Anaemia caused by PRD?

[David39]

I had pelvic/abdominal radiotherapy treatment almost 50 years ago and started to suffer problems with digestion about 20 years ago, put down at the time, to IBS.

In 2017, I underwent a hemicolectomy and the surgeon told me at the time that my small bowel was quite damaged commenting that she was surprised I could absorb anything through it. As my digestion issues slowly worsened, I was referred to a gastroenterologist who, after a SEhCAT test diagnosed 99% bile acid malabsorption, probably secondary to radiation enteropathy. I take high dose Vitamin D3, iron tablets and have 3 monthly Vitamin B12 injections

Last year an abdominal CT scan showed a sub acute small bowel blockage and other small bowel features which I understand to be consistent with radiotherapy damage.

More recently I have become mildly anaemic (RBC 3.71). A FIT test revealed blood in my stool but a subsequent colonoscopy and gastroscopy did not identify a cause. In the absence of any other likely cause am I right in thinking that the blood in my stool is most likely to be from my damaged small bowel?

[Mariecapp]

Hello David39. I know what you are going through. I'm in the process of seeing a gastroenterologist. He ordered labs because he believes that I either have radiation colitis, chrones disease or celiac disease. I lost 10 lbs, I can only eat certain foods and they have to be small meals. I live on immodium otherwise I have very loose bowels. I see a hematologist because of a thing called m protein that they need to monitor. My oncologist did bloodwork and I was found to have low WBC low RBC, low iron and low B12. This is all from not being able to eat because I can't digest foods. So I'm getting b12 injections and I'm having a endoscopy, but not until August. This is all related to the late effects of PRD. I had anal cancer almost 8 yrs ago. . Best to you. I'm praying that you get the help that you need. I know that I get very frustrated with treatment options. The Dr also ordered stool tests but I haven't heard the results from that yet. God bless and hang in there.

[Gtuva in reply to Mariecapp]

Have you tried antibiotics for SIBO? It works for me whenever the loose stools get bad. Clears it up for a few months. I also stopped taking a PPI and that really helped stop the loose stool.

[Mariecapp in reply to Gtuva]

Thanks for your response. I have to call my gastroenterologist tomorrow. I'm just so frustrated.

[Blue_Hawaii]

Hi David

I’m sorry you are having to go through this

Radiation treatment I had in 2008

Had bowel bypass in 2009

It was 2019 when I finally diagnosed with PRD

That comes with, Bacteria overgrowth, Bile acid malabsorption

B12 every 8 weeks, I can’t go any longer than that

I take folic acid, multivitamins

Antibiotics for the overgrowth

Colesevelam for bile acid

Mad medication , for depression

Apart from that, I get on with my daily life

Trying to be upbeat , sometimes it’s a struggle

It’s so lovely to have this community group

So we can share our stories, knowing people understand

Hopefully we meet up on Zoom, which happens once a month

I won’t be there this month,

We are visiting our son and family in North Carolina