Radiation Side Effects

lauragb
lauragb Member Posts: 370 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi all, I just completed my third week of radiation and the side effects are kicking in big time. I have severe diarrhea and have been taking Immodium but wondered if anyone has advice for using Immodium and/or other dietary advice. I am using sitz baths and Aquaphor for the anal sores which helps some but it is still painful. I'm also having burning in my urinary tract and some bleeding so all in all pretty much the whole area is not doing well. I have to say this is discouraging knowing I have so far to go and many challenges ahead beyond this initial chemoradiotherapy. Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks,
Laura

Comments

  • Aud
    Aud Member Posts: 479 Member
    #2
    Dear Laura
    I am sorry you are having to go through all this but know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Take one day at a time which becomes one week at a time and then it's done. I know, that doesn't help with the side effects you're having to deal with now. And, yeah, easier said than done.

    At one point, I started using Silvedene for the sores in addition to the Aquaphor. It's a cream that is used to treat burns. I had a whole pharmacy of creams and ointments! I wish I had something useful to tell you about the diarrhea. Be sure to stay in close--daily if need be--contact with your doctor who can advise you. His or her physician assistant or nurse and your pharmacist can be good resources too. I also had a pain releiver which I can't remember if I used or not. (maybe Percoset?--not sure)

    Just think, you are half way there! And you will get through this...one day at a time.

    In the Light,
    Aud
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #3
    Laura, what you're going
    Laura, what you're going through sounds the same way I did with the radiation/chemo. For the diarrhea, the last couple of weeks and for a few while my body recovered I ate the brat diet...bananas,white rice, applesauce (I couldn't tolerate this), and white toast. Buy some good toilet paper, not the cheap stuff. I like Northern Ultra. And I bought the flushable wipes which may have felt a tiny better to use sometimes. I ended up using Lomotil, a prescription instead of the Immodium. For the urinary pain, take your pain meds!! I used my Vicodin at this time more than any other! I wasn't able to leave my house for about 3 weeks because of the urinary burns from the radiation. I lost a lot of weight at this time.

    Bless you, gail
  • lauragb
    lauragb Member Posts: 370 Member
    #4
    Thanks for the support
    I appreciate the responses and will keep in mind the suggestions as I move through these next few weeks. I haven't take pain meds yet but think I need to get some for the urinary tract burn. It does help to know others healed after this treatment.

    One of my biggest issues is that I have no weight to lose so that stresses me out. Were any of you able to gain some weight in between this initial treatment and the surgery?

    To light, balance and harmony
    Laura
  • UtOh
    UtOh Member Posts: 5
    #5
    lauragb said:

    Thanks for the support
    I appreciate the responses and will keep in mind the suggestions as I move through these next few weeks. I haven't take pain meds yet but think I need to get some for the urinary tract burn. It does help to know others healed after this treatment.

    One of my biggest issues is that I have no weight to lose so that stresses me out. Were any of you able to gain some weight in between this initial treatment and the surgery?

    To light, balance and harmony
    Laura

    Hi, Laura. Sorry you're in
    Hi, Laura. Sorry you're in such pain. I was in excruiating agony at about the same time frame in my rad tx as you. What worked for me was using a peri-bottle with warm H20 on my anus, followed by a sitz bath. I then used baby/diaper wipes, not toilet paper, and dabbed the area, do not wipe! My doc prescribed Lidocaine cream which also helped immensely, especially before bed. I'm not sure what you mean by anal sores, but I had horrible hemorrhoids and used steriod suppositories then switched to Proctofoam (both rx). I managed to get thru all my rad - I sure couldn't see a light at the end of the tunnel at that point, but it's there for you! I'm two weeks out of rad and feeling great. (Re your weight concern: I put on 4 lbs during tx (rad & xeloda), go figure.)
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #6
    lauragb said:

    Thanks for the support
    I appreciate the responses and will keep in mind the suggestions as I move through these next few weeks. I haven't take pain meds yet but think I need to get some for the urinary tract burn. It does help to know others healed after this treatment.

    One of my biggest issues is that I have no weight to lose so that stresses me out. Were any of you able to gain some weight in between this initial treatment and the surgery?

    To light, balance and harmony
    Laura

    I didn't gain, and I hate to
    I didn't gain, and I hate to say but you will lose more after surgery. I looked pretty scrawny for a few months. Once I started chemo I gained weight again and now I am back to where I was pre diagnosis.

    Gail
  • lauragb
    lauragb Member Posts: 370 Member
    #7
    lauragb said:

    Thanks for the support
    I appreciate the responses and will keep in mind the suggestions as I move through these next few weeks. I haven't take pain meds yet but think I need to get some for the urinary tract burn. It does help to know others healed after this treatment.

    One of my biggest issues is that I have no weight to lose so that stresses me out. Were any of you able to gain some weight in between this initial treatment and the surgery?

    To light, balance and harmony
    Laura

    Thanks again
    Just hearing from you all and that you made it through this, gained weight, felt good helps immensely. I think I made need to go BRAT to settle things down then try some protein. Any protein advice would be welcome.

    Thanks again. You all are the best.
    Laura
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #8
    lauragb said:

    Thanks again
    Just hearing from you all and that you made it through this, gained weight, felt good helps immensely. I think I made need to go BRAT to settle things down then try some protein. Any protein advice would be welcome.

    Thanks again. You all are the best.
    Laura

    If you can, try drinking Ensure or Boost Plus or CVS version
    for both extra calories as well as nutrition....Use the creams as suggested,sitz bath,squirt bottle of warm water instead of toilet paper and if feasible,dry self with a fan.....Keep in mind you have an end-date for the radiation and that for the two or so weeks after it ends, the burn might intensify and then,before you know it, its gone; the runs should gradually cease as well and your strength slowly returns......steve

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