Has anyone had diarrhea with radiation?

Posted by robertmizek @robertmizek, Jun 24, 2024

Has anyone in the Forum had RT to their lymph node basin only and then experienced diarrhea during treatment? How did you handle it?

I’ve just completed my 15th VMAT IMRT treatment to my lymph node basin only. I started experiencing diarrhea two days after the 14th treatment and hours after the 15th treatment. My oncologist doesn’t believe that it’s connected to the radiation because he’s avoiding the bowel and previously treated prostate bed.

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I had 26 radiation treatments to the pelvis generally and 18 prostate-specific, beginning in February and ending in April,2025. I still have daily diarrhea, 8 months afterward. My oncology team and PCP cannot offer a better solution than Imodium, which I take daily. The gastroenterologist who performed my colonoscopy in June did not find irritation or damage at that time, but may be checking again. I am to take 2T Psyllium Husk (fiber) daily as well as a "gut" probiotic, especially one that is designed to stay intact until past the stomach and into the bowel. I can also continue using Imodium. I had a blood test yesterday to rule out Celiac Disease and am to submit stool samples to rule out infection and inflammation. An option would be regular medicated enemas, which neither he nor I prefer. If another solution isn't found, he suggests that I have a Sigmoidoscopy and perhaps biopsy in my future. He used the term "radiation proctitis," which I am hoping if accurate is temporary. Perhaps some of this will be helpful as you speak with your medical team. All the best!

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