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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Prostate Cancer / January 2007Recovery from seeds - 14 days later
Well, it was my turn in the barrel. The urologist recommended surgery, however, I've had several hernia ops where mesh was used. Apparently, this is a major complication to prostate removal. My PSA was 4.4 with a gleason score of 6. Thus the seeding was done on Dec. 29th. 3 hours later and a catheter, I was sent home. I was prescribed Vicodin, Flomax and an anti-bacteria med. With the wife's help, we removed the catheter 24 hours later. My first pee felt like a cactus was being dragged through the penis. No sleep for two days, which, I believe was due to the Vicodin and Flomax. I noticed the scrotum was very black and blue, my penis was swollen, and I had a very warm sensation in the rectum. I discontinued the Vicodin because I was feeling discomfort, but no pain. Flomax was taken for 10 days, and the 11th day that's when the discomfort began each time I had to urinate. The pain became more intense "after" the flow stopped. It felt like everything was backing up, and not voiding totally. Two days of this, and I'm back on Flomax. My first appointment with the urologist will be on the 19th, 21 days after implants. Then, on the 29th I see the radiation oncologist for a CT. My question is this: Does all of this sound like a normal recovery? What can I expect next? After reading hundreds of web pages on prostate cancer, I'm a little overwhelmed. I've read that the oncologist will determine if the seed implants were sufficient, or if I will need external radiation. Also, I'm very concerned what will happen next if the seeds did not work. > Well, it was my turn in the barrel. Can't wait until one of our UK babes needs THAT one explained. ;-) I.P. 3putt, sounds normal to me. I suggest that you continue with the Flomax as it relaxes smooth tissue (ureater) and opens up to urinate. When I had my seeds I would sit in a tub of hot water to pee; sometimes 3 times a day/night. It was suggested by the Rad/Onc nurse and was better than getting a catheter. You take take two 4.0 mg caps a day. I found that one 12 hours apart worked better than two at once even though supposedly the medicine is in your system for a 24 hour period. Urologist said either way works. You are not going to get hooked on the Vicodin and it should help you to sleep while relieving the golf ball discomfort.... Again, both Flomax and Vicodin will help you to sleep. I am not a doctor only an experienced patient. My seeding was in April of 2004. Good luck, sit in the tub and relax. Gourd Dancer > Well, it was my turn in the barrel. The urologist recommended surgery, > however, I've had several hernia ops where mesh was used. Apparently, [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > implants were sufficient, or if I will need external radiation. Also, I'm > very concerned what will happen next if the seeds did not work. > I was feeling discomfort, but no pain. Flomax was taken for 10 days, and > the 11th day that's when the discomfort began each time I had to urinate. > The pain became more intense "after" the flow stopped. It felt like > everything was backing up, and not voiding totally. Two days of this, and > I'm back on Flomax. whoa. Inova used this schedule, numbers are tabs/capsules. Night before seeding - 2.5 Decadron, 1 Flomax Day of seeding - 1 Decadron, 2 Pyridium, 1 Flomax Next day - 3 Decadron, 4 Pyridium, 1 Flomax Day 2 - 2.5 Decadron, 1 Flomax Day 3, 4 - 1.5 Decadron, 1 Flomax Day 5 - 1 Decadron, 1 Flomax Day 6 - .5 Decadron, 1 Flomax Day 7 and later - 4 Aleve, 1 Flomax That went on for 3 months. At 6 months, I dropped the Flomax and took 1 or 2 Aleve a day for the next 6 months. At 18 months, the stinging and burning began again. Not as bad as in the 1st month but I notice it. Sounds to me like you're under medicated. -kh >> I was feeling discomfort, but no pain. Flomax was taken for 10 days, and >> the 11th day that's when the discomfort began each time I had to urinate. [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > > -kh Under medicated? My pulse increased, I was very dizzy and had reflux. I don't think I had a proper consult with the urologist before and after the seeding. I think some of these doctors are so use to doing the procedures they forget about their patients. Right now I don't think the Flomax (0.4mg) is strong enough. The benefits die off after about 20 hours. I take one pill 30 minutes after dinner. I can't complain too much. My wife just finished chemo, 4 surgeries, and radiation for breast cancer. And she was very brave. I try not to moan too loudly when she's nearby. Check with the nurse/doctor. You can take up to two 4.0 mg capsules a day. I have taken two a day since April 22, 2004. Along with the Vicodin, etc..... Please don't punish yourself. Compared to me, you are under medicating..... GD >>> I was feeling discomfort, but no pain. Flomax was taken for 10 days, >>> and [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > wife just finished chemo, 4 surgeries, and radiation for breast cancer. > And she was very brave. I try not to moan too loudly when she's nearby. > Under medicated? My pulse increased, I was very dizzy and had reflux. I > don't think I had a proper consult with the urologist before and after the > seeding. Yes, under medicated. I didn't type the entire INOVA pharmacology. It also included 2 tabs of ZANTAC (RANITIDINE) daily for about the 1st week; one after breakfast and the other after dinner. That may have helped your reflux. INOVA gave me a loose leaf binder with detailed instructions. What to take. What to eat. What not to eat. Almost minute by minute. What to expect. What to do. Who to call in an emergency. What to say to get though. They also held a 4 hour class on the seeding/IMRT before treatment. It was very thorough. Here's something else I found in my package: ----------- Summary -------- "To minimize discomfort from urinary burning, urinary urgency, and/or frequency, and weak urinary stream, avoid foods that cause prostate irritation." NO Critus NO caffeine NO alcohol NO tomatoes NO hot, spicy foods NO Vitamin C supplements NO Aspartame NO glucosamine chondroitin supplements Antioxidant supplementation should be avoided. Increase fluids to 6-8 glasses per day. For THREE MONTHS!!!! ---------- End Summary ---------- There is a lot more detail in their instructions; I've just summarized the high points. You might check with your doc on this. Have him contact INOVA for their nutritional guidelines. -kh Sheesh, Did all you seeded's get this info from your docs???? Thanks for all the input. Sounds like my urologist assumes everything is going in the right direction unless the patient complains. I'm back on Flomax and am taking my Vicodin every four hours now. Most of the pain is gone, but I'm not emptying my bladder completely. Still getting up several times at night. I make it through the day with no problems. It will be interesting to get the results of the CT on the 29th and see where we go from there. I may have rushed back out on the golf course too soon, but everything I read said I could resume normal activity after 48 hours. Golf is my normal activity. Must have been the bouncing around in the golf cart that exaggerated the problems. > Thanks for all the input. Sounds like my urologist assumes everything is > going in the right direction unless the patient complains. I'm back on [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > is my normal activity. Must have been the bouncing around in the golf cart > that exaggerated the problems. I'd keep on golfing. Keep doing whatever it is that you enjoy. You saw the INOVA list of don't eats as well as all the pills to help pee. The other thing INOVA did was give me 3 extra Decadron and they said, "THIS is for emergencies. If you can't pee, take ONE. Wait an hour. If you still have a problem go to our emergency room and tell them that you're OUR seeding patient and you can't go but you tried the Decadron. If the Decadron helps, relieves the pain, and lets you pee, you have TWO more. That should take you through a 3 day weekend, until you can get in for an EMERGENCY consult with our specialists. Call first thing in the morning." They also said that worse of the getting up at night would be about the 4 week mark. That was my experience. After that, each month, I was able to sleep one more hour without having to get up to pee. About the 5th month, I was sleeping through the night. Something you should know. I scored a near perfect on the "how do you pee?" quiz. Prior to seeding, I used to drink a 20 ounce glass of water, go to bed, and sleep through the night. It was a year or so before I could do that again. Expect that it will take time for you to return to normal, whatever normal is for you. -kh And don't forget, sit in hot water to relax and pee...... even if you have to do it four times a day.... > Thanks for all the input. Sounds like my urologist assumes everything is > going in the right direction unless the patient complains. I'm back on [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Golf is my normal activity. Must have been the bouncing around in the > golf cart that exaggerated the problems. I did and really surprised that some do not. I would say of the 8 people that I personally know who hav e been seeded, all received similiar instructions. >> Under medicated? My pulse increased, I was very dizzy and had reflux. I >> don't think I had a proper consult with the urologist before and after [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > > -kh Sheesh, Did all you seeded's get this info from your docs???? 3putt-- I had seeds done Aug 2004 and still have burning and frequency when I urinate...I am in the 5 percent category...I take 1 FLOMAX every 24 hrs...I tried to stop them but no luck....I had intense burning and finally complete blockage when I tried to urinate every 15 minutes...I had to self-catherize for 3 months...hope u don't have to go through this...The burning is less intense but it will probably remain forever... Kram So far all is very normal! They will do a scan and count seeds. They look for something like a 94% coverage with the seeds. They are also hoping you didn't dislodge a seed. IF that happens they will determine the % of coverage and decide if they need to re-seed that spot. It happens. Do not worry about losing the seeds. (Sounds exactly like our doc - a three week CT scan!) If the seeds don't get it all they will do an external beam radiation. That combination is the same as a RP with external beam radiation. If that doesn't get it means it escaped and nothing is going to undo it at this time but they can slow it down. But don't even think about that right now. Be careful and watch to make sure you are not fighting a bladder infection from the cath. I don't want to scare you but hubby is still taking Rx for flow 4.5 years out of brachy. Most guys use something for about the first 6 weeks to 3 months. Most guys I have talked to after brachy all say the same thing - 18 months from now you'll forget you ever had brachy except for those pesky PSA tests for the rest of your life. The good news is at 4.5 years hubby's PSA is <0.01 - it's a slow slide down to those numbers but it's a great feeling. If I can help in any way just ask. Bev > Well, it was my turn in the barrel. The urologist recommended surgery, > however, I've had several hernia ops where mesh was used. Apparently, this [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > need external radiation. Also, I'm very concerned what will happen next if > the seeds did not work. > Well, it was my turn in the barrel. The urologist recommended surgery, > however, I've had several hernia ops where mesh was used. Apparently, this [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > need external radiation. Also, I'm very concerned what will happen next if > the seeds did not work. I had brachytherapy in Nov. 2005. Dec and Jan were not too good. I had Pt 103 (i think), which has a 1/2 life of 16 days, so if you had the same, your radioactivity is decreased by about 1/2. What you are feeling is the effect of the destroyed tissue, sort of run down etc. If you have sex now, expect a lot of blood in the ejaculate. later on, you will have a orgasm w/o ejaculate. I am still taking flomax, but everything else is ok. urination was frequent, and painful. everything sort of returns to normal. sounds normal j. |
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