You do not see this talked about much on this forum so maybe it is a non issue but I thought I would share my journey on this.
I had 25 doses of radiation to the prostate and pelvic area just over 10 months ago. The pelvic area dosing was actually a precaution to hopefully kill any cancer cells in the pelvic area. That last part can be somewhat controversial but I put my trust in my radiologist and said let’s go for it.
My initial impact was interesting. I learned about fecal incontinence soon after completing radiation. I no longer could stand up peeing. I had to sit to urinate because of fecal leaking. This was also noticeable when I would pass gas. I would have a small amount of fecal leakage.
I developed work around to these situations so I would call them inconveniences rather than a major issue. After 3 to 4 months post radiation I notice this issue lessen but not resolved. By 6 months post radiation I could see further improvements. Now at 9/10 months post radiation I would classify this issue as 98 percent resolved. I can stand to pee without a leak..
Looks like time was the thing my body needed. Of course we are all different but in my case it took patience and there was light at the end of the tunnel. I still have soft stools but that is probably caused by my diet change and the uptake in fruits and veggies.
I hope by bringing up this issue it will help some bothered but fecal leaking issues and at least in my case I was able to work around them and they resolved.
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Mgtd
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good post and I can add to this a bit. Issues with BMs can come from other sources as well.
Severe unexpected, uncontrollable projectile BMs ( really mess up the house ) can come from trying to balance the elevated BG in people taking Lupron Xtandi, not on insulin. While trying to manage unstable or soaring BG caused by ADT, you can reach a level of “ too much “ bg control combining Metformin + glemepride , it’s a trigger edge , and can cause very unstable , shocking, BMs.
Additionally, everyone taking opiates for pain management usually has to balance the opiates with laxitives to prevent horrendous, deathly toxic, blocked bowels ( the worse SE of opiates imho ) . Long term opiates users are particularly prone to this issue. It’s a topic too big to address properly here, but …. For me , I found taking Sienna laxatives daily and maybe mom ( milk of magnesia ) ( and my Oncologist told me to use , preferably , MiraLAX laxative , every few days if things get too slow ) to keep everything flowing regularly. Ignoring attending to regularity can cause you to get a solid bowel blockage that causes seriously toxic bowel conditions that require rides to the E.R. and even surgery in the most extreme cases. I’ve been there once. ( E.R. quality ) and I can tell you that this toxic condition can viewed as one of the most extreme experiences in your life. Keeping well hydrated figures in here as well.
These are circumstances that I’ve experienced personally, your issues may vary considerably…. as always consult your medical care team - pcp to manage these issues properly. Failure to attend to them timely ( being lazy about it ) can result in some “ extreme “ life events you “ do not “ want to experience. Just IMHO.
❤️❤️❤️
As an aside, I’m forced , due to the above , and my limited mobility ( no jumping out and running inside for me ) , I carry a camping porta potty literally every place I go. More than once I’ve had to stop in a populated location, sit the potty out between my pickup truck side doors and attend to “ things “ in public. The truck doors and a medical privacy poncho like cover provides all the privacy I need. Awkward, yesss indeed sometimes . Imaging having to “ set up VERY urgently, directly across the street from a Mickey D drive thru !!!!
Yes, it is a balancing act when movements are too swift and one has been on too much prednisone. Straining causes hemorrhoids which bleed if the diet includes popcorn or nuts. Pads worn backwards help with small leaks.
lol ….. with this disease and its attendant issues and unanticipated side problems …. no part of our bodies is safe from humiliation. 😂
I use those heavy waterproof camo pickup truck seat covers that duck hunters ( covered with mud and water ) use and those clean up easily and nicely. That spray that is advertised to completely rid your house of pet urine or cat liter odors also are very effective at helping sanitize vehicle accidents too. They work miracles at home too. Bet they would help cleaning up leaks just as easily.
34 years ago I was diagnosed with stage C rectal cancer. Following my lower anterior resection, I had 25 radiation treatments. I incorrectly assumed the area irradiated would heal. It was until I met my NYC RO in 2019 that I learned the changes to my irradiated cells were permanent. The radiation did work as I never had metastatic disease in my pelvic region (my lung was not so lucky). I am not sure if your BM issue will ever resolve, but I will suggest you invest in a bidet! For me it is a life saver, the only time I get a sore anus is when I am away from my bidet. I’m not sure what I love more, the squeaky clean butt, or the heated toilet seat!
I had an RP in 1995 followed by IMRT (36 sessions for a total of 75 gys) in 2003.. I think they gave me a sheet of possible SE that I had to sign, but don't remember all the details. I was ok for a while but around 8 - 10 years after I started to have uncontrollable BM.. Yikes.. This has continued to this day & makes for a rather low QOL.. I am forced to wear men's depends all the time and never know when I may have an episode take place.. Some days non occur but other days I may have a couple of happenings... I can be sitting in my recliner watching TV and and I get a sudden pressue and I may or may not make it to the john just 25 ft or so away.. Pitts I found an article on line that described this condition as radiation Proctopathy but only occurs in a small percentage of patients and doesn't come on till many years after radiation.. Well it seems I have that and some years ago I had a colonoscopy and asked my gastro guy about it & he said yes that is what I have and there was nothing he knew of to correct it.. So I am forced to stay mostly close to home and wear men's depends 24 hrs a day.. i am used to them know and actually like them better than underpants.. Some days if wife & I are going somewhere I will take 2 Immodiums before we leave & carry another one with me.. This helps at times but even than I have had an "accident".. I have asked my MO about this & he didn't know about it and had no solutions.. Even the article I found describing this condition said it was investigated by some Docs but no solution was found.. If anyone has had the unfortune to have this condition and found a solution besides taking immodium please let me know about it.. I'm in my 80's now & this makes for a low QOL & forces me to not take any trips or cruises etc.. Pitts... Tnx for any comments..
When going out wear two depends.......and carry a small scissor with you. If you have an accident you go to the nearest men's room pull down your trousers cut out each side of your dirtied (bottom one) from your hip sides and carefully pull out that one leaving you with a fresh one. Fold/roll and discard the dirtied one directly or insert in a plastic bag and then discard later.
Your soft stools may not be diet related. After IMRT and LDBrachy I still have wet loose stools now over two years post-treatment, didn't have them before, and I haven't changed my diet appreciably, just maybe eat a little less. 🦊
There's no free lunch with PC, just free lingering side effects. My situation may be a little worse than yours, though, because I had the added brachytherapy which is like inserting a small unshielded nuclear reactor into your prostate. 🦊
20 months after salvage radiation. My bowel habits have definitely changed. Lots of mucous some days. Some days not. Cannot confidently pass gas on some days. Some days ok. Have tried to relate to diet but cannot make any clear connection to any particular foods. I'm lucky that I can control it but concerned that as I age, that might change. Having a colonoscopy in two weeks. Maybe we'll find something. Good luck to all
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