CancerCompass message board discussion started by adepose on 7/3/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25683,0.htm Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ was diagnosed with prostate cancer in July 2007 with a PSA of 4.39 and a Gleason score of 3+4=7 and a stage T1c.  I studied about the various methods.  I had recently moved to a city that I didn't know the urologist that found the cancer, so I went back to my former urologist a hundred miles away.  My wife and I talked to him about treatment.  He told us that he did a lot of surgeries in the past, but thought in my case brachytherapy would be a better option.  He very seldom does surgeries now.  I had the seed implants (Iodine 125) done on Nov. 29th as an outpatient. The procedure took about 45 minutes, a couple hours total time and went home right after.  I have had very little difficulties with the treatment.  I have some discomfort when urinating, other than that everything is going fine.  I will go back next month and have a PSA done to see what the results are.  As for the radiation, it is true that prolonged exposure to small children and pregnant women is not advised for the first couple months.  To play it safe I slept alone for the first 60 days.  After that it should be alright according to my doctor.   Here is a follow-up on my first PSA after brachytherapy--- I had a PSA test done on May 12 and had my visit with my urologist yesterday May 19.  My PSA was .33, but I still have some discomfort urinating and very mild rectal pain. The urologist prescribed 800 MG of Motrin(Ibuprofen)to be taken every 8 hours as needed for the pain. He said that the rectal pain was probably cause by the prostate.  I will have another exam of the urinary tract done on Thursday May 22 to see what is going on there.  I will post again when I find out the results of the exam.  I am posting this to answer any question that someone may have about brachytherapy.  I hope this helps!!!I had the follow-up exam and it appears that the radiation has caused some irritation in the urethra, lower part of the bladder and the rectal wall.  As for the urinary tract, I am receiving injections of DMSO 50cc once a week for 6 weeks into the bladder to reduce the irritation. So far I have had two injections and see very little change. I will give the results when I complete the treatment. I have completed my DMSO injections in the bladder and it worked quite well.  I still have some discomfort in the rectal area, but it is slight and getting better.  I return for a checkup with the doctor on 7-14.   adepose Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT