Bowel damage following radiotherapy/brachytherapy

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Hi, 

Has anyone experienced bowel damage following treatment? I have since around November and went for a  flexible sigmoidoscopy this afternoon which has confirmed 30cm has been damaged.

has anyone else had similar issues? I have been recommended a wheat free diet to help the bowel however no time frames if this will be temporary or permanent. 

Any advise would be great Blush 

Jen 

xxx

  • Hi Jen

    It’s very common after the radiotherapy unfortunately so I know a lot of ladies who have had this happen. Mine seemed fine after treatment ended, but it was only when I was opened up for surgery they told me it had been very badly damaged, so I guess I was lucky not to suffer from problems with it at that time.

     I’m not sure to be honest that this will get better through diet etc or it will always be an issue for you, but surely they should give you an indication of how beneficial this would be and whether things will improve?  Did they tell you it was radiation enteritis? I’ve seen some ladies have hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help heal the damage, and speak highly of it. xxx


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  • Hi Sarah, 

    Hope you are good? 

    They did tell me after my MRI there was lots of scar tissue which was expected however my bowels are just a nightmare just now. 

    I ended up getting a private doctor to get this procedure yesterday as I waited weeks and then the dreaded Covid hit the household so needed to cancel! 

    He is going to invite me to a follow up appointment so I shall be armed with Q’s including your suggestions. 

    thank you Hearts️

  • Hi Jen

    Thanks, I’m doing fine. Waiting times are so long, so it’s good you were able to go private to get this done. It will be interesting to see if a wheat free diet helps, though I imagine it will be quite difficult to follow! I’ve not seen that suggestion before but keep us posted about how it goes and if you start to see improvements. 

    I often read about the need for us to be our own advocates, and I think that’s very true. Particularly as women, we tend to put up and shut up when we should be pushing for answers and solutions. I really hope you can find them, as bowel problems are not nice to live with. xxx


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  • Hi Sarah, 

    I think the theory behind the wheat free diet is to allow the bowel to heal better. Basically, according to my doctor, a healthy bowl can be easily aggravated with wheat, so a damaged bowel struggles more. 

    I have only been following it strictly for a few days so I suppose I need to give it time. It’s not easy to follow, I didn’t realise how much wheat is actually in, and just my luck, all the things I like!! There are lots of alternatives out there but they are so expensive! However I’ll give it a good go and see where it goes from there. 

    Jen 

    xxx

  • That’s really interesting Jen...wheat is everywhere so you’ll have to get creative! I bet you’ll do it though-you have always seemed to be determined and have the right attitude, so you’ll be the same with this. It will be so worth it if it helps your poor bowel to heal and for things to get better. xxx


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  • I am realising this! However my local butcher has a wheat/gluten free counter so I have just discovered! Actual bonus! 

    It’s worth a shot, anything is, after what us ladies have been through a wheat free diet is nothing really! 

    Jen 

    xxx