Pelvic radiation

[Housebound]

Radiation treatment to prostate and pelvis 16 months ago. Since then proctitis that is getting worse.

Anal bleeding. Constipation ferritin levels sink dramatically from iron infusion in February 2022 to May 2022 level of 15. Hospital appears not to know how to treat my condition.

What can I do?

[Romian]

I had the same. The bleeding was stopped by hyperbaric chamber oxygen treatment. 60 of these. Helps. The iron was low, transfusions. And steak.

[Housebound in reply to Romian]

Hi Romian, Good to know that others are suffering from the same situation. I had argon plasma treatment in February but after the first 2 weeks the bleeding has increased dramatically. I understand that now another argon plasma treatment is being considered. Hopefully that will show some improvement in my condition.

Regards

[NenaL]

Hi Housebound,

I have the same problem after cervix cancer radiotherapy in december 2020. They treat me with mesalazine suppositories, which don't help ... I also tried sucralfate enemas,on my own, for about a month, I didn't notice any improvement...

The iron level is low, but I use iron supplements so I somehow keep it around the lower limit.The hyperbaric chamber is not recommended to me because not enough time has passed since the end of the therapy, so if a tumor cell is left, it can ignite. Due to the lack of iron, my immunity dropped, so I got herpes in my eye...

Do you have options for argon plasma coagulation? I don't have that opportunity in my country, and I see that it has helped many members ...

I occasionally use cicatridine suppositories that contain aloe and hyaluronic acid, and it relieves my irritation a bit, but does not prevent bleeding.

So, I don't know what you can do, I'm just here to support you and say you're not alone...

Best wishes

[Housebound in reply to NenaL]

Hi Nenal. Good to know that others are suffering from the same situation. I had argon plasma treatment in February but after the first 2 weeks the bleeding has increased dramatically. I understand that now another argon plasma treatment is being considered. Hopefully that will show some improvement in my condition.With the increased bleeding my iron levels have also dropped dramatically leaving me without energy and often light-headed - particularly if I am standing or walking for more than half an hour or so.

Will email if there is an improvement after next argon plasma treatment.

Good to hear from you

Regards

[Springsteen666]

Hi, I finished treatment in September for stage 3 cervical cancer. The Proctitis started in February. Tried sucralfate enemas which did no good at all. Also having iron supplements as my bi weekly blood tests always showing a deficit. Awaiting treatment with purastat in August. If that doesn’t work no idea what after that. It’s a right pain though have to be so careful what I eat and can only wear those paper incontinance knickers now. Definitely ruining any quality of life. Hope you get a solution soon

[Housebound in reply to Springsteen666]

Have been told that I should have another sigmoidoscopy to cure the bleeding. That is due to take place at the end of July. So hopefully that will cure the bleeding and hence the iron deficiency

[Hidden]

Hi Housebound,

Have you tried Sucralfate ? Also, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helped me so much.

Best to you.

[Celticgirl1888]

Hi there so sorry to hear you’re having this nightmare, ditto my poor husband.He had prostate surgery in 2018 but recurrence last year.

33 sessions of radiotherapy to the prostate bed that finished last October.

All was well until March of this year when Chris started bleeding every time he had a bowel movement and every time he passes wind and this has now progressed to toilet six times a day.

Likewise the hospital had not a clue. I contacted Prostate Cancer UK who recommended Metronidazole tablets and Sucralfate enemas.

Unfortunately they didn’t help and he is now taking combination of prednisalone tablets and octasa tablets to see whether that will help.

Apparently if it continues they recommend trying Laser ablation but that apparently comes with its own possible side effects of tissue damage.

It does seem hospitals are clueless about how to treat a problem that is so debilitating.

You could see whether any of the above mentioned treatments might help you.

Best wishes

J