Still. Looking for answers

[Stilllooking]

Hi I am new so I will say hello to all I had pelvic radiation 22 years ago and for the past 5 years I feel I have been suffering the consequences of this. Anyone else feel the same

[Blue_Hawaii]

Hi stilllooking you not alone, I've been suffering since 2008,not as long as your self,it was 2019 when I was diagnosed with PRD, up to than , medical people and family didn't understand.

I hope you are getting support.

My heart goes out to you X

[accidentalcarnivore]

i had pelvic radiation 2007, late effects get progressively worse for me. My latest attempt to control repeated bowel obstructions is to follow a carnivore diet. the only plant food left in my diet is one coffee in the am and one wine in the pm. other than that, i eat eggs, poultry, beef, pork, fish, seafood, organ meats. very little dairy. this diet has prevented bowel obstructions and reduces the chronic inflammation in the gut. however, i am still looking for answers on how to manage chronic diarrhea from the carnivore diet.

[jude-the-obscure Community Pioneer in reply to accidentalcarnivore]

Hello

So sorry to hear of your bowel obstructions. Were you put on this diet or did you make the choice yourself? It does sound very extreme. How do you get the water soluble vitamins available in fruit and veg? Can you ask for a referral to a dietitian or a gastro enterologist who specialises in PRD?

I take milled linseed (flax seed) on my breakfast cereal - special K - 1 tablespoon - having gradually increased to this from 1 teaspoon to start off with. It does help bulk up the stools and therefore reduces the risk of diarrhoea. Milled linseed is full of Omega 3 and other goodies too. I tolerate berries - like blueberries , raspberries and strawberries and have potatoes and veg in my diet - carrots, runner or French beans and peas are Ok in moderation as are broccoli and cauliflower. If I get diarrhoea, my GP has prescribed loperamide , but caution is needed if you have the problems you describe.

I cannot advise you of course, only say what has worked for me. I had severe constipation for months before the gastro-enterologist suggested milled linseed. She also put me on Fibogel but I do not need that anymore.

We are all different but I worry about your lack of fruit and veg! Oranges and their relatives would be a big no no as the pith can easily cause an obstruction in someone with a healthy colon! Also I avoid onion family like the plague . Bad repercussions from all of them - leeks, shallots, spring onions, red onions etc are all strictly off limits.

I find symptomatic relief with colpermin and mebeverine helps calm my pain and colic and occasional use of Colofac (hyoscine) for severe distension and colic. - all on prescription from my GP.

Don't forget that mood as well as food has a mega influence on our gut health!!

Browse through the posts and pick out what seems helpful, then talk to you therapists - Doctor , dietitian etc. You deserve their help. They are learning more about PRD all the time and they have maybe missed something with you.

Very best wishes

Jude