Can anybody describe what radiation is like?

Posted by asolidrock @asolidrock, Oct 13, 2025

Can anybody describe what radiation is like? When is it needed?

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I'm sorry I was just thinking about the side effects

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I developed Radiation Proctitis with bleeding off and on for 7 months.
Bladder urgency and incontinence for a couple of months.
Bowel urgency which is diminishing after 7 months and incontinence for 2 months.
Doctor just wanted to do the plan not treat the sides until I told them I wouldn't get back on the table until they did. Instant medication. Imagine that.
Ask/demand something for bladder urgency up front and know what they will do if you develop bowel urgency and proctitis.
I won't use that practice again if I have to go back.

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Profile picture for chippydoo @chippydoo

I developed Radiation Proctitis with bleeding off and on for 7 months.
Bladder urgency and incontinence for a couple of months.
Bowel urgency which is diminishing after 7 months and incontinence for 2 months.
Doctor just wanted to do the plan not treat the sides until I told them I wouldn't get back on the table until they did. Instant medication. Imagine that.
Ask/demand something for bladder urgency up front and know what they will do if you develop bowel urgency and proctitis.
I won't use that practice again if I have to go back.

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Well I've learned that these days you have to be your own advocate. I'm so sorry you had to go through that.

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I had no idea to what degree we had to advocate. Figured it out as I went through the process.

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I don't either but I know this Dr's ain't God they are fallible

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I want to apologize what I said . I surely don't mean to be critical of Dr's cause God has surely used them to help me

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Profile picture for jeff Marchi @jeffmarc

@asolidrock
While I had 7+ weeks of IMRT these days they’re using as Few as 20 sessions. They give more radiation in each session and that causes side effects right away for many people. As I mentioned, I had no side effects at all during the 7+ weeks. Not exactly what one would consider awful, It was actually pretty easy.

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@jeffmarc Much appreciated feedback, I start my 20 days November 3. The ADT meds on the 6 mos intense regimen have kicked me from time to time but OK. The hot flashes are also okay and a good humor with the female members of the family, and to that I just had the gold markers and a spacer put in with some anesthesia, and I was in stirrups. Great insight into what it’s like for the other side …

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Jeffmarc is a big help to a lot of people

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I vote for jeffmarc to be the next moderator

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Profile picture for chippydoo @chippydoo

I had no idea to what degree we had to advocate. Figured it out as I went through the process.

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@chippydoo Squeaky Wheel, Baby! Only thing that works, unfortunately…

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