Bleeding during IMRT

[Guest guest]

Dan

I had IMRT 2 years ago and did not experience the bleeding that you describe. I would suggest that you see a Proctologist.

Harry

Subject: Bleeding during IMRTTo: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Monday, May 2, 2011, 11:24 AM

Hello all;

I had an RP done in June, and my PSA when down from 61.3 to 0.1 3 months later. Then it started to rise, first to 0.4 then to 0.7. The uro sent me to a rad/onc, and they decided that I needed to get on Eligard (3 month shots), and get IMRT. I am now beginning my 5th week of radiation, and all doesn't seem well. The docs don't seem to think much about it other than it can be some of the side effects. Maybe it's true, maybe not.

He is my problem. I have been having severe intestinal cramps and for the past week or so, and bleeding from my rectum. The first time it was bright red and covered most of the toilet paper. Since then, it is more included in my feces, which by the way is almost nil, and I have to go to the toilet several times in the morning now, with very little results, and the mostly present little 'pods' of blood. Mostly dark, starting to dry blood.

Is this normal, or am I having something else going on inside me now? I am getting a bit concerned, and would like other folks inputs to help me talk with the doc about it.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Dan Harriman

Orange Texas

If at first you don't succeed, maybe you shouldn't try sky diving!

[Guest guest]

Dan wrote:

....    

> He is my problem. I have been having severe intestinal cramps

> and for the past week or so, and  bleeding from my rectum. The

> first time it was bright red and covered most of the toilet

> paper. Since then, it is more included in my feces, which by

> the way is almost nil, and I have to go to the toilet several

> times in the morning now, with very little results, and the

> mostly present little 'pods' of blood. Mostly dark, starting to

> dry blood.

>     

> Is this normal, or am I having something else going on inside

> me now? I am getting a bit concerned, and would like other

> folks inputs to help me talk with the doc about it.

....

I don't know the answer to your question and don't know enough to

give any authoritative opinions, but I'll raise a few questions

for you to bring to the doc.

First of all the cramps.

I would think that the radiation beams don't go anywhere near the

intestines, so the cramps couldn't be directly caused by

radiation.  On the other hand, if you've been consciously or

unconsciously holding things in because of the damage to your

rectum, I would think that could easily cause cramps.  The fact

that your feces are almost nil is certainly a sign of

constipation.

If so, the cramps can be painful but may not be serious.  Perhaps

a stool softener and drinking a lot of water would help.  Any of

the things one does when constipated might help.  Ask the doc

about it.

Now the bleeding.

I know that rectal bleeding is not at all uncommon.  The

radiation does hit the rectum.  I don't think there's any way to

completely avoid it.  The prostate region is right next to it and

the doctor is probably spreading the beams to surrounding tissue

to zap any cancer that has extended out from the region where the

prostate was.

The walls of the rectum are damaged by the radiation.  Scar

tissue forms.  Hard stools will tear through the scabs and cause

bleeding.

Is it serious?  I don't know.  For a lot of people it doesn't

seem to be.  Once the radiation stops normal healing begins and

the patient recovers in a few weeks.

I would ask the doctor about protective coatings.  What does he

think about using Preparation H (which is mostly soothing,

coating, petroleum jelly?)  Ask if there's anything else he could

recommend.

A few drops of blood can look like quite a lot when mixed with a

bit of other liquid.  Hopefully, what you're seeing looks scarier

than it is.

One of the problems we often face in these situations is that

doctors focus on the big picture - fighting the cancer, and don't

always pay attention to the side effects.  You'll need to try to

engage him in helping you.  Tell him that if he can help you

through this it will make a big difference in your quality of

life during this whole process and you'd really be grateful for

the help.

Good luck.

    Alan

[Guest guest]

I just went through 8 weeks of IMRT last

August. Intestinal cramps and diarrhea was very common. Bleeding is also a

common side effect that does go away after the treatments have been completed

but it can take a while before it does. Talk with you radiation

oncologist and his nurse they can recommend some things that will help you

combat the side effects. Before treatment my doctor gave me a booklet

that explained most of the side effects that I could experience and what I can

do to keep them at a minimum. Unfortunately I am not sure where it is

right now. I remember it was close to 6 months before my body

started processing food normally again.

Hello all;

I had an RP done in June, and my PSA when down from

61.3 to 0.1 3 months later. Then it started to rise, first to 0.4 then to

0.7. The uro sent me to a rad/onc, and they decided that I needed to

get on Eligard (3 month shots), and get IMRT. I am now beginning my 5th week

of radiation, and all doesn't seem well. The docs don't seem to think much

about it other than it can be some of the side effects. Maybe it's true,

maybe not.

He is my problem. I have been having severe

intestinal cramps and for the past week or so, and bleeding from my

rectum. The first time it was bright red and covered most of the toilet

paper. Since then, it is more included in my feces, which by the way is

almost nil, and I have to go to the toilet several times in the morning now,

with very little results, and the mostly present little 'pods' of blood.

Mostly dark, starting to dry blood.

Is this normal, or am I having something else going

on inside me now? I am getting a bit concerned, and would like other folks

inputs to help me talk with the doc about it.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Dan Harriman

Orange

Texas

If at first you don't succeed, maybe you shouldn't try sky diving!

[Guest guest]

Thank you all for your responses. They are greatly appreciated.I did talk with the red/onc yesterday, and he has decided to give me a break from treatment for a few days. I am at the end of one cycle of treatment...zapping the pelvic area's lymph nodes, and about to start the second round o just zapping the prostate bed area for 10 treatments. (I had one lymph node test positive with a 2 mm lesion during post op biopsy, hence the zapping of the entire area for 25 treatments).At any rate, yesterday and today seem to be better, and no blood present.Thanks again, and I am glad for this group, and the members in it.Dan HarrimanOrange TexasIf at first you don't succeed, maybe you shouldn't try sky diving!

[Guest guest]

Dan:

I am where you are. I am having session #31 today (out of 38). They use the Varian Trilogy RapidArc machine. I have had assorted SE. I have had burning bladder feeling and burning in the anal area and testicular pain at various times. At other times, no SE. Last Saturday night I suddenly got severe cramps and diarrhea one time. On Sunday I still felt lousy and only had liquids. Yesterday I felt better. I might be constipated a bit today. ly, although I have read of people having no problems, I have found this to be a miserable experience. I have been told that bleeding is not uncommon. I also have hemmrhoids and I've been told that means a higher likelihood of problems. I've been told to expect urinary probems (urgency) and fatigue (brick wall). So far, none of these symptoms have happened but like you I am in the latter part of the tx.

Mel

[Guest guest]

Hello all;I want to give you an update on what is going on with me and my bleeding. Yesterday. my red/onc pulled some strings and got me set up for a colonoscopy for today. I had it done, and the doc says I have some colitis in my sigmoid that was perhaps aggravated by the radiation. He put me on a low residue diet, and my red/onc has given me the rest of the week off of radiation. Hurray!Anyway, that is some good news for me, and I just wanted to let others know what might be causing some abdominal cramping and such. Thanks for letting me post, and for all your support!. Dan HarrimanOrange TexasIf at first you don't succeed, maybe you shouldn't try sky diving!