Post Brachytherapy problems

February 21, 2010

Had low dose Brachytherapy procedure (70 Palladium 103 seed implants) on

January 12th..

Procedure itself was quite easy and painless but I started developing

increasingly difficult symptoms about 2 weeks ago> urgency, burning, difficulty

urinating, feeling rectal and urinary pressure and spasms.

My Urologist wanted me to see him in his office right from the outset to measure

the amount of fluid I was apparently retaining. Was hesitant to drive to his

office because of feelings of urgency especially when seated and I also figured

that this was just part of the " process " and would diminish.

Over the last 2 weeks I continued with Flomax (2-4 a day), low dose prednisone

tabs etc..I am appalled at my ability to endure what were 2 weeks of absolute

hell.

Finally, called my Doc last Thursday and told him that I really thought

something had gone very wrong as I was only getting worse. Couldn't eat had no

energy and was developing increasing pain and soreness in my left kidney area.

Went to his office on Friday and he did Ultrasound showing that I was retaining

a huge amount of fluid and recommended that he catheterize me so I didn't end up

in an E/R over the weekend. Though I wasn't happy to hear about the catheter he

is very skillfull and considerate and getting the cath. installed was really not

that bad at all. Within about an hour I emptied 2 1/2 bags of urine and felt

1000% better.

He ordered blood tests and will get results on Monday. The pain in my kidney

area has subsided by about 95% too. Anyway I asked him if he thought that I had

sustained radioactive seed implant burns and he thought there was a definite

possibility that I had and that some people simply have rare idiosyncratic

responses to radiation treatments.

Coincidentally earlier in the week I had received a report from Radiation

Oncologist

saying that based on result from post-op CAT scan, the radioactive seeds were

implanted accurately.

I am supposed to go on a regimen of 25 low dose EBRT treatments in about 6 weeks

but am considering " punting " on that right at the moment.

Question: Would appreciate any feedback from anyone who had seed implants and

similar after-effects.

Thanks.

Sy

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