Bowel problems after radiation. Does it get better?

Hi Prissy:

I did not have pelvic radiation only HDR Brachy radiation so I am unable to really help you on this.  They did not want to do pelvic radiation on me because of the future potential scarring as I scar easily.    I do have to say that I get what I call "achy bowels".   Thats the only way I can explain it.   It seems I get a build up every few months or so.   I am 9 years out from my radiation and I am only now experiencing some of the long-term effects from it.   (ureter stent for left kidney).    Scarring is the major factor with radiation and how one scars nobody can pin point that.   All I can say there are good days and bad days.    I also have a tendency to get soft tissue masses which I am experiencing right now (6 cm) and it runs along my bladder, vaginal cuff, and rectum so a lot of my achiness is probably coming from that.

Maybe some of the other ladies here can help you.  I just wanted to respond.   

My best to you.

Kathy

Me too. Frequent movements and not much warning either.  Have had to change clothes more than once.  Also an abdominal pressue that doesn't seem to be related to needing to go. Talked to gyn/onc about these problems about 3 weeks ago. He did internal exam & sent me for CT scan. Thank God - NED. Dr said these are common late effect radiation symptoms. (BUT he had to do some checking to make sure nothing else going on) Nothing much can be done. BUT suggested probiotics as they sometimes ease symptoms, may take several weeks to notice difference.  I'm just starting to think symptoms might be lessening.  Not fun but I'd do the radiation again - doing everything Dr tells me he thinks I should do.

Hope the info helps, 

Barb

i had similar problems for awhile after radiation.. went to my GP and he recomended Metamucil  he said to give my intestines something to munch on.  try it and it actually worked.  I aways kept a change pf clothes in the car and I got a bigger purse were i could stick and exra set in.  i even used Depends for a little while to avoid embaressment.  It does get better so hang in there.  Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

Prissy777 said:

Bowel problems

Thank You everyone for replying. I will buy some probiotics tomorrow I am one week out from radiation completion. I hope in a month this will have cleared up some. How long does it normally take a month or a couple of months?

Prissy, eveyone is different, but I think the probiotics is worth a try.  I took them and I believe they helped.  As I mentioned here before, (you are all probably tired of hearing it) I was able to meet with a dietician who showed me a study of cervical cancer patients, half who took and half who did not take probiotics.  It was astonishing to see what an impact the probiotics had on the women.  With everything crazy we take, this is nothing and is to help rebuild the good environment in your gut.  

Prissy777 said:

How long?

How long did it take to.get better?..  Thanks

hey prissy --

for me it took a couple of months to notice that i wasn't having issues so consistently. and now, 3-1/2 months out, it's really minor. the improvement came gradually over time. i didn't do anything to try to "fix" it, tink with my diet or take diarrhea meds etc. it just gradually cleared up on its own. the intestine goes through a lot when it's being irradiated, so it needs some time to calm down. i'm gradually returning to dietary habits i had before all this (it's taking me a while to regroup emotionally so i've been pretty slack about the whole "eat right" thing)...so i'm about to start juicing again. i'm taking probiotics already. doing more whole grains and high fiber veggies etc. greens. no way of knowing from one day to the next how my intestines will react so i'm making changes slowly and just playing it by ear. if your experience is like mine, you'll be feeling better soon. hang in there!

hugs

caedmon