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EBRT - (external beam radiation therapy)

Posted , 7 users are following.

Roger2Dodger
Roger2Dodger

I just finished 43 treatments of EBRT, side effects were managable, thanks to my oncologist. Some at times , were not very pleasant. It goes with the territory, and you just deal with them.

Now comes 6 weeks of healing, along with more side effects, (my Oncologist tells me). I am a 76 year old that could perform "ON Demand" Now I have ED. Well, oncologist (she) "says more to life than loosing ones erections." I agree, I am alive, and supposedly cancer free. I will get my PSA test in middle of May.

Oncologist  says ED is probably permanent. Any help or suggestions on ED after EBRT, I welcome any input that could give some hope, that I might regain my erections. lol..... despite what my Doctor said, erections are important to a man.

I want to thank all of you for the support and guidance, this forum is great![/b]

Kind Regards,

Roger

 

0 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • charles61038
    charles61038 Roger2Dodger

    Posted

    Hello Roger! I am so glad that you have finished up with the radiation. I've been thinking about you and also that you should be nearly through with your treatment. Now it is time for you to heal. And for the ED, give it some time. Let your body do some healing. It took me a little while after my Brachytherapy before I felt back to normal again. So don't give up on it. Give yourseflf some time. Glad you are finished with the radiation.

    Charles

    • Roger2Dodger
      Roger2Dodger charles61038

      Posted

      Hi Charles,

      Yes, all done ...43 fractions completed. And I am a happy camper I don't go back to that radiation.

      I felt all good today, went out side and mowed my lawn. Of course a lot of rest time in between. They say exercise is good after trestment So I got a good dose of that.

      Thank you Charles for your support,and being my friend.

      Roger

    • barney34567
      barney34567 Roger2Dodger

      Posted

      To clarify, you had just the prostate radiated? Or was there any other area involved? What side effects did you experience?

      The tough thing about ED is to keep doing what needs to be done, such as taking Cialis 5 mg daily and using a penis pump. I am slack and barely use the pump. I do take Cialis most days and YES it works.

       

    • Roger2Dodger
      Roger2Dodger barney34567

      Posted

      Barney,

      I just had 43 fractions of EBRT. No hormone therapy.

      Side effects were frequently burning urination. Bowel problems. Fatique, anxiety, and wife says depression.

      Drinking a quart of water prior to treatments, and holding it was torture at times.

      Thanks for concern's

      Roger

    • geoff90305
      geoff90305 Roger2Dodger

      Posted

      Mate, I do not know how you managed the water. I only had to do it one day for my flow test...really gave my kidneys a test. I can not begin to think of 43 times

      Geoff

    • Roger2Dodger
      Roger2Dodger geoff90305

      Posted

      Geoff,

      That was undoubtedly the most difficult thing I have ever experienced. And to exacerbate the problem, side effects of frequent urination.

      I just kept saying the Lords Prayer over and over., until the treatment was finished

      . I did loose my water on the very last treatment. Peed on the table lol I must say it was a chsllange.

      Roger

  • mellysmell
    mellysmell Roger2Dodger

    Posted

    Is there the possibility of trying viagra? I'm sure erections are also important to your significant other so why not give it a try. I've heard.viagra works better than cialys

    • romneyj
      romneyj mellysmell

      Posted

      Actually not. Where there has been neural and blood supply damage, re-vascularisation and innervation takes time. Cialis improves the blood flow over 24 hrs and when taken daily has an angiogenic effect. The evidence is that there is continued benefit over a three year period. Viagra is very short term and has a significantly lower effect though it is much cheaper (off patet) so is quite popular for that reason. There are many other approaches too (vacuum pumps and direct localvenodilatation to the penis) but most ED specialists will have sufficinet experience to know how best to approach this.
    • barney34567
      barney34567 mellysmell

      Posted

      Romney is correct. My GP who specialises in men's health mentioned that Cialis costs far more than the generic Viagra but has a far better effect on the blood flow to the penis especially when taken daily at or near the same time.

      If cost is an issue, of course taking viagra is better than taking nothing.

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