How to handle loose stools after pelvic radiation treatments?

Thank you for the reply. I had the radiation treatment four of them internally six weeks after surgery. I had no problems after the hysterectomy. Loose stools occurred after the second treatment. Only once a day and I would take an Imodium D. That seemed to help for about two days and then loose one and again an Imodium. Saw my gastroenterologist and he said just take the Imodium and let it work out. just wondering how long to let it work out so I can feel easy about going out. I see my radiologist in a couple of weeks. Thank you for the information.

I am trying to watch what I eat keeping it close to the brat diet. I usually have an episode of loose stools about two days after I have taken the imodium and all is fine for til the next time. I just wondered how long this can last. Thank you for the information and good luck to you.

@rmann22434baisley Thank you for the additional information. That helps me to understand your original questions better. It’s good that you sought out the advice of your gastroenterologist who suggested a continuation of Imodium. My understanding (from my radiation oncologist) is that diarrhea is one of more common occurrences during and after radiation therapy. I would think that how long loose stools continue is dependent on the person and their individual radiation therapy regimen. It seems to me that you are doing everything “right” for yourself.

When I changed my diet to include even more plant-based foods I was eating broccoli several times a week. Broccoli is my favorite vegetable. This was almost a year after my radiation therapy. I developed loose stools and fecal incontinence. When I checked in with my doctor it turned out that I had introduced too much fiber into my diet. Who knew that there could ever be too much fiber??? Of course at the time I was afraid of cancer but nope. It was my diet. So, it seems that small adjustments in diet can have a variety of effects. I’d suggest that you just make sure you are getting all the nutrients you need while the diarrhea “works itself out” as your gastroenterologist suggested.

Can you message your radiation oncologist on a patient portal to ask about the loose stools before your appointment in a few weeks?

thanks again for getting back to me. I was thinking what is wrong with me not knowing what to do with the problem and was I the only one having it.... I am monitoring it and seems to occur about two days after taking the Imodium. I will call my radiation oncologist to check with him also. I did mention it to him after the second treatment and he was aware only had one last treatment, so I did not think about calling him back seeing the other instead. I again appreciate the feedback for all this.

@rmann22434baisley, you may also be interested in these related discussions:
- Pelvic Radiation Diet?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pelvic-radiation-diet/
- How did you feel after pelvic radiation was completed?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-did-you-feel-after-pelvic-radiation-was-completed/

Have you completed radiation treatment? Have things started to improve?

I felt fine after the treatments just noticed that my stools were looser after the second treatment. I take Imodium after the loose movements and seem to be having them about five days to seven days apart now but still get them. I try to watch for the signs of them coming. Seems to have gas and then the loose stools. Usually two times and take Imodium and done. Ifgoing out I might take two teaspoons of pepto to reassure myself all is well.

I had this problem last year, after pelvic radiation for UTUC. It got worse no matter what I did. Finally after almost a year, & a clean colonoscopy the gastroenterologist decided to get some stool samples. It turned out that I had E.Coli for at least 5 months. If it continues to get worse, you may want to ask them to do some tests. It could have saved me from a lot of misery. After the E.Coli was treated, I still have bouts of loose stools, just not as frequently. Also, I found that using Metamucil helps to firm & bulk up the stool, as an opposed to Imodium which would flip my symptoms to constipation. Good luck!

thank you for the information. I go for the first cat scan tomorrow to c heck things out and do have a scheduled colonoscopy for February but will keep in mind what you said. i appreciate all information I receive about this.