No Bowel Prep - Radiation Simulation

Depends on what's being radiated. If it's your prostate, it sounds a little odd. My sim for prostate radiation required more prep than actual radiation. I had IMRT though. Don't know if it's different for SBRT.

it is just the simulation- they want to make sure markers are in right place..when you start radiation, you will need to empty bowels and drink 35 oz water..

I was told to follow the same prep instructions for my simulation that I would follow for the actual IMRT (38 sessions). Explanation was that the state of my bowels and bladder during simulation would be the state they would need to be in during radiation.

@mjp0512 Yes, the prostate.

@melvinw What were your prep instructions for the IMRT? Re: bowels

@xahnegrey40 Empty bowels naturally or with an enema?

@service1010 - My sim prep was very similar to colonoscopy prep. MiraLAX the day before, fleet enema the morning of the procedure, and 32 oz of water 1 hour before. When it came to actual treatment, it was just regular bowel movements and water an hour before.

@service1010 Empty bowels, including gas. Mostly,I was instructed to have a good BM the morning of the simulation (which was in late morning). That is my usual MO, so I required no extra stimulants.

Looking back, and knowing what I know now, I would have also laid off eating beans, legumes and cruciferous vegetables a few days before to minimize any gas. Fortunately, that wasn’t a problem for the sim.

I am 90+ years old and just finished 42 sessions of Proton therapy, with NO guidance in re “ bowel preparation.“ The only guidance received in regards to the bowel and/or diet restrictions,was to avoid anything likely to cause constipation, as my therapy called for the rectal insertion of a balloon.

@mjp0512 I might just do this although not specified by RO