I found I had PC while living in Denmark, the surgeon suggested urgent radical prostatectomy, Dec 2011

Result was just a few lymph nodes had signs otherwise all clear after op, PSA insignificant.

After 6 months PSA 0.1, after 1 year 0.4, surgeon suggested RT. By the time I had RT in May 2013, my PSA had risen to 0.7.

After RT PSA dropped to 0.4, then over next 2 years rose gradually to 1.5.

Early 2016, PSA 2, then 3.6 in June then 7.8 in November 2016. Following discussion with consultant in Addenbrooks, Cambridge (I moved back to UK in 2015), even though there were no signs of spread in bones, kidneys, bladder, etc, we agreed to start course of 28 days of Bicalutamide, then after 15 days 3 monthly Zoladex injections. When I asked consultant life expectancy, honestly, he said he could only say that statistically it was 5-10 years, that shocked me!

After 6 weeks PSA dropped to 0.35.

I play national level field hockey, but since taking Zoladex feel very tired, can only manage 50-60 minutes every 2-3 days, but I walk my dog around 8-10km every day. I now sleep 8-10 hours/night, have some hot flushes, can only drink around 3-4 units alcohol without hangover.

I have a few friends with similar stories, we all hope we will last longer & get on with life, I would welcome exchange with others who are in the club nobody wanted to join!

In April 2017 I had my 2nd zoladex injection but on obtaining my PSA results from same day my PSA was undetectable. We agreed to suspend treatment. Now, 12 months later my PSA is less than 0.02 so insignificant.

I still have hot flushes but have gradually returned to near normal apart from fact I still have no sexual desire and still don't have quite the stamina I did but I am 67.

In addition I need a hip replacement which is now my main focus so I hope that by year end I will feel full of life again for first time in 2 years.

Since May 2018 my PSA has been slowly increasing but I have felt very well and had a full hip replacement in June.

I have returned to playing hockey at good over 65 county level and all side effects of the hormones from 2017 are gone. I have some sexual urge but all possible erections have never returned. I may try MUSE again but now my PSA is rising faster I anticipate I will need more hormone treatment before 2019 year end. My consultant agreed it's safe to wait until it reaches 10.

My main challenge is urine leakage following stricture dilation of my urinary tract in 2017.I use 2-3 small 5cc pads per day mainly when active.

I'm hoping another 2 hormones injection will bring PSA down for another year or so and I can have my other hip replacement and play national over 70 hockey in 2 years. Fingers crossed!

Since m8d 2019, I have been feeling fitter than for a long time, new hip starting to work well, playing hockey, travelling and walking 8-10 km a day.

By November 2019 my PSA was back up to 10 again so I was put on 4 weeks of bicalumacide tablets and had one zoladex injection early December.

I had bone and ct scan, neither of which showed any signs of spreading, but did confirm the drastic state of my joints, osteoarthritis in knees, hips, shoulders, hands etc.!

By end February 2020 my PSA was down to 0.13 and after some discussion my consultant agreed to suspend treatment again. End May my PSA was 0.04 or virtually undetectable.

Covid 19 has stopped sports so my reduced activity due to the hormones has not really affected me much.

By July, except for frequent hot flushes, I'm pretty well normal, but I do sleep up to 10 hrs a night, waking every 2-3 hours as I need a pre.

My bladder weakness is worse, need a small pad most of the time and for a 6km walk I need a medium pad.

Sexual interest and activity is nil, but my lady partner is not bothered, so at nearly 70 it seems that phase is over!

Basically enjoying life.

My PSA rose to 12 in November 2021. I took 2x3 months zoladex, the last in February 22.

My PSA was 0.06 in March 22.

I'm hoping to have another year or so before needing more zoladex which appears very effective for me. This time I had few side effects but flushes continue.

As a side, October 20 I had the other hip replacement. I continue with hockey and normal other daily activities, travelling etc, still pretty fit for 71.

Since February 2022 I have not had any treatment while psa low. Over last year it's rising again, currently march 2024 at 10.9

I had full bone and ct scans November 2023, everything OK but small lump now 23mm in chest area tobe investigated, probably lipoma slow growing, after which I will resume zoladex probably for another 6 months.

I have been very active daily walking, playing hockey 4-5 times a month and feeling exceptionally well and positive.

Correction to lump it's probably thymoma growth from 6mm to 23mm in 4 years, I understand understand 50mm not an issue

Chris's e-mail address is: crthornhill AT gmail.com (replace "AT" with "@")