Radiotherapy Support Thread (inc. Brachytherapy)

Had my second (last) brachytherapy on Thursday. Like last time, 3-4 days afterwards I’ve had a little stinging when I wee, and the area feels a little inflamed, but bathing with cooled boiled salt water calms it down (radiographer and brachy nurse recommended this). Only minor discomfort and, if it’s like last time, it will only last a day or two.

It’s now 6 days since my last brachy, and 4 days since my last radio. Went out for a roast on Sunday and loved it - but I paid for it afterwards with urgency for the loo and going several times Sunday night and also this morning. Also today still having some stinging when I wee but it’s slightly better than it was at the weekend. It will be interesting to see if this continues to improve over the next few days.

I had similar problems after my brachytherapy - the cystitis symptoms started after the 2 nd and then the bowel after my 3rd.  I did read that side effects commonly start about 2 weeks after treatment.  I had quite sharp pains in my bowel area, then diarrhoea.  Definitely urgency to go - usually as soon as I woke up in the morning!  Very weird!  It does all seem to be calming down now - although the stinging when I pee can still occasionally happen.  I am hopeful that it will eventually go away

I have to say that since my hysterectomy my bowels have been all over the place!  Chemo also affected them and now brachytherapy has been added to the mix!  I was chatting to a friend - she was sayi that we need to be aware of any changes in bowel habits (related to signs of bowel cancer in the news) - I just laughed I have absolutely no idea what is normal for me any more

Hiya, I had brachytherapy x 3 last September and I declined the 25x external radiotherapy. I work in healthcare, so I didn't work during brachytherapy. I found the sessions themselves not too bad. It wasn't painful, just odd.  I did find I was quite tired, but I had also had a lot removed surgically not long before, and I left hospital with anaemia and a UTI, so they probably played a part as well.  I had a stage 2b cancer.  I think the question of whether or not to carry on working, really depends on what you do. If I had an admin job, and could have worked from home, at my own pace, I probably could have managed 1-2 hours a day, I think.  But in my role in healthcare, you are on your feet for 12 hours a day, and the wards are really busy, so I didn't go in. I think having the opportunity for flexible working, and working from home, might mean a few hours a day is possible. Good luck, everyone <3

I had similar stuff (no chemo - I had surgery and brachtherapy) - I had bladder and bowel urgency for about seven months, and my bowel definitely speeds up a lot after eating now, and I get a lot of wind after eating most things. I saw my Oncologist yesterday for the first time, and she says this isn't related to brachtherapy (even though it's a known side effect!), because she said the brachytherapy only zaps the bit where the cervix used to be, and shouldn't affect most of the bowel. I did get that, though. I hope it's starting to calm down now. I think now that my Bladder and Bowel are touching each other, and not separated by my Uterus, my Bladder is definitely more reactive to whatever my bowel is doing!

I'm hoping to have holiday abroad after my brachytherapy which should be around July/August this year and trying to book somewhere abroad for early September but I'm having doubts now how I will manage if I get sudden urgency to go toilet while I'm at passport control

Hi Maddy - I had similar concerns.  We are driving on holiday in a few weeks - not always easy to stop on a motorway!  The worst of my bladder symptoms only lasted a few days and the bowel end is settling I think - I am 3.5 weeks after treatment.  Like Marmitefan, the repeated loo trips followed a big meal!  Otherwise I really needed to go as soon as I woke up - but that was it for the day.  Some ladies do not get any repercussions from brachytherapy, so I wouldn’t like to think it would put you off booking a much needed holiday 

I am amazed that your oncologist didn’t think it was connected to brachytherapy!  My brachytherapy nurses told me that I might get diarrhoea or urgency for a day or two - although they too stressed that the treatment is very localised at the top of the vagina.  I have googled it and it is listed clearly as a possible side effect.

I think my symptoms are settling thanks - although still unpredictable. I see my oncologist in 2 weeks time, so I will tell her - my list of questions for her is getting quite long!

Hi Gwendot that's a bit more assuring. Thanks x

Hi Madedp

Contact your cancer nurse you can get a priority toilet card. Can’t remember which organisation does one. Don’t let cancer hold you back!