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Anyone with radiation enteritis? Currently on elemental liquid diet
Forty three years ago I had radiation following a complete hysterectomy. Then, 18 years ago I had my colon removed and added J-Pouch. Have had chronic diarrhea since then with gradual weight loss. Finally diagnosed a year ago with radiation enteritis. Eating minimal food and on an elemental diet which has allowed some weight gain but has not stopped the chronic diarrhea with partial fecal incontinence. My only other option is going on home TPN. Likely not a candidate as I have a tremor in my hands which would put me at higher risk for contamination and infection to the central line during self care. I would very much appreciate connecting with anyone dealing with a similar situation for mutual support.
Thank you
Rhema
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@rhema, reading your bio in your profile, I see that you are no stranger to life-long digestive issues due to GI conditions, exacerbated by radiation treatment for cancer.
For this reason, I added your post to the Ostomy & J-pouch support group as well as the Cancer: Managing Symptoms support group. I'm also tagging a few fellow members who I believe have experience with radiation enteritis and/or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) to share their experiences.
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1 Reaction@colleenyoung
Thank you Colleen, I can use the support and eager to help others in any way I can.
Here is something worth exploring - it is called "bile acid malabsorption" and the cause can be pelvic radiation AND colon resection. Double whammy here! The medication for this condition is Colesevelam which is a bile acid sequestrant. The blood test for this condition is "bile acid synthesis 7ac4". It will be difficult to find a doctor with access to this test however you could try Colesevelam for a week pre-emptively under your doctor's supervision and see if it helps. This medication does not enter the bloodstream, so there are no conflicts with other meds - it acts like a wick, mopping up the excessive bile acid. Must be taken with food so it has "transportation" through your system and can wick away. I suffered for 7 years with some issues very similar to yours and am now able to manage food without the previous issues. If you decide to try this, pls come back to share and for any questions related to this application. Do google the name of the condition, of the test and of the medication to see if it might work for you.