Bowel and bladder problems after Radiotherapy

[Maz131]

Hi, I am Maz and I am 76 years old, I still work but from home now. I have suffered with multiple sclerosis for over 40 years although apart from the early years it hasn't bothered me too much until 2013 when I was diagnosed with anal cancer stage T3.

I underwent some chemo and a great deal of radiotherapy, 36 sessions as far as I remember. Following successful treatment I discovered that I have vaginal stenosis, obviously very unhappy about that but, hey I'm alive. After the treatment I was prescribed with imodium and told that I would have to take it for the rest of my life. About one year ago I started to have severe bowel and bladder problems and assumed these to be related to MS, having carried out further research I found PRD Association. The posts I have read have convinced me that this is the problem. I have made an appointment to see the specialist who looked after me during the cancer period.

[JDKPA]

It sure sounds suspiciously "coincidental". Keep us posted and good luck.

[Beau63]

I had radiotherapy for 35 sessions to my pelvic area it has left my small bowel damaged I have been diagnosed with radiation enteritis, I have scar tissue which causes many bowel blockages. I’m now of a very restricted soft food low residue diet. I can’t count how many times I have been sick because of this and hospital admissions.

[David39]

I had 30 sessions of radiotherapy nearly 50 years ago to predominantly the right and central parts of my pelvic area, and like Beau63 now have small bowel damage as a long term side effect, including a (fortunately) sub acute blockage. I also have bile acid malabsorption which causes difficult bowel problems, similar I imagine to what you're having. Thankfully I don't have significant bladder issues.

[Lampshade111]

hi maz before my radiotherapy I had sling fitted as prostate removal left me incontinant, was assured radiotherapy would not effect it but here I am again incontinant after radiotherapy 14 months ago . So the answer to your question is yes radiotherapy would have caused your incontinance I’m afraid to say . My only saving grace was mine was just bladder incontinance. Hope you get the help you need to have a reasonable life after radiotherapy good luck steve.

[AlfredSaxon]

Hello Maz131 Sorry to hear about your bladder and bowel problems, I think they are almost certainly the result of radiotherapy. Radiotherapy, to the pelvic region,comes with a very real chance of serious damage to both bladder and bowel and the risks are rarely explained by clinicians. Good luck with future consultations