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Burning during urination several months after IGRT

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Posted 6/12/2019 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
I have a question about other guys experience with radiation therapy side effects regarding the urinary problem. Before my treatment, I did not have any issues at all. The treatment itself was bearable with the only issue of difficulty to go toward the end of treatment. I used some medication that helped with that. The only issue I am still having the burning feeling during urination, especially after sexual activity, that lasts for several days and gradually subsides to a tolerable level. The urine is clean, not cloudy/bloody/smelly. Just this sharp burning pain that radiates to perineum and rectum. I spoke to a urologist about this problem, but he could not give me a specific answer and just mentioned that this could be part of the healing process after radiation. I noticed that drinking a lot of water helps to recover faster and ease pain a little bit. The urine must be very light in color all the time to feel almost ok. When I work outside and do not drink a lot of water the urine gets darker and the pain increases. I understand that there is some kind of inflammation/irritation that causes this pain and I would like to ask if anyone know some natural remedies, like tea of some kind. I consume some organic turmeric powder but it does not help a lot.
Posted 6/12/2019 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
The only thing I found that works is the standard URO advice: Drink more water.

especially before and after sex.

or as a nurse once told me, "Drink water till you pee is clear."
Andrew
Posted 6/12/2019 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear about your pain.

Common expression: Radiation therapy is the gift that keeps giving.
Posted 6/12/2019 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
Towards the end of my RT, and for some time after, it burned like a mofo when I urinated. My RT was four years ago, so I don’t recall the time frame, but seems it could have been a couple months. It likely varies.
Posted 6/13/2019 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
let me guess....you're doctor is not concerned? pretty common short-term side effect. dried blood in your urine could follow. I remember thinking this feels like the clap but not as bad. let's call it clap light.

the great news is you're having sex and you can feel when you pee (not incontinent). I recently started taking saw palmetto and man I had instant results so since you still have a prostate i'd recommend that.
Posted 6/13/2019 11:16 AM (GMT 0)
Looks like not many people have this issue 5 months after treatment and this is good news. Maybe it is something unique to my situation. I will continue to drink extra water. I will continue to look for a solution and if I find one I would share this info. Thank you for everybody.
Posted 6/13/2019 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
Radiation side effects continue to accrue for about 3 years after treatment ends. They then peak (the "nadir") and begin to subside. It can take a very long time for the side effects to completely subside, some may be permanent.

There is a large nerve trunk in the prostate area that sometimes (often) gets damaged during surgical and radiation therapies. That nerve services penile, anal, colonic sensations and muscle control. The more it is damaged, the more intense the sensation or control issues.

My personal 'burning on urination' experience began 6 years ago and is still with me today.

Of course, your mileage may differ. smile
Posted 6/13/2019 12:37 PM (GMT 0)
Serge,

It's not unusual to have an occasional bit of radiation cystitis after radiation treatment for your prostate. It usually goes away (but also sometimes comes back for a visit like a kid returning from college for the summer.) Be sure to tell your doctor about it.

Since you asked about whether tea will help the answer is yes, it helps ... because when you are drinking tea you aren't drinking coffee. Decaf tea or herbal tea (w/o caffeine) are best since it is the caffeine that irritates the bladder. Also avoid fizzy beverages and alcohol. In general, avoid anything you like to drink except water. There is some anecdotal evidence that cranberry juice is helpful but that is probably because it slightly lowers your chances of getting a lower urinary tract infection.

There are things that can be done about it if it lasts a long time or is unusually bothersome. The over-the-counter urinary analgesic drug pyridium can help with the discomfort. If you are married it is the stuff that occasionally turns your wife's pee bright orange. Mention it to your doctor. It can interfere with some of the tests for urinary tract infections but it does help with the discomfort. It doesn't do anything, good or bad, about the underlying problem. There are drugs that help sometimes and there is a treatment called "hyperbaric oxygen therapy" that works most of the time. (The patient is put in a pressure chamber at 2.5 atmospheres -- like a diver with "the bends" -- and given pure oxygen to breathe.)

But, like I said, it usually goes away on its own. It's early days for you yet. Keep your doctor in the loop and hang on.
Posted 6/14/2019 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you PeterDisAbelard for sharing important info. My dad had triple play treatment for PC 9 years ago, but he did not have a burning feeling during urination. He had other SE issues. That is why I think this problem is not common. I try not to drink anything containing caffeine, just once in the while. I do not drink alcohol. The reason I mentioned tea is that I asked this question some time ago on one of the PC forums and I was given suggestion to drink some herbal tea that can sooth the pain. I could not find this thread now. This is the reason I asked for some inputs.
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