What should I expect during 6 weeks of radiation treatment?

Radiation for me was a breeze. It’s about a 90 second process each day. The hardest part was timing my morning bowel movement and keeping my bladder full. I only got rejected off the table twice for too full a bowels once and too empty a bladder another time. I had 8 weeks 6 months after a prostatectomy and almost 4 months into ADT treatment. I actually enjoyed going there each morning. You’d think nothing was being done until you see your blood work during it right after. It’s probably the easiest part of treatments. I think it’s the idea of actively doing something to fight the cancer. You’re going everyday and zapping it, fighting back. Good luck to you James!

Radiation treatment experiences can vary from person to person, but many community members find it helpful to connect with others who have been through similar journeys. Common experiences during radiation therapy often include manageable side effects like fatigue and skin changes in the treatment area, though your medical team will monitor you closely and provide guidance throughout the process. Hopefully, others in this community will share their experiences and tips to help you feel more prepared for the weeks ahead.

A problem I encountered was an over active bladder. Waking up every hour to pee. That along with the initial symptoms of adt treatment was horrific. The doc needs made aware and can prescribe a med for it.

Thank you so after you completed all your radiation treatment how long do you notice your PSA go down?

Your PSA will go down if you have PSA tests in middle to end of your treatment. Raidiation treatment lasts from 11 to 12 minutes each so just try to relax on table and don't move. It's painless but you need to have a full bladder and an empty rectum before you get on table. I didnt eat anything before I got there so good luck hope this helps

Thank you it sure do appreciate it, but I’m still a little nervous

Yeah of course it comes with territory, you gotta learn to manage & cope with your anxiety

Just so that I am understanding you’re right before each radiation treatment you have to have a empty rectum and a full bladder before you can get on the table, correct

Yes Empty bowels Full bladder

Thank you, Michael

The Radiation waiting room was a subdued place during my 45 days of treatment, that is until some old guy shuffled in muttering to himself that he couldn’t remember whether it was bowels empty and bladder full, or the other way around. It was impossible to stifle a laugh…enough guffaws that we had to check for leakage.

My pleasure. Once you work out your timing it’s a cinch. I’d do my morning bowel movement and then drink a couple glasses of water and go to the clinic. I had the first appointment each day at 7:50. It was actually an enjoyable experience, seeing the same people each day, getting to know them and the girls running the machine. Good luck to you

I had 35 radiation treatments. Eventually you will feel fatigue. Not at first, but it will eventually hit. My advice: get plenty of rest to start out. I had a couple of negative consequences: 1. The treatments wrecked my bladder neck. Bad enough that I can’t get reconstructive surgery. 2. I had bathroom urgency for the first couple of hours after I get up. Need to be close to a toilet. This still lingers today, some 14 years after the radiation. It’s livable, just an annoyance.

Hi James, I'm done with 28 treatments. I was a 7 on the Gleason. Also hormone meds continues. My PSA was extremely high when this all started. Started hormone meds 2 months before radiation, my labs before treatments said my PSA came down to .05, which was amazing! I rang the bell but will continue meds for now. Good luck to you!

Hi, James — I’m Dave Stsuffeer, Denver CO, who went through radiation in spring of 2024. IF I HAD IT TO DO OVER, I WOULD HAVE NO RADIATION. I also had ADT and I wouldn’t do that either. I wouldn’t have any proactive treatment—even though my Gleason is 8 = so-called high risk. The reason: My life has been ruined by cancer treatment. Cancer itself hasn’t harmed me in the least. What the medical-industrial complex tells you is “99% of treated patients are alive 10 years post-diagnosis.” What they DON’T tell you is 94% of UNtreated patients are alive 5 years post-diagnosis. (10-year survival isn’t known because there are no reliable and comparable data.) HERE’S THE REAL DEAL ISSUE: Do you want quantity of life or quality of life? If you want quality, monitor rather than treat. I chose treatment, and now my quality of life is zero. My “don’t care team” chose treatment because they want me alive and undergoing treatment and procedures for as long as possible—what’s MY quality of life to them? I know it’s hard to turn down treatment for any medical/health threat, but at least consider it … and read everything you can find in medical journals. That’s the only source of objective data and information.

James, I had 42 sessions. Try to go to a Center for Excellence if possible. I was on ADT for 18 months. Try to get newer ADT type if possible other than Lupron. T recovery is supposed to be faster recovery with an alternative to Lupron. Been off Lupron since Feb and T levels revovering and ED not a problem with the normal Cialis. Hooe you got a srcond opinion on pathology. You can do this! Wishing you the best!

What was your gleason score?

Hey like was said earlier it's different for everyone. I'm on my 17th out of 25 sessions. Yes you have to have a routine you have to fill up and empty before your treatment but after you get the understanding of your body it's simple. The longest part is the waiting otherwise 5 minutes in and out. For me the second effect is only the frequent urination at night but otherwise so far so good.Good luck to you on your journey you are not alone 💪🏿

I had 37 treatments with Proton radiation at Emory Proton Radiation Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Staff was beyond nice and worked with me during those sessions as I had problems constantly trying to achieve the "empty bowel " or rectum or whatever it was. But I always had a very very very full bladder..... I couldn't wait to get off of the table and take a huge leak. They knew it all of course...... they have seen it all, and your team will know you very well by the time you finish up. 5 months later, hardly a thing to worry about. No symptoms of anything during or afterwards. Do your very extreme best to have an empty rectum and a FULL FULL FULL bladder. Proton therapy is fab, but so is SB radiation therapy. You will do great if you can accomplish the above stated conditions when your name is called. And then before you know it, your treatments will be over and highly unlikely to experience after effects. Carry on soldier, you will do great!!

Don't eat asparagus!! I did and next day I was thrown off the table w gas attack.

I had 20 treatments in September and it was a piece of cake. My PSA went from 10.6 to 1.8 after two months. I expect it to continue to go down.