1. < Cancer: Managing Symptoms

Anyone have radiation enteritis, inflammation of your small intestine?

Posted by skmm @skmm, Jun 21, 2023

Has anyone else ended up with chronic radiation enteritis from pancreatic tumor radiation. I'm starving to death. Weight is plummeting, blood pressure is low. I can eat and have a g-tube but I can't absorb enough nutrients to stay hydrated. Not enough is getting through the small intestine. If I put too much in my stomach, I just throw everything up.

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lolac | @lolac | Mar 22 9:00pm
In reply to @cjmillus "I have chronic digestive issues since radiation last year for endometrial cancer. Bowel obstructions, enteritis, severe..." + (show)
@cjmillus

I have chronic digestive issues since radiation last year for endometrial cancer. Bowel obstructions, enteritis, severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. It is life altering. I am currently getting hyperbaric oxygen treatments and I think it is helping.

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I am about to start Hyperbaric treatment. I have hopes that it will heal some damage done by radiation to my pelvis and a radical hysterectomy. Do you have any pointers for me? Do you feel better?

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lolac | @lolac | Mar 22 9:03pm

Has anyone tried PEMF treatment for chronic radiation enteritis? It increases internal blood flow.
I have seen it work wonders on horses, and many people claim it is amazing for orthopedic issues. I want to try it.

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bisbeea | @bisbeea | Jun 7 11:25pm
In reply to @dor64 "I have had this ongoing issue for 30yrs after Cervical Cancer with total hysterectomy. Had 6wks..." + (show)
@dor64

I have had this ongoing issue for 30yrs after Cervical Cancer with total hysterectomy. Had 6wks large doses of radiation with 2 Braccitheray..Not sure of spelling treatments. The Radiation has melted my bowel to several areas of my gut wall/ organs which turn has left me with severe dirrahea & ongoing bowel blockages. It has taken 25yrs for the Radiation damage to finally rear it's ugly head!! Very painful & have pending surgery to have the bowel narrowing removed & will have to have a resection with a Stoma. The leakage has been ongoing since Radiation treatment. No drugs at all seem to have stopped this happening. I weigh 40.1kgs presently & on a very restricted diet of mainly liquids. Its very depressing but Im still alive!! My advice is to find yourself a good Collorectal Surgeon who maybe able to help you. All the best Donna Australia

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I’ve had similar experience. Radiation, chemo, and hysterectomy for cervical cancer. One small bowel resection, and one blockage repaired laparoscopicly since then. I’m now twenty years past the original treatments, and experiencing inflammatory enteritis periodically. I avoid fiber, fat, and big meals. It seems like there is nothing in particular that sets off an episode. Sometimes the episodes last only a few days, and can be managed with Imodium and BRAT diet. Other times, the episodes last a week or so. I loose weight that I am unable to put back on. Am getting weaker every year. Gastro doctor prescribed Creon, a highly expensive drug that gave me diarrhea. It’s a rough road those of us with enteritis are on. I wish I had some suggestions for you all on how we can manage our symptoms. It just seems like we have to keep on keeping on. Wishing you all well.

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