How to prepare for the Radiation Therapy? Your advise/help are appreciated.

[Wifey68]

My husband will receive 20 session of radiation therapy which started on 11/3/22.

He is drinking 64 oz water every day therefore he is very hydrated.

He is doing everything by the “book”, but Today they weren’t able to administer the radiation because he was gassy (took 2 gas x tablet 1 hour before radiation) and he’s bowel was full regardless that he emptied his bowel couple of ours before treatment.

I have purchased mini enemas (5ml) but we were advised by the nutritionist and nurse not to use it

Please tell me what did you eat and when before and during treatment and how did you limited above problem.

Thank you

[Tall_Allen]

A low fiber diet is less gassy. Burgers, mashed potatoes, rice, etc.

Exercise as much as possible! Do not "take it easy"!

[Scout4answers in reply to Tall_Allen]

Exercise as much as possible! Do not "take it easy"!

I second that recommendation.

I also did 20 sessions

First 3 weeks were pretty easy last week and two that followed were tougher (Fatigue). I took lots of naps. By 3rd week following radiation I was back to normal.

I did not change my diet during whole process.

[Wifey68 in reply to Scout4answers]

Thank you for your reply. Did you eat the same amount of food or Did you changed the size of the portions or your eating schedule?

[Scout4answers in reply to Wifey68]

same

I did start taking Melatonin 20mg. as there have been some studies that say it helps but no RTC studies of course.

[Wifey68 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you Tall Allen, He is exercising almost every day. From the beginning of this “journey “ we see the importance of it reading yours and others comments. I’m trying to figure out what, when and how much should he eat to have a successful radiation. Thank you for your food recommendation also.

[Huzzah1]

I recently completed 44 sessions of IMRT. I googled low fiber diet and followed that. It's a strange diet and one that doesn't seem "good" for you, no raw veggies etc. I was able to complete all treatments without ever getting the hook. I also did a fast 4.5 mile walk every morning and went to the gym a few times a week. I think had a lot to do with how I managed during treatments. I didn't have any issues until week 9 when I decided driving on the ATL highways wasn't a good idea so I finally reach out to a few of the folks who wanted to help.

[Wifey68 in reply to Huzzah1]

Thank you for your reply. I was a little confused about the diet. Talked to the dietitian few times. I think I made the mistake including salad and fruits in his diet. I wishing you well on your journey to recovery

[Andy1569]

I had 44 sessions in June, July and Aug this year. I took added fiber daily. Juggling water intake was a little tricky. Thet RAD Techs expected a Full Blader and Empty bowel.

Fight On!

[Wifey68 in reply to Andy1569]

Thank you Andy for your input. 44 sessions is a standard care for radiation. It would have created lots of stress in our life. I’m glad we have a doctor who is an interventionist and recommended 20 session of hypo-fractional R/T. It will have the same outcome as the 44 sessions. Having an empty bowel is a huge challenge for my hubby. We got up short while ago and he already stressing over it. I wish you full recovery

[Burk]

I had 20 sessions of RT in January of 2021. I was told no raw fruits or veggies throughout the treatment. Seems crazy, but the want you on a low fiber diet during treatment.

[FISHLAND]

Hello Wifey 68 , mon mari s est fait aider pour la radiothérapie. Il prenait régulièrement du miso , préparation fermentée japonaise et il s est fait aider par un coupeur/ barreur de feu par rapport aux brûlures externes. On peut dire qu il a plutôt bien toléré le traitement. Par la suite , il a eu des problèmes de transit qui vont beaucoup mieux aujourd'hui et des problèmes de vessie, cystite radique, qui ont été traitées par une trentaine de séances de caisson hyperbarre. Bon courage à vous deux. N hésitez pas à le contacter si besoin

[Wifey68 in reply to FISHLAND]

Hi Fishland, thank you for your your reply. I’m so sorry your husband had complications but I’m glad he is doing fine now. It was a challenge to translate your post and I hope I understand everything . How much miso did he eat each day? Can you send me some suggestion. If it’s possible please send it to me in English.

[BanjoPicker]

I just completed 43 sessions of IMRT on Nov. 3. Before the treatments began, I read a number of full bladder/empty bowel posts/suggestions/horror stories. I went into the process with a great deal of trepidation. I overfilled my bladder a couple of times before sessions and had trouble early on. The radiation tech’s were understanding and gave me a suggestion that I shoot for an 80% full bladder. That took the pressure off and made the final 3/4’s of my treatments easier. Bowels were no problem for me. I always delayed lunch until after my 2:00 zapping. I did not alter the normal healthy dinner salads and 5-Grain rolled hot breakfast cereal. Take a deep breath and relax. It’s doable !!!

[Wifey68 in reply to BanjoPicker]

Congratulations for completing R/t. I wish you successful recovery. Full bladder isn’t the problem, the empty bowel is. Our mornings are revolving around this issue (ha..ha). I have him log every single bites he eats and drinks and when. This way if he has issues we can refer back to it.

[BanjoPicker in reply to Wifey68]

Keeping a journal of intake helped me. I hope you identify the products and timing that works for your situation. I had a great deal of help from my sweetie of 50 years. Your support for him will double the success.

[Wifey68 in reply to BanjoPicker]

We are hoping the journaling will help. It took him awhile for him to log everything. I think my constant nagging helped. Ha..ha.. Congratulations on your 50 years, we were celebrating our 47th anniversary.

[Aodh]

Apart from altering my diet to exclude gassy producing foods, I found that having my main meal as soon (as practicable) after each day’s radiation session helped ensure that everything worked its way through before I left the house the following day for the next session. Also I found walking as much as possible before leaving for the hospital also helped the process of arriving with an empty bowel. I had 39 external beam radiation sessions back in ‘20.

Yes it was inconvenient, but being dead would have been much worse. The drinking of at least 2 litres of water each day was the hardest part for me, it felt like a real punishment, but after 8 weeks I was glad to have it over and done with.

Hugh

[Wifey68 in reply to Aodh]

Thank you Aodh for the information, The article was very useful with a list of dos and don’t s (For food).

[Hidden]

I know this won't be helpful to you or your husband but I anticipated problems with the regimen required for external beam radiation, especially the part about slamming a lot of water to ensure a full bladder. After waiting too long for TURP surgery to deal with BPH (an enlarged prostate) my bladder was in sad shape and unable to accommodate getting as full as required. I chose a different treatment route.

Here's something that might be helpful:

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

Oh, and maybe have him try stool softeners the night before to help with bowel movements prior to the radiation?

[Wifey68 in reply to Hidden]

Hi WSOPeddie, accidentally I had replied to Aodh. Thank you for the article, it is very useful. He is drinking citrucel every night and a little prune juice on the afternoon. Today was a rough day (Sunday), I think he had too much remedies. I hope you are doing well and all of your issues has been solved.

[Hidden]

I'm guessing that your husband's treatments are over now but wanted to comment. I had 27 sessions of IMRT for prostate cancer. No one ever mentioned anything about diet or having anything in my bowels. They just wanted me to make sure I had a full bladder every day which I did well at that. I vividly remember running for the restroom after my treatments so I didn't pee on the floor.

[Wifey68 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. My husband received 18 of 20 treatments, 2 to go. He is doing well with the preparation but it took him awhile to figure it out. I planning to post it, maybe it would help someone in the future. I'm very surprised that you weren't told about the importance of the empty bowel. I have read your profile and I want to congratulate you for your lifestyle change. I hope everything going well for you

[Hidden in reply to Wifey68]

Maybe it was because I had the SpaceOAR procedure done.

[Wifey68 in reply to Hidden]

my husband has spaceoar also

[Jancapper]

I had my first IMRT session today after receiving 15 Gy to my prostate two weeks ago in the form of HDBT. I was advised to show up with empty bowels and full bladder. During both my simulation and first session today, I dumped a load just before treatment. However, on both occasions, it was determined that I had too much stool in my rectum to proceed. I had to get off the machine and visit the bathroom to try to defecate. I was successful both times but the problem is that you can’t poop without peeing. So I had to drink copious amounts of water and wait for my bladder to refill. By time t was all said and done, I caused a one hour delay for all the other waiting patients. I was so embarrassed. Furthermore, I am now concerned that the HDBT that I received is interfering with my normal bowel patterns. After dropping a load before my procedure, I could not feel any residual so I was quite surprised to learn that I was full. There has to be a better way to prepare…