I lay here beside my wife,we are away on a vacation
Trying to keep my mind off my cancer. While she sleeps.

I hate going to bed as I can’t sleep I find my anxiety level
Spikes.

I feel inadequate I look at myself in the mirror and all I see
Someone who is beat down.
I used to walk proud and strong, now I just hold my head low.
This metastic prostate takes pieces away of you bit by bit.
And sends warnings how it will come for more.
It’s become hard to be with my wife sometimes as I see how beautiful she is and how I’m not the same man she fell in love with.All can think is she is better off without me.

I can’t even make love to her anymore as cancer has taken that from me.

I love her so so much.

I don’t really know how to live my life and don’t find much joy anymore.
I find that I’m staying away from people more and more and just the thought of a getting together with old friends just cause so much anxiety and stress I tend not to make plans.

I’m not looking for advice … I just wanted to vent how I feel
I’m trying to be strong but it gets tougher and tougher as it progresses.

Cancer- I want to tell that you’ve ruined my life.
I’ve been a good person all my life and i don’t deserve this.
I’m tired and run down.

4 years ago, I lost my spouse and I found out I had prostate cancer. After 4 weeks of radiation treatments, I am doing fine. I recently met a wonderful woman who I explained my situation to and she is very understanding. I want to be intimate with her, but my mind and body are two different pages. She said it's not a problem but it's causing me stress and grief. I made an appointment to see my PCP and helpful medication can help. What should I expect from medication?

A few friends have asked why I am so up and down the past few weeks. Not calling back, being mean and nasty on the phone. So I created a little story that helped: Enjoy.

"Hey Joe, thanks for asking how I am doing after treatment. Well, it's a mixed bag, but here is an overview of what I have experienced...

For me, ending Testosterone deprivation, (chemical castration) post cancer treatment is like a roommate who moved out and can't commit to moving back in. Every 48 hours or so, he swings by just long enough to slam a few doors, break a window, trash the place — then vanishes again, no lease, no notice, no forwarding address. Doesn't even have the decency to fully leave or fully come back. Just enough chaos to remind you he's still got a key. And best of all, he may or may not decide to move back in for a couple of months. Decisions, decisions!

Nights aren't much better — 12 hot flashes on rotation, each one soaking the sheets like I'm pre-treating them to throw over an active wildfire. I wake up drenched, furious, and weepy, and still angry enough to take on anyone, everyone, all at once, like my body can't decide if it's grieving the roommate, wanting to beat him to a pulp, or I should be evacuating the building?

Now, somewhere during this this mess, you caught a door slam you didn't deserve. Friends for forty + years, and I still find a way to be a jackass. Sorry, man."

Not telling anyone who's been through this anything they don't already know, but hey, maybe someone recognised themselves and had a chuckle.

Be well my PC Droogies.

You can beat this!

I need to say this so everyone knows. I hate this anaconda. It took until today for me to realize that sitting a certain way puts pressure on the tube making it feel like the need to pee. Wish me luck, 7 more days with this "thang"!

Can someone offer me a few words of comfort?

I underwent surgery in September 2024: PSA 11, Gleason 3+4, pT2b, with a few small positive margins. My first post-op PSA was 0.03, but then it rose to 0.10, and has since increased by 0.01 every two months.

The doctor says to wait until it hits 0.2.

Why? How?
I just don't know what to do.

Is there much difference with side effects of a 3 month shot compared to a 6 month shot?

I (60 m) am 4 weeks in to a 3 month Lupron shot and I'm doing alright. Some brain fog and forgetfulness, and very fatigued in the afternoon. I occasionally wake up in a puddle of sweat due to the hot flashes. My temper is quite short at times. The testicle shrinkage is a little concerning, but expected.

My doc asked if I want to go to a 6 month shot. The convenience would be nice but I don't want to increase the severity of the side effects or gain some new ones for that benefit.

Thoughts?

I’m 5 months post-RALP and am now dealing with metastasis in a few lymph nodes. My urologist recommended 2 years of ADT (Orgovyx and Erleada). I am awaiting a consultation with a radiation oncologist. I have recently found studies on the use of doxycycline to reduce PSA levels (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12030710/). This particular study reports 100mg daily of doxycycline reduced PSA by up to 60%. It also reported increased quality of life.

Has anyone tried this as an adjunct to their treatments?

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2025, Gleason 3+4, with only 5% pattern 4. The cancer is only on the right side, but a large proportion of the biopsy samples from that side were positive. My staging tests, including a PSMA PET scan, were negative. However, my PSA remains high, between 17 and 23.

After seeing three urologists and two radiation oncologists, my main options are:

• robotic radical prostatectomy;
• 20 sessions of radiation therapy with six months of hormone therapy.

I was also offered a clinical trial involving five sessions of stereotactic radiation therapy, either alone or combined with a brachytherapy boost, chosen at random. The short course of radiation appeals to me, but I do not want to risk being placed in the brachytherapy group.

I simply cannot make a decision. I am prepared to give up my sex life, but I am terrified of incontinence, chronic pain, and losing a significant part of my physical abilities. I do not want to survive at any cost if it means becoming highly dependent or losing most of my quality of life.

I have already suffered from neuropathic pelvic and perineal pain for years. I also have irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, and occasional rectal bleeding. The biopsy caused a very large internal and external hematoma, which has made me even more afraid of treatment.

I have a 10-year-old child and I want to be there for him. But I have also been treated for depression and anxiety for more than 15 years, I have serious financial problems, and I am currently at a very low point psychologically.

I really do not feel comfortable with the idea of surgery, but I am afraid I may regret not choosing it.

In my situation, considering my medical profile, my previous health problems, my psychological state, and my fear of side effects, what would you do? Has anyone chosen to go without treatment?

I stopped Orgovyx at 10 months in March. My PSA is undetectable. Testosterone went from 64 in May to 126 in June.

I’m still suffering from multiple hot flashes. I don’t mind during the day. But they wake me up at night and I have to get up to cool off. Makes sleep not very restorative.

Is this going to cure itself?

(2 Cyberknife sessions followed by 25 emrt)

Been dealing with severe side effects from my radiation a year ago which includes several trips to the ER to deal with clotting. Just finished 40 sessions of HBOT but now into my 9th day of steady bleeding.

My urologist doesn't believe in cauterization, so he's suggested INSTYLAN, which is self administered. There's minimal info available online.

Has anyone experienced it??

Hello Everyone,

I'd like to start by saying that this r/ProstateCancer forum has been eye-opening and surprisingly reassuring, and I appreciate all the survivors who have posted.

I went in for an upset stomach and heartburn back in May, Dr ran some bloodwork that happened to include a PSA test and lo and behold...a PSA of 71 and the resulting CT Scan and PET scan showed stage 4 prostate cancer spread to surrounding bones and lymph nodes. Happy 60th birthday to me! A biopsy 2 weeks ago came back as a 4+3=7 Gleason.

I had an initial consult with a local Oncologist who recommended starting ADT and waiting to see what the cancer does. Since I'm showing no symptoms and have no pain yet, he wants to wait on the chemo as the next step when the cancer becomes resistant.

I had my second opinion this morning at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center in Baltimore and met with 2 doctors. They gave me a couple options including a trial called Spiderman which is the where they give a huge dose of testosterone followed by a period of no testosterone which is supposed to confuse the cancer from becoming resistant. This particular trial has only been running for 5-6 months, I'm wondering if anyone on this forum is in this trial and what their thoughts are.

I think I'm going to stick with Johns Hopkins regardless of the trial. I like my local Dr, but it feels like I'm better served with a team of specialists that deal only with prostate cancer. It's an hour away but I can do labs and pharmacy locally, so I would only be driving out there every 1-2 months.

Anyway...my journey begins. All the stories of surviving 10+ years have been encouraging. I know each case is different, and if I can make 10 years, I will be satisfied.

Thank you for listening.

Has anyone had their PSA number more than double in a 12 month period, 1.4 - 3.9 for example?

If so did you find out why?

Mine was rechecked 3 weeks later and it dropped down to 2.8. Which is okay for my age, 61, but the velocity of the increase is crazy

Sueño Con Serpientes

Canción de

Silvio Rodríguez

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Hay hombres que luchan un día y son buenos
Hay otros que luchan un año y son mejores
Hay quienes luchan muchos años y son muy buenos
Pero hay los que luchan toda la vida
Esos son los imprescindibles
Bertolt Brecht

Sueño con serpientes
Con serpientes de mar
Con cierto mar, ay, de serpientes
Sueño yo

Largas, transparentes
Y en sus barrigas llevan
Lo que puedan
Arrebatarle al amor

Oh, oh-oh
La mato y aparece una mayor
Oh, oh-oh-oh
Con mucho más infierno en digestión

No quepo en su boca
Me trata de tragar
Pero se atora
Con un trébol de mi cien

Creo que está loca
Le doy de masticar
Una paloma
Y la enveneno de mi bien

Oh, oh-oh
La mato y aparece una mayor
Oh, oh-oh-oh
Con mucho más infierno en digestión

Esta, al fin me engulle
Y mientras por su esófago paseo
Voy pensando
En qué vendrá

Pero se destruye
Cuando llego a su estómago y planteo
Con un verso
Una verdad

Oh, oh-oh
La mato y aparece una mayor
Oh, oh-oh-oh
Con mucho más infierno en digestión

Oh, oh-oh
La mato y aparece una mayor, a mi entender esta es nuestra vida y seguimos matando serpientes

I had a radical prostatectomy in 2022 with a Gleason score of 6+3. I have been faithful in getting my blood tests every six months with a non-detectable reading. Last year it was .1 This may it was .3 and last week it was .37.

Important Service update anything over than .2 be treated as cancer and is recognitized as such by insurance and treatment centers.

Waiting on my colonoscopy, MRI with and without contrast and pet/SCM. It’s six weeks of radiation every day for five days.

I’m driving an hour and a half each way to Penn medicine in Cherry Hill due to substandard healthcare at the beach.

Fun times ahead.

What is the ideal treatment for this case?
Success rate also
Age - 71
PSA - 10.8
No Diabetes
Hypertension controlled under Medication

Biopsy

Specimen: Prostate gland, needle biopsy.

- No. of cores: 11[A. Right lobe: 6 cores; B. Left lobe: 5 cores (all embedded)]
• Length of each core: 0.4 - 1.5cm.
Histologic type: Adenocarcinoma (acinar, not otherwise specified).
Histologic Grade: Gleason Pattern
- Primary (Predominant) Pattern: Grade 4
Secondary (Worst Remaining) Pattern: Grade 3
- Total Gleason Score: 7
• Grade Group: 3

Tumour Quantitation:
- Number cores positive: 5 [cores from right lobe]
• Total number of cores: 11
› Proportion (percent) of prostatic tissue involved by tumour: 34%
- Proportion (%) of prostatic tissue involved by tumour for core with the greatest amount of tumour:
100%

Periprostatic Fat Invasion: Not identified.
Seminal Vesicle Invasion: Not identified.
Lymph-Vascular Invasion: Not identified.
Perineural Invasion: Present.
Additional Pathologic Findings: None identified.

Diagnosis: Needle biopsy, prostate: Adenocarcinoma (acinar), combined Gleason's score 7(4+3), grade group 3, involving 34% of total biopsy material, perineural invasion present.

Orgovyx says it isn't covered. Are there any tricks to getting it?

Starting salvage radiation this week, I wondered if bleeding is a symptom that shows up the first few days.

53 yo, Nerve sparing RALP 9 months ago, incontinence mostly resolved, ED treatable with high dose Cialis and a ring, able to orgasm. My problem is that my libido has plummeted since surgery and sensation is also much reduced. I miss being horny and have no idea why this is happening. Bremelanotide helps with sensation and a little bit with arousal but have local reactions with injection. Testosterone level is fine. Something just broke after surgery

Doc said my dad was going to start on Lupron buy due to insurance issues they had him start on Eligard.

Both are the same?

I know that ED and incontinence are real issues and I’m happy that they are discussed.

But inability to orgasm following surgery or radiation gets little attention in either the scientific or ordinary press, despite it (according to the very few articles I have found that discuss it) affecting one in every five men treated for PCa.

Why the silence and the little attention given to remedies?

My score after biopsy was a 7. After surgery 5 weeks later, it had jumped to 9. Is this common or uncommon to have the Gleason score change? dg

My dad had his RALP 12 weeks ago. I’ll leave a copy of his pathology results but his PSA was between 36-39 before surgery. His PSA at his first post RALP yesterday was <.04 so undetectable. If anyone with similar pathology and or PSA could tell me how their post surgery PSA has been id appreciate it. I’m asking because from what I’ve read he has a 50-50 chance of recurrence. Also any advice would be appreciated. Also we’re grateful for the undetectable first result but I’m just worried it will start to rise again

Pathology:
Prostatic adenocarcinoma
Gleason 4+3=7 (Grade Group 3)
Tumor involved 51–60% of the prostate
Extraprostatic extension (EPE) present (cancer extended outside the prostate)
Bilateral seminal vesicle invasion → pT3b
Bladder neck invasion
Lymphovascular invasion present
Perineural invasion present
Cribriform pattern present
Intraductal carcinoma present
Multiple positive surgical margins (about 2 mm total involvement)
11 pelvic lymph nodes removed, all negative (0/11) → pN0

Patients bloods are all normal apart from white blood cells. They are extremely low at 1.3. His neutrophils are 0.3 which is severely low. These bloods were found 5 weeks after radiotherapy to prostrate and pelvis. Before radiotherapy everything was normal in his bloods.

I'm hoping this is a side effect of the radiotherapy but I can't seem to find no link online. Also, his oncology has sent patients to haematology clinic to investigate which is scary as I'd assumed oncologist would think it's just due to the radiotherapy and is temporary.

What is going on? Has anyone experienced this?

• PSA around 5
• Grade Group 2 - Gleason 3+4=7
• Limited pattern 4
• No cribriform/intra ductal carcinoma
• No enlarged lymph nodes on MRI
• Positive DRE
• Capsular abutment with convexity
• High-risk Decipher - waiting on exact number, just found out yesterday

I am opting for surgery, due to a bladder obstruction. See the doctor in 7 days for referral. My anxiety stems from the possibility of ECE. I went from favorable intermediate to "let's get this done." From what I gather, it's a coin flip on whether it is ECE. Thing is I have a lumbar spine condition, waiting for a fusion after PC treatment. Axial pain has increased noticeably over the past 3 months. Even wakes me up some nights. Concerned cancer may have metastasized.

My husband will start pluvicto next week, any positive stories or just some encouragement. I’m heartbroken and praying this works!