Any tips for external pelvic radiation ?

Diarrhea is a common side effect of pelvic radiation. This link https://csn.cancer.org/node/319307 talks about this issue and has some suggestions to control this side effect as well as links to diets, etc.

In addition, I developed radiation cystitis near the end of my radiation treatments, which my radiation oncologist had warned me often happened. It felt just like a urinary tract infection. It was annoying, but went away a couple of weeks after treatment ended.

Members have had different reactions to radiation. Personally, I found it much easier than chemo, but other women had a much harder time with it. At a minimum, be prepared to feel fatigue during this period.

Hi Cindy

I finished 28 treatments of external radiation on 12/29/21. I had some intestinal irritation but it wasn’t bad. I also had some skin sensitivity but that was also minimal. For me it was way easier than chemo. My rad onc recommended unscented soap like Dove and also eucerin lotion. I used the one for eczema. I did experience some tiredness but resting seemed to take care it.

Hope you have a good experience with it.

maj

Hey Cindy, I had both external and brachy radiation back in 2012. External radiation didn't hurt, but it gave me exhaustion like I had never experienced before. Whew! I remember sitting at the office wondering how the heck I was going to move to sitting down at home at 7 pm and falling over asleep. I tried to remind myself that "rest is restorative" and it quickly started to decrease when the treatment ended.

If I could make one suggestion. I have been a probiotic believer before I did any radiation. I sat down with a dietician who specializes in helping cancer patients before radiation. That was incredible valuable. Before when I was told "Push the protein" I had no idea what that meant. This dietician really laid out HOW I needed to think that statement Here is the kicker. She had shared with me a study of women receiving radiation for cervical cancer faired with/without probiotics. It was DRAMATIC of the decreased instances of dehydration from diarrhea by those taking a probiotic.

I just want to throw it out there for your consideration. I realize we are all different and each individual reacts differently. I will say, for me, I remember that fatigue though.

I had chemo followed by external radiation, also for stage IIIa - in my case it was filling up my left ovary. Finished treatment 3 1/2 years ago, so there is hope :)

I didn't really do anything for my skin, and had minimal effects on my skin.

I also had a lot worse fatigue after chemo treatments than during radiation.

I usually had a little nausea after each treatment, but very mild and short-lived.

My problem was with diarrhea, but I was eventually (6 months later) diagnosed with microscopic colitis, which I suspect started after chemo and just before radiation. - no doubt radiation played a part too :) Despite the problem, I never got dehydrated or lost weight. I tried to keep fiber very low per advice - couldn't tell that it helped, and once treatment finished, I found that more fiber was better, not less.

Regardless of what caused my ongoing diarrhea problem (microscopic colitis, radiation effects, gallbladder removal at same time as hystectomy - no way to really tell), just a few months ago it finally improved, even though I had given up hope. Not back to normal by any means, but the worst of it is better.

So it can definitely vary greatly. And even when symptoms linger, they may still improve with time :)

Dang it. I am still getting used to this site. Sorry for not replying sooner, I just have not been in to visit and read.

Cindy, I will explain by what I meant. I use an OTC probiotic - and there are ones at all price ranges for sure! The one I took when I was going through treatment I don't see anymore so I am always looking for a new one but I look for a high count (think billion) live probiotic cultures. I currently am using an Ultra Strength Probiotic 10 (10 probiotic strains) and it seems ok. It might run 15 - 20 bucks? I know there are more and less expensive. Think of this like mustard - it isn't that much so it is easy to experiment.

On 'push the protein' the tip I got from the dietician was to eat 7 - 10 servings of protein every day. Sounds like a lot, but here is a way to think of it - approx an ounce. 1 egg = 1 serving. 2 oz of cheese = 2. Nuts, meat, yogurt are good. She told me ice cream, not sure, but it was fun and so I got maybe 11 that day? 😋

How is it going? It has been a few weeks now, and I am cheering you on. I am so sorry I didn't reply to you sooner - if you PM me I promise you stand a better chance.

Hugs dear!

any news on the digni-caps wore for chemotherapy, anyone? My sister was telling me........ I tried on first treatment, trying to keep me life as normal as possible..... work too