1. < Prostate Cancer

Constant need to urinate with radiation therapy for prostate cancer

Posted by dave1957 @dave1957, May 16 9:45am

I am currently undergoing radiation treatment for prostate cancer. I am on treatment 14 of 28. The first week or so was ok but now I am having serious issues. I have gone from the need at night to urinate every 45 minutes or so to every 10-15 minutes. I have gone 3 nights with zero sleep. As soon as I get back in bed and I have to go again. I stop drinking anything at dinner other than what I need to take meds. Sometimes it's an inability to completely empty my bladder but other times I completely empty and still have to go 10 minutes later. My Dr. doubled my Flomax and recommended a product called AZO but neither have been much help. They tell you to take with a full glass of water which seems counterproductive. I have also developed bowel problems and hemorrhoids which is giving me issues as well. I still have a long way to go, and I have to find some way to get some sleep. Has anyone else had these issues and found anything that provides relief. I seriously wish I had gone with surgery but was convinced this was the easier path. I am at my wit's end. Thank you!

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beluga | @beluga | May 24 3:47pm
In reply to @dave1957 "I have had bleeding but believe it due to hemorrhoids I developed from the treatments. Some..." + (show)
@dave1957

I have had bleeding but believe it due to hemorrhoids I developed from the treatments. Some of the meds I am taken cause constipation. I am scared it is going to cause anemia which I have dealt with in the past

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Just bleeding.

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dave1957 | @dave1957 | May 24 12:51pm
In reply to @beluga "Just wondering about your bowel problems-does this include bleeding or is it restricted to very loose..." + (show)
@beluga

Just wondering about your bowel problems-does this include bleeding or is it restricted to very loose bowel movements. I had 5 high power radiation treatments last July/August and started having blood during bowel movements 5 months after. Tried sulcafate enema and supporitories but neither worked. Now waiting to see a gastrointestinal specialist. I'm wondering if the psyllium you took in the morning would be helpful.

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I have had bleeding but believe it due to hemorrhoids I developed from the treatments. Some of the meds I am taken cause constipation. I am scared it is going to cause anemia which I have dealt with in the past

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1 reply
beluga | @beluga | May 24 9:30am
In reply to @josgen "I have not had any bleeding to date but still early in my treatment (18/40 sessions)...." + (show)
@josgen

I have not had any bleeding to date but still early in my treatment (18/40 sessions). I think the psyllium has really helped firm up my bowel movements and maybe the retinol is doing something as well. It probably helps too that IMRT is a lower dose therapy. Don't know if you are around a facility that offers it, but hyperbaric oxygen therapy is supposed to be helpful for bowel problems. Hopefully I won't need it as the nearest clinic is 4 1/2 hours away.
My urination is still not good but I just added another 5 mg Cialis to my daily routine, one in the morning and one in the evening so we'll see how that shakes out.

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Thanks for getting back to me. At the moment I am exploring all available options near where I live.

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josgen | @josgen | May 24 9:14am
In reply to @beluga "Just wondering about your bowel problems-does this include bleeding or is it restricted to very loose..." + (show)
@beluga

Just wondering about your bowel problems-does this include bleeding or is it restricted to very loose bowel movements. I had 5 high power radiation treatments last July/August and started having blood during bowel movements 5 months after. Tried sulcafate enema and supporitories but neither worked. Now waiting to see a gastrointestinal specialist. I'm wondering if the psyllium you took in the morning would be helpful.

Jump to this post

I have not had any bleeding to date but still early in my treatment (18/40 sessions). I think the psyllium has really helped firm up my bowel movements and maybe the retinol is doing something as well. It probably helps too that IMRT is a lower dose therapy. Don't know if you are around a facility that offers it, but hyperbaric oxygen therapy is supposed to be helpful for bowel problems. Hopefully I won't need it as the nearest clinic is 4 1/2 hours away.
My urination is still not good but I just added another 5 mg Cialis to my daily routine, one in the morning and one in the evening so we'll see how that shakes out.

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1 reply
beluga | @beluga | May 24 7:46am
In reply to @josgen "I have had 14 (of 40) IMRT sessions to date and am having similar issues to..." + (show)
@josgen

I have had 14 (of 40) IMRT sessions to date and am having similar issues to what you describe. At its worst, I was peeing every two hours at night. Based on what I've read here and elsewhere, I'm glad I didn't get a prescription for Flomax. Instead, I requested Cialis but I have to say it is not very effective but maybe better than nothing. I have noticed that when I take ibuprofen before bed, though I don't like to take it, it reduces the number of times I need to pee.

I also have bowel problems from the radiation but it has greatly improved since I started a regime of a tablespoon of psyllium mixed in water in the morning. I also take retinol (Vitamin A) in the form of a teaspoon of cod liver oil every morning as well. This has resulted in a big improvement in bowel function.

I also try to get a workout in each day on a rowing machine. It tones the muscles in the pelvic region as well as elsewhere.

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Just wondering about your bowel problems-does this include bleeding or is it restricted to very loose bowel movements. I had 5 high power radiation treatments last July/August and started having blood during bowel movements 5 months after. Tried sulcafate enema and supporitories but neither worked. Now waiting to see a gastrointestinal specialist. I'm wondering if the psyllium you took in the morning would be helpful.

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2 replies
lm1 | @lm1 | May 21 9:31am

wear a catheter or catherize yourself to get it all out / or much easier wear a diaper.sweet dreams.

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wellness100 | @wellness100 | May 20 11:52am
In reply to @northoftheborder "Oh, add carbonated drinks (pop, beer, etc) to the list of things that can irritate the..." + (show)
@northoftheborder

Oh, add carbonated drinks (pop, beer, etc) to the list of things that can irritate the urinary tract if you have radiation cystitis.

That was one of the worst for me — I could still manage caffeine in moderation, but I'd be facing a VERY long night if I had a can of pop or cider with dinner.

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Same problem with TURP

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leegeorge | @leegeorge | May 19 7:04pm

dave1957, I am going on 10 weeks post radiation therapy (28 treatments). Still have some of those same issues myself. It seems to keep improving, but much slower than I would like. My Doc tells me to be patient. But, sometimes my patience runs thin. I have to remind myself that it is better than the alternative.

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dave1957 | @dave1957 | May 19 4:09pm
In reply to @heavyphil "Sorry you are going thru all this but believe me when I tell you that surgery..." + (show)
@heavyphil

Sorry you are going thru all this but believe me when I tell you that surgery is no picnic either - just different side effects that are equally frustrating and exhausting.
Prostate cancer sucks and so do all of the treatments. But you will live to laugh about it down the road with others who’ve travelled the same path. Hang in there baby!

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Thank you! The side effects with surgery weren't appealing either and I wasn't impressed with the surgeon that I was referred to.

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heavyphil | @heavyphil | May 19 3:51pm

Sorry you are going thru all this but believe me when I tell you that surgery is no picnic either - just different side effects that are equally frustrating and exhausting.
Prostate cancer sucks and so do all of the treatments. But you will live to laugh about it down the road with others who’ve travelled the same path. Hang in there baby!

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