I am sorry that you are going through this, and unfortunately I don't have any suggestions. But having being treated with radiation myself I am curious as to what your regiment was, and how old you are.

I am 68, had 5 SBRT treatments with a Barrigel spacer and I am 9 weeks out of treatment. Any info you are willing to share will be appreciated.
Thanks.

I was 84 at treatment which was deemed necessary for my prostate cancer even at my age and I am very functional and active. I had 28 treatments without spacer ending January 2023. While there were always mild symptoms, they gradually became more serious. While there may be treatments, my need for eliquis (pacemaker), seems to be a complication

lhs38,
Next you find a gastroenterologist who will use a special wand for radiofrequency. Dr Buxbaum at USC
1520 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA 90033 Phone: (323) 442-5100 will know exactly what you are asking for.
It is a procedure commonly done for hospitalized patients and not widely known by physicians outside. Proctitis is inflammation of the rectum. Radiation Proctitis is not a simple inflamation of the rectum. After the first treatment, the bleeding was greatly reduced. You may need serveral treatments.
I was told by many GIs and two Oncologists to get used to it; there was no remedy.
You want the procedure using the Halo 90 wand.
The procedure is painless Though they often use anesthesia, I never have it because I have to drive myself. It is an outpatient procedure done in hospital for people like us.

My husband developed radiation induced proctitis two years post-radiation therapy. Initially there was no visible bleeding but his hemoglobin dropped to 92 so they did a colonoscopy. The gastroenterologist used APC (argon plasma coagulation). Significant bleeding and explosive fecal incontinence sent us to emergency. We found out the APC burned the tissue in the rectum causing a rectal ulcer. Treatment was at home twice a day sucralfate enemas for about 9 weeks. Last Treatment was December 1st and the bleeding has not returned. Bowel movements are back to normal. The trick is to not let the rectum get irritated so my husband uses metamucil. My husband is also on blood thinners so risk of recurrence is higher.

Thank you. Surgeon has "not yet" recommended return trial of suralfate but that may be in the future. So the "not irritated" plan. I am/was still an avid bicycolist and exercise regularly. Does "not irritate" include such activities.

I think the surgeon was referring to irritating as straining and/or constipation. She said he needed to keep his stool the consistency of soft serve ice cream. But I read in a previous discussion that an avid bicyclist had to stop because it seemed to contribute to his bleeding. So I'm not sure about that.

If you search radiation induced proctitis you will find the previous discussion and there may be some helpful hints for you.

Have appointment with surgeon to discuss formalin treatment coming up. Surgeon previously said he has not had good results with this but given outcome from argon colonoscpy this is where he wants to go, I think.

@lhs38, I moved your posts about radiation proctitis to this existing discussion

- Looking for tips on managing Radiation-induced proctitis
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/radiation-induced-proctitis/
I did this so you can see previous posts and connect with others members in the prostate cancer group who have experienced radiation-induced proctitis.

Also see this related discussion:
- Anyone been diagnosed with Radiation Proctitis?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/radiation-proctitis/