Has anyone had diarrhea with radiation?

I had 26 radiation treatments to the pelvis generally and 18 prostate-specific, beginning in February and ending in April,2025. I still have daily diarrhea, 8 months afterward. My oncology team and PCP cannot offer a better solution than Imodium, which I take daily. The gastroenterologist who performed my colonoscopy in June did not find irritation or damage at that time, but may be checking again. I am to take 2T Psyllium Husk (fiber) daily as well as a "gut" probiotic, especially one that is designed to stay intact until past the stomach and into the bowel. I can also continue using Imodium. I had a blood test yesterday to rule out Celiac Disease and am to submit stool samples to rule out infection and inflammation. An option would be regular medicated enemas, which neither he nor I prefer. If another solution isn't found, he suggests that I have a Sigmoidoscopy and perhaps biopsy in my future. He used the term "radiation proctitis," which I am hoping if accurate is temporary. Perhaps some of this will be helpful as you speak with your medical team. All the best!

@texasnole I order "whole Psyllium husks" in bulk online. Now that I'm past treatments of sucralfate enemas and Mesalamine suppositories, my symptoms seem to be returning so I'm back on Psyllium, Probiotic, and Imodium.

@jime51 I've had two courses of CyberKnife radiation (2017 for prostate cancer and 2026 for recurrent prostate cancer), had diarrhea both times. Ask your doc for Lomotil (diphenoxylate - atropine,) worked for me in 90 minutes.

@jime51 Your experience sounds very similar to my radiation proctitis. GI stated Imodium works until it doesn't. My bowel lining is in flamed and rectum area had to be cauterized due to rectal bleeding like a period from 9 months post radiation. I am currently doing 3 months of Mesalamine enemas which seems to be helping with the uncontrollable bowel urgency. At two months I am so over them but giving it a try. Also added more fiber such as oats to my diet. I had a sigmoidoscopy and radiation proctitis was confirmed and they cauterized a dozen or so veins. Which probiotic did they recommend? I might give it a try. Thanks.

@scruffy1 Did you also have bleeding associated with radiation? Mine hasn't been severe but has returned after Sucralfate stopped it.

I developed proctitis from my radiation treatments, diarrhea and more! I take two probiotics and one prebiotic. Shiff's Intensive bowel support, Lactobacillus reuteri, and FOS. They work slowly at first, but after a week I saw improvement and it keeps getting better.

@ededed I am thinking of taking probiotic/prebiotics during radiation. Your thoughts?
What is FOS?
Thanks

Kenlily, I did 5 weeks and started getting progressive bladder urgency around the 3rd week that got worse until I started blowing up on the table at the end of week 4. I had to demand they give me something. Light anal bleeding started soon after and got worse for the next couple of months then settle down some until 9 months post treatment when it returned and I started bleeding through my clothes. They cauterized me and the bleeding stopped a couple of weeks later. I still deal with some urgency, but it is a lot better. If, and I hope you don't need it, and your doctors are more caring than mine, you might have to tell your doctors you need something. Don't hesitate, be firm in your request. I was too passive and the lesson was learned. I can't help but to think there are more proactive doctors out there that will set you up for success. If I BCR again I will be moving to a comprehensive cancer center for treatment. Best wishes on your journey.