Pain after radiation therapy/ personal advice request

Welcome to the forum, I'm sorry you're here but you've come to the right place. I don't think I can be any help because I didn't have any pain with my radiation, not even my skin from the burns. I'm wondering if she has a blockage. They did a ct scan but might not have checked the right area, they could be looking too high or too low. Also, a partial blockage doesn't necessary show up well on a ct scan. And she has a colostomy but they gave her something for diarrhea? I'm not sure that's the way to go.

Of course I'm not there and I know nothing about her situation but if she's dehydrated and having pain and doesn't want to eat, that's exactly how I feel when I have a blockage. They're partial blockages that resolve themselves on their own with no surgery but until whatever it is passes it's pretty miserable. I'm generally bedridden for days to a couple of weeks. And I have to go to the hospital to get IV fluids for the dehydration and IV anti-nausea meds and painkillers specific to the abdomen. It's best to drink as much as possible during this time and not to eat anything that isn't soft like mashed potates or ice cream or yogurt. My doctor said a milkshake eaten with a spoon can be good. Prolonged dehydration is bad for the liver and last time they scolded me for waiting so long to go to the hospital and said my liver would have shut down if I'd waited any longer. I'm not sure how true that is but I will go sooner next time, if there is one. I have an ostomy and have been following a non-residual diet to prevent blockages. 

Or I could be totally wrong but it sounds exactly like how I feel. The cramping can be really painful and sudden. I end up so weak I can barely function. I've had them from eating celery, corn on the cob, things like that. Many things don't get dissolved in the stomach and they can easily cause a blockage that will still allow fluids to get through but are really nasty while it's going on. Vegetables with skins are bad such as corn, peas, beans, things like that. Mushrooms are bad, so are oranges because of the membranes on each section. Pieces of onion are bad, too. I carefully chew everything I eat so it's as broken down as possible before it goes in. It's annoying but it's alot better than being sick for over a week.  I have to watch out for things that would normally be swallowed whole, too. Like pieces of veggies in a soup. 

I hope you get this figured out, she must feel pretty horrible right now. Someone else might have some better ideas. Good luck!

Jan

About 12 yrs ago, I had pelvic radiation and in 2010 I was diagnosed with a small intestinal stricture - 4 inch scarred area that can cause partial blockages that are extremely painful spasms that last for hrs.  At that time, I was told to follow a "low residue diet" - foods that are easily digested and go through your system easier.  You can look this up on the internet - very important to chew your food well, no fresh vegetables, cook the veggies (the ones with no seeds, skins) very well, little fiber as it bulks, no seeds, grains, skins, etc.  It helps to reduce the occurence of a partial blockage, but does not necessarily prevent.  All of the suggestions that Jan mentioned above are very important.  A "complete" blockage would be constant pain and is life threatening.  I wonder if following the suggestions included in this low residue diet would be helpful to reduce some of her pain.  Even beef is harder to digest - I eat mainly chicken, turkey, fish, well cooked veggies, soft foods, etc and chew everything well.  I hope something gives her some relief.  I also take an anti-inflammatory because I suspect that the initial mild spasms I get before the partial blockage starts may be associated with some swelling (inflammation) and be contributing to the food not passing through the intestines (narrowing the area).  Partial blockages cause extremely painful spasms that hurt for a few minutes, subside, and then start again in a few minutes and can last for many hours.  Good luck helping your Mom.  I hope she finds some relief.  I also use supplements, like Ensure and Enlive to help on days when my stomach is not feeling great.

Just in case you don't know what is meant by brat, it is a diet of Banana, Rice. Applesauce, and Toast. All of these are very digestible.  Good Luck!!!