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Constant need to urinate with radiation therapy for prostate cancer

Posted by dave1957 @dave1957, May 16 9:45am

I am currently undergoing radiation treatment for prostate cancer. I am on treatment 14 of 28. The first week or so was ok but now I am having serious issues. I have gone from the need at night to urinate every 45 minutes or so to every 10-15 minutes. I have gone 3 nights with zero sleep. As soon as I get back in bed and I have to go again. I stop drinking anything at dinner other than what I need to take meds. Sometimes it's an inability to completely empty my bladder but other times I completely empty and still have to go 10 minutes later. My Dr. doubled my Flomax and recommended a product called AZO but neither have been much help. They tell you to take with a full glass of water which seems counterproductive. I have also developed bowel problems and hemorrhoids which is giving me issues as well. I still have a long way to go, and I have to find some way to get some sleep. Has anyone else had these issues and found anything that provides relief. I seriously wish I had gone with surgery but was convinced this was the easier path. I am at my wit's end. Thank you!

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beluga | @beluga | May 24 7:46am
In reply to @josgen "I have had 14 (of 40) IMRT sessions to date and am having similar issues to..." + (show)
@josgen

I have had 14 (of 40) IMRT sessions to date and am having similar issues to what you describe. At its worst, I was peeing every two hours at night. Based on what I've read here and elsewhere, I'm glad I didn't get a prescription for Flomax. Instead, I requested Cialis but I have to say it is not very effective but maybe better than nothing. I have noticed that when I take ibuprofen before bed, though I don't like to take it, it reduces the number of times I need to pee.

I also have bowel problems from the radiation but it has greatly improved since I started a regime of a tablespoon of psyllium mixed in water in the morning. I also take retinol (Vitamin A) in the form of a teaspoon of cod liver oil every morning as well. This has resulted in a big improvement in bowel function.

I also try to get a workout in each day on a rowing machine. It tones the muscles in the pelvic region as well as elsewhere.

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Just wondering about your bowel problems-does this include bleeding or is it restricted to very loose bowel movements. I had 5 high power radiation treatments last July/August and started having blood during bowel movements 5 months after. Tried sulcafate enema and supporitories but neither worked. Now waiting to see a gastrointestinal specialist. I'm wondering if the psyllium you took in the morning would be helpful.

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2 replies
josgen | @josgen | May 24 9:14am
In reply to @beluga "Just wondering about your bowel problems-does this include bleeding or is it restricted to very loose..." + (show)
@beluga

Just wondering about your bowel problems-does this include bleeding or is it restricted to very loose bowel movements. I had 5 high power radiation treatments last July/August and started having blood during bowel movements 5 months after. Tried sulcafate enema and supporitories but neither worked. Now waiting to see a gastrointestinal specialist. I'm wondering if the psyllium you took in the morning would be helpful.

Jump to this post

I have not had any bleeding to date but still early in my treatment (18/40 sessions). I think the psyllium has really helped firm up my bowel movements and maybe the retinol is doing something as well. It probably helps too that IMRT is a lower dose therapy. Don't know if you are around a facility that offers it, but hyperbaric oxygen therapy is supposed to be helpful for bowel problems. Hopefully I won't need it as the nearest clinic is 4 1/2 hours away.
My urination is still not good but I just added another 5 mg Cialis to my daily routine, one in the morning and one in the evening so we'll see how that shakes out.

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1 reply
beluga | @beluga | May 24 9:30am
In reply to @josgen "I have not had any bleeding to date but still early in my treatment (18/40 sessions)...." + (show)
@josgen

I have not had any bleeding to date but still early in my treatment (18/40 sessions). I think the psyllium has really helped firm up my bowel movements and maybe the retinol is doing something as well. It probably helps too that IMRT is a lower dose therapy. Don't know if you are around a facility that offers it, but hyperbaric oxygen therapy is supposed to be helpful for bowel problems. Hopefully I won't need it as the nearest clinic is 4 1/2 hours away.
My urination is still not good but I just added another 5 mg Cialis to my daily routine, one in the morning and one in the evening so we'll see how that shakes out.

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Thanks for getting back to me. At the moment I am exploring all available options near where I live.

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dave1957 | @dave1957 | May 24 12:51pm
In reply to @beluga "Just wondering about your bowel problems-does this include bleeding or is it restricted to very loose..." + (show)
@beluga

Just wondering about your bowel problems-does this include bleeding or is it restricted to very loose bowel movements. I had 5 high power radiation treatments last July/August and started having blood during bowel movements 5 months after. Tried sulcafate enema and supporitories but neither worked. Now waiting to see a gastrointestinal specialist. I'm wondering if the psyllium you took in the morning would be helpful.

Jump to this post

I have had bleeding but believe it due to hemorrhoids I developed from the treatments. Some of the meds I am taken cause constipation. I am scared it is going to cause anemia which I have dealt with in the past

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1 reply
beluga | @beluga | May 24 3:47pm
In reply to @dave1957 "I have had bleeding but believe it due to hemorrhoids I developed from the treatments. Some..." + (show)
@dave1957

I have had bleeding but believe it due to hemorrhoids I developed from the treatments. Some of the meds I am taken cause constipation. I am scared it is going to cause anemia which I have dealt with in the past

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Just bleeding.

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