Bowel incontinence issues after radiation

[MaryAnnie745]

My husband had radiation treatment for prostate cancer last summer (2023). In the last several months he has been having bowel incontinence issues. He is afraid to leave the house. Sometimes, he doesn't make to the bathroom in time. Yesterday was the worse, as every bowel movement was urgent. Normally he has several bowel movements a day. Is there anything that can help this? He has a healthy diet, which we are just starting to remove a few things to see if that helps. I do know that stress is an issue, but I'm sure it's not the only issue. He worries about everything and doesn't always have an optimistic view on things. He is very depressed over this. Any suggestions would be greatly helpful. Thank you.

[Tall_Allen]

It may be radiation proctitis or enteritis. He should talk to a gastroenterologist who will look at his bowels. There are a wide range of therapies (e.g., diet, probiotics, topical and systemic medicines, ozone, resurfacing the rectal lining, hyperbaric oxygen).

[MaryAnnie745 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you, Tall_Allen. He was in the hospital 3 weeks ago with a rectal bleed, which they decided was radiation proctitis and cauterized the areas to stop the bleeding.

[Murk]

So sorry to hear so I would definitely go see a Proctologist, Colorectal Surgeon or Colon or Rectal Surgeon ASAP. Research your vicinity and ask them if they have addressed patients who have gone through PCa Radiation treatments. Ask your current Doctors who they recommend.

[MaryAnnie745 in reply to Murk]

Thank you, Murk.

[Mgtd]

All great suggestions above. I experienced diarrhea after radiation and RO said to try Imodium. That worked for me. Perhaps waiting on a doctor visit you might try this.

[MaryAnnie745 in reply to Mgtd]

Thank you for the suggestion.

[Don_1213]

Has he tried Imodium? I have some rare instances where I get bowel "issues" (likely due to 83Gy of radiation) - and Imodium stops it almost immediately. DO not overdose - it can cause the opposite issue.

[MaryAnnie745 in reply to Don_1213]

Thank you. No we haven't tried that. I will get some.

[MaryAnnie745 in reply to MaryAnnie745]

Don_1213 - we tried Imodium and it is the answer! Thank you for your recommendation. You have no idea what a blessing this was.

[ParrotY in reply to MaryAnnie745]

And the good news is that there are many generics out there with the same active ingredient but a fraction of Imodium's price.

[mperloe]

If this is a persistent issue many men will benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments.

[MaryAnnie745 in reply to mperloe]

Thank you.

[groundhogy]

i had/have troubles the other way. Radiation seems to have made it harder for my bowels to move stuff out.

Went to gastro and saw nurse practitioner on first appt. She was very good with natural/herbal/supplements knowledge.

She put me on prescription grade probiotic and told me to buy Giaya brand olive leaf extract (antifungal). She said not to take fiber during this time as it could spur fungal growth.

I saw performance improvement by the next day.

Started back on fiber later. Now i need all of these to keep things moving.

[MaryAnnie745 in reply to groundhogy]

Good luck! I'm glad you found something that worked.