IMRT Low Fiber Diets and Normal Bowel Movements

swl1956

This coming Tuesday I'm beginning 8 weeks of IMRT radiation treatments. They want me to start eating a low fiber diet to minimize gas in the bowels. Evidently gas can cause the prostate and other organs to move around a bit which could affect the accuracy of the beam radiation. Also they want me to empty my bowels and have a full bladder daily before receiving treatment. I currently eat a high fiber diet which has kept me regular for years, but just recently I had to go on a temporary low fiber diet for a few days prior to a radiation planning visit where they did CT and MRI imaging then tattooed 4 small dots in the groin area for alignment purposes which will be used during treatment. Anyhow, just those few days of low fiber really messed with my bowel movements. I was not regular and was constipated. Ended up aggravating a hemorrhoid. I'm worried about how to prepare and address these issues. Has anyone any advice on how they dealt with maintaining regularity and a healthy anus during these weeks of radiation treatments while eating a low fiber diet?

Clevelandguy

Hi,

I would not doubt you bathroom habits will be screwed up getting use to the low fiber. I would think the hemorrhoids are a result of straining. Ask your doctor if you allowed to take a gentle laxative. Your local pharmacist might be able to recommend something.

Dave 3+4

Marlon

Post surgery, I was advised to take over-the-counter stool softener. Even started in the hospital. Softener is not a laxative, but eases straining.

centralPA

Exercise

Nothing gets my GI tract in fighting form like going out jogging. Hiking and walking too. Exercises that directly involve the core like squats and situps. Going for a walk with a backpack with some weight in it. Great for your mental health too!

Turn this journey into something with at least an element of positive in it. Give yourself a gift of time spent moving. Put on some headphones and walk to a happy place.

swl1956

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1721226#Comment_1721226

Yeah! Or maybe crap my drawers and piss myself whilst I'm three miles from a toilet. Lols!

I do routinely walk about 3 miles everyday the weather permits. It has and is helping me immensely. Can't say I'm in a happy place though. Just got my PSA results after a few weeks on Orgovyx. Has reduced it from 9 down to 1. I know it's only part of the battle, but at least it's putting a temporary hurting on the bandit. I'd be less happy if it were still rising.

VascodaGama

Hi,

Along the weeks of my IMRT I continued eating my breakfast of 100% bran + plain yogurt without any trouble for the treatment. Surely I am not asking you to do the same but I felt very well.