Biking after severe radiation proctitis

Posted by lhs38 @lhs38, May 24 11:05am

Completed radiation 1/23 and developed severe bleeding and anemia, eventually mostly resolved by APC and Formalin at Mayo Rochester (note there is an expertise administering these procedures that not all GI doctors have). Tried biking this month 3 months after last procedure. All seemed well till next day, UTI and some blood in urine (no rectal bleeding). Urologist said don't bike ,or but maybe different saddle (now use traditional narrow saddle). Prostate fragile from age and radiation per urologist. Advice, suggestions.

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zzotte | @zzotte | May 24 1:03pm

maybe you should walk more, biking it’s though on the rear even without issues at least it’s for me

Zzotte

survivor5280 | @survivor5280 | May 24 3:17pm

I changed my saddle to the V-Seat and have been pretty happy and comfortable with it. I didn't have radiation but my perineum was quite sore and riding was nearly out of the question but the lack of a nose on the V-Seat has been a game-changer. My wife loves it too (put it on her bike as well) because that nose always bothered her too.

bluegill | @bluegill | May 24 3:45pm

I recommend Cloud 9 bike seats. It makes your bike look really nerdy, but they are soft, wide, and comfy. Get the kind with the gap in the middle, for obvious reasons.

heavyphil | @heavyphil | May 25 8:21am

There are many seats on the market but the one you are currently using is the absolute worst as far as male anatomy is concerned.
You want a hornless seat, preferably narrow front to back so only your ‘sit bones’ make contact with the seat. A game changer!
Phil

chippydoo | @chippydoo | May 25 9:45am

I would suggest trying a Selle Super flow type of saddle. Go to a bike shop and get fitted so that your sit bones are the only contact with the saddle. I have this type of saddle on both of my bikes and rode single track trails while doing radiation without any issues. And take TP with you in case you start experiencing bowel urgency which after 2.5 months post tx. finally is starting to settle down.

5galloncan | @5galloncan | May 26 7:28am

I had a couple episodes of mile bleeding one year out from treatment (Proton 29 times). I hadn't had a spacer gel as the doctor doing that procedure backed off during insertion. I was awake and sucking on nitrous oxide. My blood pressure was getting too high (I'd rather be asleep during medical procedures like this), and I believe that played a major role in the abort decision. So instead the daily proton treatment included the "tried and true" endorectal balloon. One of my tumors was up against the rectal wall, so I'm sure I had some proton overlap there.

Before and after treatment, I was riding my ebike 17 miles a day. I had a larger seat to sit on hip bones with suspension seat post so I was minimizing pressure, but I could "feel" that pressure just sitting down nonetheless. So after the second bleed, I stopped riding the ebike and gave it to my daughter. No bleeding since. I am going to try a recumbent trike with suspension, but we'll see how that goes.

In the meantime, I've switched the main exercise to the Water Rower(R) and no issues there.

PSA is down to .76 and that might go even lower with no bike riding. We'll see.

Proton beams go in through your hip joints and I find walking is difficult after a couple of miles. My hips just get "tired."

At 72, I've used an "Isorobic Exerciser" for 20 minutes a day since my 40s. Well, most days anyway. I do a fast 2000 meters on the rowing machine, which takes another 10 minutes. For me, that's enough. When my etrike arrives, I'll add some pedaling to that routine, but not every day.