Bladder issues during prostate radiation
I am 67 and undergoing radiation treatment for Gleason 6 prostate cancer. I am at the halfway mark. The first week or two went fine but now I have developed bladder and rectal issues. I am having night time bladder spasms that went from needed to urinate every 45 minutes to an hour to every 15-30 minutes. Sleep has become impossible and am now on day 3 with no sleep. I am currently taking Flomax and my Dr. suggested an OTC product called Azo but neither are of much use. I am trying to cut back on fluid intakes but the medications suggest taking with a full glass of water and I also have to have a full bladder for treatments. I have also developed bowel issues including bleeding hemorrhoids. This is requiring the use of laxatives which also affect my bladder. The radiologist and urologist have been of little help saying this is a common occurrence although they downplayed it during my consultations. In hindsight I wish I had gone with surgery. I am at wits end and wonder if anyone else has experience similar side effects and found a way to treat them. I need some sleep! Thank you!
Radiation can impact hemorrhoids and it did for me. I contacted my MD and asked what relief cream or suppository was ok to use. I found that taking fiber and drinking more water helped with constipation, which helped urine flow. I would be pressing my urologist for more information and not allow anyone to downplay what I am experiencing.
Speak with your radiation techs and ask if your bladder can be less full. My techs told me they could see, target, and adjust treatment focus depending on the amount of water in my system. If more water was needed, I was asked to drink a cup of coffee and return for treatment in a few minutes. We are all different as are the treatment folks but it never hurts to ask and press for answers when it comes to quality of life issues. Dennis(ProstateCancer.net TEAM)I had radiation during covid so it has been years or more but I had some rectal bleeding but as of 06/27/2024 the bleeding has increased to nearly every bowel movement. Dr. Is sending me for pipe up the colon.
I really hope this helps you and you get some relief. Please keep us posted. Jill (team member)
