Beginning EBRT next week. Do I need to follow a low-fiber diet?

Posted by johnny8924 @johnny8924, Feb 6 11:42am

I failed my first EBRT simulation and was advised to follow a low-fiber FODMAP diet and take GAS-X when needed to "ensure" a clean rectum and to eliminate gas. I passed my second simulation yesterday. The FODMAP diet provides some benefits but also some slight constipation issues. I'm not looking forward to following this diet for 28 EBRT sessions. Any advice, suggestions, recommendations, etc are very appreciated. Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

dgd1953 | @dgd1953 | Feb 8 7:31am

Before I began my 39 VMAT sessions, the head radiation tech told me “No veggies…eat steak and potatoes…you can go wild on the weekends.”

chippydoo | @chippydoo | Feb 8 11:12am

In reply to @jeffmarc "Your numbers are the exact opposite of normal. They would give you five sessions to your..." + (show)

I'm doing 25 sessions of salvage with low dose to the prostate bed.

jeffMar | @jeffmarc | Feb 8 11:16am

I had seven weeks of radiation and didn’t do anything with my diet. Drank a little water on the way, That worked out for all but one session. Surprising that there are now so many requirements!

chamblee54 | @chamblee54 | Feb 8 12:50pm

I would recommend low carb diet.

restlessandwild | @restlessandwild | Feb 8 1:09pm

In reply to @chamblee54 "I would recommend low carb diet." + (show)

This might be the very best way to eat, when avoiding cancer at all. Carbs are fuel for cancer cells. But big problem is also testo for PC. Im close to end my ADT. And I want my testo back. No easy way out.

heavyphil | @heavyphil | Feb 9 7:20am

In reply to @jeffmarc "I had seven weeks of radiation and didn’t do anything with my diet. Drank a little..." + (show)

Jeff, I think it’s a live and learn situation. A lot of the salvage radiation is now condensed into shorter time frames - 25 sessions vs 39 or 45 at higher doses per treatment.
I guess that amount is just enough to trigger proctitis or bladder issues. My team emphasized that my home prep was a big part of avoiding future problems.
A lot of the guys having SBRT got kicked off the table frequently due to the very high doses they were getting and the potential for future damage.

seasuite | @seasuite | Feb 9 11:12am

Many factors to consider with diet. I was advised to follow a low fiber diet, however, no consideration was given to what may be a bigger risk, my condition of pre-diabetes. In fact, the PCa team did not even check lipids. I got through my radiation treatments reasonably well and ate my normal high fiber diet. I expect that I would have been more comfortable with low fiber foods, but, could also have had a stroke or heart attack in the process...'pick your poison'.

northoftheborder | @northoftheborder | Feb 9 11:19am

In reply to @heavyphil "Jeff, I think it’s a live and learn situation. A lot of the salvage radiation is..." + (show)

"A lot of the guys having SBRT got kicked off the table frequently due to the very high doses they were getting and the potential for future damage."

I wasn't too worried about the risk of minor long-term damage, personally. I'm glad that they agreed to hit my prostate hard (a full 60 gy "curative" dose of SBRT over 20 sessions), so that I have at least a fighting chance of living to see a day when there's an actual cure for stage 4 cancer.

johnny8924 | @johnny8924 | Feb 11 12:28pm

Spoke with a registered dietitian who recommended the FODMAP diet. Did anyone here try it?

heavyphil | @heavyphil | Feb 12 8:06am

In reply to @johnny8924 "Spoke with a registered dietitian who recommended the FODMAP diet. Did anyone here try it?" + (show)

Yes, it’s no gas, no fermentable foods used in IBS patients. You will definitely need fiber supplements (no gas/no bloat) on this diet to have the required BM’s