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Anyone have rectal pain after radiation? What helps?

Posted by justnate @justnate, Apr 3 6:46pm

6 months after radiation for prostate cancer I develop pain in my rectal area the oncologist said it was due to the radiation has anybody else experienced this if so what did you do to eliminate the problem

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 3 10:01pm
In reply to @km101 "Hi gshep, I completed SBRT a little less than a week ago. I have hardly any..." + (show)
@km101

Hi gshep,
I completed SBRT a little less than a week ago. I have hardly any GU issues, but GI is not good. A day after treatment finished, I started having loose BMs, and now I have basically all symptoms of proctitis. I got the barrier gel, so GI issues were not on my radar at all.

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Here are some related discussions talking about radiation and diarrhea:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/prostate-cancer/?search=radiation%20and%20diarrhea&index=discussions
@km101, a bit more time has passed. Have the bowel movements improved?

REPLY
robertov | @robertov | Jun 4 1:52pm
In reply to @heavyphil "The spacer is mostly used for SBRT - Cyberknife type 5 dose treatment. Used to protect..." + (show)
@heavyphil

The spacer is mostly used for SBRT - Cyberknife type 5 dose treatment. Used to protect the rectum since they are high dose treatments. I guess your type of PCa or other conditions preclude your consideration for this?
It would be quicker but possibly worse symptomatically. They do, however, sometimes space these 5 visits farther apart; instead of every other day, perhaps each one a week or 10 days apart? Ask your RO about this, OK? As I said, radiation is cumulative so it adds up over time. 40 smaller doses and 5 larger ones may deliver the same total amount of radiation - the PCa cells can’t tell the difference.
You might have a reaction each time, but also time to recover from each visit. Lomotil is more effective for diarrhea than regular preparations; it contains a low dose, non addicting opioid that controls the gut spasms more effectively. Best,
Phil

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Thanks Phil, I opted for the 5 fraction Proton Beam and was trying to think how to reduce the impact of less vs more fractions. This seems like a good idea.

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