More Some Side Effects of Prostate Radiation that Oncologists Kind of Tell you About…

Magritte’s painting Illustration pour le conte Madame Edwarda de Georges Bataille

More Some Side Effects of Prostate Radiation that Oncologists Kind of Tell you About
So, I and my urologist waited it out for over a decade, which included no fewer than four biopsies along the way. My PSA stabilize around 6 until it didn’t. Eventually, 6 jumped to 10, 10 jumped to 13, and 13 spiked to 23 at which time my Good Hungarian Urologist told me I had a “good run,” but it was time for radiation. When I was secure enough in myself and beyond the pale of denial (I often said to myself that, perhaps, the PSA was corrupted by an incompetent blood drawer) I met with a radiation oncologist who outlined the following side effects of radiation: Acute side effects of EBRT include “but are not limited to” (the proverbial escape hatch) fatigue, skin reaction, urinary and rectal irritation causing dysuria, increased urinary frequency, loose stools, diarrhea, and rectal discomfort. The main acute side effects of prostate brachytherapy is urinary irritation causing weak stream, urinary frequency, dysuria, urinary retention. But she wasn’t done yet. Potential long-term side effects of radiation therapy include “but are not limited to” permanent change in urinary or bowel habits, urinary or fecal urgency, chronic rectal bleeding which may require intervention, decreased potency and lastly erectile dysfunction, decreased ejaculate, and sterility. For me (and maybe for you), the worst of these has been decreased libido and ED, the bane of any sexually active male regardless of age since it’s all tied into one’s self-worth, one’s self-esteem, especially if one has a partner and the inability to perform, especially with someone you love, is, quite frankly, devastating. More on this later. In the meantime, enjoy Magritte’s painting Illustration pour le conte Madame Edwarda de Georges Bataille