Pelvic pain during radiotherapy

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I am one week into 28 sessions of pelvic radiotherapy. Last night I experienced slightly burning bladder for the first time. 

I mentioned it to the radiologist today and will do a urine sample for them tomorrow. I'm not concerned as this is a known side effect. 

This evening I am getting bowel cramps and occasional twinges of bowel pain. Not very painful, but noticeable.

Again, I know this can happen - but has anyone else experienced pelvic pain either during - or after - pelvic radiotherapy?

  • Hi KT89, well done for having a week under your belt! I had a feeling of bloating during week 4, and urgency before having a poo, but not till then. Have the runs you had settled down? 

  • Hi KT89

    I did have some cramping as you describe and it is worth mentioning at your next treatment.

    I was prescribed Buscopan to help with the cramps. 

    I did have a bit of pelvic pain that remained for a while after radiotherapy finished. It did settle though and only very occasionally occurs now. A bit like a bruised sort of feeling. Mainly when I went to the toilet. Hot water bottles eased it for me. 

    During radiotherapy there was a sort of achy tenderness but I do feel that partly was due to anxiety about keeping still during the treatment and lying on the hard plinth. I used to unintentionally tense myself. 

    I had the same irritation type feeling with my bladder and it felt almost like I was getting a UTI but wasn't. Drinking lots to flush everything out helped. And avoiding caffeine which I found could cause more irritation.

    Hang in there- well done for completing the first week. I hope that the diarrhoea has settled. If not- do speak to them as there is much that they can do.

    Jane

           

    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

  • Hi,

    Thanks for your reply  

    They are about the same - no worse. 

  • Thank you  

    That reassures me - it's all so new.

  • Have you been advised to take anything for the diarrhoea? 

  • Hi  

    Looking back at my previous thread re "side effects already" the problem is slightly better than it was and not "about the same".

    Having woken at this ridiculous hour after another nightmare - these started at the same time as radiotherapy, I am wondering if this could be related to stress re the procedure.

    I find it difficult lying there during treatment feeling quite exposed, although the staff are absolutely lovely and respectful.

  • Hi KT89, I’m sorry you’re having interrupted sleep and feel for you too with how you’re feeling about feeling exposed. Do you wear a hospital gown to walk into the room or your own clothes? Is there a sheet over you when you’re on the table? I’d encourage you to tell the staff about how you’re feeling and about the nightmares. 

  • Hi Wave 

    I think it was you who said you wore your own clothes - so I do that - I don't change - and I prefer it. I have a piece of paper laid over me whilst having treatment. 

    The staff are very respectful. It's me - I think the long journey there and back and the waiting is tiring. I am definitely feeling stressed which is not like me. The treatment itself is so quick and easy which is the positive part.

  • My journey was 45-60 minutes each way so I can empathise. I made sure I left early so that I could have time to get a parking space as Southampton is a big busy car park and there always seemed to be some kind of works going on in the main car park that restricted spaces. So that usually meant leaving 90 mins before my appointment.  But if I got a space quickly that then meant a longer wait before I went in - which I found I preferred to do in my car than in the waiting room. I found it difficult sitting in the waiting area with only the treatment, the wait, and other people to look at, many of whom looked iller than me (I never felt or looked unwell during diagnosis, op time or treatment). So if I was super early, sometimes I’d go in to check in but then tell them I was going to wait in my car and could they call me to let me know when it was time to come in and drink my water. 

    Getting up each day and knowing that when I left I could be away for anything from 3 hours to (worst one) 8 hours was hard, as I like being at home. I had a few bank holidays near the start of my treatment so that was a welcome break - but then I had to come in one Saturday instead one week so that wasn’t great! 

    You should hopefully be getting to the stage soon where they don’t do the mini CT scan before every treatment which should make at least some sessions a lot shorter. I found that a real treat when it happened! 

    Are you sure you’re eating enough? What sort of time of day are your treatments and are you making sure to snack after and get more calories in after that? 

  • I like your suggestion about checking in and asking them to call when they want me. You're right, waiting in the waiting area is difficult for me too. Yesterday the checking in wasn't relayed to the treatment team, they didn't know I was there. So I ended up going last and got home at 7pm. They were profusely apologetic.

    I'm going to ask about waiting in the lovely bright restaurant - which had comfy chairs and ring me. My partner who is retired drives me and he waits on there for me anyway.

    Well done to you for driving yourself that's amazing. I'm just too tired to do that.

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