Posted 4/19/2016 1:55 AM (GMT -5)
Hi NJ,
Glad to hear you're doing great, I'm sure that will continue. I've survived my first session! The toughest part was not moving around as I dozed off a couple of times. I've got some left over tamsulosin that didn't do anything for me before, but I may try again if needed.
My RO pushed hard on caffeine in my case because I drink a quart a day and haven't done well trying to cut down in the past. I'm kind of woozy after cutting down now too. The radiation treatments may irritate and inflame some of the tissue near the prostate. In my case with G4+3, the treatment plan is to go generally with +5mm positive margins. So he said I'd risk worsening irritable bowel symptoms/problems ("IBS") if I didn't go cold turkey for a few weeks. According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, four things -- insoluble fiber, coffee/caffeine, chocolate and nuts -- are the most likely to cause IBS problems, although what acts as an irritant will vary for each person.
For l-glutamine, keep in mind that my RO doesn't recommend any particular supplement. It seems that doctors have wide ranging preferences of good and bad foods and supplements, or none. However, I became enamored after a presentation from Dr Dickerson who has performed 1,100+ CK procedures and has his patients take 15g twice per day for 21 days starting Day 1 of treatment.
According to WebMD (I know, don't believe everything you read on the internet), "Glutamine is an amino acid (a building block for proteins), found naturally in the body. It is used to counter some of the side effects of medical treatments. For example, it is used for side effects of cancer chemotherapy including diarrhea, pain and swelling inside the mouth (mucositis), nerve pain (neuropathy), and muscle and joint pains caused by the cancer drug Taxol. Glutamine is also used to protect the immune system and digestive system in people undergoing radiochemotherapy for cancer of the esophagus. Additionally, glutamine is used for improving recovery after bone marrow transplant or bowel surgery, increasing well-being in people who have suffered traumatic injuries, and preventing infections in critically ill people."
Also, according to the Univ of Maryland Medical Center, "When the body is stressed (from injuries, infections, burns, trauma, or surgical procedures), it releases the hormone cortisol into the bloodstream. High levels of cortisol can lower your body's stores of glutamine. Clinical studies show that taking glutamine supplements strengthens the immune system and reduce infections, particularly infections associated with surgery. Glutamine supplements may also help in the recovery of severe burns."
These descriptions don't refer to prostate radiation, but the conditions seem similar enough to me. My doctor didn't care either way, so I'm happy feeling like I'm doing some good for myself.
Best of luck!
Jim