Looking for tips on managing Radiation-induced proctitis

I am sorry for his problems. While I have no answers I am interested in comparing his treatment to mine to see what I may encounter moving forward. I had a spacer gel placed and just had my first of 5 SBRT radiation treatments. Would you mind sharing your husband's treatment protocol? Thank you.

Stay Strong Sister

He had external radiation. No hormones therapy. He sailed through the radiation with no side effects so we were very surprised when the rectal bleeding showed up 2 years later. I asked the surgeon why the cancer clinic didn't talk to us about this and she said it's because they don't know a lot about it. Once it shows up the patient has usually been discharged from the cancer clinic so they don't deal with it.

The radiation oncologist should have discussed this widely known possible side effect with you. I hope someone here can offer some first hand advice

They did tell us about side effects that can occur during treatment. They did mention that some side effects continue well past treatment. But when he had no side effects during treatment we thought we were in the clear. Interestingly enough, before the bleeding became visible my husband became anemic. He had several scopes and no internal bleeding was found. So we called the cancer clinic even though he had been discharged from their care. They said the anemia was not likely due to the radiation considering that 2 years had passed. But shortly after there was active bleeding and we ended up at emergency. The surgeon on call found the bleeding rectal ulcer and diagnosed as radiation induced proctitis. We did 8 weeks of twice daily sucralfate enemas. The bleeding has resolved but the bowel urgency and occasional incontinence has remained. The doctor's solution is metamucil.

Radiation proctitis is a very common and extremely unpleasant side affect. Approximately 18 months after my EBRT I experienced extreme rectal bleeding. For one year local drs tried many unsuccessful treatments. Finally went to Mayo in Rochester for a Formalin treatment that was successful in stopping the bleeding.
In my opinion there is a serious problem with drs explaining possible side affects before treatment. My dr was very open to all questions and did explain many possible side affects. I don’t recall rectal bleeding 2 years later ever came up in our discussions. I have been using a fiber supplement called “Yerba Prima Psyllium Husk”. Check it out?

i had this problem after radiation and did sulcrafate enemas for a couple months which were not all that effective. Eventually two years after radiation I had two argon laser treatments a few months apart which fixed the bleeding

Hi , I had 22 sessions of EBRT . I had a "Jumpy Bowel" after. I used Loperamide 2mg on those days for 3 days after and it sure helped me . May want to read up on it . Does he has a loose bowel ? how many bowel movements in a day on average . Loperamide I use when im back in the Philippines for the first week or so as well . Different bacteria can irritate your bowel too ! It just slows down you bowel sensitivity and movements a little . Makes them less jumpy . Let me know your thoughts . God Speed ! - James

How many times a day did you use the Loperamide? My husband uses it occasionally but I'm trying to convince him to use it more regularly. Some days he has up to 5 or 6 bowel movements.

I will check it out! Thanks.

They think the APC (Argon plasma coagulation) was what actually caused the bleeding rectal ulcer.