SRT Side Effects

[Jmr11820]

I've just finished 25 of 35 SRT treatment. The first 25 sessions included lymph nodes, while the remaining 10 session wills only be the prostate bed. My question concerns side effects. Besides an increase in urinary urgency, I'm also having some rectal bleeding/mucus, but also urgency with frequent small bowel movements. (sorry to be graphic) My RO says this is common and to use a half dose of Immodium to treat and that these symptoms should resolve within a month or so of stopping treatment. Still, its troubling and I'd like to know if those of you had SRT treatment, especially involving the nodes, also had similar symptoms, and for how long post treatment. Thanks.

[Magnus1964]

I have experienced some of these side effects. They do disappear in time.

[Jmr11820 in reply to Magnus1964]

Thank you. Good to hear.

[Tall_Allen]

Yes, very common. Nothing to worry about. Here's what you can expect:

prostatecancer.news/2018/10...

[Jmr11820 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks Allen. Helpful and reassuring.

[pjoshea13]

I may be an anomaly, but my bowel issues began within the first week & took a year before they were no longer a major inconvenience.

But they do resolve in time.

-Patrick

[Jmr11820 in reply to pjoshea13]

Thanks for sharing your story. Finding that recovery times vary widely.

[gyancey]

Took me about two weeks to recover from the bowel issues.

[Jmr11820 in reply to gyancey]

Thanks. Hoping I’m one of those 2 week cases. Appreciate the response.

[Shorter]

I just had 39 treatments and I am going/went through through similar to what you are experiencing. My last treatment was 6/5. I am still having the bowel problems you mention, although I have been able to lower the dose of Immodium. I can't say my urinary urgency or frequency increased, but it has been much worse ever since my RALP 2 years ago. I will say the urinary sphincter tells me it got a sunburn, because it is harder to shut off now. That seems to be improving as well. Hopefully that is not TMI.

[Jmr11820]

Not at all. Appreciate the response.

[Srbergman]

I finished up radiation treatment to lymph nodes and prostate on May 5th. Bowel issues have been almost back to normal for the last two or three weeks. I still have a small amount of urination issues but nothing bad, just a little leaking. All in all very pleased with treatment and results.

[Jmr11820 in reply to Srbergman]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Nice result in terms of side effects. So, you didn’t have a RP initially, correct?

[Srbergman in reply to Jmr11820]

No I did not. I think you will start to see lesser side effects. Hope your results turn out good.

[tallguy2]

No side effect "on my end."

[dorke]

I've experienced the urinary and bowel movement urgency.

I wouldnt leave home before I had a bowel movement in the morning.

It disappears with time though the urinary urgency is still felt.

I completed IMRT in Jan 2019