Diarrhea after 8th IMRT

[Oatmeal2]

Hello,

We were told one of the side effects of radiation could be diarrhea. My husband has felt the effects after his last 2 treatments. I was reading that the use of strong probiotics like VSL #3 helped patients. Any thoughts on this issue? Did it go away after the first two weeks or did it get worse?

thanks

[Tall_Allen]

It usually goes away. Meanwhile, never trust a fart.

[Linebacker75 in reply to Tall_Allen]

No shite!😳

[Huzzah1]

I had 44 treatments to the whole pelvic bed. I experienced a number of unpleasant side effects during that time but they were all short term. They all followed the area that was being shot at at the time. Diarrhea was at the bottom of my list. It had gone away when they started going after the areas near the bladder. I ended up with cystitis of the bladder, for several nights, I was up every 45 minutes needing the pee. All of that is behind me now and as annoying as it was at the time, none of it has persisted. This to shall pass and we will move forward!!

[Hidden]

I used psyllium powder to bulk and minimize diarrhea.

And Tall Allen has given the best advice one can give!!

[vintage42]

In 2021 I had 20 IMRT to the prostate, which could have affected the rectum. 2023 I had 50 IMRT to one node and to the pelvis in general, which could have affected the small intestine. I was advised to reduce salads and fibrous foods that were processed by the small intestine. Google pelvic radiation diet. From either treatment, I really had no bowel problems, and my main concern was the opposite of diarrhea; ensuring a daily BM before each session.

I would let the RO know that the IMRT is already affecting his bowel. Perhaps it signifies something about the dosage or targeting.

[mjtct61]

I had some diarrhea but seemed related to the probiotic. I think its prescribed to regulate your gut health but for me it caused diarrhea. I stopped taking and my bowl movements did return closer to normal. Mild side effects.

[Oatmeal2]

thank you for your responses

[turkeyjoe1]

I had 44 IMRT treatments. Probably had the same problem 6 times out of all of them. RO recommended imodium, worked like a charm. Peeing more at night increases, for me it was about 6 weeks after treatment. Annoying yet bearable. All that goes away. 3 month post treatment PSA .01

[ShipModeler]

My diarrhea began after the fifth of my scheduled 28 IMRT treatments. It continued for about 10 days after the treatments. I tried everything suggested but the results were too insignificant to be considered effective. After a while my exhaust pipe hurt so bad a fart brought tears to my eyes.

[j-o-h-n in reply to ShipModeler]

Now that brought tears to my eyes from laughter....

You are this weeks winner in the funny post contest. Congratulations!!!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 11/22/2023 11:27 PM EST

[pd63]

On the last day of my dad's RT he crapped himself on the bus home, embarrassing but short lived he recovered normal function after a few weeks

[Tommyj2]

I had a problem with intermittent diarrhea most of the time I was on imrt. Fortunately I worked in a hospital and there were copious bathrooms so accidents were minimal…..though I learned quickly to NEVER assume I had to fart…..after tx it cleared up rather rapidly.

[Sagewiz]

I had diarrhea a couple times a week, but did not know if it could be attributed to the radiation or the hormone blocking oral medications. I just finished external beam therapy today, but will be on the hormone therapy for a couple of years.

[Oatmeal2]

thanks everyone

[j-o-h-n]

Definitely avoid plain Oatmeal (mixing in dry cement helps)....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 11/22/2023 11:25 PM EST

[Oatmeal2]

🙂

[Mgtd]

As always Tall Allen is “spot on”! My really bad case of diarrhea lasted for about a week in the third week of 5 weeks of radiation. It was so bad at times I doubted if I could drive to get that day’s radiation.

The oncologist had me load up on Imodium and that seemed to help and got me through smaller bouts also. Still keep some in my car.

Approaching 6 months after radiation to prostate and pelvic area and I still carry a change of underwear, etc in the car. Honestly, I do not think I am still effected by the radiation treatment but more likely I am effected by my change in diet. I still eat a lot of fruit, veggies, etc and that has caused very soft stools, flatulence but no real diarrhea but I still do not trust a fart.