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@rtv

They did tell us about side effects that can occur during treatment. They did mention that some side effects continue well past treatment. But when he had no side effects during treatment we thought we were in the clear. Interestingly enough, before the bleeding became visible my husband became anemic. He had several scopes and no internal bleeding was found. So we called the cancer clinic even though he had been discharged from their care. They said the anemia was not likely due to the radiation considering that 2 years had passed. But shortly after there was active bleeding and we ended up at emergency. The surgeon on call found the bleeding rectal ulcer and diagnosed as radiation induced proctitis. We did 8 weeks of twice daily sucralfate enemas. The bleeding has resolved but the bowel urgency and occasional incontinence has remained. The doctor's solution is metamucil.

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Replies to "They did tell us about side effects that can occur during treatment. They did mention that..."

Radiation proctitis is a very common and extremely unpleasant side affect. Approximately 18 months after my EBRT I experienced extreme rectal bleeding. For one year local drs tried many unsuccessful treatments. Finally went to Mayo in Rochester for a Formalin treatment that was successful in stopping the bleeding.
In my opinion there is a serious problem with drs explaining possible side affects before treatment. My dr was very open to all questions and did explain many possible side affects. I don’t recall rectal bleeding 2 years later ever came up in our discussions. I have been using a fiber supplement called “Yerba Prima Psyllium Husk”. Check it out?