:

Thank you all for prompt and informative replies. Will be seeing oncologist on Tuesday and will ask about Flomax

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Have just started Radiation Therapy. I have had six of the forty-two treatments. I am already experiencing change of bladder habits (frequency and urgency) and difficulty in passing urine. Is there any one on this NewsGroup who have had ER and experienced the side effects so early in the treatment?

Response:

Radiation works be damaging cells.  Normal cells are better at repair that cancer cells.  Enough radiation and you will run out of cancer cells.   In the mean time, damaged tissue normally does result in some swelling during the healing process.  In the case of the prostate, swelling restricts the urethra resulting in reduced urine flow.  Your urologist (say that fast a couple of times) should be able to prescribe FLOMAX ot somethng similar.  It will help greatly!  Most of the rest of us who have experienced radiation have had the same effect.  It is temporary, and should pass after the treatments finish. The increased ungency is likely a result of irritation from the treatments and incomplete emptying of the bladder due to the flow problem.  It will get better with FLOMAX also, though probably not completely until after your course of treatment is done. Best of luck! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Have just started Radiation Therapy. I have had six of the forty-two treatments. I am already experiencing change of bladder habits (frequency and urgency) and difficulty in passing urine. Is there any one on this NewsGroup who have had ER and experienced the side effects so early in the treatment?

Response:

Had appointment with Oncologist to-day. He said if "stream" is reasonably good, try drinking 2-3 cups of cranberry juice per day. He preferred to see if there is an easing of symptoms before prescribing Flomax.. Anybody ever try this? By the way, I hate Cranbery Juice. I said I’d rather take medication.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Have just started Radiation Therapy. I have had six of the forty-two treatments. I am already experiencing change of bladder habits (frequency and urgency) and difficulty in passing urine. Is there any one on this NewsGroup who have had ER and experienced the side effects so early in the treatment?

Response:

Even tho’ I am female, cranberry juice is recommended for both sexes. It is a natural curative for bladder infections.  I found several articles on it on Google when I added Prostate to the search.  I happen to be violently allergic to it, otherwise I would drink it. I can see drinking it if he thinks you might have a bladder infection, but I agree that in that set of circumstances, I would rather take pills.  A bladder infection can be so darn painful.  And there are 2 antibiotics that will do the trick quite well, if it is an infection. Cheers……Heather

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Had appointment with Oncologist to-day. He said if "stream" is reasonably good, try drinking 2-3 cups of cranberry juice per day. He preferred to see if there is an easing of symptoms before prescribing Flomax.. Anybody ever try this? By the way, I hate Cranbery Juice. I said I’d rather take medication. Have just started Radiation Therapy. I have had six of the forty-two treatments. I am already experiencing change of bladder habits (frequency and urgency) and difficulty in passing urine. Is there any one on this NewsGroup who have had ER and experienced the side effects so early in the treatment?

Response:

Maybe your radiation oncologist is trying to save you money.  My Flo-Max was non formulary thus costing me $25.  My oncologist discussed this possible minor sde effect before treatment and did not hesitate to RX something that would make me feel more comfy.  Maybe he is an herbalist. Make a second request because the pilll is tasteless and works immediately. Please visit protonbob.com and www.llu.edu/proton/

Response:

Had appointment with Oncologist to-day. He said if "stream" is reasonably good, try drinking 2-3 cups of cranberry juice per day. He preferred to see if there is an easing of symptoms before prescribing Flomax.. Anybody ever try this? By the way, I hate Cranbery Juice. I said I’d rather take medication. "Bert Whitzman"

 My radiation oncologist also reccommended Cranberry Juice.  I love the stuff ;-}

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