Radiation proctitis

[Quarky]

I finished 5 sessions of SBRT last February. For several weeks after treatment, I experienced the usual symptoms associated with radiation proctitis: bloated, gassy, frequent urge to poop, blood in stool. After that, the problem resolved and I haven't had any other symptoms since, until the past 4-5 days, during which I've been experiencing some similar symptoms, but not quite as severe. At first I thought it was something that I ate, but today I noticed a small amount of blood in my stool. Is it typical to have a recurrence of these symptoms over a year out from treatment and will it eventually resolve on its own?

Thanks in advance your help.

[Tall_Allen]

Yes, I had my late term side effects 1 year after radiation.

[Quarky in reply to Tall_Allen]

Ah, that's good to know, and helps assuage a tinge of depression. The thought of adding colon problems to the list wasn't appealing. Thanks TA!

btw, I hold you responsible for my Lawrence obsession. My family's getting tired of me talking about them!

[Tall_Allen in reply to Quarky]

I really like their Acousticish recordings on youtube - much like their live concerts. I thought my days of live concerts were in the past (the last I remember was The Grateful Dead), but between them, Jacob Collier and Dirty Loops (and maybe Snarky Puppy at the Bowl in Sept.), I've been going again.

[Quarky in reply to Tall_Allen]

Totally agree about their acousticish versions of their music. Still amazed at what Gracie can do with her voice. I looked to see where they were performing this year in California and the one venue they’ll be at is too far away from me. Glad you’ve got some opportunities to hear live music. Always a good thing to do!

[Tall_Allen in reply to Quarky]

I haven't seen it, but Gracie has a role in The Sex Lives of College Girls on HBO Max. I think they perform mostly back East (they live in NYC). Gracie and Clyde were guests of Jacob Collier at The Greek last year, so I got to see them live twice! They opened for the Rolling Stones and for the Jonas Brothers. (I do sound like a fanboy!)

[Quarky in reply to Tall_Allen]

I’m jealous that you got to see them live and hope to myself at some point. You’re definitely not alone in your fanboy tendencies. Their music is awesome!

[Quarky in reply to Tall_Allen]

Also, if I may, how long did your symptoms last, and was there anything you did or took to help relieve the inflammation? Thanks again!

[Tall_Allen in reply to Quarky]

I had late-term urinary symptoms that lasted a couple of months. I took Rapaflo. For proctitis, resist going often and straining - it's tenesmus, not stool. And the bleeding is probably from internal hemorrhoids breaking from the strain. Take a stool softener if you need it.

[InqPers]

Several months after my EBRT I was experiencing rectal bleeding and when it did not improve, I went to the ER. Ultimately, they did a colonoscopy to check and saw some areas of the colon that had been irritated by my radiation treatments. A procedure called Argon plasma coagulation (APC) was done during the colonoscopy and that completely resolved the issue for me.

[Quarky in reply to InqPers]

Good to know that there’s a procedure that can help. I’m hoping that this will resolve on its own but will talk to my Dr about apc if it doesn’t. Thanks!

[cesanon]

Get a trental prescription.

[Quarky in reply to cesanon]

Thanks for your reply. How long did you need to take it and did you have any side effects?

[RoseDoc]

You may have recurrence of symptoms intermittently over time. The muscularis and mucousa of that portion of the bowel have been damaged by the radiation and have some scar tissue. The blood is from small tears in the mucousa due to scar tissue breakdown. Pain is due to spasm of the muscles (tenesmus). Antispasmodics can be helpful. Try to avoid straining with bowel movements. If it persists or worsens, see a GI specialist as there are some things that can be done.

[Quarky in reply to RoseDoc]

Thanks. Today my ro strongly recommended that I start Carafate enemas twice a day for the next 4 weeks. That sounds unpleasant to me but she didn’t think it would resolve on its own. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Did you experience radiation proctitis also? How long did it last?

[RoseDoc in reply to Quarky]

No. I do have a radiation cystitis from time to time.

[CuriousMF]

This reply isn't directly related to your question but I'm hoping you might answer. I have not had SBRT yet but my Dr said they would insert a rectal spacer (SpaceOAR) to reduce the chance of radiating the rectum. So I'm curious to know if you had a rectal spacer before your treatment?

[Quarky in reply to CuriousMF]

I didn’t. In consultation with my ro before the procedure, she explained that the spacer may allow some cancer cells that get trapped behind the gel to escape the radiation beams. She felt that the accuracy and tight margins she could obtain made the spacer unnecessary. There’s a lot of discussion about this in the archives where you could get some additional information. Might be a good question to pose to the group to get some additional perspectives. Hope that helps and good luck with your decision.

[CuriousMF in reply to Quarky]

Thank you and thank you for the reminder to search in here. I realize now it’s likely most of my questions have been asked and answered many times.