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How to prepare for IGRT radiation - full bladder & empty bowel?
Hi all, Scheduled for 20 Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) sessions once a day (Mon-Fri) over 4 weeks. They all in the morning. Was instructed by the RAD team to drink 700ml water 45 mins prior and empty bowel prior the appointment time. So far went to two sessions. Still have UI and use 1 pad per day. Although had drank more than 700ml and had bowel movement prior in these two sessions, the nurse said my bladder was only 75% full and bowel still has some stool in both sessions. They said this can cause more side effect. Indeed, the second session drank 1.5 litre of water 55 mins prior the appointment time but still not enough.
Would love to hear from others on how to prepare for IGRT session:
- To have a full bladder.
- To empty bowel. (e.g. eat less the night before??)
Thank you.
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Is it just me but could some readers be confused wth the labelling of radiation types?
IGRT, SBRT, IMRT are all essentially one and the same, right..? Is there any reason why proton beam shouldn't be included here too?
I remember that well. I had a hell of a time reaching the full bladder, and holding it. They grumbled
almost everyday, "You don't have a full bladder"! Over & over. I guzzled a 20 oz water bottle during the
drive up. Never had any comment on the bowels.
Good point, ozelli. Allow me to provide some definitions to help readers who may be wondering.
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/intensity-modulated-radiation-therapy/about/pac-20385147
"Intensity-modulated radiation therapy, also called IMRT, is an advanced type of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses powerful energy beams to kill cancer cells. The energy can come from X-rays, protons or other sources."
image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/image-guided-radiation-therapy/about/pac-20385267
"Image-guided radiation therapy, also called IGRT, is a type of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses powerful energy beams to kill cancer. The energy can come from X-rays, protons or other sources. In IGRT, images are used to help plan the treatment."
stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/sbrt/pyc-20446794
"Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a type of radiation therapy that uses many beams of energy. SBRT uses 3D or 4D imaging and highly focused radiation beams to send high doses of radiation to the area to be treated. "