I started experiencing difficult in passing urine about March 2014. An ultrasound scan revealed an enlarged prostate gland. I was on a catheter for about two months. A rectal exam confirmed that my prostate gland was enlarged with irregular edges, leading to prostate cancer suspicion. A biopsy confirmed advanced prostate cancer. An MRI and a "Nuclear biology/technology" scans ruled out spreading of the cancer to the bones but only confined to the soft tissues in the groin/waist areas. Of course the left lymph nodes in the groin were initially swollen, but not now. An oncologist put me on Zoladex (10.8mg) implants in June, 2014. I have since been taking this treatment every three months. My PSA fell from 65 to about 0.1. In Feb. - March, 2015, I underwent 15 sessions of radiotherapy and my PSA dropped to 0.02. But it went up to about 0.2 in September, 2015. I'll do another PSA in December, 2015 when I go for another treatment and review. So far, so good, though I am having challenge with passing urine. Incontinence seems to be creeping up.

Side-effects of my ADT are hot flushes, weight gain and penile dysfunction.

My PSA on 28 December 2015 was 0.07.

In addition to ADT, I started taking Prostate complex, Immune complex (from Nativa) and Omega 3 supplements in February, 2016. My PSA dropped to 0.01 in April, 2016. I have also been doing aerobics regularly. However, I am having problems with incontinence and UTIs.

When I went for my review in June, 2016 with a PSA of 0.01 (same as the one for March, 2016), I was told the treatment regime will change because I can only be on Zoladex for two years (that is, since June, 2014).

I was asked to go back for review six months later (December, 2016) when I will be put on a new drug, which was not disclosed to me. I am doing fine apart from the usual urinary and minor urge incontinence. I have noticed a reduction in thickness of the urine stream, and I have to go often to the toilet, particularly at night, as a result. I am worried my urethra might get blocked.

In December, 2016, my PSA was still 0.01, (from the original 65 in June, 2014) and still I was not put on any medication, after two years of Zoladex which was stopped in June 2016.

Zoladex was chosen as the first line of treatment because my PCa had spread to the groin area but not to the bones and other parts of the body. I also underwent radiation therapy for fifteen sessions only in February, 2015.

My next review was scheduled for June, 2017. However, in June, 2017, my PSA had increased to 0.2, a rise of 20 times in six months. I got worried, but my doctor told me it was nothing. He only asked me, when going for review in December, 2017, to take with me both the September and December PSA test results for comparison purposes.

My side effects are still mainly incontinence, hot flushes, penile dysfunction (although of late I am experiencing mild sexual feelings), slightly enlarged breasts and tummy.

In June, 2017 I went for review with a PSA of 0.2 (January, 2017 PSA was 0.01). I was told to continue without medication and I was booked for review on 4th January, 2018. I was told to take with me PSA test results for September and December, 2017, which were 0.03 and 0.06 respectively.

On 4th January, 2018, I was told to continue without medication because my PSA results were not that bad, and I was asked to go back for review in July, 2018 with a new PSA test result.

Apart from the usual hot flushes, which have slightly reduced, my weight has stayed around 88 kg (which is on the high side for me); I am experiencing slight sexual feelings (I have been off ADT - Zoladex since March/June 2016); but I am taking too long to empty my bladder these days, i.e., there is more dripping of urine. I wear incontinence pads during the day and diapers at night.

Apart from dedicating my life to God, the only thing I have maintained is a strict exercise regime (25 minute interval cardio workout from home - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXK6oXwRr1U) three times a week.

In November, 2017 I suffered from a suspected complete heartblock and doctors who attended to me at first, referred me to a higher hospital for possible recommendation for a pacemaker implant at an Indian hospital. Fortunately, the referral hospital's examinations found that the condition had "disappeared". However, I am being observed every month just in case the "Third-degree atrioventricular block" condition emerges again, (based on ECG test results). This emphasizes the point that with good treatment and care, one is likely to die from other causes and not necessarily PCa.

I am still on watchful surveillance since June 2016, because of my low PSA levels. My weight has increased to 90 kg now and my testosterone has increased to normal levels. The hot flushes have decreased a bit though. I am getting sexual feelings but my erection is weak. The incontinence has been the same. I will be going for review after one year (October 2019).

I am still on watchful surveillance since June 2016. I have started getting sexual feelings but very poor erections. The other side effects such as hot flashes have abated a bit.

I have not been on treatment since June 2016.

I started taking some herbal suppliments from Greenworld in November and my PSA dropped to 1.97 in December 2020 and 0.97 in January 2021. In February 2021 it went up slightly to 1.07. I am waiting for this March results.

Thank you,

FCB

I am still on watchful surveillance since 2016. My PSA has remained below 4 since that time after two year treatment on ADT with Zoladex for two years from 2014. PSA only went up to 2.9-3.1 at one time but after herbal treatment on my own, it has been below 0.5 up date.

Of course incontinence has continued and erectile dysfunction but the later again has slightly improved due I suspect to the build up testosterone hormone in the body. Body weight not so bad. I am now 67 years old.

Regards

I've been on watchful surveillance since 2016 and my PSA has stayed below 0.3 ever since. However, I suspect the taking of herbal supplements has helped me.

I am on watchful surveilance since 2016. I went for review after one year with a PSA of 0.1. I was told to go back after six months.

My only complications are incontinence and lack of sexual activity.

Nothing serious except that the PSA has jumped from 0.29 in March to 0.49 in June

Chansa's e-mail address is: chansa56 AT yahoo.co.uk (replace "AT" with "@")