After 30 years of living with the affects of radiotherapy I found this community after a Google search for remedies after the doctor only advised imodium. I have found it to be a very emotional discovery as I didn'teven know PRD was a thing! Has anyone tried peppermint oil tablets? Do they help with urgency problems?
many thanks and best wishes
welcome to the group. It's amazingthat so many of us suffer with the late effects of radiation to the pelvic area. I use something called IBGard that has peppermint in it, it is in a capsule form though. It does help but I need to take it about 1 hr before I eat. Immodium really helps me though. Best to you.
Hi since having radiotherapy to the prostate bed last year my poor husband has experienced problems with his bladder and bowel.
Frequency and urgency is a daily problem and he has so far been prescribed sucralfate enemas which did not help and is now taking Imodium which does work.
He only takes it one or twice every other day and that does at least allow us to go out for a while without worrying about where the nearest toilet is.
Our doctor has also suggested Codeine as this has a side effect of causing constipation and thereby controlling the diarrhoea, however he has concerns about taking codeine as he also has rectal bleeding and is afraid that constipation will cause straining and more bleeding. We were not aware that peppermint oil might be a solution so like you, we would be interested to know if anyone has tried it.
Hi Surfer58
You seem to be suffering the same issues as many of us who have to have a toilet at hand at all times.
After almost 2 years and various experiments with the likes of immodium counterbalanced by various laxative I am finding that having an almost daily dose of MetaMusil helps me to at least be a bit more regular. Since my last sigmoidoscopy about 3 months ago I have been taking it and the bleeding is now very irregular whereas it used to be often.
Since using MetaMusil on a regular basis I now sometimes have the confidence to go out for breakfast with my wife and that is a real bonus because prior to that the potential problems were too great.
In summary I can only recommend that you try various medications until you find a combo that suits you.
Regards
Housebound
Thank you! I like the natural remedies, I will look at that. I have only had one peppermint oil capsule so I will see how I am with that. I think the confidence makes the difference, that alone has made me me positive just knowing other people may give you ideas.
Hi Surfer58 welcome to the group. Think you I find the group by chance. I've had symptoms since I had pelvic radiotherapy in 1999. Kept getting told it was IBS then saw a biofeedback nurse a couple of years ago and she told me I had PRD. I haven't used peppermint capsules although I find peppermint tea helps. I also use Imodium capsules which seem to help, I was prescribed the liquid but find it easier to take the capsules. Wishing you all the best
Hi there, I had pelvic radiation therapy 30 years ago and about 10 years ago I started having severe problems with diarrhoea. Eventually, after many tests, I was given a SeCAT scan which identified that I have severe bile acid malabsorption as a result of radiation therapy. I was given cholestyramine / Questran (or binders) and from being pretty much housebound they transformed things for me. It’s not a perfect cure but it’s worth asking your specialist. Hope this helps x
Thank you, waiting for results of CT scan so it will be good to know exactly what it is. Best wishes and thank you
Hello Surfer58. I have the see-saw effect, diarrhoea one week, total constipation the next. When it comes to the diarrhoea, I find there's nothing better for calming the pain in your insides after a nasty visit to the loo, than homeopathic Arsenicum. I use a 200c dose, but you can go up to a 1m. Homeopathy doesn't always work for me, and certainly work for every problem PRD produces, but for this particular thing, I find it very helpful. You can buy it from Helios in Tunbridge Wells.
Wishing you well.
is this likely to be late radiation damage? Blood in urine. 
Severe B12 deficiency 
Chronic Radiation Enteritis Sufferer
alternative therapies
Possible longer-term effects of pelvic radiotherapy
