1. < Prostate Cancer

Radiation causing constant urge to urinate and burning

Posted by larry1443 @larry1443, Sep 30 9:57am

Apologies if already asked, but is anyone going through radiation treatments experiencing a constant urge to urinate? With very little output. And with “tolerable“ burning pain while feeling the urge? No burning while urinating. Just while feeling the constant urge. Also just FYI I am on second monthly Lupron injection and so far, so good. No intolerable side effects. Someone on this forum mentioned monthly injections as they were slightly less potent. Thanks everyone and hang in there.

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robertmizek | @robertmizek | Oct 2 7:22pm
In reply to @larry1443 "Thank you. I will have to look into oxybutinin. I have had pelvic floor distinction for..." + (show)
@larry1443

Thank you. I will have to look into oxybutinin. I have had pelvic floor distinction for many years. My PCP warned me it may gat worse during radiation (only 7 days into radiation). May I ask what kind of therapy you had? I have had enormous relief with Amitriptyline but would like to get off it someday.

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Everything was a variation on kegels (short duration and long duration) and core strengthening exercises.

Good luck on your continued journey!

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larry1443 | @larry1443 | Oct 3 11:35am
In reply to @johnoclark "What type of radiation?" + (show)
@johnoclark

What type of radiation?

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External beam. Second week done tomorrow My burning and urgency has gotten much better. Almost gone. I think it was the wine last weekend. Doubled my exercise and strength training (SilverSneaker online videos) and walking and miralax daily. Feeling pretty good.

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1 reply
johnoclark | @johnoclark | Oct 3 3:07pm
In reply to @larry1443 "External beam. Second week done tomorrow My burning and urgency has gotten much better. Almost gone...." + (show)
@larry1443

External beam. Second week done tomorrow My burning and urgency has gotten much better. Almost gone. I think it was the wine last weekend. Doubled my exercise and strength training (SilverSneaker online videos) and walking and miralax daily. Feeling pretty good.

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The type of ordinary external bean radiation 20 years ago could burn other body parts like the colon and turn the prostate gland to mush and be unremoveable. Today there are newer types.

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bandit11 | @bandit11 | Oct 4 6:40am

I had similar issue during proton radiation and radiologist recommended an
anti inflammatory such as advil or something similar. It didn’t eliminate the issue but did help.

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larryf954 | @larryf954 | Oct 4 9:07am

I also had the frequent urination and burning during external beam radiation. I took cranberry extract; 400 mg of advil twice a day (Dr suggested 600mg 2x per day); and flomax 2x daily. It significantly reduced the burning and reduced the evening frequency from 3x to 1-2x

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larry1443 | @larry1443 | Oct 4 10:26am

Thank you. I am at the end of week two and the burning is gone and the frequent urgency is much improved. I may be wrong but I think drinking wine last weekend Friday night and Saturday night may have been the culprit. My biggest issue now is having a chronic cough (hard racking cough) off and on and trying not to cough and move during the radiation treatment. So far so good but it comes on suddenly and unexpectedly. Best wishes on your continued recovery.

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q95oldies | @q95oldies | Oct 5 3:17pm

I had that too for around 3 weeks after radiation. Extreme burning
when urinating. Little sleep.

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larry1443 | @larry1443 | Oct 13 7:09pm

Has anyone experienced burning urinary frequentcy and urgency during external beam radiation? Any meds that can help? Thanks 🙏

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5 replies
northoftheborder | @northoftheborder | Oct 13 9:28pm
In reply to @larry1443 "Has anyone experienced burning urinary frequentcy and urgency during external beam radiation? Any meds that can..." + (show)
@larry1443

Has anyone experienced burning urinary frequentcy and urgency during external beam radiation? Any meds that can help? Thanks 🙏

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Yes, and sort-of. I developed radiation cystitis a year after SBRT. The medication that helped most was Myrbetriq, which relaxed my detrusor muscle so that I wouldn't feel the constant urgency to urinate (I'm managing without it now). Flomax did nothing for me, but others have found it helpful.

Lifestyle changes also help. Drink *lots* of water. You may find that reducing alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, and/or spicy food helps reduce the irritation (experiment and see which, if any, affect you).

And most importantly, be patient and kind to yourself. This stuff takes time.

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