How has prostate cancer impacted you mentally?

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JosephineO

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13/11/2018 at 10:16

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JosephineO

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Last activity on 15/07/2024 at 09:21

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Hello everyone,

When people talk about cancer, it is generally focused around the physical impact that cancer can have on you. This can be especially difficult with prostate cancer, because it has difficult consequences concerning libido, penis size/function as well as impacting your skin, appetite...

However, today I want to ask you about how having cancer has changed you mentally. The PTSD that can follow the diagnosis and treatment of cancer isn't mentioned as much. So, how has your cancer mentally impacted you? Do you have nightmares about it coming back or getting worse? Do you feel depressed or motivated by your diagnosis?

Please let us know and share your stories.

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hammy1946

14/11/2018 at 08:13

hammy1946

Last activity on 06/12/2018 at 13:20

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10 comments posted | 7 in the Living with prostate cancer group

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When I was diagnosed I was very ill as I was recovering from a operation for a burst appendix so didn't take it in at the time . When I did take it in my first thoughts was why me, what have I done wrong however now I just carry on as I did before. At times I get very tired and this makes me very depressed as I can't do the things that I done before or that it takes me a lot longer to do them . Some days I can work all day with no effect however on another day I will sleep most of the time or I will feel down and don't want to speak to anybody for a few days.

How has prostate cancer impacted you mentally? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-prostate-cancer/how-did-prostate-cancer-impact-you-mentally-2623 2018-11-14 08:13:56

Sundaze18

14/11/2018 at 12:20

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Sundaze18

Last activity on 20/10/2024 at 18:37

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27 comments posted | 4 in the Living with prostate cancer group

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In truth it didn't affect me mentally to any great extent. I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones in that I am currently on the "watch and monitor" status. My wife and I recently discussed how we tend not to share our issues with others but have a "get on with it" outlook. This has probably arisen from caring from a 41 yrs. old son who has a severe learning disability, is autistic and non-verbal. Quite often I feel people can become a little too concerned sharing their problems which can sometimes result in others avoiding discussing things with them. Maybe I'm too philosophical!!

How has prostate cancer impacted you mentally? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-prostate-cancer/how-did-prostate-cancer-impact-you-mentally-2623 2018-11-14 12:20:46

joeydunlop

14/11/2018 at 22:54

joeydunlop

Last activity on 23/07/2019 at 11:30

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i HAD 2 YEARS OF cASODEX AND 3 MONTHLY INJECTIONS PUT ON 3 STONE THE WEIGHT WAS MAKING ME VERY DEPRESSED THEN I FINISHED TREATMENT WENT TO THE GYM LOST THE WEIGHT AND BNOW MUCH HAPPIER.

How has prostate cancer impacted you mentally? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-prostate-cancer/how-did-prostate-cancer-impact-you-mentally-2623 2018-11-14 22:54:55

JosephineO

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15/11/2018 at 11:47

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JosephineO

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Last activity on 15/07/2024 at 09:21

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@Sundaze18 Thank you for responding :) I suppose whe nyou have your wife with you, you can work as a team and maybe that is why you didn't feel the need o share so much with others?

@joeydunlop That's great that you managed to lose the weigth and you're now feeling better. In case other readers are wondering, here is the fact sheet for Casodex which you mentioned.

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Josephine, Community Manager

How has prostate cancer impacted you mentally? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-prostate-cancer/how-did-prostate-cancer-impact-you-mentally-2623 2018-11-15 11:47:15

mikesalmons

19/11/2018 at 20:35

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mikesalmons

Last activity on 19/11/2024 at 19:36

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It was a shock to me when I was first diagnosed, I suppose it was the Cancer word. I had no symptoms before hand and only went for a psa test as a matter of course. Now after radiotherapy, brachytherapy and hormone treatment. I am quite relaxed about my cancer. My last 2 psa levels have been undetectable, however I have put on about half a stone in weight, mainly around my waist. With this extra 2 inches of waist measurement I have had to buy a couple of pairs of Levi jeans, and my goodness they can be expensive. One plus side of hormone treatment, my bald head is sprouting hair. As you can see by my tone of writing I am upbeat.

How has prostate cancer impacted you mentally? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-prostate-cancer/how-did-prostate-cancer-impact-you-mentally-2623 2018-11-19 20:35:38

mikesalmons

03/12/2018 at 18:15

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mikesalmons

Last activity on 19/11/2024 at 19:36

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Last couple of appointments have been cancelled but have a new date of 17th January 2019. Given my last psa level , same as previous two less than 0.001 which is great. Will have another psa test a week before my next appointment. My hormone treatment is now complete.

How has prostate cancer impacted you mentally? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-prostate-cancer/how-did-prostate-cancer-impact-you-mentally-2623 2018-12-03 18:15:00

Eddyyy

06/12/2018 at 15:32

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Eddyyy

Last activity on 19/10/2021 at 10:44

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@mikesalmons Did you have a lot of hair growth? None such benefits like that for me!

Less than 0.001 is fantastic, it must be a big relief for you.

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Eddyyy

How has prostate cancer impacted you mentally? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-prostate-cancer/how-did-prostate-cancer-impact-you-mentally-2623 2018-12-06 15:32:57

mikesalmons

06/12/2018 at 15:39

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mikesalmons

Last activity on 19/11/2024 at 19:36

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Not a great deal of growth but a lot of fluff. Certainly pleased with my latest set of psa levels.

How has prostate cancer impacted you mentally? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-prostate-cancer/how-did-prostate-cancer-impact-you-mentally-2623 2018-12-06 15:39:11

cooperman

17/12/2018 at 15:27

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cooperman

Last activity on 20/08/2024 at 18:31

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Reading of other peoples experiences makes you realise that each is very different and this is due to many factors. Each will have had a different Gleeson score and each will have had choices to make about how to deal with it. A friend of mine who had undergone surgery for cancer in the past once said to me "the worst part is being told you have cancer" and I can relate to that because I had always kept myself reasonably fit and to be told I had cancer was quite a shock. However this helped in the decision making because I just had to get rid of it and the answer was of course surgery. Once I had made the decision things moved reasonably quickly and I was soon processed through the system. Having had plenty of time since to reflect I don't have any regrets. Yes there a the problems of impotency but there are one or two processes to try and evidently they work for some but unfortunately not for me. However when I discussed this with my wife she said "she would rather have me around" a view I fully support and now I can concentrate on my keeping fit.

How has prostate cancer impacted you mentally? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-prostate-cancer/how-did-prostate-cancer-impact-you-mentally-2623 2018-12-17 15:27:02

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AJWilson

31/05/2023 at 14:14

AJWilson

Last activity on 31/07/2021 at 11:48

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@cooperman I can sympathise as I underwent a radical prostatectomy by Da Vinci about ten years ago. My PSA has been 0 ever since. I was lucky they caught me just in time as my right prostate lobe was 80% tumour (from biopsies). Yes, the same impotency problems as you (despite the operation being billed as 'nerve-sparing') but my wife is also understanding and says she'd rather I was here! I was offered an implant which I declined and take injections from time to time which help. I was so lucky they got me in time before it burst and spread to my lymphatic system.

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Ashley Wilson

How has prostate cancer impacted you mentally? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-prostate-cancer/how-did-prostate-cancer-impact-you-mentally-2623 2023-05-31 14:14:28

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mikesalmons

18/01/2019 at 16:32

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mikesalmons

Last activity on 19/11/2024 at 19:36

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Had my appointment with my consultant at last on 17th January 2019, after two previous cancellations. My new psa test was also undetectable, which was a great relief, one never knows what will happen after finishing hormone treatment. I have just a few small problem to deal with which is weeing urgency. I have sudden rushes to get to the toilet, so I now tend to use a toilet more often as I don't want to be caught short. Beer does not help much, as it goes straight through me. Other than that, everything is fine and my next appointment is in 3 month's time, April 2019, I shall make sure it's not the 1st.

How has prostate cancer impacted you mentally? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-prostate-cancer/how-did-prostate-cancer-impact-you-mentally-2623 2019-01-18 16:32:57

How has prostate cancer impacted you mentally?

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