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How are you managing long-term effects of pelvic radiation?

Posted by andwho @andwho, Feb 2, 2025

Was diagnosed with vulvar cancer stage 1b 1.5 years ago. Have been cleared but suffer from side effects from pelvic radiation. Doctors don’t talk about the side effects of radiation after treatment is over. Developed rectum prolapse as a result of my pelvic muscles being weakened. Can anyone share their dude effects if any?

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mobilepmc | @mobilepmc | 4 days ago
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@mobilepmc I had pelvic radiation, both external and internal (brachytherapy). Yes, the fatigue started about half..." + (show)
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@mobilepmc I had pelvic radiation, both external and internal (brachytherapy). Yes, the fatigue started about half way through the radiation sessions. I followed the advice of my radiation oncology team and kept as active as I could every day. That meant walking every day and I met with my personal trainer virtually two times per week. I think that helped greatly to keep my fatigue at a manageable level.

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@naturegirl5
ms Helen, on personal trainer
did they come to u?

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Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | 4 days ago
In reply to @mobilepmc "@naturegirl5 ms Helen, on personal trainer did they come to u?" + (show)
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@naturegirl5
ms Helen, on personal trainer
did they come to u?

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@mobilepmc I go to the gym to work with my personal trainer.

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mobilepmc | @mobilepmc | 4 days ago

so u could get out of bed through treatment?
they said fatigue is so bad u cant do anything but sleep, and it continue for a while after

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chrissiebee | @chrissiebee | 3 days ago

I don't know if this is pertinent to your situation but I had a metastasis in 2002 of endometrial cancer, the primary cancer was in 1996. The new tumor was large on my outer colon and attached to my hip bone. I had surgery of the colon to remove the tumor and much radiation to save my life both to the colon and hip bone. 19 years later I developed bladder cancer as a result of the radiation. That was four years ago and I'm doing fine so far. I also developed lower limb lymphedema from the lymph nodes being removed, etc. some 15 years later.

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ffr | @ffr | 3 days ago

There are indeed long term side effects of pelvic radiation, which should be a whole separate group here on mayo clinic connect. I am 3 and a half years beyond my last treatment and have bladder & bowel issues. I even had PT for this. (I have Lymphedema too; though I blamed the surgery for this.)

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