Side effects of radiation & their remedy

[SADHAK]

Scheduled to start radiation to prostate area coming friday.

It would be nice if someone could share their experiences of radiation, it side effects and how to handle them.

[irwinb3]

Had my prostate removed robotic 10/09 /09, radiation treatments in 03/10 to the prostate bed as a safety precaution (did not work as PSA started going up in 08/10. Radiation was very simple no side effects. In my case it did not work but my cancer was already outside the prostate. Best of luck to you. Bill

[SADHAK in reply to irwinb3]

Thanks Bill

[Hidden]

The worst part about getting radiated is taking time off from work to get it done. I was working at the time. Other than that, there are no side effects, immediately.

Six years after, I had a bout of radiation proctitis, which is real nasty. So, ask your radiologist about it, and how to avoid it, if possible. I was never told about it, and spent several days in the hospital. I can't say for sure if it caused my bladder problem, but I'll pass this on too. A few years back, I was diagnosed with a bladder blockage that went untreated. It was splattered all over my medical, and imaging reports, and nobody told me about it, or treated me for it. (lawsuit pending) But, any way, my prostate grew inward, and choked off my urethra. My bladder blew up like a balloon, and when I did pee, it was just a little bit each time. The pain was unbearable at times. I just recently completed getting back to 'normal'. So, I think I was losing blood through my urine, too.

In hindsight, I was very weak at the time, and had no idea why. My HBG (iron) was way low. So this may be a way of monitoring blood loss.

Joe

[SADHAK in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[YostConner]

Sadhak, based upon my own experience, there's not a lot you need to do. This is a painless process, and the techs are usually incredibly friendly and sensitive. You should expect to get fatigued--especially as the process goes on. Tell yourself if that happens that it's OK to stop what you're doing and rest/nap. When I was about 2/3 of the way through my sessions, bowel movements became very uncomfortable. In response, my doctor removed all fiber from my diet--no bulk at all. (Lots of ice cream!) That helped a lot, and only a few weeks after the sessions ended, my bowels were back to normal.

You may have side effects up to a couple of years later. If you've been going along fine and suddenly have blood in your urine and/or stool, don't panic, but see your doc. These can both be delayed effects, and both tend to resolve with time and without intervention.

Best to you,

Yost.

[SADHAK in reply to YostConner]

Thank u very much.

Your reply is very helpful.

[RichGreene]

I had 33 salvage radiation treatments this past summer. Completely pain free. There were four side effects: (1) some loss of pubic hair which has not grown back; (2) some burning similar to a mild sunburn--the techs gave me some cream because it's important to avoid fragrances; (3) mild diarrhea which was solved by adopting a low residue diet for a few weeks; (4) terrible fatigue towards the end of treatment where I napped a couple of hours each day and slept 12 hours each night. Two months later, most side effects have disappeared except for loss of pubic hair; I still have to limit my intake of cruciferous vegetables to avoid diarrhea.

[SADHAK in reply to RichGreene]

Thank u very much

[Olman]

I had radiation in 2002 and experienced most the same effects as others have noted. It was mostly a piece of cake for me. I did a lot of walking at that time, but by the end of treatments I could barely make it to the end of the block and back. The fatigue creeps up on you gradually. A few years after, I suddenly started passing bright red blood in the toilet. A colonoscopy confirmed that scar tissue had sloughed off and was bleeding. That lasted a couple days and was gone. A couple years later the same thing happened when urinating. That was checked out and again diagnosed as scar tissue sloughing off and cleared up shortly with no treatment. Oh, there is another thing. It was the end of my sex life as I knew it, but there are work arounds. Your urologist has a few tricks up his sleeves. I wish you the best and pray this ends your prostate issues.

Norm

[SADHAK in reply to Olman]

Thanks

[jal1954]

I had a course of IMRT in 2008, and my recollection was that I had few side effects. I tend to forget unpleasant things, but I did not have any major side effects, but perhaps some fatigue and diarrhea. I worked full time right through it, and the clinic scheduled me to miss the minimum amount of work. It seemed easy at the time.

[SADHAK in reply to jal1954]

Thanks

[SADHAK in reply to jal1954]

Thanks

[Ben2]

1 year after IMRT had radiation proctitis-bleed rectally clots of blood every 4-6 days. I manage usual activities but it is always there as a nagging concern. Loose bowels have gradually improved since treatment. Rectal surgeon that oerformed colonoscopy called my case 'mild'. Usuallremedys had side effects worse than the problem. I'd certainly want to ask what they can do to minimize the proctitis. Good luck!

[SADHAK in reply to Ben2]

Thanks

[patandemma]

patandema@+SADHACK

It would be more informative when answering this thread to be more specific re mode of radiation. Electron beam,Cyberknife,common IMRT,Proton Beam,Intensity Modulated Proton Beam (IMPT)

Also was just the prostate radiated or also nodes?

In my case,I completed IMPT on Nov 11 this year. Also had prophyactic radiation to nodes.

I am sufferingGrade 3 radiation cystitis severe urgency frequency,severe dysuria, and pelvic spasms that stop me dead in my tracks for a minute or two. Some bleeding. Wake up every hour. Seeing a urologist who started me on Myrbetriq 50mg daily yesterday. Hope it helps.

Other than that,absolutely no side effects.

[SADHAK in reply to patandemma]

I will be undergoing IMRT.They will be applying to prostate and also to the lymph nodes.

[patandemma in reply to patandemma]

patandemma@+SADHACK

DON'T get scared by MY experience.

It's definitely unusual.

After 48hrs Myrbetriq,gross bleeding stopped,symptoms getting maybe a little better

[SADHAK in reply to patandemma]

Thanks

[Armywifedublin in reply to patandemma]

My husband is experiencing the horrible spasms now 8 out of ten pain can’t get out of bed except for radiation saw Dr yesterday they diagnosecd him with Radiation Enteritis he could barely walk out of The James went home back to bed give bentyl for spasms no pain meds because last thing u want us constipatiib.

Made him toast and banana an hour later he threw up. I seriously don’t know how he can get thru 20 more treatments last one June 25th.

This is killing me to see him suffer and in so much pain.

[John438]

I had fatigue for 6 months followed by Proctitis. It has been hell for the last year. My radiologist said it's the worst case he's seen in 30 years of his practice. In this case it's not great to be number 1.

[SADHAK in reply to John438]

Thanks

[efsculpt]

Had RP then radiation a year later. Bladder seems more sensitive- had to cut down on spices. Now using Trimix for sex. The 8 week process was like a vacation, though a somewhat grim one. Good Luck, Craig

[SADHAK in reply to efsculpt]

Thanks Craig

[bilgemutt]

Did 44 treatments myself. It will burn when you take a leak. You'll dread taking a crap. Blood in urine.diminished appetite. Forget sex. Don't try. I'll be painfull. So much so that you won't want it. It did however put me in remission. Then I had a kidney removed...cancerous. Now, its in my bladder. I'm not sayin its this way for us all. Just what i'm going through. Remember, we all are different with this. My docs are keepin me alive. But the cost? Pain, stuff you just won't be able to do anymore.

[SADHAK]

Thanks a lot for your input.

I can understand what u are undergoing physically as well as mentally. I am in the same boat.

I wish u well and pray for your wellbeing.

[patandemma]

I had as I previously recorded Grade 3 radiation cystitis. After my urologist wasted my time and prolonged my pain and gross bleeding with Myrbetriq I finally persuaded my urologist to google "radiation cystitis" and see there is no recognised treatment other than hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). Very swiftly got rid of my symptoms and,for a while,bleeding. I would like to have said it was a " cure" --it wasn't However the extreme agonising spasms,dysuria,hourly urination are gone. As for bleeding,it's painless,rarely gross and taking an iron tablet three times a week has kept my hemoglobin level well up in the normal range.

Cystoscopy follow up shows continued inflammation---not a good sign for potential future (a few years down the line) complications such as a contracted bladder.

HBO has been used successfully for radiation colitis. Medicare paid for my HBO treatment. If you have insurance coverage or the financial ability to pay for it ,II recommend finding a REPUTABLE (one associated with a hospital) hyperbaric center.

Good luck to your husband.