Radiotherapy side effects

Hello Chris (Odd Man In ) 

I would suggest you give your Radiotherapy team a call and tell them how you feel - they should be able to help you.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi OMI

I do remember when I had RT in 2017 side effects did last at least a couple of weeks after treatment was over so u need to give more time

As Brian has said you should mention it the treatment centre, probably some meds u can be given to help but it should start improving soon

Best wishes 

Steve 

Hi Chris (Odd Man In ) that sounds horrible.  I agree with Brian to talk to your team for advice.  RT seems to impact us all differently but really most side effects are during or closely after RT finishes, although some side effects can appear many months later.  It seems counterintuitive but keeping hydrated is essential.

Hi David, I'm hydrating even more than usual today. Seeing blood in the toilet when I pee is upsetting me, and the more I drink the less blood I see. That's my incentive.

Thanks to you and other forum members for the good advice.

Chris

If theres blood in your urine - speak to your team at the hospital- if you can’t get hold of them call 111 - don’t leave it!

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi, Sorry you are going through this. Hope you get some relief soon. Just curious what your doctors said caused these issues with only 20 sessions of RT and being a 3+4. Was it because of the prostate being so large? I read your bio and that seems to be only real negative thing I could see. Best of luck

in my case the side effects first reduced and then disappeared entirely. The process of reduction was well within the 2 weeks, but total disappearance was about a month.

I agree with everyone else though.

If blood has appeared in your urine get it checked out.

Hope things improve quickly.

Hi copyman there's seems to be an acceptance on the part of my team that two weeks of inflammation is 'normal'. I don't think screaming in the bathroom is normal and yes, I think the size of my prostate may make 'collateral damage' (my phrase) likely.

Today, my GP prescribed me 15mg Co-Codamol x 100. I need to watch for my constipation getting worse. Ibuprofen? Not with my angina.

And I'm wondering if it's time to retire...

Cheers,

Chris

Hi Brian, thank you. I spoke to the Christie Hotline 15/03/2026 and they reminded me about Cystopurin and suggested Co-Codamol. Cystopurin and similar irritate my bladder (artificial sweeteners?). I have 15mg Co-Codamol now so let's see what a full day of that can do tomorrow.

I'm going to drink only water tomorrow - I think even camomile tea is irritating my bladder.

I may also call my contact at The Christie again. Blood every morning is a worry, though it normally goes by late morning.

Thanks,

Chris

Radiotherapy side effects are delayed by 2-3 weeks, so tend to run for 2-3 weeks after treatment and then diminish. With you peeing blood (which is not uncommon during and immediately after radiotherapy), you should obviously let them know, but also get your GP to do a blood test checking for Anemia, iron, and Vitamin B12 levels. You are expected to be a little Anemic after radiotherapy which usually recovers in 5-6 weeks by itself, but if you're visibly losing blood too, this could run to a level which needs intervention, so good to have it monitored, and also to check you have enough iron and B12 that your body has the foundation to be remaking red blood cells. (Don't take iron or B12 unless prescribed as a result of a blood test showing they're needed.) If you're on any blood thinners, point this out in case they might want you to pause them (but definitely don't do this unless they tell you to do so).

If you take the Co-Codamol, I would suggest taking a stool softener like Movicol anyway to avoid becoming constipated.