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Bladder and Bowel Preparation for prostate radiation
Is there an alternative for a Fleet enema every day before prostate radiation? I an scheduled for 28 radiation treatments, and my oncologist wants to ensure a full bladder (drinking 32 ounzes of water one hour before treatment) and an empty rectum ( a Fleet enema before treatment) in order to increase the accuracy of my treatment and reduce the possibility of side effects from the radiation therapy.
I am on the hormone therapy(4 month Lupron) and also had the SpaceOAR procedure done. I understand the prccaution for the bladder and the rectum, but an enema every day - if a natural bowel movement does't occur each morning - seems like a real hit to the system. Any over the counter alternatives that would be applicable here?
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@upnort, what type of radiotherapy will you be getting? I completed 28 external Proton beam treatments at Mayo Phoenix last year. Daily regimen was to simply drink one 16 oz bottle of water 1-hour before checking in for each treatment. I had fiducial markers imbedded in my prostate as well as SpaceOAR implant in advance of starting the Proton therapy.
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1 ReactionI survived 35 killer radiation treatments. You are in for a bad ride. Any bit of being humble or wanting not to be embarrassed being seen naked are gone. You will get 3 tattoos to begin on the first trial run, The computer will line you up the same each time. You will be in only a gown. The amount of fluid you will drink is a lot. Bladder scan to see how full you are. If not full enough, go back to the dressing room and drink more. Sometimes you will drink so much the nurse will put a clamp on your penis so you stop leaking. Then the real fun begins. I can't describe what it feels like to get the probe inserted in your rectum and them filled up. Imaging the biggest poop ever and double it. The pain only last about 15 minutes. The amount of radiation and the diameter of the area killed will change each time. I think I glowed sometimes and was really HOT when it was done. The nurses will get out of your way when done and you will sprint to the bathroom. Your 1 to 10 pain scale will change. You will have bad scans and really bad scans, changes every time. Good luck.