External radiotherapy

Hi shinygal

I start my RT in 2 weeks

I was wondering the same  whats a good eating plan

Any advice would be great

Thanks

Lynne

It's 2 years ago today that I completed my radiotherapy!  Unfortunately I did and still have a few bowel problems.  I found I had to cut out fibre, I swapped from wholemeal bread to white bread, I cut out vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower etc. (unfortunately my favourite veg and I still have problems with them).  I also cut out coffee as I had read somewhere that that could have an unfortunately effect so I stopped that until after treatment had ended.  Drink plenty of water too, 2 litres a day I was told.  I did already have IBS which probably didn't help my case, others might not have had the same problems I did if they don't have IBS already!  I used Immodium to get me through the worst of it but only ever needed one or maybe two a day which kept things under control.  In a funny way it helped a bit as I didn't need to use the little enemas when I got to the hospital each day!!

Hope you both get on OK, the days pass surprisingly quickly one you get started.

Hugs, Lesley xx

Hi Lesley

Thank you so much for the helpful info. I am sorry you are still having issues and hope things improve.

Drinking lots of water is a good tip.My leaflet also says to avoid caffeine but I am a caffeine addict so might struggle with that one.!  I have seen a few low fibre diets online, exact opposite of what I normally eat so when all this has settled I am going to treat myself to a good curry

Hugs to you and Lynne Sherwood lady x

Hi Shinygal and Sherwood lady,

I was told by the radiotherapy team, and it was right, to drink plenty, not caffeine drinks, and avoid much fibre.

This is because, for pelvic radiotherapy you need a full bladder and an empty bowel, including empty of gas, to keep your bladder and bowel out of the target area. This helps avoid damage to them. Modern radiotherapy is very targeted.

If you dont drink enough throughout the day, and then try to drink loads while waiting  to go in, your body takes up what you are drinking and doesn't pass it to the bladder. It then takes you much longer to get your body hydrated enough to fill your bladder. No caffeine is because it dehydrates you.

Food wise, you dont want food that passes through and fills your bowel, or makes you gassy. So bland carbs and not fruit and green veg, and no curry. I love fruit and veg and curry, but trust me, you'll regret it when they say your bladder is lovely and full but could you nip out and get rid of the bowel contents- riiiiight! Or , you go in pleased with yourself cos you think your bowel is empty and they ask you to nip out and get rid of the gas. 

I asked for first thing in the morning appointments. This often involved me waving through the people with the appointments after me, while I tried to get the balance right.

The radiotherapy team were  very patient,  and I got the hang of it in the end.

Mine finished on 12th July, and the main symptom I have now is that when I need to go, I need to respond to the urge quickly. My ability to hang on is diminished.  Will probably need to do more of the pelvic floor exercises.

Hope all goes well for you x

Hi Mrs Woodentop

Thank you for this helpful info. I have heeded this advice and been preparing for tomorrow e.g. white bread, no fruit,green veg, nuts etc and definitely no curry this weekend!! Unfortunately I have been contacted by hospital and my first appointment for tomorrow has been cancelled as my treatment plan isn't ready due to a computer failure. 

 I don't know when my treatment will start so just taking things as they come and trying not to get too anxious

Shinygal x

Hi Mrs Woodentop

Thank you for this helpful info. I have heeded this advice and been preparing for tomorrow e.g. white bread, no fruit,green veg, nuts etc and definitely no curry this weekend!! Unfortunately I have been contacted by hospital and my first appointment for tomorrow has been cancelled as my treatment plan isn't ready due to a computer failure. 

 I don't know when my treatment will start so just taking things as they come and trying not to get too anxious

Shinygal x

Ooops; I never do things by halves so sent this twice somehow. Maybe have got brain fog as well as everything else

Hi mrs woodentop

Thank you for advice will take all on board

My first appt is at 9am should i have

 No breakfast and just have water and eat afterwards

Hopefully will get the hang of it 

Good luck shinygal

Xxx

Hi ,

I did ask about that when I started radio.  I had already been asked to watch my diet carefully as the planning scan had shown that I tended to have a tendency to be a bit "gassy" and this would make it more difficult to protect my bowel due to variations in its position.  To put it briefly they implied I was an old windbag!   In answer to the question they said it was better to have a light breakfast before the appointment as being empty might encourage wind.   Obviously it might not be the same for you but in the absence of any definite advice to the contrary I would guess you can safely stick with a light breakfast.  Also it is unfortunately not unknown for things to run behind schedule and you could have a long wait before you can eat otherwise. 

Incidentally I didn't have any real problems during treatment , no real diarrhoea, only increased frequency.  it took a few months after the end but things did  return to normal.   

Good Luck!

Hi ladies.

Thank you for your kind messages and good advice. It's good to hear that not everyone gets diarrhoea as that has been worrying me .

I am also concerned about the risk of lymphoedema as I have had lots of nodes removed so any tips would be appreciated. I normally do dance classes and yoga 4 times a week but am just 4 week post op so am just walking as much as possible at the moment and hoping that helps

Love to all

Shinygal