Long term side effects from Radiotherapy.

Haven't been on here for quite a while but thought I'd pop in with some info for guys newly treated with SRT.

Although not the same for everybody the increase in bowel movements after salvage radiotherapy can be quite severe. Certainly in my case the two main concerns were urgency and frequency. Taking the urgency first - for me, I had to be not too far from the bathroom when the need arose. I'm happy to say that the urgency is no longer there now, although I can't give an exact time frame as it must differ from person to person, mine seemed to ease during the first year.

The frequency though, takes a bit longer. Sometimes I would have to use facilities 4, 5 and even 6 times a day and obviously a real nuisance. But it does gradually get better with fewer visits needed.
You do have to watch your diet and be careful to not eat foods that can irritate.

I recently attended an NHS health check and was discovered to be on the brink of Diabetes. The very nice nurse put it to me this way, "Think of sitting in the Doctors waiting room, if you change your lifestyle and cut out sugar from your diet, you can walk out of the waiting room. If you don't change and continue with the same lifestyle you will have to walk through the door and into the world of Diabetes".
Pretty straight and direct thought I, but it really sent it home to me!
So I've cut out all sugar and only eat sugar free and that includes none in tea or coffee. This has made a big difference to me - as before I did not eat anywhere near enough fruit, but not any more. I now really really enjoy my fruit, especially strawberries, raspberries and blueberries and with low fat low sugar yoghurt.
I've now been sugar free for approx. 4 months and think this has made a big difference to my bowel issues. Only needing 3 visits a day and seeming a lot more controlled.
Oh, and I've lost over half a stone and 2 inches off the waist line!

To finish, it's taken me 3 years to get to where I am now and feeling good about life, and with a PSA of >0.01.
I hope this gives some hope for others in a similar situation and just starting out - hang in there, with patience, it does get better.

Regards all,

Chris.

I've no info on SRT, but big congratulations on that PSA. Got to feel very good when SRT outcome is so very uncertain.

I am sorry I didn't see this the other day. I try to reply to all of these, but from time to time I miss one. Likely I was involved with my own problems and not paying enough attention. You've done nothing wrong and are correct to point out that your note shouldn't have been ignored. Please don't hold the error against us - we're far from perfect.

Congratulations on the zero!!!

RT is the gift that keeps on giving. I've had urgency problems since I completed and serious bowel issues since then.

Do keep us updated, we'll try to be more responsive,
Andrew

anfidelmar said...

I also appreciate the gift of RT and its differing effects on people. Are your bowel issues getting any better - easing at all?

Cheers,
Chris.

Slightly. I had some laser treatments in April that really helped. It's mostly under control now.

Andrew

Congrats on the PSA. It appears are you doing pretty well on the side effects as well. Keep on posting and reporting.