How to handle loose stools after pelvic radiation treatments?

@redbird8857 This sounds just awful and must have a huge effect on your life. Walking a couple of miles a day is great and is a good form of exercise but you must be struggling to do this regularly given the diarrhea and fatique.

I had pelvic radiation (external beam and brachytherapy) for uterine cancer last year. I've been working with an Integrative Health physician and following her suggestions for dietary changes. Until I began those dietary changes my bowel movements were pretty normal. Now I have softer and more frequent bowels movements and occasional diarrhea that I'm pretty sure are related to my change in diet. I'm sharing my symptoms with you and wondering if you've changed your diet.

May I ask what kind of cancer you were treated for? I am asking because then I can figure out which group of members I can call upon to help to support you.

When is your next appointment with your oncologist?

I am on 7 years of Remission from Stage 3 Uterine Cancer. I also had 3 abdominal surgeries (partial hysterectomy, full hysterectomy, and abdominal hernia repair and mesh).

I have, in these 7 years, experienced moments of food not going through my digestive track fully and end up with huge bouts of all-night vomiting and nausea. The only way I can stop these bouts is going to ER and getting Nausea and Pain meds via IV. It is awful!

After several years, I finally came to understand about Radiation Enteritis (my doctors all pointed these issues towards bowel obstruction, which is never the case because I have bowel movements and can tolerate food after 24 hours).
As far as my diet, I took a Food Sensitivity Test and found many foods I can't have and have since taken them out of my diet.

I am SO fascinated that you mentioned an Integrative Health Physician! How do you like it and do you feel that it has helped with your bowel movement issues and overall Gut Health?

I would love your insight! Thank you!

@shortylori83 I've been seeing Dr. Stacey D'André at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Her background is oncology so in that respect she is the perfect Integrative Medicine physician for me. I've seen her twice. The first time we talked at length about my endometrial cancer first diagnosed in 2019 as Stage 1a and then a recurrence in 2021 that really shook me. Dr. D'André suggested lab tests in addition to my usual annual labs - she added A1C for instance to check for pre-diabetes (I don't have it). The primary recommendations were around food. I was already moving toward a plant-based diet but still consuming added sugars. That's been the hardest for me but I'm getting there. Based on research for breast cancer (there is almost none in diet for uterine cancers) she suggested I eat mushrooms - any kind - more often and add a mushroom powder to smoothies or coffee. As moved more toward the diet she recommended I experienced more bowel movements and looser bowel movements. Very confusing because I thought it was radiation-related. But I realized later that my body is adjusting and I was eating TOO MUCH (if that's possible) of my favorite vegetable, broccoli, several days a week. I was already getting regular massages which she recommended and she also recommended acupuncture for my ongoing lower back pain that is osteoarthritis. I was already weight training 2 hours a week and needed to add in more aerobic exercise. So, all of this is presumably preventive for future cancer.

I have really appreciated working with Dr. D'André. I'll be seeing a nurse practitioner from her staff when I return to Mayo in April for my cancer surveillance visit.

In answer to your question - I like working with Integrative Medicine. They are evidenced-based in their practice and so recommendations are based on research and science. That's important to me.

Is there an Integrative Medicine or Health Physician you can make an appointment with? Your ongoing gut problems must be so difficult for you that I hope finding a good physician will improve your quality of life in that regard.

Hi I still have bowel urgency daily since radiation & that's 30yrs ago! I'm sorry to say it's never improved, so have been constantly exhausted since day dot. I was prescribed daily codeine to help with internal burning pain & diarrhea. It is the only thing that gives a little relief also had to change diet. So I suggest a dietician to get an eating plan. Maybe a start. All the best, regards Donna from Australia

Hi pardon my ignorance but what is an Integrative Health Physician?? I live in Australia & never heard of this. Also am a sufferer, have recently posted replys to above . Thankyou Donna Australia

I feel your pain. I had cervical cancer that spread to my bladder and had to have radiation in my pelvic area. Now, several years later I suffer from diarrhea, urgency and pain. I get bowel blockages and I’m scared to eat or even leave my house for fear of pooping my pants. I’m at a loss in what to do and I’m also seeking answers or suggestions.

Hi @dor64, you were asking about integrative medicine.
"ntegrative medicine uses an evidence-based approach to treat the whole person — your mind, body and soul. Your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs are all involved, so integrative medicine uses a combination of therapies. It “integrates” conventional approaches and complementary therapies to achieve optimal health and healing."

More and more cancer centers include integrative medicine in cancer care. Here's more information about integrative medicine and cancer care at Mayo for example:
– Integrative medicine https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/complementary-alternative-medicine/about/pac-20393581

I see integrative medicine is making a foothold in Australia too. See this website where you can also find pratictioner of integrative medicine.
- Australian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA) https://www.aima.net.au/about/

<p>I had uterine cancer and hysterctomy and four radiation treatments</p><p>I am having trouble with loose stools after the surgery and wonder what works for them and how long they will be around. Am taking Immodium d about every two days but need some advice on how to handle this</p>

Are you following the BRAT diet? I think that is all you personally could do along with the imodium. I had the opposite problem and ended up on the toilet for 4 hours stuck… literally. It was not anything anyone talks about on how to go without pushing! If you are having lots of diarrhea make sure you are getting enough potassium in your diet. Potatoes are high in potassium. I have bad diarrhea after my colon resection surgery… and keep losing that, which is no bueno! Definitely talk to your provider about it. I think if you aren’t doing the BRAT diet however it may be suggested! So get a leg up if you haven’t already started that! I am sorry to hear about the uterine cancer. I also had that with my hysterectomy but didn’t know until after. Lucky that it was stage 1. Not so lucky with the Colon. Another surprise of Stage 3. Sigh… what a year! I pray you won’t need more than the radiation!

@rmann22434baisley How soon after the surgery did you start the radiation therapy? Are these external pelvic radiation treatments? I did not have diarrhea after my hysterectomy. In fact, because I couldn’t “push” as I was told not to do that until I was fully healed I had more constipation. However, with radiation I did have diarrhea. I took 1 tablet of immodium each day and that helped a lot. The nurse suggested that I start with 1 tablet and then increase as needed but I did not need to do that. What does you radiation oncologist say about the diarrhea? I met with her and the nurse on a weekly basis and we talked about how I was feeling and whether I was having any effects of radiation on my overall well being.