Questions about IMRT and Urinary Urgency

swl1956

I'm currently into my 14th of 40 IMRTs today. In the last few days I've been struggling to hold my bladder while on the machine. Had two incidences of having to stop the treatment for me to get off and pee. I barely made it to the restroom both times. They're very understanding and after I drink some more water and wait a bit get me back on and complete the days treatment. I'm definitely having more urgency episodes since starting treatments both there and elsewhere. After I leave the facility, I can barely make it back to my house without pissing myself which is only a half hour drive. I'm also getting up a couple more times during the night to pee. Was only one or two times before IMRT and now usually four times a night. Anyhow, my paranoia is kicking in and worrying about if this a trend towards incontinence or just a temporary condition that will remedy after treatments end. I'm especially worried due to it being only the 14th treatment. Any of you guys had similar urinary issues while receiving Radiation Treatments? If so, how bad did it get? And, does this improve after all the IMRT sessions are completed? The Radiation Oncologist said it's fairly normal and suggested Tamsulosin (Flowmax) may be helpful. I'm hesitant to add another drug to the cocktail I'm already on. Your experience and thoughts would be most appreciated.

On a more humorous note, the Radiation technicians thanked me for telling them I could no longer hold it. They said that's much better than them having to clean up someones pee which goes with the job. I said "I bet you guys could tell some good stories" They laughed and said "OH YEAH! Lols! I'd like to go have a few beers and hear those stories, but I'd probably piss myself at the bar. 😕

Steve1961

flowmax may jelp its not that bad .lmaybe dont drink as much water

Old Salt

You should talk to the radiologist or the technician; I would hope that a slight adjustment of the 'bladder protocol' would help (a lot).

Clevelandguy

Hi,

From what I know about IMRT one of the side effects is urine leakage/retention problems which should improve over time. To help you get through this period Flomax might not be a bad solution. The use of an external catheter might also help or preemptive bathroom trips during your day.

Dave 3+4

TBonePembroke

oh my, this is me! Very helpful. 5 days post final of RT. Just ordered a catheter for overnight. Sleeping most of the day. Also on Elligard hormone treatment. After MUCH research I am highly allergic to it….. so off to a dermatologist. Yep, with everything I am taking I am thinking of getting off Elligard.
Just want to play golf and not nap through the day.

swl1956

Didn't end up needing external catheter. I've been taking one Flowmax per evening and 600mg of Ibuprofen once in morning and once in evening as recommended by Radiation Oncologist. That has seemed to help a bit with the urgency, but mostly I've been drinking a bit less water before treatments and timing it a little closer to my scheduled time. I'm having a much better go with it now. Evidently some peoples bladders fill faster than others. I now only have three more radiation sessions to finish the forty. Thank the Gods! RO claims bladder issues should start subsiding a week or two after radiation is completed. Hope she's correct.

Hang in there

Tico14

How does anyone go through this who has urinary incontinence?

swl1956

Good question! You're supposed to have a full bladder for prostate radiation. One of the radiologist technicians told me some patients need a device called a penile clamp. I Googled it. It's pretty much what you might think. Yikes! I imagine it would be painful?