Diarrhea after Brachytherapy

Hi Pa52

I am sorry to hear that you are still having some bowel effects after your brachytherapy. Although it is more common after external radiotherapy, it can more rarely occur with internal radiotherapy. It is reassuring that your oncologist is not concerned and that the scans show it is probably due to some mild inflammation. 

I continued to have tummy effects after my external radiotherapy and was told that for most people they do improve with time. Hopefully this will be the case for you. I was encouraged to keep a food diary and bowel chart and this was looked at during check up appointments. I was also given medication to help. It took time to work out which foods could effect things but was worth doing. 

It is natural to lose a bit of confidence when going out. I will pop a link here where you can get a Macmillan can't wait card. There are also other links that may be of help. 

Using public toilets | Macmillan Cancer Support

Some people find the next link helpful.

Bladder & Bowel UK home page - Bladder & Bowel UK

And finally using the below link you can get a free out and about kit and more advice. You do not have to have had any diagnosis of any pelvic radiation disease to obtain it- only that you have had radiotherapy to the pelvis and that you are having some bowel after effects. 

Out and About Toolkit - PRDA

Hope this helps a bit. Hopefully things will begin to settle given some more time but the above may help you feel a bit more confident when leaving home.

Jane

Hi, I had brachytherapy in 2022 following radiotherapy and didn’t have any diarrhoea. I do wonder if yours is down to the combo of chemo and then brachy. Are you following a low fibre eating plan at all? 

Thank you Jane.

Hi Marmite Fan. I've read many of your posts because they are so very applicable to me. I am following a low fibre diet ( again at your recommendation for someone else!) and that seems to work. Unfortunately as soon as I introduce something new it seems to exacerbate things again but I find the low fibre diet very restrictive. I've always tried to eat a varied diet with fruit and veg but that seems to be out now.

Any suggestions welcome.
Many thanks.

Hi Pa52, I’m glad the low fibre eating plan is helping, but I hear you that it’s frustrating to be restricted! What type of specific things are you already eating and what specifically would you like to be able to introduce? For example, fruit without skin is generally more easily digestible than with skin. And for me, veg like runner beans, carrots and peas in small quantities were more easily digestible than brassicas. And potatoes were fine as long as not jacket (because of the skin) - unless I just scooped out the filling and left the skin. 

Yes. Baked potatoes with middle only to be eaten are my go to.

Bananas are ok but I'm beginning to think greek yogurt is no good although I used to eat it regularly. It's fish and meat I have trouble with. White fish ( no sauce) is ok but so bland. Small amounts of chicken but not beef. I have a sweet tooth but too much sugar is no good. I've tried peeled apple but that's not good and I haven't tried peeling a grape!

How are you now? I know it is a few years since you  were diagnosed and treated. Can eat you eat like you did before now? I'm very impatient!

Thank you for you replies. I really helps speaking with someone who's gone through it themselves rather than picking it up "second hand."

Hi,

I found dairy was a trigger for symptoms with me. Also high fibre. Anything too processed caused symptoms at the start. I was advised to keep a food diary and bowel chart and it took time to identify which foods could cause symptoms. 

My CNS said that the foods that may cause symptoms can be quite individual however certain ones can be more common- high fibre, dairy, fatty foods.

Jane