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Posted 12/6/2016 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Today will be my 25th fraction of SRT out of 35 total.
Last week I started having constipation and gas issues, which I shared with my RO. He said to get OTC stool softeners, which I did.

While they have helped somewhat not a big change.

Has anyone else had these issues while receiving RT?

Bobby Mac
Posted 12/6/2016 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
My father did when going through IMRT (not SRT). Now granted, part of his issue was that his prostate/tumor had gotten large enough that it was pushing in a little bit on his rectum, so double whammy.

They did stool softners, including a fairly strong one called lactulose (or something like that). But what finally got it moving was a dose of magnesium citrate drink - fizzy drink that came in a glass bottle from pharmacy.
Posted 12/6/2016 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately, you can't use stimulative laxatives because of the bowel distension and motility they cause. Perhaps he will allow a bulk-former that works by only increasing the fluid content of the stool like polycarbophil or metamucil?
Posted 12/6/2016 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
Usually radiation causes diarrhea, not constipation. Ever since my gallbladder removal around 4 years ago I have been taking two 100mg Docusate Sodium. Additionally, I have been taking psyllium fiber for years to help my cholesterol (HDL/LDL) numbers.
Posted 12/7/2016 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
After radiation, my normal condition is constipation. The bowels just don't move like they used to. You Really need to have a bowel movement at least once a day..If they occur less frequently, you will be REALLY constipated..I once enjoyed eating peanuts and Cashews..Today, it's out of the question. Other foods can "tighten you up" bananas being one..I have found eating a little Papaya at breakfast (squeeze some lime juice on it) makes things go much more smoothly without any drama..But try to have a BM at least once a day to avoid major problems..In my case, the radiation seems to have impeded the function of the lower bowels to "move things along".....So now it takes conscious effort..
Posted 12/7/2016 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Post RT I ended up with bad constipation. I have to take miralax (polyethylene) twice a day.

Sometimes the stool softeners can take a couple of days to get the balance right.

Andrew
Posted 12/7/2016 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
I had the gas issues from about the 10th to 30th fraction ....no constipation...soft stools and somewhat choppy ....on my 35th fraction now 10 to go. 3 cups of coffee in the morning gets me cleaned out....
Posted 12/7/2016 11:52 AM (GMT 0)
The radiation oncologist warned me up front about the 'radiation craps' - lots of effort and cramping with very little result. Mine came with mucous discharge ("never trust a fart"), gas and cramping as well.

My diet is optimally healthy (well balanced. lots of fruit, whole grains and vegetables) now as it has been for my entire adult life.

Now, 3+ years after the radiation treatments ended (80 Gy in 40 fractions) my colon considers a clean toilet bowl a challenge. I have frequent explosive loose stools every morning beginning soon after I get up until about 7:30 AM when my (drop dead gorgeous 90 pound female American Field Trial Yellow) Labrador Retriever and I head out for our daily 7 miles run & play sessions.

My bleeding hemorrhoids bleed a lot more now too. :shrug: Comes with the territory.

PCa changed my lifestyle significantly, no way around that either.
Posted 12/7/2016 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
To complicate my bowel issue, during my sleep last night I awoke to rush to the bathroom and had diarrhea. In fact, I went four more times with real watery diarrhea.

This morning had a bowel movement and back to constipated choppy stools.

I meet the RO Thursday and will update him.

Bobby Mac
Posted 12/7/2016 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
What I`m learning from this post is everyone reacts somewhat differently....I`ve got a few roids that used to bleed sometimes ....now ...no bleeding during the radiation....I used to get constipated sometimes ...now , no. Before radiation , soft and gooey(sorry) and then constipated....now , just pretty regular stools with a little mucus ......some gas yes, but no accidents with the gas , but yes , gotta be careful....so, I`m thinking everyone reacts , depending on their own set of bodily circumstances.........David
Posted 12/7/2016 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
A probiotic supplement might be helpful with bowl movements. Was recommended when I went through treatment.
Posted 12/7/2016 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
I just finished SBRT monotherapy two weeks ago, and I'm still having some bowel issues. I get the "radiation craps" with the heavy cramping for not much output - kind of like my butt has the dry heaves. That is beginning to resolve now. I also was told by my RO to continue taking Metamucil to keep things regulated, and I take a probiotic daily.

Prior to RT, I've been a "regular guy" with morning bowel movements like clockwork. Now it is more of a crap shoot -- literally. More frequency, more urgency, more gas and some near-surprises. Mine is beginning to resolve now, and seems like it will become much less of an issue as time goes on.
Posted 12/7/2016 1:59 PM (GMT 0)

stixandstonz said...
A probiotic supplement might be helpful with bowl movements. Was recommended when I went through treatment.


I tried that and I couldn't tell any difference in bowel movements (or lack thereof.) I only had diarrhea once or twice during SRT and don't remember any constipation issues in particular.

Drinking a lot of water really helps with bowel movements so keep well hydrated.
Posted 12/7/2016 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
Seeing I went from constipated during the day to diarrhea that night I am wondering if that days radiation was the culprit? Maybe something was out of line yesterday? Or was it the cumulative radiation?

Does anyone know?

Bobby Mac
Posted 12/7/2016 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
Cumulative radiation inflammation/stress. It's likely to be unstable until you complete your treatments.
Posted 12/7/2016 9:40 PM (GMT 0)

InTheShop said...
Cumulative radiation inflammation/stress. It's likely to be unstable until you complete your treatments.

. . . and maybe for a while afterward. As I noted before, I am now 2 weeks past my last treatment, and my bowel complications are just now beginning to resolve. I do see progress, though, so I am not alarmed.
Posted 12/7/2016 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bobby Mac, Man... I had 9 months of some serious constipation and diarrhea, sometimes i the same day. Sometimes explosive as you encountered. This all started within one week of IMRT. Finally after many MRIs, colonoscopy and x-rays, they call it Overflow Diarrhea. I finally went to UCLA digestive diseases Dept and got with top GI doc. Basically the damaged area of the bowels don't pass the stool and a "dam" is built up and constipation starts backing you up and builds diarrhea behind it. The diarrhea tries to get by and that is where the urgent diarrhea problem happens. This was tested the day I went to UCLA as I just had two morning diarrhea episodes. The doc said, if I am right you will have constipated stool blockage right now. Sure enough, bowels blocked up. So, now the program he put me on. MiraLAX with breakfast and dinner and Senokot laxative every other day. The idea is to keep soft stool flowing through damaged area so it can heal and no chance of back-up. It is a mechanical issue caused by the radiation (chronic radiation enteritis). For me it even caused a small bowel obstruction and that sucked really bad. I have not had any issues for the last three weeks since I started this. After five weeks I can try to back off and see if I get a backup. If so, back on program. You can do some research on overflow diarrhea. Talk to your doc. My RO didn't really have an idea to help me so he referred me to GI doc.

Good luck. Take care. -JR
Posted 12/8/2016 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
I skimmed to replies and not sure this was mentioned so ....

I was told the radiation affect the lower bowel and it sends " false" signals that you need to take a bowel movement. So you go to the toilet and sit and find you can't have a bowel movement. You are not really constipated, you just " feel" you are. Happened to me for 6 moths after my radiation finished. Took me a full 18 months to get over bowel issues caused by the 33 radiation treatments. Now this problem is gone but even though I have a BM every morning, I still have a lazy bowel compared to my pre-radiation pattern.

I eat lots of bran, yogurt, veggies and fruits, drink lots of water and NEVER take any painkillers with codine.
I also stopped drinking coffee and alcohol as they are not helpful when you want to keep your fluids.

I was also told by my doc that when you don't drink enough water, the body reabsorbs water out of your digestive tract, so he said to make sure I drink drink and drink some more.

Hope this helps. It sure helped me !
Posted 12/8/2016 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I had this problem during radiation therapy. I know the most common digestive symptom is diarrhea but I, like you, had constipation and lack of motility.
I have often had digestive issues. I had giardia or something like it for around ten years before an antibiotic wiped it out. Ever since I am mostly fine but am sensitive to digestive events.
Laxatives and stool softeners did little and eventually I convinced my doctor to give me an intestinal peristaltic /motility enhancing drug. I was prescribed 10mg Reglan pills. It did help which my radiologist found interesting.
If I ever have an opiate based pain killer I get the same thing, a shut down of my intestinal peristalsis. Radiation had a similar effect on me.
I'm sorry you are going through this. I know it's very uncomfortable.
Perhaps try Reglan.
Michael
Posted 12/8/2016 6:23 AM (GMT 0)
Because of the long term use of opioids I have been on for chronic pain, 6 1/2 years so far, I have developed my own plan to keep from constipation issues. From 2014-2015, I went through a terrible period of small bowel obstructions, adhesions, etc. Was in the ER several times, hospitalized once, and ended up with having abdominal surgery.

It's a simple plan in my case, and I never let up on it. I take 2 125mg. stool softeners daily, and I bought this weird stool that sits in front of the toilet. The company that makes them does real cute ads, but I can't remember the name.

When going for a #2, you pull out the stool and put your feet up on it, and it forces your colon to become straight, taking all the kinks out of it. Cost about 25 bucks and makes all the difference in the world. Wish I knew about this product years ago.

It's ultra rare for me to ever be constipated anymore, haven't used any kind of regular laxative in over a year now
Posted 12/8/2016 1:33 PM (GMT 0)

Purgatory said...
I bought this weird stool that sits in front of the toilet. The company that makes them does real cute ads, but I can't remember the name.

Sounds like you are talking about the Squatty Potty. Google search shows it is available online and in drug stores for about $25.

I've never used it but Howard Stern talks constantly on his show about how much he loves his.
Posted 12/8/2016 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
You are right Bill, the squatty potty. We have some at home and work. Same ones they freatured a few years back on the shark tank. Wish I would have thought of it! JR
Posted 12/8/2016 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thank all of you for the feedback and information.

Squatty potty may be on my shopping list if things don't improve!

Bobby Mac
Posted 12/9/2016 9:54 PM (GMT 0)

Purgatory said...
...... When going for a #2, you pull out the stool and put your feet up on it, and it forces your colon to become straight, taking all the kinks out of it. Cost about 25 bucks and makes all the difference in the world. Wish I knew about this product years ago.

THANK YOU for posting this !!!!! This has made a HUGE difference in my life.
I hope you can find some relief from your issues. I know a lot of people here are pulling for you.
Posted 12/10/2016 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Culturelle probiotic and Benefiber both recommended by my dietitian helped settle down my GI tract post radiation. Good luck.
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