Any diet restrictions with radiation? What were your side effects?

I had CyberKnife treatment (5 consecutive days for 35 minutes) for advanced intermediate (Gleason score 3+4). They told me that the prostate sits atop a bubble of gas in the intestine, so I had to stay off of gas-producing foods like beans, cabbage, etc. during the treatment and take gas-X before the daily treatment. Also took a laxative and enema. By the 4th day I experienced burning during urination (lasted about 5 days) and intestinal problems for about the same period of time. After that, everything returned to normal for a teenage kid (I was 67 at the time.)

Hi, did you use SpaceOar Gel during treatments? Trying to get as much info as I can, my husband starts IMRT next month. Thanks

No, I did not.

When originally discussing with the urologist at the time of diagnosis, he suggested I get that if I was doing radiation for the primary / initial treatment. I went with surgery.

When the PSA started to rise, I went to radiation oncologist for salvage radiation treatments (39) and he (the radiation oncologist) didn't recommend it for that treatment.

Hi, I wonder why he didn't recommend it, maybe having had surgery makes a difference. My husband had surgery 8 yrs ago. I read that Doctors need to have specialized training to insert it. I'll see what the Rad One say's next visit. Hopefully, he'll agree or send us to someone who specializes in SpaceOar. Or maybe there's a good reason. Thanks, again.

It wasn't a training issue. The urologist, surgeon, and radiation oncologist are all in the same care provider company. If the space oar had been indicated the RO would have just had me go to the affiliated urologist who is the one who told me about it.

I've never confirmed it, but, I suspect that the dosage of radiation may be less for salvage treatment as opposed to primary treatment. I was using the Rapid Arc delivery system.

Sorry for the length bettwils16 regarding spaceoar. I called them and they spoke with me and sent me the following. Its all on the spaceoar.com website.

How the SpaceOAR Procedure is Performed VIDEO

The website which serves as a patient education center, There you will find articles covering several different topics such as understanding staging and treatment options, information on diet and nutrition as well as discussion guides.
SpaceOAR Hydrogel- How Does It Work
Educational Patient Video
Patient Education Resources and Articles

Advocacy Groups on our SpaceOAR.com site: SpaceOAR: Patient Advocacy & Support
ZEROCancer: Quality of Life
ZERO: Diet and Nutrition
zerocancer.org-Prostate Cancer Treatment and Side Effects
Cancer.gov/prostate Cancer treatments

On the web site are a couple of clinical studies:

Bowel dysfunction: Compared to the control group, 66% of patients were able to avoid clinically significant declines in bowel function
Urinary dysfunction: Compared to the control group, 66% of patients were able to avoid clinically significant declines in urinary function.
Sexual dysfunction: 67% of patients who received SpaceOAR hydrogel maintained baseline erectile function compared to 38% of men in the control group who did not receive SpaceOAR.
Studies:
SpaceOAR US Pivotal Study – 15 Month Results
Three Year Follow-up of SpaceOAR Hydrogel Pivotal Study Patients

Sexual Quality of Life Study After Radiation Treatment with SpaceOAR

The eternal radiation treatment was tough on me. I am 50. made me extremely exhausted and a very upset bowel. I had to stay away from greasy foods, dairy, and most carbonated beverages. I found a simple tuna fish sandwich to actually be the best for not "going right through me". This really messes up the colon and bowel movements.

web265: I gave some details on December 27 but I had the Spaceoar inserted transrectally this morning in Orlando. They also inserted Fiducial marker seeds as an extra backup to mapping with the MRIdian radiotherapy machine but they were in there anyway so why not. They put me to sleep and it was a smooth process. No blood in the urine or any pain. They had a Spaceoar technician, who I guess lives locally, and that person was in the operating room as well. The doctor said my symptoms could be similar to the biopsy which for me was blood in the urine and semen but so far, day one, all good. I do have to be physically careful for 3 weeks with my exercise and object lifting.

Sorry you had a rough go. I’m going to be starting treatment soon and am concerned about me having the issues you did. Thanks your bit of info helps.

This is good information to know… I will be having a consultation with a RO who also uses the MRIdian machine.. I thought the MRIdian eliminated the need for the fiducial markers and possibly even the use of SpaceOar… I’ll wait to see what he says when we meet in February.. Thanks for posting and best of luck to you..