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Posted 9/19/2013 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
I have been given a weeks vacation from radiation after my 28 session. The reason for this is because I am having a hard evacuating my bowels. Can anyone suggest any way to deal with this! Also, has anyone her had similar difficulties? Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Posted 9/19/2013 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
What did your RO suggest?

I didn't have that problem. It was the other way - going too much.

The other answer - fiber, water, walking and if needed you can get stool softeners over the counter and your RO should be able to give you other meds if needed.
Andrew
Posted 9/19/2013 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
I’ve never had that problem. If fact, towards the middle, I couldn't trust a fart. My R/O did tell me about possible constipation issues and recommended stool softeners, as Andrew mentioned above. Hope it all works out, so to speak bertb  
Posted 9/19/2013 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
will be talking to my RO in a couple. Just want to get this resolved so that I may continue my radiation sessions.
Posted 9/19/2013 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck. I was like the other guys and had the exact opposite of what you have. I've bought a lot of toilet paper lately!
Posted 9/19/2013 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on Surfak (Docusate Calcium) as a stool softener for years due to previous colo-rectal surgery. Constipation for me would be very serious.

So I am in the club that can't trust a fart. The RT actually irritated my bowel such that it got more frequent, not less.
Posted 9/19/2013 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
You might try using psyllium powder. (Metamucil) I use the generic stuff from Wal Mart. Like others have said I had the opposite problem and the powder kept the wateriness down. It is very gentle and usually starts to work within three days.

By the way my loose and frequent bowel problems did not start until the fifth week. You may find that constipation is not an issue when you restart. :-)

Good luck,

Don

Posted 9/19/2013 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
I've had constipation ever since starting Lupron. Radiotherapy, 44 sessions, seemed to make no difference at all. Certainly not looser, for sure.

I use soluble fiber powder from Walmart and it helps. This whole thing is problematic during RT since bowel emptying timing is important, and you don't want to create gas.
Posted 9/20/2013 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Didn't have the problem, but I kept up my high vegetable fiber diet against the advice I had received. I eat lots of salads, at least half of my intake is mixed green salads with lots of cucumbers, radishes, tomatoes, etc.

I think it is all about diet and you should orient towards the food that would normally loosen things. And lots of water and walking. Also, hot green tea encourages the "let down reflex" that should help you return to normalcy.

Prunes anyone??
Posted 9/20/2013 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Your RO should be advising you on medications to alleviate symptoms during radiation. What did they tell you to do besides stopping treatment?

Typical meds for constipation, Psyllium capsules and a stool softener. I was told Psyllium helps with constipation and/or diarrhea

Your reaction to radiation treatment is atypical, usually can't trust-a-fart is more common, and if you sit down to pee, expect an occasional "hershey's squirt" at the same time.

Anyway, my RO advised meds appropriate for the symptoms, and I was also on Carafate, which helped to protect the rectum during treatment
Posted 9/20/2013 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
So you are taking a week off after 28 sessions, or you are done after 28 sessions.

I remember my RO saying, that it's ok if you had to miss a single session, perhaps two in an emergency, but it would seriously effect the efficiency of the SRT if an entire week was skipped. Not trying to scare you, but I distinctly remember that being said back in 2009. I had 39 sessions totally 72 gys of IMRT.

If you doctor allowed this, I have to assume its ok, just made me think back.

Hope they get your fixed up to finish your sessions, I know you want this behind you.

David
Posted 9/20/2013 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
My partner is having severe constipation due to morphine. Depending how bad your constipation is, there are several possibilities you might try.

He is taking Sena three times a day. (Natural laxative.)

He was taking Ducolax, but it didn't help.

There is something called Magneisum Citrate which is over the counter which was very strong. When he hadn't gone for 5 days they gave him Laxolose, which is prescribed at the Cancer Center. Also very strong.

Talk to your doctor before you try any of these things.

Susan

Posted 9/20/2013 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
What about that stuff you take the night before a colonoscopy? If that doesn't do it, nothing will.
I’ve often thought of doing that when I’m plugged, but never actually tried it.
But ask your doctor first....please.
bertb
Posted 9/21/2013 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for comments and recommendations. I did see my RO. He did a DRE and found out that my sphincter muscle was extremely tight. I am taking the high fiber foods and stool softeners. Also, I am using cortisone acetate suppositories to hopefully loosen the above named muscle. Thirty-six hours later I am feeling about 70% better.
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