Pancreas problems after RT for prostate

[Nomojo56]

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago. Received radiotherapy and hormone therapy. My PSA levels have dropped and progress seems OK.

I have also had M.E. and fibromyalgia for over 25 years and, as part of that, IBS. Since starting the hormone therapy and radiotherapy I became more and more constipated and my tolerance of foods (especially hi fibre) increasingly difficult. The nature of my IBS has changed a lot.

At same time my haemoglobin levels were falling gradually below lowest levels. Dietician suspected I may have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency - said she'd had another patient with similar history to mine. EPI has now been confirmed. Dietitian said she had found research papers which suggested that pancreas could be damaged by pelvic RT - even though pancreas is far away from bowels, bladder, prostate. Mentioned this to my Consultant and he said it was virtually impossible and he'd never heard of read of anything similar in over 30 years of practice.

Just wondering if anyone has similar experience?

Thanks

[Mariecapp]

Good grief. I feel bad for you. I had anal cancer almost 8 yrs ago. For the last 2 yrs I have had ongoing digestive problems. I lost 13 lbs because I find it hard to digest foods and my bowels give me ongoing problems. My hematologist did labs and I have low b12 and iron and my rbc is very low along with my wbc, these low levels fatigue me terribly. I finally saw a gastroenterologist and he believes that I may have radiation colitis, chrones disease or celiac disease. At least he admits that radiation may have damaged my gut. So he suggested that I have an endoscopy and colonoscopy. I agreed with the endoscopy but I refuse to have another colonoscopy! The prep is torture. He also ordered bloodwork of which some of the things ordered I have never heard of. So meantime I take immodium on a regular basis and I have to watch my diet. , but at least my Dr is listening to me. So we'll see what happens. God bless you.

[Nomojo56 in reply to Mariecapp]

Hi, thanks for getting back to me. Sorry you've been through so much and continue to do so. Have you had the endoscopy yet ? I hope your difficulties can be sorted out and resolved soon