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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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So yesterday was my third PBT session. My gut was not happy. I got on the table, in position, etc. First X-ray from side and they said my rectum needed to be emptied. Off the table, off to the restroom, diarrhea (but kept from losing urine - a lot easier with diarrhea than constipation). Back on the table, all ok.
I've taken Bentyl to calm the gut. Nope.
But given my gut issues (and history of them), my oncologist suggested an appointment with my PCP, which I was fortunate to get for early Monday.
I just want to find a way where I never fail to be treated, due to this. Yesterday came close. Today (Saturday), my gut is still unhappy.
I'm down to a low volume diet that is Gluten Free (always need that - sadly), low FODMAPs, low residue, low anti-oxidants, no caffeine, and still messed up (I have been on that diet 3 days now).
It’s hard enough without underlying IBS…much harder for you.
Are you still on Miralax?
No, I D/C'ed Miralax several days ago. I'm down to hardly eating, no meds but Beano yesterday. I see my PCP tomorrow for IBS issues (and want blood work to see if I'm malnourished). I lucked into that appointment, after calling Mayo primary care nurse triage late Friday. They wanted for me to be seen in 24hr, but that would have meant either a non-Mayo urgent care, or the ED. I told them I thought I could survive the weekend 🙂
Tomorrow, I have a lunch with old college friends at 1100, Treatment at 1515. I plan to eat nothing at all until dinner that day, unless feeling weak, in which case I'll have a banana early AM.
This morning, woke up due to bowel rumblings at 0530, got up an hour later. Still diarrhea. PulseOx after shower was 144/95, a very slight bit of faint headedness. Not good (hence, the banana and H2O). Oddly, my exercise watch was reading far lower than actual pulse. Normally it's right on. It's spO2 reading was ok, though. I just took pulse manually for 5 sec, the multiply by 12. I'm one of those people who can feel every heartbeat, and that prompted me to measure my pulse.
It is not unusual for me to skip all food until dinner - my lunch is very light and sometimes I just don't bother. But it is not usual to have two weeks of diarrhea, and to feel weak.
And yet, yesterday morning, I walked 1.25 miles with no problem - pulse mostly below 120. I'd do it this morning now that my pulse is down to 95, but I need to head off to the parish to sing in the Easter mass (I sing bass in the choir - which I greatly enjoy).
BTW, I have a number of friends dealing with PC, and of the rest, all that are over 75 have at least one significant disease. One of my PC friends started PT 2 days before me, has the same doc, and was aircrew in the same kind of aircraft I did (Navy P-3 Orion), and went to same place in Vietnam!