Enema or No enema with Radiotherapy

The Western General hospital in Edinburgh gave me 10 days of micro enemas to clear gas out of the rectum. I arrived early and used the enema before drinking the required water amount and going to the radiotherapy unit. 

Hi Panda,

My partner had problems with emptying his bowel for his radiotherapy, he had one day where he arrived at 9am but had to stay till the end of the day to have it done because he was internally "backed up" He had Senokot for a few days and then was ok without anything. The reason is that that the bowel needs to be as far away as possible and not pushing into the area of the radiotherapy. Before he had the RT he would have a scan to check the bowel and be sent off to try again if it wasn't empty enough ( no pressure!) He was told to stop eating bulky foods like cereal and porridge.

 Also be prepared for a crash of energy halfway through, it' seems to hit you roughly two weeks in and last for a couple of weeks after.

Best wishes

L

Hi

In Poole I had to use a mini enema before every session - 37 in total. As for liquid, 380ml would have been dead easy - 600ml for me!

We are all different, and where the PC is,  I'm guessing, determines all sorts of things!

Regards

Stuart

Hi Bob

At Oldham we were the "odd man out" it was empty bladder so you had a wee before RT as they said an empty bladder is so they can "see" the prostate on the first scan.

Oh yes -I was given a pack of 24 "micro enemas to administer at no more than 2 hours before my "sunbed" appointment.  They worked in 20 minuets of administration and then I either walked in or got the bus if it was raining!!

I have 3 spare if you need them!!!!

Honest answer - ask the radiologist on Monday. I hope it works for you.

Cheers - Brian.

Hi Brian

How interesting. In my cohort, in Poole, no one ( as far as I could tell) used the enema at home. It used to take me 45 mins, to travel 6 miles, or so, and I really wouldn't have wanted to take a chance, and use it before I got to safety - if you get my drift!

Regards

Stuart

Hi Stuart

I am just over a mile from the hospital.

I am type 2 diabetic on Metformin - you can set your clock by my motions!! If someone wants to give me a hand that's fine!

Most of my RT appointments were between 5 and 7pm which fitted in with my normal "calling pattern". Happy days.

And yes- I do get your drift!! .

Been there, got the t - shirt!

Best wishes

Brian.

Thanks, that seems to be the best regime. I have appointments at 7.30am so looks like an early start!

Hi Brian

Yes a discussion with staff tomorrow. After only 2 treatments I already have reduced flow at night and an irritated bowel, which has come as a surprise to me as I wasn't expecting anything very noticeable until about the half way stage. I have bought a pack of mini enemas to help manage things particularly as I have a late afternoon appointments when the rest are about about 8am.

Regards

Bob

Hi Bob

Good luck with it tomorrow - I hope you get it sorted out.

When you are lying on the "sunbed" you can spend the time planning your next holiday. 

Keep us posted.

Best wishes - Brian.

Or sleeping!