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Radiation Proctitis

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Posted 1/28/2013 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
It appears I developed radiation proctitis a year after finishing SRT. It's been a sometime annoyance but far less then a bad case of piles. However, last night I passed a bit of gas and I felt what turned out to be blood running down my leg. (As an aside, it's mighty hard to keep your wife from worrying when you are trying to wash out a bloody pair of underwear in the sink.)

So, I'm going to trot into see the doc but, in the meantime, does anyone have some suggestions (diet, exercise, supplements) to minimize this issue?
Posted 1/28/2013 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
What worked for me was minimizing anything rough passing through--which is counterintuitive to the normal high-fiber diets we strive for. I did a little research online and switched to a "low residue" diet, cutting out a lot of fiber, and anything that would be scratchy at the end (nuts, seeds, etc.) It's temporary, so I figured I wasn't doing myself any harm by cutting down on the bulk I was consuming.

It seemed to help. But what really helped was the prescription I got for Proctofoam HC, a steroidal, topical foam that comes with an applicator that sprays a pre-measured dose into your rectum. (It sounds worse than it really is to apply). It relieves pain, and reduces inflammation.
Hopefully your doctor can help you out in a similar way.

I don't mean to prescribe diet change--it worked for me, but maybe not for you. Something to look into, though.
Posted 1/28/2013 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
I had similar issues that originally developed from colo-rectal surgery years ago, so was already on a daily docusate-calcium stool softener coming into the PCa world. It inflicts a constant state of multiple BMs per day, but when I stop it, the bleeding starts within a day. The colo-rectal guy says keep using it. I also use a cream that is similar to the protofoam (analphram) if things get bad. Before RT, I could stop both for days or even months without issue. Not so any more.

As always, be sure all the appropriate docs are aware of the issue. My GP has me keep a round of antibiotics on hand, to be used if the bleeding persists. Generally I throw them away and get a new batch every year, but some have been used.

Mt radiation cystitis kicked in 18 months after the end of RT (almost to the day), and is constant now.

Posted 1/29/2013 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear that happened. I'm starting this Thursday with radiation, the long range SE's are frightening to think about

To reduce the SE's my RO has prescribed Carafate and Trental. Just curious, were you given any meds to reduce the risk?
Posted 1/29/2013 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
I though that I was doing pretty good after my IMRT primary treatment--no major problems..Received a notice a few months after my radiation for a colonoscopy from another medical institution so I had it done..When I got home there was blood everywhere--of course it was late friday afternoon..My RO said to go to urgent care if it continued and the other doctor who cut out the polyps said it was from the radiation..The bleeding pretty much resolved itself but I have had multiple urgent bm's ever since; I think that they inject gas to expand the rectum when doing the procedure and it broke everything open..
My RO just said that's the way it is and didn't offer any suggestions except live with it--oh well!
Bill
Posted 1/29/2013 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
My case of severe radiation damage is too well known here to want to repeat. Mine started during radiation, got worse following radiation, and continues to worsen over 3 years later.

It truly is the gift that keeps on giving and giving.

After experiencing two major radiation events in a 9 year period of time, having both of them turn out to be disasters, speaking only for myself, I would never consent to any form of radiation again, not even it meant it could/might save my life.

david
Posted 1/29/2013 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
I asked my RO if I could have colonoscopies after radiation. He said yes but I should let the doctor know I had radiation because it would be easier to cause damage.
Posted 1/29/2013 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
reachout - it took my doctors 3 years to agree that it was safe enough for me to have a colonoscopy, which I had done finally last fall, there was lots of risk for other damage
Posted 1/29/2013 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
I've decided to never have another colonoscopy. I figure at 68 either PC or something else will get me before colon cancer.
Posted 1/29/2013 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
since they did remove some pre-cancerous polyps from mine, doubtful I will risk another either
Posted 1/29/2013 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
While at Florida Proton 3 years ago, we were repeated warned that any physician performing a colonoscopy on us should contact Florida Proton first. The reason: They had a situation where an uninformed Gastroenterolgist took multiple samples for biopsy of the areas damaged by radiation proctitis, resulting in the need for a colosomy.

I suspect, this would be good advice for any External Beam Radiation patient.

...Jerry

btw: I has some minor rectal bleeding about 15 months post PBT. Minor streaking every 3 weeks or so for several months. Radiation proctitis or bleeding hemorrhoids? Who knows? But we were warned to expect this.
Posted 1/29/2013 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
Jerry, correction, that's what my RO told me as well. After radiation you can have a colonoscopy but they have to be very careful with a biopsy.
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