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EBRT Simulation failed two CT scans because of gas

Posted by johnny8924 @johnny8924, 5 days ago

I had an EBRT radiation simulation yesterday but two CT scans indicated the presence of gas. Did anyone experience this before? Bowel was clean and the bladder was sufficiently full. Dietitian called me immediately after these results and recommended a low gas diet before my next simulation on February 6, 2025. Any suggestions, advice, etc greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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chippydoo | @chippydoo | 2 days ago
In reply to @michaelcharles "There are eight million stories in the naked city of how to manage, or mis manage,..." + (show)
@michaelcharles

There are eight million stories in the naked city of how to manage, or mis manage, the "mostly empty rectum" requirement. This is one of them.
Everyone has their own formula. I tried to slip in a small amount of my usually large servings of greens and veggies. And took a GasX at night.
Or, go with the non-gas medical diet recommendation synopsis:
Double Whopper w/ cheese and fries, hold the lettuce and pickle, 3x daily.
Good luck. All of us struggle, but somehow figure it out and complete treatment. 😊

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Haha the Mel Tillis Whopper special. Ahh the good ole days.

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jc76 | @jc76 | 1 day ago
In reply to @heavyphil "You are truly the only person I’ve heard this from; everyone I’ve met - including yours..." + (show)
@heavyphil

You are truly the only person I’ve heard this from; everyone I’ve met - including yours truly - was put on a very strict diet of no fermentable fiber - beans, cruciferous veggies, whole grains, dried fruit, nuts….all the good stuff we’ve been told to eat for the last 50 years.
The changing room at Sloan always had at least one frustrated patient who was thrown off the table because of gas. I even had to give myself an enema one day because I drank Smooth Move Herbal tea and the tech claimed I had a huge gas bubble in my colon which I didn’t even feel.
But having no gas is key to avoiding radiation proctitis down the road.

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@heavyphil
Agree.
My R/O was very adamant about diet and no gaseous foods. I was told would prevent treatment as gas pushing up against prostate and move it.

I had it happen only one day. It was when I added a protein powder to my breakfast. I thought it was animal fiber but found out when read label it was Soy. And yep my R/Os and tech had a hell of time fixing me on the table and I got a good natured lecture on if I wanted to get out there more quickly do not comsume beans or any gasseous foods.

I learned my lesson.

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1 reply
johnny8924 | @johnny8924 | 1 day ago

Thank you for your comments. Since "failing" my first EBRT radiation simulation last week, I've been following a low fiber low gas-creating diet. It seems to have lessened what little gas I had but it's not ideal for bowel movements. Trying my best to solve these situations. Taking Gas-X and eating/ drinking things recommended by the FODMAP plan. Will I have to continue this stuff when my 28 radiation sessions begin? Looks that way.

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1 reply
johnny8924 | @johnny8924 | 1 day ago
In reply to @jc76 "@heavyphil Agree. My R/O was very adamant about diet and no gaseous foods. I was told..." + (show)
@jc76

@heavyphil
Agree.
My R/O was very adamant about diet and no gaseous foods. I was told would prevent treatment as gas pushing up against prostate and move it.

I had it happen only one day. It was when I added a protein powder to my breakfast. I thought it was animal fiber but found out when read label it was Soy. And yep my R/Os and tech had a hell of time fixing me on the table and I got a good natured lecture on if I wanted to get out there more quickly do not comsume beans or any gasseous foods.

I learned my lesson.

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Thank you for your advice!

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1 reply
toolbelt | @toolbelt | 1 day ago
In reply to @johnny8924 "Thank you for your comments. Since "failing" my first EBRT radiation simulation last week, I've been..." + (show)
@johnny8924

Thank you for your comments. Since "failing" my first EBRT radiation simulation last week, I've been following a low fiber low gas-creating diet. It seems to have lessened what little gas I had but it's not ideal for bowel movements. Trying my best to solve these situations. Taking Gas-X and eating/ drinking things recommended by the FODMAP plan. Will I have to continue this stuff when my 28 radiation sessions begin? Looks that way.

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You need to try and replicate your bowel and bladder conditions so they're the same as they were at your planning session.

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heavyphil | @heavyphil | 8 hours ago
In reply to @johnny8924 "Thank you for your advice!" + (show)
@johnny8924

Thank you for your advice!

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Go on Amazon and buy HEALTHY FIBER . It is guar gum based , non bloating, nonfermentable fiber. Take it 3X/day with 16 oz water. It works! Don’t use Metamucil and other psyllium based products - GAS CITY!!
Also try Miralax once daily if you are still stopped up. You REALLY need to have a clean rectum at treatment time and personally I couldn’t do that on this horrific, unhealthy no gas diet.
So these supplements really worked for me; you may even need less, depending on your GI tract….Best
Phil

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