HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Post SRT Bowel Problems

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/26/2010 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
I'm just approaching six months out from SRT.  Bowel movements went from once in the morning to at least two a day.  I am still have to get up every two hours or so at night to urinate. The problem that seems to have developed over the past two weeks is the "wet fart".  Fortunately this has only occured at home, but it seems to be inevitable that it will occur elseware.  Has anybody else had the problem post SRT and did it eventually clear up?  I would hate to spend the rest of my life worrying about passing gas.  Squid.
Posted 12/26/2010 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Got the same thing to some degree. It's gotten a little better, but I still have to be mindful. I'm betting it will eventually go away.
Posted 12/26/2010 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry Subic,
My rad onco told me that there was a good chance that I would experience "mucous" following the radiation. Suggest you start wearing panty liners. They keep me from washing out my shorts every night. Ah, the unique experiences this disease allows us to share. happy New Year!
Opa
Posted 12/26/2010 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Subic,

I am almost 14 months out of radiation, and what you discribed has started happening to me only in the last month, not before, so it is kind of gross and disturbing at the same time. I understand some of the bowel issues don't always start up during radiation or right after it ends, but sometimes can take a year or more to start. Hope you see some improvement.

David
Posted 12/26/2010 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
i too am nearing six months post rt and have experienced to some degree the same thing but not to the point of needing a pad or anything. i'm told this will improve though. just another of the minor inconveniences we have to take for while. good luck!
Posted 12/26/2010 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, had the same problem for a while, bowels have never been the same since I finished SRT

Regards Mal.
Posted 12/27/2010 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Squid,

This was one of the side-effects that the Rad. Oncologist said were stress-related, not radiation, no way, no chance. My GP says they are radiation pure and simple - seen often as he has patients return to him after being closed out by the RO.

I went from 2 bm per day to at least 4, sometimes more. Not loose bowels, just frequent need. Alf posted a good site in the UK a couple of months ago that described my situation to a T. I had a serious previous battle with colon "issues", so live on stool softeners, which likely make it worse.

Rule 1 - don't fart after RT unless already seated on the porcelain throne.

Rule 2 - see rule 1 after checking seating.

For me, rule 1 kicked in about 6-7 weeks into IGRT.

Posted 12/27/2010 8:49 AM (GMT 0)
Subic,
I think this is the link to the website I found about BM problems that 142 referred to:
www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertreatment/Treatmenttypes/Radiotherapy/Pelvicradiotherapyinmen/Bowelproblems.aspx

Wet farts are definitely RT related: the radiation damages the lining of the bowel. Thus as RT works quite slowly it may take time till the (full) effect of RT is clear. However the bowel may also recover over time.
My problem is the unpredicatability of the bowel/fart/wetness situation: one day may be a normal one with just the one BM and no fart problems the next day may be 5 BMs and then not just getting up in the night to pee but to fart too. Also very loud and embarrassing if you have to use a public bathroom at work or in a department store etc.

Clearly reducing the intake of foods and drinks that make you gassy has to help (I drank Champagne at Christmas and sure noticed it the next day!) Also smoking, chewing gum and talking while eating,plus eating too quickly, can make you gassy.

I do however feel that my situation is slightly better than it was, so I hope others with this awkward issue see improvements too.

Alf

Never trust a Fart
Posted 12/27/2010 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Post SRT, I am always reminded of advice Jack Nicholson's character gives to that of Morgan Freeman in the Bucket List:

"Never pass up a bathroom, never waste a hard-on, and never trust a fart."
Posted 12/27/2010 4:11 PM (GMT 0)

I finished RT about 6 mth ago and have had loose stool and urgency ever since. Had a colonoscopy last week and sure enough, inflamed rectum caused by radiation.

Posted 12/27/2010 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
As usual, I am not alone with symptoms.  Hope this will eventually pass for everyone post SRT.  I definately am taking very seriously the warning "never trust a fart".  Ain't this disease fun!!!  Happy New Year to all.  Squid.

Posted 12/27/2010 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
And lay off the San Miguel on NYE!

;)
Posted 12/27/2010 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
No San Miguel here.  The export stuff sucks.  I really miss the good old painted label brown bottles.  Here in Hawaii the beer of choice seems to be Heinekin.  I was given some Sapporo beer as a gift so I might have a"few sips" and suffer the consequences.  Squid.

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply