bladder issues

[Emiliejo]

hello I am really struggling with bladder irritation due to radiotherapy for rectum cancer, my treatment finished twelves ago , I am on tablets for an overactive bladder, does this get any better as I am really struggling with this, I am now on antidepressants, all the medication constipates me so I am in terrible pain after bowel movement

[Jimbo65]

Hi Emiliejo, I feel your anxiety and that doesn't help. I too have bowel and bladder issues many years after cancer treatment. Its a real struggle to get anyone to help as we're dealing with radiation damage to those areas. I have being doing pilates, and pelvic floor exercises but still the issues persist. I take Imodium every day which helps with bowels, I've tried a FODMAP diet which again help a bit. The water works are my issue right now and its take 6mths just to get referred to a continence clinic. There are now Late effects clinics around UK as there is a glimmer of some joined up thinking regards late effects of radiation to our bodies. It might be worth seeing if there is such a thing in your area and see if they can get you in for a consultation. A few things to cut out/down on are all caffeinated drinks, fried foods, alcohol and high fibre stuff. That said ask to see a dietician who can make better suggestions based on you individually. Good luck and know that there are many of us out there wearing pads and padded knickers and pants to give us confidence to get out and about. Don't let it rule your life. xx

[Emiliejo in reply to Jimbo65]

thank you for your quick response🙂 i really wish that the after effects were talked about more before you start treatment.

I have joined this forum and realize now how damaging radiotherapy is, I am hoping it get better in time.

[janfarrugia]

I fully empathise Emiliejo. I have ongoing UTIs and the only way to keep them under control is low dose antibiotics for the rest of my life. I believe there are pills for over active bladder (I have tried so many things that I am confused now by what I tried for what issue) but they didn’t work for me. Have you tried cranberry pills. I take the Forte ones and they do seem to reduce the irritable bladder for me.

[Emiliejo in reply to janfarrugia]

hello, I am on tablets so I will see how I go, it’s just makes you miserable , thanks for the reply

[janfarrugia in reply to Emiliejo]

I also meant to recommend Fibogel for constipation

[Emiliejo in reply to janfarrugia]

yes I do take fibogel but probably not taking it regularly enough

[Perido]

Hi Emiliejo, Like Jimbo65 I found accessing NHS continence services difficult. It might be worth calling bladderhealthuk.org for advice. I got to discuss my bladder issues with one of their specialist nurse advisors, who had a wealth of career experience and was very helpful.

[Emiliejo in reply to Perido]

Hello I will give it a go, thank you

[Lampshade111]

hi finished mine end of January and still incontinant had synthetic sling put in year before had too have radiotherapy and for that short time worked very well would recommend it and pretty sure if hadn’t had to have radiotherapy would still be ok to this day, so there is hope ask urologist for information on synthetic sling procedure and hopefully they will stop your incontinance, good luck hope you are sorted soon .

[Emiliejo]

hello thank you for the reply, my issue isn’t leaking it’s just a want to go more, on tablets from the doctor now so will see how this goes but thanks again for the reply

[Zezes-nan]

Hi Emiliejo I'm sorry to hear you are suffering, I think there's a lot of good advice in the other posts. My GP prescribed CosmoCol for constipation, see if you can be referred to a biofeedback or continence nurse. Might be worth seeing if you can be referred to a dietician and try the FODMAP diet (but its not easy as its an elimination diet) it might help. Its frustrating that they don't tell you the hidden side effects that come with radiotherapy and I wish you all the best

[Emiliejo]

thank for the reply, good suggestions, I will follow up on these