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What are the common side effects after salvage radiation?

Posted by gkm @gkm, May 3, 2023

I completed my salvage radiation treatment at the end of July 2022. The treatment included 2 injections of Zoladex. I was told that there would be some side effects related to bowel movements but that they should clear up in due course. I am now 9 months post treatment and still face a variety of side effects; getting up 3-4 times per night to pee, accompanied by a dry mouth, gas, loose stool, diarrhea, occasional trace of blood on toilet paper, feeling an urge but nothing happens. I am coping but I wonder if the symptoms will ever end?

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heavyphil | @heavyphil | Sep 22 8:03am
In reply to @michaelcharles "My layperson understanding is that there can be some permanent damage to the bowel and/or bladder...." + (show)
@michaelcharles

My layperson understanding is that there can be some permanent damage to the bowel and/or bladder.
What have your Drs said?
A Gastroenterologist consult might be a choice.
I completed 37 IMRT Txs yesterday.
Significant bowel irritation;
ranging from severe burning (7 - 8 pain level) to moderate, mild and sometimes hardly noticeable.
Q: ANY PAIN remedies/treatments working for anyone?
Nothing that I take or try works. Sitting on an ice pack may a little helpful.

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I’ve used WiseWays Witch hazel suppositories in the past for hemorrhoidal pain and they are excellent. Really soothe the rectum quickly. Get on Amazon.
Two things to know: keep them refrigerated - they melt easily.
And lightly moisten them under hot water before insertion as the water slightly melts the exterior and this aids as a lubricant. Don’t overdo it or you’ll wind up with a misshappen blob that goes nowhere.

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heavyphil | @heavyphil | Sep 22 8:15am
In reply to @budisnothome "Radiation cystitis and radiation proctitis. Gross hematuria. Lots of bleeding and blood clots. Hyperbaric oxygen chamber..." + (show)
@budisnothome

Radiation cystitis and radiation proctitis. Gross hematuria. Lots of bleeding and blood clots. Hyperbaric oxygen chamber sessions. Erroded urethra. Urethroplasty . Total incontinence and the list keeps growing. Only been 4 years since 35 radiation treatments. Good luck.

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Hey bud, so sorry for all that you’re going through. Makes me nervous for what’s in store. But everyone is SO damn different. Some guys here have zero side effects and others, like you, hit the freakin jackpot and get the most and the worst. I’ve come to believe that it’s all luck - both good or bad - and nothing we do can control it. ‘Some guys get all the luck, some guys get all the pain’. Prescient words from Rod Stewart - also a prostate cancer survivor.
I wish better days ahead for you, Bud.

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VancouverIslandHiker | @vancouverislandhiker | Sep 23 8:33am
In reply to @firespooks "So what are the LONG term side effects anyone is experiencing from salvage radiation?" + (show)
@firespooks

So what are the LONG term side effects anyone is experiencing from salvage radiation?

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I am post 2 years radiation of 22 sessions with no ADT . I am feeling great ! Just did 14km's hike yesterday with the dogs and wife , with lots of terrain and a good pace . Maybe a little more of a jumpy bladder , so when I have to pee I have to go quickly , but this has subsided a lot over the last two years for sure . No real issues to speak of . Drove PSA from 0.14 , now down to 0.040 . Steady decrease , but slowly over two years . Does this help ? God Bless Sir . James on Vancouver Island .

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VancouverIslandHiker | @vancouverislandhiker | Sep 23 8:40am

your symptoms may be from the ADT still, and the radiation . Some jumpy bladder and Bowel issues for the first year for me. Im post 2 years now External Beam radiation ( 22 sessions) . My second year has been more or. less event free .. No real side effects , they al went away . Try to keep your activity up - helps with healing . I hiked 14 km's yesterday with the wife and dogs . Wonder day . Terrain was good and weather was at 20 C , so perfect . No issues on the hike , felt good . Im sure you will heal up . What I would suggest is you going to a GI doctor . They can explore to see to what extent radiation damage is there and "heal time" given the radiation treatments. My GI Dr added much , to my treatment team here in Canada !

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