I previously posted a detailed summary report on my recent salvage RT experience that includes discussion of SEs: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/finished-8-weeks-of-imrt-yesterday-summary-report/

I would say that the best approach to mitigating SEs is a proper regime of diet, exercise, and sleep. There is no doubt that it is a stressful process, especially achieving the “full bladder/empty rectum” status that is important for mitigating damage to healthy tissues. I’ve attached a document from the U.S. Veteran’s Administration about nutrition and dietary restrictions during RT. This guide helped me more than any info provided by my radiation oncology team. In 8 weeks of IMRT, I only had an issue with too much gas in my rectum once.

Given that I didn’t want to get sick during treatment, I minimized on social activities. Also, didn’t want to spread disease to folks coming in for treatment that were in rough shape from battling cancer. Avoiding social contact could be tough in the midst of the holiday season, but it is definitely something to keep in mind. I would at least avoid anyone who is ill.

During the five weeks after finishing RT, my energy level has progressively come back to normal. I have, however, been dealing with a lot of skin rashes on various part of my body, including penis, buttocks, feet, and legs. I’ve seen my PCP, urologist and dermatologist about the rashes. No one thinks any of them are a direct result of the radiation, but likely something that is opportunistically flaring up because my immune system is out of whack from the RT. No one thinks they are anything serious, Some rashes have been extremely itchy, others not. The rashes seem to be subsiding but they do keep popping up, just not as severely.

Best wishes for successful treatment. Don’t be shy about expressing issues/concerns to your care team. Be kind to yourself and roll with the ups and downs as best you can. Eight weeks of RT involved a lot of drudgery, but I got through it one day at a time.

Mel