Having GI issues (SBRT to nodes)

[compiler]

I was dx. with PC in 2009. Subsequently: surgery failed, SRT failed, HT has worked very well with a few HT vacations. During such vacations, when my PSA eventually starts to rise, we do scans. Now to present:

Doc at Umich is doing 10 SBRT txs to some lymph nodes.

A previous ga68-PSMA scan found my PC in 2 nodes.

I guess he chose 10 txs to do the 2 nodes and a few surrounding nodes.

He also wants to avoid/minimize radiation to my intestines as they are enlarged a bit (I was having constipation problems when they did the simulation).

Anyway, I'm having problems and I would like some feedback.

Note that I had SBRT done to 1 node 2 years ago, with zero issues (Dr. King at UCLA).

Due to a spinal injury, I cannot travel to UCLA, but I am doing it at Umich, another fine place.

For first 7 txs:

No problems with 4 of them. But, after 3 of them, I did have some queasiness, nausea, and diarrhea one time, starting within an hour after each tx. They all resolved.

But I had tx. #8 on Friday. This time, I've been having pretty severe diarrhea, kind of like a colonoscopy prep.

I have 2 more txs to go and I'll see my RO after Monday's (#9) tx.

This is concerning to me, although google says this can be an early SE that should resolve within 1-2 weeks after tx is done. Anyone else have this issue?

Suggestions on what to do?

I am drinking gatorade to maybe replenish lost fluid and trying pepto bismol (3 doses so far).

I also have hemmrhoids that act up once a year or so. They are crying uncle right now!

(I guess I also need reassurance that this too shall pass -- pun intended!)

Incidentally, here is the scan conclusion:

"Oligo metastatic disease with PSMA expression in distal

retroperitoneal and left common iliac lymph nodes, consistent with

recurrent prostate cancer."

Mel

[MMMayhem]

During my treatment I was also trying to cope with increases in my blood sugar from steroids that go with ADT so I had my dose of metformin increased which gave me intestinal issues including diarrhea. My RO thought it might also be a side effect of the radiation since I was about 75% of the way through my initial 40 RT treatments, so he had me take 1/2 doses of immodium and if things got bad I'd up the dose or take it more than once a day. Maybe that could work for you too.

[RCOG2000]

I had eight weeks tomotherapy to inguinal ang groin lymph node chains. Had some similar symptoms.

RO said immodioum at onset of loose stools and minimize fiber. My appetite was also decreased. I found this suggestion helped a good deal with bowell issues. I m now eight weeks post treatment snd bowell issues largely resoved

Best wishes for a good outcome

[j-o-h-n]

From the net:

People with diarrhea should eat bland foods, as spicy or complex foods can irritate the bowels. Bland foods that may help with diarrhea include:

hot cereals, such as oatmeal, cream of wheat, or rice porridge

bananas

applesauce

plain white rice

bread or toast

boiled potatoes

unseasoned crackers

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 02/03/2019 5:37 PM EST

[compiler]

For those on imodium: can you split the caplets? I will probably try it when I get home tomorrow. I want to start on a VERY small dose.

Mel

[RCOG2000]

I believe you can. I found be caplet at onset was sufficient for control