daily diarrhea 3 years after radiation...?

[KarkMuzio]

For the past 6 months or so I have had pretty much daily morning gas and diarrhea. I had 37 radiation treatments to my pelvic area in 2019 after having a radical prostatectomy 9 months previous to that. Has anyone had the same experience? I did have a colonoscopy about a year and a half ago and the results were that I had enlarged blood vessels or internal hemorrhoids. The surgeon said that he could cauterize the larger blood vessels if it got to be a problem. If anyone has a similar issue could you tell me what has been your experience? Did you have further tests? Thank you very much in advance!

[Tall_Allen]

It sounds like irritable bowel syndrome. Talk to a gastroenterologist. Any changes of diet? Dairy?

[KarkMuzio in reply to Tall_Allen]

no change in diet since my prostatectomy and radiation ...I have avoided dairy, cut back on sugar and also cut back on red meat. I eat pretty healthily by maximizing fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, tofu etc. My stool was always on the soft side since the diet change but it just seems that the past 9 months or so it has gotten worse. I will enquire about a gastroenterologist visit through my PCP...good idea. Thanks Tall for your imput.

[Concerned-wife in reply to KarkMuzio]

My gastroenterologist recommended probiotics and even more fiber ( such as Metamucil) than we were eating And these seem to help. You could try

[mypk]

Second idea:

If the diarrhea occurred after antibiotics were administered, I would recommend a stool sample and have it tested for the bacterium Clostridioides difficile. An antibiotic administered prophylactically during work in the colon (e.g., for taking tissue samples) can kill all normal bacteria in the colon in the short term, with the exception of Clostridioides difficile, which is resistant to most antibiotics and can then spread quickly and unhindered, causing permanent diarrhea.

[KarkMuzio in reply to mypk]

Thanks mypk,

I have not taken any antibiotics for the past 20 months since my UTI and transurethral resection in December of 2021. At that point I took quite a bit. I will certainly look into this.

[tango65]

You have chronic diarrhea . Consider to consult with a GI doctor to have an expert opinion and rule out other causes besides pelvic radiation.

[Vynbal]

You say that you avoid dairy, but unless you are keeping to a strict Vegan or Kosher diet, you may not be aware of how many processed foods contain milk. Lactose intolerance will result in gas and diarrhea. It's an easy check. Go full vegan for a few days to a week, then indulge in an ice cream.

[KarkMuzio in reply to Vynbal]

I will look into lactose intolerance. Thanks Vynbal.

[rfgh20]

I have opposite problem. Constipation is really bad.

[KarkMuzio in reply to rfgh20]

agreed rfgh, I think I'd rather have my problem.

[JWS13 in reply to rfgh20]

Try All Bran BUDS..two small bowls morning and night..works like a charm,,,

[rfgh20 in reply to JWS13]

Tx!

[jbskiatook]

I had radiation 11 years ago and for the next 5 years I didn't have diarrhea but my fecal matter did include a fair amount of black stuff that was either blood or colon wall material sloughing off. It was sort of stringy. Not such a problem that I was concerned. It did slow down and of course finally totally quit.

[DesertDaisy]

Are you possibly taking melatonin? It's not common, but it can give some people diarrhea. I was one of them and it took me months to figure out it was the melatonin.

[KarkMuzio in reply to DesertDaisy]

No DesertDaisy, I'm not taking melatonin. Thank you for mentioning that tho!

[mistersafety]

I found some relief using japanese pickled plums -- umeboshi. You can buy them at any health food store or oriental grocery. They're available as both whole plums and paste. I know it seems incredible that something so cheap and easy could help with such a large & difficult problem but giving them a try has no downside or side effects, so why not?

[KarkMuzio in reply to mistersafety]

interesting that it helped....maybe the 'picked' aspect of the plums is what helped. I will check our local health food store.

[Kenny68]

Use Fiber, Probiotics and the best, is smoking a little weed daily. Give it 2-3 weeks…and you will be a new person.

[ron_bucher]

I recall having diarrhea when I started radiation. One dose of immodium nearly turned it into constipation. My GI specialist advises Citrucel for loose bowels.

[KarkMuzio in reply to ron_bucher]

Thanks Ron for the tip..

[Tommyj2]

Sorry for your complications…..sorry as well that there appears to be little consensus among the responses…..I had diarrhea for a couple months post radiation at unpredictable times….I worked in a hospital at the time and was fortunately never more than a few steps from a bathroom….diaper sometimes if at home…cleared up gradually….

I’d start with an appt with a GE per TA and work from there. You could drive yourself crazy with dietary changes without guidance….also if it is IB there are meds that can help.

[KarkMuzio in reply to Tommyj2]

Thanks Tommy...your right, lots of possibilities. I am going to try to set up an appointment with a GE.

I appreciate your response.

[j-o-h-n]

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[FRTHBST]

With the long duration of symptoms and if the usual gastroenterologist approaches aren't working, you could try finding a doctor who will order and help interpret a full microbiome test. They can analyze the genetics of microbiome bacteria and narrow down treatment options that may be effective. Long term intestinal dysfunction can produce problems like leaky gut syndrome. There are newer treatment options like oral immunoglobulins. Prebiotic fiber such as Sun Fiber(guar fiber) and or Acacia Senegal (Heather's is one brand) can help stabilize the gut, useful with either diarrhea or constipation and unlike psyllium these are non thickening.

[KarkMuzio in reply to FRTHBST]

Thank you FRTHBST. I will be seeing my PCP next week and will ask. I appreciate that suggestion very much.

[900312611]

Diverticulitis?

Any lower left side 'discomfort' or pain?

[KarkMuzio]

I had been advised after my colonoscopy about 14 months ago now that I do have a bit of Diverticulitis....no pain tho. Only discomfort is from the gas that forms every morning like clockwork.

[900312611 in reply to KarkMuzio]

I asked because I had daily diarrhea, all of a sudden, for no apparent reason, for about two months or so, tried every otc product; Imodium helped just a little; finally went to GP (GI Dr was no help, he had no idea) who "immediately" figured it was diverticulitis, she prescribed two antibiotics and it cleared up in a matter of days; so just saying maybe you might want to have a talk with your GP; your GI Dr already said you have diverticulosis, you are probably having a flair up: "itis".

[KarkMuzio in reply to 900312611]

That all makes sense...thanks! Next Friday I'm going in to see my PCP and have a stool sample test and will discuss it with him.

[900312611 in reply to KarkMuzio]

curious; what did you find out?

[KarkMuzio in reply to 900312611]

He has decided, after seeing my blood work test results, that it's not 'serious' and just suggested I try Metamucil. He thinks my body has simply 'changed' and something like Metamucil will take care of the inconvenience. I will try it while still holding out to see what happens.

[KarkMuzio in reply to 900312611]

I have another appointment in October with the same GP and if this has not changed I will bring up taking an antibiotic to see if that will help. Thank you again for your suggestion.

[fast_eddie]

When I had this problem for a while I was advised to add rice and bananas to my diet.

[900312611]

You're welcome