After radiation: Anyone have a small amount of bleeding from rectum?

No spacers.

I’ve had radiation proctitis (symptoms include occasional bleeding, mucus, and wet flatulence) ever since salvage radiation (39 EBRT treatments). 8 weeks’ use of mesalamine suppositories calmed things down, and I no longer use them regularly. When I have a flare-up, a week of the suppositories calms things down. Also helpful are fiber (I am now a champion baker of bran muffins) and prunes to keep things regular and the stool soft.

I don’t know this to be true but it seems that most of proctitis concerns come from those who 1) don’t use a rectal spacer 2) use longer term smaller radiation fractions like 44 or so.
Just seems I read fewer issues with 5 fraction treatment.

@neilmartin
I have heard just the opposite.

A lot of people that have five sessions of SBRT have some urinary issues and require Flomax.

People that have 20 sessions of IMRT seem to be much more affected by urinary issues than those who have had 35 to 40 sessions.

I had about eight weeks of IMRT and had no urinary issues at all. In fact, I had no issues of any kind until six years later when I started having incontinence, Which could’ve also been part of a problem from the prostatectomy.

@nikolai57
Like the idea of bran muffins, would you share a 'champions' recipe?

Has it been definitively diagnosed as radiation proctitis? I had bright red blood with BMs. I stopped taking meloxicam and it cleared up. I use it sparingly now as an anti inflammatory. When I do, I get those symptoms again. Just checking

Thanks for your reply.
If definately means a chat with the radiologist....
However, I the knowledge I have gained fron all the responses points me the direction of procititis. BTW, my blood was bright red too.

@robertov Mine was and it was a bloody, with mucus and a gassy affair kicking into high gear 10 months after 25 rad sessions. Got cauterized a month ago and according to the report I saw yesterday, they lazed many spots. I was prescribed Mesalamine yesterday. I seriously wish I had the need for bran muffins.

@neilmartin

I did the five proton sbrt. Space Oar inserted. I have had no bowel issues. And about two months of urinary discomfort, managed with Advil, Tylenol, AZO, and Flowmax. Gradually diminishing. Currently taking no meds. I am 10 weeks post radiation treatment other than the daily 5mg of sildenafil, so I will agree with your analysis, for now, realizing it can all go to heck in a hurry

@chippydoo I guess I’m not sure what you are saying. I have been having gas since the radiation. Some My blood was not mucsuy but was bright red. The bright red was, apparently, diagnostic as ‘hemoridial. Your lasering spots is not inconsistent with hemeroids. Which I’ve never had nor do I strain with BMs. But the meloxicam (Alleve prescription strength) was the key to eliminating the blood. So I was suggesting, if you are taking something like that, you may want to try stopping and seeing if that has any effect.