Colon still a problem...

I finished 39 radiationl treatments to my pelvic area (psa rose again to detectable) over a year ago, but I still suffer from troubled intestines.  I had a colonoscopy monlths ago and everything looked well, but I still have those problems (loose stools, etc.).  Any pointers?

Gene214

Will not see him till Feb 25.  Somehow, I feel it must be related to the treatments unless the c got into the colon.  But last psa was going down.  I hope it still is, but the one visit every six months concerns me.

 

gene,

those types of symptons are very typical for post-radiation life. sometimes, they end up being perm side effects, which for your sake I hope not. for others, they fade over time. and in some cases, they don't even show up for years after treatments end.

david

Aloha Gene214,
It is true that #2 plumbing problems can & do show up after EBRT. I had some bad Hemorrhoids prior to EBRT & was advised to wait 4 mths after Treatment before having surgery to correct them. Wish I would have had it done 4 mths before EBRT. It has been over 5 years since EBRT. I still remember that first time working in an orchard when I could not make it to a toilet in time. It is getting better. I've learned what combinations of antidiarrheal, stool softner, & fiber to help control fecal incontinence. Interesting that before bladder/prostate removal, it was fiber & antidiarrheal tabs that did the trick. Now it is stool softner & fiber.
Everyone is different, got to be open to try stuff, may take months to learn what works best for you.
Hang in there,
Joe

Thanks everyone for taking to time to answer. Gene214

Gene,

I had no immediate problems following SRT, but about 7 or 8 months later I started having intermittent rectal bleeding and diarrhea. It was fairly frequent and severe at first, but it did gradually get better. After about a year everything returned pretty much to normal.